Day-trip road trip through Cajun Country
Jan 11th, 2011, 09:27 AM
#1
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Day-trip road trip through Cajun Country
I'm heading to NOLA in April for a week, but want to get out of the city for a day and drive around Cajun Country (renting a car). If anyone's done this or have advice, can you please have a look at my itinerary and let me know if it's doable, or if I should skip a place and head somewhere else...
I don't have much of a plan for any place except look around, and just get a feel of Acadiana.
New Orleans - Oak Alley/Laura Plantations (is it possible to just drive to these places and take a picture from the outside? I don't really want to tour them...)
Oak Alley/Laura Plantations - New Iberia
New Iberia - St. Martinville
St. Martinville - Lafayette
Lafayette - Breaux Bridge
Breaux Brdige - New Orleans
Thanks for your help!
I don't have much of a plan for any place except look around, and just get a feel of Acadiana.
New Orleans - Oak Alley/Laura Plantations (is it possible to just drive to these places and take a picture from the outside? I don't really want to tour them...)
Oak Alley/Laura Plantations - New Iberia
New Iberia - St. Martinville
St. Martinville - Lafayette
Lafayette - Breaux Bridge
Breaux Brdige - New Orleans
Thanks for your help!
Jan 18th, 2011, 08:28 PM
#2
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My impression is that you have outlined more than you can do in one day. The destinations you have noted are all good ones [and worth seeing] -but you just can't do it in a day. My suggestion would be that you focus on life-style and not try to hit the "sights". The essence of Cajun country is the the people and not the plantations. My suggestion would be to head down into LaFourche Parish [Raceland, LaRose, Golden Meadow, etc or head out to Houma, Morgan City, Thibodeax. Just stop in the joints and get some boudin, look for places with a ot of cars at lunch, and drive about the cities and the wharves. Stop and talk with the people, and enjoy.
Jan 20th, 2011, 07:29 AM
#3
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You're right. I may just do a swamp/plantation tour and save the Cajun Country roadtrip for a next trip. I'd definitely like to experience it to the fullest, and just by driving through them.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Jan 21st, 2011, 05:11 PM
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Destrehan is the closest Plantation Home to NOLA. Take I 10 W to Exit 220 just W of the NOLA airport and go S on I 310 to Exit 6 just before you reach the river. Turn and go E to the home. They offer tours daily except major holidays.
Destrehan Plantation @ 13034 River Road, Destrehan, LA 985 - 764 - 8785.
http://www.destrehanplantation.org/
Laura, Evergreen and Oak Alley are within 10 miles of each other. You can reach these homes in about an hour. Evergreen and Laura are very good tours that are presented from a historical perspective.
Take I 10 E to Exit 194 and take Highway 641 S to Gramercy Bridge. Cross the river and turn right on Highway 18 and go W to Laura Plantation. The tour information is available at the LP website. Tours are available daily except holidays. To get to Evergreen Plantation take a left when you cross Gramercy Bridge and go E on Highway 18/River Road. Evergreen Plantation is a working plantation with 37 buildings in the National Register of Historial Places. Tours are available daily.
Laura Plantation @ 2247 Highway 18, Vacherie, LA 225 - 265 - 7690.
http://www.lauraplantation.com/
Evergreen Plantation @ 4649 Louisiana 18, Edgard, LA 985 - 497 - 3837. (51M/60Minutes)
http://www.evergreenplantation.org/
After you tour Laura Plantation and/or Evergreen go W on Highway 18 to Oak Alley Plantation. You can view the home from the Highway and see the grand oak trees lining the driveway from the river road to the house. Take pictures from the road. There's no use touring OA. It's not very impressive.
Oak Alley Plantation @ 3645 Highway 18, Vacherie, LA 225 - 265 - 2151.
http://www.oakalleyplantation.com/
Destrehan Plantation @ 13034 River Road, Destrehan, LA 985 - 764 - 8785.
http://www.destrehanplantation.org/
Laura, Evergreen and Oak Alley are within 10 miles of each other. You can reach these homes in about an hour. Evergreen and Laura are very good tours that are presented from a historical perspective.
