Small-Group Laura and Whitney Plantation Tour from New Orleans
Description
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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
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.
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.
Stop for a photo in front of Evergreen 's famous oak-lined esplanade.
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.
Drive by to admire the tree lined alley in front of the mansion
Drive by the site where "12 Years a Slave", "Django Unchained", "Skeleton Key", and "Queen Sugar" were filmed
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Please specify hotel at time of purchase. We pick up in New Orleans at any hotel, Bed & Breakfast or select Airbnbs, uptown (close to St. Charles Ave.), in (or close to) the French Quarter, and on the Westbank. We do not pick up by the airport, in New Orleans East, in Slidell, or on the North Shore. Supplier will contact you the day before your tour to give you an exact pick up time.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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
Reviews(474)
Experiences, knowledge of the Isabelle, comfort of the tour van and patience of Isabelle was top notch. I loved the entire experience. I will recommend her to anyone looking for an amazing tour of this beautiful amazing city full of rich culture and humble, polite people.
Oh wow! Thanks so much Ms Rhonda, it was truly a pleasure to give you your tour! I hope you come back down to NOLA soon! Cordially, Isabelle C.
I liked the guide at Laura Plantation. I wish Whitney Plantation had a human guide instead of the audio one.
Very good trip! Super knowledgeable and friendly. Great communication.
Excellent tour. Rene was knowledgeable I learned a lot about New Orleans history and got tips on where to go and do. He was on time and outgoing. Had a great time.
Thanks for sharing your positive feedback! I will tell Rene and we are so happy you had such a great time on our Plantation tour! Cordially, Isabelle C.
Great tour and guide. Murial was great and Isabelle tours thinks of everything. We got a nice reminder text with a pic of the tour van picking us up. Large umbrellas and rain coats were available if we needed them and we even had a group Pic sent to us after. Definately reccommend this tour and tour group.
Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed our driver-guide Muriel; yes we text every guest a reminder with pick up details before every tour, and over the many decades we’ve being giving tours we learned such details do matter! Please come back to NOLA soon. Isabelle C.
This tour was very educational and and lightning. Giselle was an excellent tour guide and an absolute fount of knowledge about New Orleans history. Her personality was wonderful and she kept us entertained. The Laura plantation was not open so we went to the Destrehan plantation instead. I highly recommend taking this tour.
Thank you so much, Miss Keli. We appreciate you taking the time to write this awesome review. I’m so happy you enjoyed our two-Plantations tour yesterday. I Will forward it to Gisele, I know that’ll make her day! Isabelle C.
We were picked up for our Airbnb by Giselle. The time to the Laura plantation was filled in by Giselle with all kinds of interesting information about the past of Louisiana and the plantations. A great preparation for the visit itself. Giselle has been a great guide.
Heel erg bedankt voor deze zeer mooie recensie, Harry Ik zal het doorsturen naar Gisele! We hopen dat je ons snel weer komt bezoeken. Hartelijke groet, Isabelle Cossart
The company is very competent. The van arrived on time and was new and very clean. Giselle demonstrated deep knowledge, not only about the visits, but also about the history of New Orleans, in a light and fun way. I was alone, but I never felt lonely. Super recommend the company!!
Gizelle, with Tours by Isabelle, was our tour operator and was absolutely amazing. She showed us so much and had such in-depth knowledge of the area. Our tour guide at the Laura Plantation was, of all people, a nice lady by the name of Laura. She had such in-depth knowledge of the plantation. I've visited Oak Alley, and by far enjoyed the Laura and Whitney tours so much better. Gizelle kept the commentary going on the entire bus ride. She was absolutely amazing. Thank you Gizelle and Tours by Isabelle!
What a wonderful review! Gisele and I thank you for it! You make our day! I will also forward it to the Manager at Laura Plantation. Please come again to visit us soon. Cordially, Isabelle C.
A packed and impactful day! Giselle was an amazing fount of information, humor, candor, and care - with a lovely French accent. My wife and I are from the west - a middle aged white couple with little direct experience of black history, slavery, and the south. This was a great education - so glad we went. Heartbreaking - we must keep this history alive. Bringing our kids here is now on our todo list.
