Double Plantation Tour: Oak Alley and Laura

The Double Plantation Tour of Oak Alley and Laura offers a unique opportunity to explore Louisiana’s antebellum past. Visitors can marvel at the striking Greek Revival architecture of Oak Alley and uncover the complexities of Creole culture at Laura’s Creole-style home. Knowledgeable guides provide insights into the profound impact of slavery, ensuring a thought-provoking and educational experience. Whether you’re a history buff or simply seeking to understand the region’s rich heritage, this tour promises to leave a lasting impression.

Tour Overview

This private tour offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore two iconic antebellum plantations in Louisiana: Oak Alley and Laura: A Creole Plantation.

Guided tours explore the complex history of these sites, including the profound impact of slavery in the region. Guests can contrast the grand mansions, lush gardens, and humble slave cottages, gaining a deeper understanding of the plantations’ intricate past.

Conveniently, the tour includes private transportation from New Orleans, eliminating the need for a rental car.

With knowledgeable guides and a focus on the plantations’ multifaceted histories, this immersive experience provides an enriching look at Louisiana’s antebellum era.

Visiting Oak Alley Plantation

The grand, antebellum mansion of Oak Alley Plantation stands majestically, flanked by its iconic double row of 28 southern live oak trees that stretch out like a green canopy. Visitors can explore the beautifully restored home, learning about the complex history and the lives of the enslaved people who once lived and worked on the plantation. The contrast between the opulent mansion and the modest slave quarters is a poignant reminder of the plantation’s complicated past.

| Feature | Description |

| — | — |

| Mansion | Stately Greek Revival architecture with 28 Doric columns |

| Garden | Elaborate formal gardens surrounding the mansion |

| Slave Quarters | Simple cabins where enslaved workers lived |

The tour provides a nuanced perspective, allowing guests to reflect on the plantation’s lasting impact.

Exploring Laura: A Creole Plantation

After visiting the grand Oak Alley Plantation, the tour moves on to explore the distinct history and architecture of Laura: A Creole Plantation.

This plantation offers a contrast to the Greek Revival style of Oak Alley, with its Creole-influenced design featuring a raised, open-air ground floor and ornate ironwork.

Guided tours explore the complex past of the plantation, including the experiences of the enslaved who lived and worked here.

Guided tours explore the complex past of the plantation, including the experiences of the enslaved who lived and worked there.

Visitors can wander the grounds, tour the historic home, and gain a deeper understanding of Louisiana’s rich Creole culture and the legacy of slavery.

Contrasting Mansions, Gardens, and Slave Cottages

Strolling through the grounds of Oak Alley and Laura: A Creole Plantation, visitors are struck by the stark contrast between the grand, columned mansions and the humble, yet powerful, slave cottages.

The affluent homeowners enjoyed sprawling gardens and opulent interiors, while enslaved workers endured cramped, basic living quarters. This jarring juxtaposition highlights the complex, fraught history of the antebellum South.

Exploring these disparate spaces allows guests to better understand the societal divides and the harsh realities faced by those forced into servitude.

The tour invites introspection on the enduring legacy of slavery’s impact.

Private Transportation and Logistics

While the tour doesn’t require a rental car, private transportation is provided from your location within the New Orleans city limits.

Bottled water is included, and an optional lunch stop can be made at an additional cost.

The tour is stroller accessible, and service animals are allowed, though it isn’t wheelchair friendly.

Confirmation for the tour is received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Flexible booking options are available, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience and a reserve now, pay later option.

1. Private transport from your New Orleans location

2. Bottled water provided

3. Optional lunch stop available

Pricing and Cancellation Policy

The tour price starts from $435.00 per person.

Travelers can enjoy a free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Plus, there’s a "Reserve now and pay later" option available, providing flexibility for booking.

The pricing and cancellation policy ensure a hassle-free experience, allowing visitors to plan their trip with confidence.

Whether it’s a last-minute change or an early booking, the tour operator accommodates the needs of travelers, making the double plantation tour a convenient and flexible choice.

Ratings and Recommendations

Travelers have left a total of 9 reviews for the Double Plantation Tour, all of which awarded the experience a perfect 5.0 rating on both Viator and Tripadvisor.

The positive feedback highlights:

1. Knowledgeable and friendly tour guides, particularly Ben, who’s noted for his expertise and personable nature.

2. The tour’s ability to beautifully contrast the grand mansions and lush gardens with the sobering history and living conditions of the slave cottages.

3. An overall enjoyable and educational experience for those interested in exploring Louisiana’s complex past.

The Sum Up

The Double Plantation Tour offers a profound exploration of Louisiana’s antebellum history, contrasting the opulence of Oak Alley’s Greek Revival architecture with the humble Creole-style home of Laura. Knowledgeable guides provide insights into the profound impacts of slavery, ensuring a reflective and educational experience as guests traverse these historic sites. The tour provides a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of the region’s past.