Top 15 Plantation Tours Near New Orleans

The dynamic, colorful, and culturally enriched city of New Orleans is a preferred destination for many travelers exploring the southern United States. The vibrant music scene, culinary delights, and diverse languages and dialects stemming from various influences across Europe, Africa, and the Americas converge to form a captivating cultural tapestry that enchants visitors.

The city’s varied roots are grounded in a history that is as profound as the culture itself. An essential aspect of visiting the eclectic New Orleans is experiencing this history firsthand, as the surrounding area holds remnants of the somber legacy of slavery within the plantations.

While these plantations may now appear as beautiful estates, they also reveal the stark realities of New Orleans’ past, often overlooked. Therefore, visiting these sites allows one to appreciate the grandeur of the architecture while gaining insight into the complex history that shaped New Orleans into the diverse destination it represents today.

Below are the premier plantation tours available from New Orleans.

1. New Orleans Oak Alley Plantation Half-Day Tour

Oak Alley stands as one of the most renowned plantations located along the Mississippi River. This historic site was established in 1839 by one of the South’s wealthiest landowners, contributing to his prosperous sugar empire.

The plantation derives its name from the magnificent row of oak trees lining the grand entrance to the main house. These stately trees provide a gracious canopy over the path, shielding visitors from the intense summer heat as they approach the estate.

This iconic house has appeared in various films and is often considered the archetypal southern plantation, exemplifying opulence that few others can match. On this half-day tour, you will explore the intricate details of southern culture during the era of slavery, guided by knowledgeable docents who present the unvarnished truth.

2. Oak Alley and Laura Plantation Combo

This extended tour offers a visit to both the aforementioned Oak Alley plantation and the Laura Plantation, presenting you with the opportunity to experience two of the South’s most fascinating estates in a single excursion.

After roaming the oak-shaded pathways and resplendent opulence of Oak Alley, you will be transported to the Laura Plantation. This restored home provides a wonderful illustration of early 19th-century architectural styles found in the region. Inside, historical artifacts from daily life offer a poignant perspective of the past.

The Laura Plantation is relatively distinctive for its time, being managed primarily by women for a significant part of its history involving slavery. On this combo tour from New Orleans, you will uncover these unique stories and more.

3. Half Day Laura Plantation Tour

If you have ample time during your stay in New Orleans and prefer a more leisurely exploration, consider this tour focused solely on the Laura Plantation, allowing for a more profound appreciation without the haste of visiting Oak Alley concurrently.

This half-day excursion will traverse the renowned Laura Plantation. Local guides will narrate compelling tales about the women who managed the estate, along with the harrowing experiences of the enslaved individuals who labored here.

4. New Orleans: Oak Alley Plantation and Airboat Swamp Combo

This excellent day excursion from New Orleans begins at the renowned Oak Alley Plantation, where you will delve into the life and the system of slavery in the Mississippi region during the 19th century. Following this exploration into history, the tour presents an adventure into the swamps, revealing another facet of Louisiana.

The state is celebrated for its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems. Participants will embark on a thrilling airboat ride through the dense Mississippi swamps, with opportunities to observe alligators in their natural habitat, guided by local experts familiar with the area and its wildlife.

5. From New Orleans: Whitney Plantation Tour

For individuals keen on expanding their understanding of slavery in Louisiana during the 19th century, a visit to the Whitney Plantation is essential. Although many plantations in the region address the topic of slavery and the resulting wealth, few delve as deeply into these issues as the Whitney Plantation.

Opened in 2014, this site has quickly gained popularity due to its unique approach to confronting the region’s troubling history. Privately funded by a local philanthropist hoping to educate others about the area’s past, the Whitney Plantation offers a stark representation of the slavery era, which may provoke strong emotions.

The Big House, the centerpiece of the estate, stands as one of the best-preserved plantation homes in the United States, recognized from numerous films set in this historical context, including Django Unchained.

6. Louisiana Plantation and Swamp Boat Bayou Full Day Tour Combo

This outstanding tour offers visitors a comprehensive full-day journey through the highlights of Louisiana. Start by visiting a plantation; you have the option to select either Oak Alley Plantation or Laura Plantation, providing a flexible mix of estate visits and bayou experiences, ideal for those spending several days in the area.

After exploring your chosen plantation, venture into the bayou to seek alligators and other wildlife. Local guides will share fascinating stories about the individuals who have inhabited the swamps throughout Louisiana’s history, providing a unique narrative for this excursion.

7. Double Plantation Tour

This tour includes transportation from New Orleans to the Mississippi River, where you can select to visit two of the region’s notable plantations.

The Double Plantation Tour spans a full day and allows you to visit two out of Oak Alley, Laura, and Whitney Plantations.

8. New Orleans: Plantation and Swamp Tour

This distinctive tour guides visitors to the less-known Destrehan Plantation. While it may not be as famous as Oak Alley, this plantation dates back to the late 18th century and stands as one of the oldest surviving estates in Louisiana, despite its intriguing history and well-preserved structure.

Upon exploring the Destrehan Plantation, you will also embark on a tour of a nearby wildlife reserve for a scenic cruise through the swamps.

9. New Orleans: Plantation Brunch and Swamp Tour

This tour encompasses visits to both the Oak Alley and Laura Plantations, concluding with an exquisite brunch experience featuring a selection of delicious regional dishes served on the magnificent grounds of the estates.

Indulge in local Cajun specialties, including crawfish and varieties of local meats, before venturing into the swamps to search for alligators.

10. New Orleans Garden District Walking Tour

In New Orleans, this walking tour traverses the Garden District, allowing for an exploration of the history of an area that was once part of a vast plantation.

As you stroll past the grand colonial mansions, take in the impressive wealth of the plantation owners that transformed this locale into one of the most opulent neighborhoods in the Americas.

11. Guided Tour: Garden District and Lafayette Cemetery

This captivating guided tour reveals the historical context of the Garden District. Local guides recount the tales of the plantation owners who established the district and lead visitors through the Lafayette Cemetery, where many notable local figures are interred.

12. New Orleans: Destrehan Plantation and Swamp Combo

Following your exploration of the Destrehan Plantation’s history, this tour takes you into the Louisiana swamps. This experience not only focuses on the local wildlife and alligators but also weaves in historical insights about Indian burial mounds and the remnants of Cajun villages, creating a comprehensive view of the region’s indigenous culture.

13. Oak Alley and Evergreen Plantation Tour

In addition to visiting the well-known Oak Alley, this day tour from New Orleans also includes a trip to the impeccably preserved Evergreen Plantation.

Explore the estate and gain insights into the lives of both the slave owners and the enslaved individuals who lived and worked here.

14. Myrtles Plantation Tour

Visit Myrtles Plantation from New Orleans on this tour that guides participants through the enchanting grounds of a historic estate. Dating back to 1796, this plantation has witnessed a rich tapestry of history and intriguing events over the years.

The estate is reputed to be one of the most haunted locations in the United States. With the assistance of a local guide, you will discover firsthand the reasons behind its eerie reputation.

15. Whitney Plantation and St Joseph Plantation History Tour

Explore the complex history of Louisiana with a tour that initially includes a visit to the Whitney Plantation, followed by the St Joseph Plantation.

This site is notable as the filming location for the acclaimed film 12 Years a Slave. With experienced guides, you will gain insight into the region’s turbulent history.