Two Plantation Tour: Oak Alley and Laura or Whitney

Discovering the rich history of the South can be a captivating journey. The Two Plantation Tour offers visitors a chance to explore the contrasting legacies of Oak Alley and either Laura or Whitney Plantation. While Oak Alley enchants with its Greek Revival architecture and majestic live oaks, the Whitney Plantation confronts the harsh realities of slavery. This small group experience fosters a deeper understanding of the region’s complex past, leaving travelers with a profound and lasting impression.

Key Points

• This tour offers a visit to two historic plantations: Oak Alley and Whitney, providing insights into Creole history and the realities of slavery.
• Oak Alley showcases the grandeur of the antebellum South, while Whitney Plantation focuses on honoring the lives of enslaved people.
• The tour includes transportation, a small group setting, and opportunities to engage with the complex history of the region.
• Guests can explore the iconic architecture, gardens, and slave cottages of Oak Alley, as well as the slave cabins and memorial wall at Whitney Plantation.
• The tour is highly rated by previous visitors, who praised the enriching experience and the excellent service provided by the tour guide.

Tour Overview

The tour provides visitors with the opportunity to experience the antebellum South on a day trip from New Orleans to two historic plantations: Oak Alley and Whitney.

Oak Alley features a grand mansion, gardens, and slave cottages, highlighting Creole history. In contrast, the Whitney Plantation focuses on the realities of slavery, dedicated to honoring the lives of enslaved people.

Oak Alley’s grand mansion and gardens juxtapose with the Whitney Plantation’s dedication to honoring the lives of enslaved people.

The small group tour, limited to 12 participants, includes transportation from New Orleans, an air-conditioned vehicle, and snacks.

Pricing starts from €147.92 per person, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience.

Exploring Oak Alley Plantation

Oak Alley Plantation stands as an iconic testament to the Creole history of the antebellum South.

Visitors are captivated by the grand mansion’s Greek Revival architecture and the stunning row of 300-year-old live oak trees that line the quarter-mile path to the main house.

The plantation’s carefully curated gardens and slave cottages offer a window into the complex social and economic dynamics of the era.

Docent-led tours provide insightful perspectives on the lives of the plantation’s former residents, both free and enslaved.

Oak Alley’s preservation and interpretation allow guests to grapple with the region’s complicated past.

Discovering Whitney Plantation

What sets Whitney Plantation apart is its unwavering dedication to honoring the lives of enslaved people. Rather than glorifying the antebellum lifestyle, the Whitney tour focuses on the harsh realities of slavery.

Guests walk through the slave cabins and memorial wall, learning about the individuals who were forced to labor on the plantation. The docent-led tour provides a sobering yet necessary perspective, challenging visitors to confront the brutal history of the South.

While Oak Alley showcases the splendor of the era, Whitney compels guests to reflect on the human costs that enabled such grandeur.

Tour Details

A small group tour limited to 12 participants provides transport from New Orleans, with an air-conditioned vehicle and snacks included.

Pricing starts from €147.92 per person, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience.

The pickup location is at the Wyndham Garden Baronne Plaza, and participants are picked up between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM from most downtown hotels.

The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible but is stroller accessible, and most travelers can participate.

Respectful silence during the transfer is requested.

Pickup Information

The pickup location for the tour is the Wyndham Garden Baronne Plaza, located at 201 Baronne Street in New Orleans, LA 70112-1722.

Pickup occurs between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM from most downtown hotels. If your hotel isn’t listed, choose the nearest pickup point.

The tour is a small group experience limited to 12 participants and includes transportation from New Orleans in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Respectful silence is requested during the transfer to the plantations.

What to Expect

Docent-led tours provide insights into plantation life and economics, offering guests a respectful and informative experience.

Visitors will learn about the antebellum South, from the grandeur of the mansion to the harsh realities of slavery. The tour focuses on the lives of the enslaved people, honoring their stories.

Respectful silence is requested during the transfer between sites, allowing for a contemplative atmosphere.

While not wheelchair accessible, the tour is stroller-friendly, making it accessible for most travelers.

With a small group size and air-conditioned transportation, guests can expect a comfortable and enriching day exploring the area’s complex history.

Reviews and Ratings

Guests have provided overwhelmingly positive feedback for this plantation tour, rating it 5.0 out of 5 based on 4 reviews across Viator and Tripadvisor.

Reviewers highlight the enjoyable experiences at both Oak Alley and Whitney Plantations, praising the excellent service from tour guide Brian Webber.

Many guests recommend Crescent City Tours for future tours, indicating their satisfaction with the overall experience.

The tour’s combination of antebellum history, Creole culture, and the realities of slavery has clearly resonated with visitors, making it a standout option for those seeking an immersive plantation experience from New Orleans.

Selecting the Perfect Plantation Tour

How does one select the perfect plantation tour from New Orleans? With an abundance of options, the key is identifying personal interests and values.

For those seeking to enjoy the grandeur of antebellum architecture and Creole history, Oak Alley is a must-see.

However, for those interested in confronting the realities of slavery, the Whitney Plantation offers a sobering, yet enlightening experience.

For those interested in confronting the realities of slavery, the Whitney Plantation offers a sobering, yet enlightening experience.

Ultimately, the ideal tour blends both educational components, providing a holistic understanding of the complex, often troubling, history of the South.

No matter the choice, a small group tour ensures an intimate, enriching exploration of these iconic sites.

The Sum Up

The Two Plantation Tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the contrasting histories of the American South. Visitors can enjoy the grandeur of Oak Alley’s antebellum architecture or confront the harsh realities of slavery at Whitney Plantation. This small group experience fosters a deeper understanding of the region’s complex past, providing an unforgettable and thought-provoking journey.