Whitney and Laura Plantation Small-Group Tour from New Orleans — River Road History and Hidden Stories
Leave New Orleans for a six-hour, small-group drive down the Great River Road to Whitney and Laura Plantations. The tour pairs stark, personal histories at Whitney with Creole narratives at Laura and a photo stop at Oak Alley’s famous oaks.
The Experience
Before You Go
Download Whitney’s tour app before you go
Whitney’s exhibits use a smartphone app for audio and augmented content—download and test it before arrival and bring headphones.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes
Paths at the plantations can be uneven or muddy; closed-toe shoes make walking the grounds safer and more comfortable.
Bring water and sun protection
Much of the tour is outdoors in open fields and along the levee—pack sunscreen, a hat, and a refillable bottle.
Practice respectful photography
These sites are memorials and educational spaces—avoid disruptive flash photography or staging in front of memorial displays.
Local Knowledge
Hidden Gems
- •Stop briefly at small roadside grocers in Vacherie for beignets and cold drinks—low-key local flavor.
- •Look for film-location markers along River Road where several modern films used plantation backdrops.
Wildlife
- •Great blue heron
- •Louisiana black bear (rare sightings in surrounding parish woods)
Conservation Note
Plantations and river parishes face subsidence and coastal erosion; many sites participate in preservation programs and encourage low-impact visitation and support for local conservation efforts.
The River Road plantations grew on rich alluvial soils deposited by the Mississippi; wealth built here was tightly tied to the institution of slavery and the sugar economy of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Photographer's Notes
- • Oak Alley esplanade beneath the live oaks
- • Front approach to Laura Plantation showing slave quarters and sugarcane fields
- • Whitney’s memorial sculptures and walkway
What to Bring
Comfortable closed-toe walking shoesEssential
Protects your feet on uneven paths and in potentially muddy conditions.
Headphones and charged smartphoneEssential
Required to use Whitney Plantation’s audio app and for guided content.
Refillable water bottleEssential
Keep hydrated during outdoor portions; water access at sites is limited.
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
Open levees and fields offer little shade—sun protection improves comfort.
Common Questions
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts approximately six hours, including guided visits to Whitney and Laura plantations and a photo stop at Oak Alley.
Is pickup provided in New Orleans?
Yes—door-to-door pickup from many hotels, B&Bs, and selected Airbnbs in central New Orleans; exact pickup time is provided the day before.
Can I use a stroller or wheelchair?
The tour cannot accommodate wheelchairs of any kind; strollers may be impractical on rough paths—contact the supplier for specific accessibility concerns.
Are admissions to the plantations included?
Yes—admission to Whitney and Laura Plantations is included as noted in the tour inclusions.
Are children allowed?
Children and infants can join; child rates apply. Consider the emotional content at Whitney, which is focused on enslaved peoples’ experiences and may be intense for younger children.
What happens if the tour is canceled?
If there aren’t enough passengers or weather forces cancellation, you’ll be offered an alternative date or a full refund; cancel at least 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Book This Experience
Check AvailabilityDuration
6 hours
Location
Vacherie, Louisiana
Difficulty
easy
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires short periods of walking on uneven ground and standing during tours
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