Take I 10 E to Exit 194 and take Highway 641 S to Gramercy Bridge. Cross the river and turn right on Highway 18 and go W to Laura Plantation. The tour information is available at the LP website. Tours are available daily except holidays. To get to Evergreen Plantation take a left when you cross Gramercy Bridge and go E on Highway 18/River Road. Evergreen Plantation is a working plantation with 37 buildings in the National Register of Historial Places. Tours are available daily.
Laura Plantation @ 2247 Highway 18, Vacherie, LA 225 - 265 - 7690.
http://www.lauraplantation.com/
Evergreen Plantation @ 4649 Louisiana 18, Edgard, LA 985 - 497 - 3837. (51M/60Minutes)
http://www.evergreenplantation.org/
After you tour Laura Plantation and/or Evergreen go W on Highway 18 to Oak Alley Plantation. You can view the home from the Highway and see the grand oak trees lining the driveway from the river road to the house. Take pictures from the road. There's no use touring OA. It's not very impressive.
Oak Alley Plantation @ 3645 Highway 18, Vacherie, LA 225 - 265 - 2151.
http://www.oakalleyplantation.com/
Feb 1st, 2011, 09:58 AM
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Thanks all!
I still have plenty of weeks to go so I can look at more options but right now I'm looking into taking the swamp tour with Butch Guchereaux in Breaux Bridge and then stop by Houmas House Plantation (it's open until 8pm from Wed-Sun) on the way back to NOLA. It's not much time/at all in Cajun Country but I don't have much time to work with. Hopefully I can plan another trip and spend more time out there.
I still have plenty of weeks to go so I can look at more options but right now I'm looking into taking the swamp tour with Butch Guchereaux in Breaux Bridge and then stop by Houmas House Plantation (it's open until 8pm from Wed-Sun) on the way back to NOLA. It's not much time/at all in Cajun Country but I don't have much time to work with. Hopefully I can plan another trip and spend more time out there.
Feb 1st, 2011, 12:40 PM
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Houma House is a good choice. The tour is on the pricey side - we almost skipped it because it was more than the others, but when we saw the gardens from the road, we decided to go for it. I am glad we took the tour.
The house was built in 3 sections during 3 different time periods, so if you are interested in the history of architecture, the house will be quite interesting to you. The guides are very good - knowledgable, entertaining without being campy, and they clearly care about their work. The furnishings are great - much of the furnishings belonging to the family remain in the house, so you get a very good feel for the life and times of the people who lived there.
An alternate choice - in New Iberia is a plantation called Shadows on the Teche. The house itself is smaller than the plantation houses on the River Road and the history is a little different just due to the location. It isn't furnished as well as Houma House - I think that the heirs kept a lot of the furniture themselves before donating the house. But it is still a good choice for a tour and you will be right there anyway. And across the street is a visitors' center that is pretty good.
New Iberia is the closest town to Lake Martin - I think when we were in the area, we did a swamp tour on Lake Martin in the morning, then had lunch in New Iberia and toured Shadows on the Teche in the afternoon.
The house was built in 3 sections during 3 different time periods, so if you are interested in the history of architecture, the house will be quite interesting to you. The guides are very good - knowledgable, entertaining without being campy, and they clearly care about their work. The furnishings are great - much of the furnishings belonging to the family remain in the house, so you get a very good feel for the life and times of the people who lived there.
An alternate choice - in New Iberia is a plantation called Shadows on the Teche. The house itself is smaller than the plantation houses on the River Road and the history is a little different just due to the location. It isn't furnished as well as Houma House - I think that the heirs kept a lot of the furniture themselves before donating the house. But it is still a good choice for a tour and you will be right there anyway. And across the street is a visitors' center that is pretty good.
New Iberia is the closest town to Lake Martin - I think when we were in the area, we did a swamp tour on Lake Martin in the morning, then had lunch in New Iberia and toured Shadows on the Teche in the afternoon.
