River Parishes

The River Parishes are the Louisiana parishes that line the Mississippi River in the eastern part of Acadiana, from the Mississippi state line to just outside the New Orleans metro area. From Baton Rouge north, the parishes are on the west bank of the river (we have placed Baton Rouge in the Florida Parishes). The parishes between Baton Rouge and New Orleans straddle the river and, in particular, form a unique area known as the "Acadian Coast." This was an area that the first Acadian (now Cajun) exiles settled when they arrived in Louisiana from Canada. The region's parishes are Ascension, Avoyelles, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, and West Baton Rouge.

Cities

Other destinations

See

Historical plantation homes dating back to the 1800s are on both banks of the river and some are open to the public, ranging from non-profit educational facilities to commercial tourist attractions with major amenities. Pre-Civil War, there were hundreds of wealthy plantations along this trail, growing mostly sugar cane. Most are gone today, but locals have worked diligently to keep the remaining plantations viable and open to the public for visiting.

  • 🌍 Evergreen Plantation, 4677 LA-18. A plantation house constructed in 1790 with a grand staircase and 22 slave quarters are part of this complex that has guided tours incorporating both sides of plantation life. (updated Aug 2021)
  • 🌍 Houmas House Plantation, 40136 Highway 942, Darrow. 9AM-8PM, closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day. A historic plantation established in the 1700s that operates as a museum and inn. (updated May 2015)
  • 🌍 Nottoway Plantation, 31025 LA-1, ☏ +1 225 545-2730. Built by slaves for John Randolph, this 1850's antebellum estate is reputed to be the South's largest and looks like it could be the White House. It functions as a hotel and restaurant but is also available for tours. (updated Oct 2021)
  • 🌍 Oak Alley Plantation, 3645 Highway 18, Vacherie, ☏ +1 225 265-2151, . Daily 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM. Famous for the beautiful alley of multi-century old oak trees at the front of the property (see banner photo at the top of this page), this plantation includes a historic "big house" (where the owners lived), gardens, and reconstructed slave quarters. Interpretative signs explain the exhibits, except for the "big house," which can only be entered on a guided tour. Guided tours of the big house cost extra and are timed, so booking tickets in advance is recommended. $25 for adults without "big house tour" and 27.79 for adults with "big house tour". (updated Jan 2023)
  • 🌍 San Francisco Plantation, 2646 Hwy 44 (River Road), Garyville. "The Most Opulent Plantation in the South". A national historic landmark that is open for tours. (updated May 2015)
  • 🌍 Whitney Plantation, 5099 Louisiana Highway 18, Wallace, ☏ +1 225 265-3300, . M W-Sa 9:30AM-4:30PM; closed Tuesdays and major holidays. The only plantation museum (and perhaps the only museum in North America) with a focus on slavery. Originally known as “Habitation Haydel”, this sugar cane plantation intertwined the lives of German immigrant owners and African-American slaves. Part museum, part art gallery, part living history, visitors report that the Whitney engaged them with a painful but central part of American history, and left them changed. The main house is on the National Register of Historic Places. Self-guided tours are available and guided tours are available throughout the day. Guided tours at this museum are well worth the extra expense, as self-guided tours cannot replicate the impactful experience of the guided tours. Guided tours are timed and space limited, so booking tickets in advance is recommended. $32 for guided tours; $25 for self-guided tours. (updated Jan 2023)

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