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Whitney Plantation Tour: Explore 18th-Century Louisiana
4.6
1,005 Ratings
New Orleans
Step back in time and explore the 18th-century Whitney Plantation in Louisiana. Discover museum exhibits, memorial artwork, and restored buildings on this self-guided tour. Download the Whitney Plantation app for an immersive audio experience.
Duration:
5 hours, 25 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Mississippi River - Start the tour at the designated meeting point in New Orleans and journey to the historic Whitney Plantation, one of the antebellum estates located along the Mississippi River.
- Lake Pontchartrain - You’ll cross the Bonnet Carre Spillway, a flood outlet for the river, and see a panoramic view of Lake Pontchartrain on your way to the plantation. Pass by the Evergreen, Felicity and St. Joseph plantations, where rich crops of sugar cane, cotton, and indigo from these fertile lands once traveled to various ports of trade.
- Whitney Plantation - Arrive at the Whitney Plantation, which dates back more than 260 years and is now a working museum dedicated to the understanding of slavery in the American South. Visit museum exhibits and restored buildings including historical slave cabins, some of which remain from the original 22 on-site. See the Big House, which is one of the finest surviving examples of Spanish Creole architecture in Louisiana, and learn about the daily life of former slaves at Whitney as recorded by the Federal Writers’ Project. Tour at your own pace, and if you choose, download the Whitney Plantation app for the self-guided tour of the plantation.
At the end of your experience, you’re returned to central New Orleans.
What's Included
- Round-trip transportation from central New Orleans
- 2 hours of immersive touring at Whitney Plantation
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information
Experience the past at the Whitney Plantation in New Orleans, the sole plantation museum in Louisiana that showcases the 18th century. This 5-hour adventure, which includes travel from New Orleans, offers a glimpse into museum displays, reminiscent artwork, and renovated structures. Absorb crucial aspects of American history as documented in the narratives of those who were enslaved.
The Whitney Plantation tour allows you to explore at your own pace. Ensure you download the Whitney Plantation application on your smartphone, tablet, or iPad for an enriching audio tour.
- Check-in is 15 minutes prior to start time.
- If the guest needs a wheelchair lift equipped bus, then special arrangements need to be made with the supplier. This must be arranged 48 hours prior to tour date. Contact details will be on your voucher.
- Guests visiting Whitney using a wheelchair will have access to the gift shop, restrooms, and museum. The plantation grounds are accessible; however, there are uneven gravel paths. The main house tour is not accessible to guest traveling in wheelchairs and is not required to be modified as it is a historic home; however, the first floor is accessible. Guests would be able to view the slave quarters, but would not have access to enter.
- Tour at Whitney Plantation is Self Guided
- This tour includes 2 hours dedicated to exploring the grounds of Whitney Plantation. The remaining time consists of travel to and from the destination.
Location
Gray Line New Orleans
Toulouse Street
Departs from the Gray Line Lighthouse Ticket Office at Toulouse St. and the Mississippi River, just one block from Jackson Square in the French Quarter. Please arrive 15 minutes before boarding.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(1005 Ratings)
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Jennifer_w
Jun 9, 2024
Definitely worth a visit. - Signed up for the self guided tour of Whitney Plantation. Tour was well organized. Tour guide was pleasant and knowledgeable. Bus was comfortable. Actual tour of the Planation was well designed and insightful.
Review provided by Viator
Martin_h
Jun 9, 2024
Thought provoking - Very thought provoking walking around here. Hard to believe that people were subjected to this “life” because of their colour. Slavery is an abomination and had existed for hundreds of years, no matter what colour people were. When you walk around this plantation and read the notices, it brings home the absolute misery people experienced.
Review provided by Viator
Violet_w
Jun 8, 2024
Great History - Enjoyed the plantation and the history. We did the self guided tour and the machine was great at providing information.
Review provided by Viator
Trailblazer782827
Jun 7, 2024
Whitney is an essential visit - Our future is rooted in our past and we must never forget where we came from. The Whitney exhibition provides a truthful depiction of plantation life. The cruelty and privilege built on the lives and sacrifice of so many enslaved people. Thank you for this work. This is an essential stop.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ashley_c
Jun 7, 2024
Learned so much! Amazing staff 💕 - Learning about my ancestors! Gaining knowledge of thyself. Amazing staff amazing ride to and from our destination
Review provided by Viator
Robyn_c
Jun 6, 2024
A memorable moving must see! - A beautiful moving experience to explore the plantation from the viewpoint of the individuals who’s blood sweat and tears fueled the sugar industry of the south.
Review provided by Viator
Najeeha_k
Jun 3, 2024
Americans should see this! - The entrance with the information about the slave ships and display were so informative. I also found it very informative and chilling to see actual preserved buildings/structures. The history was so well documented by the audio tour as well.
Review provided by Viator
Fakhire
Jun 2, 2024
Interesting Tour - This trip was very interesting! I liked the fact that it was self guided and the time given was exactly right to see everything, not having to hurry at any point or have too much time waiting for the bus.
Melinda, our driver was great!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kimberly_m
Jun 3, 2024
Overall good, should have brought snacks - Overall great! We did get back late due to an accident, so definitely bring lunch or snacks so you aren't hungry!
Review provided by Viator
Ashley_l
Jun 2, 2024
Feedback - Beautiful experience but I feel the automated narrator was hard to hear on bus ride , location wasn’t as clear , and if traveling with another person the self guided tour wasn’t loud enough. The plantation and history was amazing .
Review provided by Viator
