Louisiana Plantations: Whitney and Laura Tour

Experience the grandeur of Louisiana’s Mississippi River plantations on this small-group tour from New Orleans. Visit St. Joseph, Oak Alley, and Laura Plantations for a personalized and immersive journey into the history and culture of these iconic landmarks.

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Lake Pontchartrain - Your trip back in time to the Antebellum South begins with pickup from your New Orleans hotel. Travel with your small group by van along the shores of Lake Ponchartrain as your guide shares facts and stories about plantation culture.
  • Whitney Plantation - Recently opened to the public, it exposes the harsh realities and raw historical facts of this dark side of American history. On your self-guided walking tour, you will see slave cabins, a freedmen’s church, detached kitchen and a 1790s owner’s house. Guests will use their own cell phones to access a special Whitney Tour App. All ticket confirmations will include a link to download it. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own headphones for sanitary safety.
  • Oak Alley Plantation - Stop for a photo in front of Oak Alley’s famous oak-lined esplanade.
  • Laura Plantation: Louisiana’s Creole Heritage Site - A short ride through sugar cane fields brings you to Laura, a Creole Plantation with historic slave quarters surrounded by sugar cane fields. The guided tour transports you with dramatic detail into the charmed yet tragic lives of four generations of Creole owners and their slaves.
What's Included
  • Guided tour of Laura Plantation
  • Fun and historical live narration by driver-guide
  • Transport by air-conditioned 14-passenger van
  • Exact pick up time provided
  • Self-guided tour of Whitney Plantation
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks (available for purchase)
Additional Information

Go beyond New Orleans to tour two grand Louisiana plantations on the banks of the Mississippi River. At Whitney Plantation, see the harsh realities and raw historical facts of a dark side of American history. The slave narratives and artwork recreate the world of a pre-Civil War southern sugar plantation and memorial in honor of the lives of the enslaved people who toiled there. Take a short drive down the Great River Road, admiring other plantations from afar and learning their unique stories. Pause in front of Oak Alley Plantation’s famous oak-lined esplanade before arriving at your last stop, Laura Plantation. Hear personal stories of those who lived there, surrounded by sweeping sugarcane fields and historically significant slave quarters. This small-group tour allows a limited number of people to ensure a more personalized attention from your guide.

  • Child rate applies to all children and infants
  • Service animals are permitted. Please advise at time of booking to arrange accommodations
  • Tour cannot accommodate wheelchairs of any kind
Location
Lake Pontchartrain
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(361 Ratings)
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W6878swdianed
Sep 29, 2024
Excellent day! - We had an amazing time!! Isabelle was fantastic, she was in contact with me well before my trip started. We were picked up from our bed and breakfast by Gisele, and she was the best guide. She is incredibly knowledgeable of all things New Orleans. Highly recommend Tours by Isabelle. The plantation tours were very interesting and informative.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Samer_e
Sep 28, 2024
Plantation and Slaves Conditions Discovery - Giselle was a great guide with very relevant informations and explanations. Laura plantation and Whitney memorial are worth visiting get a good view. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Viator
Karen_g
Aug 8, 2024
I enjoyed the tour of... - I enjoyed the tour of both plantations learning about the history of the Louisiana enslaved people. Some of the stories shared were documented from real people. Additionally, Ms. Isabelle of Isabelle Tours shared some of the history of New Orleans.
Review provided by Viator
James_a
Aug 1, 2024
Great learning experience - Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable. As a history teacher, she clearly showed her love of sharing the history of the plantation. It was shocking to learn that sharecropping was still going on up until 1977 on that plantation.
Review provided by Viator
Margaritac670
Aug 1, 2024
Amazing - Steve is the best, my family enjoyed the tour thanks to Steve he does everything to make a difference, He is one of the best in NOLA Thanks!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mollere
Jul 13, 2024
An extraordinary welcome and shared emotion. - A great and beautiful souvenir en route to the Laura Plantation with Isabelle's enlightened comments on history, the environment and the women and men who built this country and live there. Thank you for your warm welcome and enthusiasm.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gfite
Jun 24, 2024
Best money spent on NOLA vacation - I was a bit worried about the cost of this tour but it was worth every penny and more. Our guide Rene was fantastic. He provided so much history and information on the way there and social recommendations on our return. This tour takes you by several plantations and tours two. It allows you to see from the slave perspective at Whitney and more from the owner and family perspective at Laura. I highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
P5636wdcolinr
Jun 22, 2024
Laura and Whitney Plantation Tour not to be missed!!! - There are a lot of different plantation tours but this is the only one I could find that goes to both Whitney and Laura plantations which are far and away the most interesting. We also got to stop for a photo at Oaks which is the best part of that plantation. Rene was a great guide and kept us entertained on the drive. We went on a rainy day and Rene had umbrellas ready for us. We were blown away by both plantations and you should really try to do both but if I had to pick one only then I was very moved by the guided tour and stories at Laura. Both give a real perspective on the conditions and treatment of the slaves with the Laura tour sharing stories of slaves that lived most of their lives on the plantation.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trip66300140833
Jun 19, 2024
If you are looking for a great tour of some local Plantations around New Orleans, check out Tours by Isabelle. - Pick up from our hotel was on time, the van was clean and with seat belts for all. Gisèle was very informative, she was able to give us information about the plantations and more. She is very knowledgeable about the history of the area. We would highly recommend Tours by Isabelle.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Becky_r
May 30, 2024
More than worth the time and money - This was unforgettable. Absolutely worth the trip and cost! Loved it and learned even more. Would love to experience another trip.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 13 guests
1 Adult
October 2024
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