Feb 2nd, 2011, 08:13 AM
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Thanks! I guess it all depends on what time the tour ends (can you confirm how long the tour with Butch is?), and if we decide to check out Breaux Bridge or even stop over in St. Martinville for food. Unfortunately Shadows closes at 4:30pm. Houmas House seems to be the only one that's open later than 5pm, and it's on the way back to NOLA.
Feb 2nd, 2011, 11:15 AM
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Butch's tour lasts 2-3 hours, if memory serves. With a 1 pm tour, you probably won't get to see Shadows. Houma House is your best bet. Of course if you get on the road early in the day, you can poke around the area before your swamp tour.
I like to read books set in places that I am going to - get into the mood, you know. White Doves in Mourning by James Lee Burke is set in New Iberia during the Civil War. It is a good read.
I like to read books set in places that I am going to - get into the mood, you know. White Doves in Mourning by James Lee Burke is set in New Iberia during the Civil War. It is a good read.
Feb 14th, 2011, 08:54 AM
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Here are the plantation homes near NOLA. You could easily visit 3/4 in one day. Destrehan is the closest Plantation Home to NOLA. Take I 10 W to Exit 220 just W of the NOLA airport and go S on I 310 to Exit 6 just before you reach the river. Turn and go E to the home. They offer tours daily except major holidays.
Destrehan Plantation @ 13034 River Road, Destrehan, LA 985 - 764 - 8785.
http://www.destrehanplantation.org/
Laura, Evergreen and Oak Alley are within 10 miles of each other. You can reach these homes in about an hour. Evergreen and Laura are very good tours that are presented from a historical perspective.
Take I 10 E to Exit 194 and take Highway 641 S to Gramercy Bridge. Cross the river and turn right on Highway 18 and go W to Laura Plantation. The tour information is available at the LP website. Tours are available daily except holidays. To get to Evergreen Plantation take a left when you cross Gramercy Bridge and go E on Highway 18/River Road. Evergreen Plantation is a working plantation with 37 buildings in the National Register of Historial Places. Tours are available daily.
Laura Plantation @ 2247 Highway 18, Vacherie, LA 225 - 265 - 7690.
http://www.lauraplantation.com/
Evergreen Plantation @ 4649 Louisiana 18, Edgard, LA 985 - 497 - 3837. (51M/60Minutes)
http://www.evergreenplantation.org/
After you tour Laura Plantation and/or Evergreen go W on Highway 18 to Oak Alley Plantation. You can view the home from the Highway and see the grand oak trees lining the driveway from the river road to the house. Take pictures from the road. There's no use touring OA. It's not very impressive.
Oak Alley Plantation @ 3645 Highway 18, Vacherie, LA 225 - 265 - 2151.
http://www.oakalleyplantation.com/
After you leave OA drive W on Highway 18 to Donaldsonville, LA and have lunch at Grapevine Cafe.
Grapevine Cafe and Gallery @ 211 Railroad Avenue, Donaldsonville, LA 225 - 473 - 8463.
http://www.grapevinecafeandgallery.com/
After lunch take Highway 1 NW to White Castle to Nottoway Plantation and tour this home. It's a working B&B and has a nice restaurant. It's one of the most beautiful plantation homes IMO. It's about an hour and a half from NOLA.
Nottoway Plantation @ 31025 Louisiana Highway 1, White Castle, LA 225 - 545 - 2992.
http://www.nottoway.com/
Take Highway 1 back SE to Donaldsonville, LA and cross the Highway 70 Bridge. Turn left on Highway 44/River Road and go NW to Houmas House which is another very beautiful home. It's about an hour from NOLA to Houmas. Lunch and dinner is served there if you are interested. They offer tours daily and also offer a tour that will pick you up in the FQ in NOLA at 10:30 AM and returns around 4 PM. You ride in a 32 passenger bus and get to watch a video presentation of Houmas Plantation on your drive to the home.
Houmas House Plantation @ 40136 Hwy 942, Darrow, LA 225 - 473 - 9380.
http://www.houmashouse.com/
You could also dine at Cabin Restaurant which is near Houmas House.
