New Orleans is packed with things to see and do.  Our rich heritage offers plenty of options for historical, popular, and novel attractions.  However, lovers of history and grandeur will love to turn their visit into a New Orleans plantation tour!  These beautiful plantations feature a myriad of architecture, from Greek Revival, to Traditional French, and Italianate.  Each plantation is within 75 miles of Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast, with the closest being just 8 miles away!  Spend an entire day at one amazing site, or split the day to hit two or more of these Grande Dames!  Better yet, plan to make this a multi-day adventure during your New Orleans vacation.

Sentinels of the refined, elegant southern Louisiana lifestyle of our rural roots, many New Orleans area plantations still stand today to remind us of times which have passed in favor of a more frantic life.

Malus Beauregard House – just outside of town in Chalmette, LA.  Although not classified as a plantation, this home has housed several wealthy families during the nineteenth century and sits on the site of the Chalmette battlefield.  Open from 9 am to 4:30 pm, parking and tours are free.

Bocage Plantation – Darrow, LA.  Tours are offered Wednesday through Sunday from 12 pm to 5pm.  Cost is $20 per person, children under 12 are free.

Destrehan Plantation*- Destrehan, LA.  This historically active plantation offers craft demonstrations on weekdays, including open hearth cooking, bousillage construction (how many structures were built), indigo dyeing, candle making, African American herbal remedies, and carpentry.  Tours in French are offered on Tuesday and Friday.  Tours are 9am to 4pm daily, except on major holidays.  Cost is $15 for adults, $5 for children 6-16, and children under 6 are free.

Houmas House* – Darrow, LA.  This plantation boasts the ghost of a little girl on the grounds!  They offer a chartered tour originating from the French Quarter: $59 for adults and $40 for children.

Laura Plantation* – Vacherie, LA.  Open daily except for major Holidays.  Their 70-minute guided tours are offered from 10am to 4pm.  Parking is free.  Admission is $18 for adults, $5 for children 6-17, and children under 6 are free.  $1 discounts for AAA, National Trust, Military and We Save adult admission applies.  Tours in French are offered at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm.

Nottoway Plantation – White Castle, LA.  Open 7 days a week, 9am to 4pm (except for major holidays).  Guided tour admission of the mansion and grounds is $20 for adults, $6 for children 6-12, and children under 6 are free.  AAA, Senior, and Military discounts are offered.  Self-guided tours of the grounds only are $8 for adults, children 12 and under are free.  A lunch/afternoon cafe is open onsite from Thursday through Sunday each week.

Oak Alley Plantation* – Vacherie, LA.  Open daily except major holidays, 9am to 6pm.  Admission is $18 for adults, $7.50 for teens 13-18, and $4.50 for children 6-12.  Children under 6 are free.  Guided tours of the Big House are given by guides in period costume.  A self-guided walking tour is also available.  Senior, AAA, and Military discounts are offered.

San Francisco Plantation* – Garyville, LA.  Gates open between 9-9:30am and the last tour is offered between 4-4:40pm (hours vary slightly depending on season).  Closed on major holidays.  Tours are given by guides in period attire.  Admission is $15 for adults, $7 for students, children 6 and under are free.  AAA and Military discount is offered.

*You do not have to have a car to get to some of the best locations.  A tour can be arranged right from the front door of the Inn for these exciting examples of early Louisiana plantation life.  Just ask your Innkeeper for all the details.

Following an amazing dinner at a nearby restaurant, curl up in your cozy bed at our New Orleans bed and breakfast and dream of life in the genteel south!

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