Take A Drive Down One Of Louisiana's Oldest Roads For A Picture Perfect Day
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Jackie Ann
Author
Between Baton Rouge and New Orleans you’ll find several beautifully restored antebellum plantations lining the Mississippi River, along River Road. The infamous road stretches about 70 miles in length on either side of the river and includes beautiful views of the river, moss-draped oak trees, wide open fields, and historical plantations. Each plantation is intricately decorated and restored, primarily in the Greek Revival style. Stroll through the lavish landscapes and gardens, just make sure you bring your camera! You’re bound to have a picture perfect day as you travel down one of Louisiana’s oldest roads.
The map below will take you off River Road for a brief moment here and there, just to speed up driving time.
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Built in the 1790s by John Joyce, Magnolia Mound Plantation is one of the few surviving French plantation houses in the Baton Rouge area. Explore 14 acres of history including the main house, overseer’s house, quarter house (slave cabins), and kitchen gardens among other buildings. Located at 2161 Nicholson Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70802.
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Completed in 1859, Nottoway is the south’s largest antebellum mansion. Thousands of visitors travel to Nottoway each year to tour the 53,000 square foot mansion. Hand-carved Italian marble fireplaces, enormous 11-foot doors, and massive 15-foot ceilings are just some of the extravagant features of this awe-inspiring Greek/Italian style mansion. Located at 31025 Highway 1, White Castle, LA 70788.
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The mansion has been restored to its original beauty from the 1880s, and during the tour you’ll learn all about the history of the land, the many owners of the plantation, and the sugar cane business. The gardens are absolutely amazing and quite possibly the most beautiful in all of Plantation Country! Located at 40136 Highway 942, Darrow, LA 70725.
The first thing you may notice about the Poche Plantation is that it looks a bit different than the others. That’s because it was built with a Victorian Renaissance Revival style, contrary to the Greek Revival style that is fairly dominate in Plantation Country. The plantation has been restored and is open for tours daily. It’s also an RV park and bed and breakfast, so you can stay the night! Located at 6554 LA-44, Convent, LA 70723.
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Built in 1855, this is certainly the most colorful plantation in Louisiana (and maybe even the entire South!). Your tour guide (dressed in period attire) will lead you through all 14 rooms and around the grounds as you learn about the fascinating history of this mansion, and how the community rallied together to save it from destruction. Located at 2646 Hwy. 44, Garyville, LA 70051.
Evergreen is the most intact plantation complex in the South. 37 buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places, more than any other plantation. While Evergreen Plantation is privately owned (and people live there) it is a working sugar cane plantation, and they do offer tours. Located at 4677 Hwy. 18, Edgard, LA 70049.
Originally known as Habitation Haydel, Whitney Plantation is the only plantation in the area that focuses on slavery, and the lives of the enslaved. Through the use of museum exhibits, restored buildings, artifacts, and first-person slave narratives, visitors will learn what life was like for slaves on a Louisiana sugar plantation. This is a tour everyone should take. Located at 5099 Highway 18, Wallace, LA 70049.
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Originally called the Duparc Plantation, the plantation was built in 1804 and totaled approximately 24,000 square feet. They offer daily tours in both English and French, and you’ll tour the plantation and the beautiful grounds. Located at 2247 Highway 18, Vacherie, LA 70090.
Built in 1830, the property has the unique distinction of staying in the same family since it was originally purchased by Joseph Waguespack in 1877. Even your tour guide is a direct descendant of Mr. Waguespack. Located at 3535 Highway 18, Vacherie, LA 70090.
James Fanguy
Rounding out our River Road Adventures is Oak Alley, possibly the most famous plantation in Louisiana. Built in 1837, it’s well known for its canopy of 300 year old oak trees that line its entryway. If you’re looking for the perfect picture to complete your River Road adventure, this would be it! Located at 3645 Highway 18, Vacherie, LA 70090.
Have you been to any of these plantations? Let us know in the comments below!
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