Cabin Restaurant @ 5405 Highway 44 # Msc 85, Gonzales, LA 225 - 473 - 3007.
http://www.thecabinrestaurant.com/
You should be able to drive from the FQ to Houmas House or Nottoway in an hour depending on traffic. You should be able to drive to Evergreen, Laura, and Oak Alley in less than an hour. The roads are good and it's a safe drive.
Driving on the River Road is slow and there is not much to see. You can't see the river because of the levee. Don't depend on your GPS to get from the Laura/Oak Alley area to the Nottoway/Houmas area. Use a road map.
Destrehan Plantation @ 13034 River Road, Destrehan, LA 985 - 764 - 8785.
http://www.destrehanplantation.org/
Laura, Evergreen and Oak Alley are within 10 miles of each other. You can reach these homes in about an hour. Evergreen and Laura are very good tours that are presented from a historical perspective.
Take I 10 E to Exit 194 and take Highway 641 S to Gramercy Bridge. Cross the river and turn right on Highway 18 and go W to Laura Plantation. The tour information is available at the LP website. Tours are available daily except holidays. To get to Evergreen Plantation take a left when you cross Gramercy Bridge and go E on Highway 18/River Road. Evergreen Plantation is a working plantation with 37 buildings in the National Register of Historial Places. Tours are available daily.
Laura Plantation @ 2247 Highway 18, Vacherie, LA 225 - 265 - 7690.
http://www.lauraplantation.com/
Evergreen Plantation @ 4649 Louisiana 18, Edgard, LA 985 - 497 - 3837. (51M/60Minutes)
http://www.evergreenplantation.org/
After you tour Laura Plantation and/or Evergreen go W on Highway 18 to Oak Alley Plantation. You can view the home from the Highway and see the grand oak trees lining the driveway from the river road to the house. Take pictures from the road. There's no use touring OA. It's not very impressive.
Oak Alley Plantation @ 3645 Highway 18, Vacherie, LA 225 - 265 - 2151.
http://www.oakalleyplantation.com/
After you leave OA drive W on Highway 18 to Donaldsonville, LA and have lunch at Grapevine Cafe.
Grapevine Cafe and Gallery @ 211 Railroad Avenue, Donaldsonville, LA 225 - 473 - 8463.
http://www.grapevinecafeandgallery.com/
After lunch take Highway 1 NW to White Castle to Nottoway Plantation and tour this home. It's a working B&B and has a nice restaurant. It's one of the most beautiful plantation homes IMO. It's about an hour and a half from NOLA.
Nottoway Plantation @ 31025 Louisiana Highway 1, White Castle, LA 225 - 545 - 2992.
http://www.nottoway.com/
Take Highway 1 back SE to Donaldsonville, LA and cross the Highway 70 Bridge. Turn left on Highway 44/River Road and go NW to Houmas House which is another very beautiful home. It's about an hour from NOLA to Houmas. Lunch and dinner is served there if you are interested. They offer tours daily and also offer a tour that will pick you up in the FQ in NOLA at 10:30 AM and returns around 4 PM. You ride in a 32 passenger bus and get to watch a video presentation of Houmas Plantation on your drive to the home.
Houmas House Plantation @ 40136 Hwy 942, Darrow, LA 225 - 473 - 9380.
http://www.houmashouse.com/
You could also dine at Cabin Restaurant which is near Houmas House.
Cabin Restaurant @ 5405 Highway 44 # Msc 85, Gonzales, LA 225 - 473 - 3007.
http://www.thecabinrestaurant.com/
You should be able to drive from the FQ to Houmas House or Nottoway in an hour depending on traffic. You should be able to drive to Evergreen, Laura, and Oak Alley in less than an hour. The roads are good and it's a safe drive.
Driving on the River Road is slow and there is not much to see. You can't see the river because of the levee. Don't depend on your GPS to get from the Laura/Oak Alley area to the Nottoway/Houmas area. Use a road map.
