Is the tour accessible for wheelchairs?

Basic and motorized wheelchairs are permitted on paved paths, but the second floor of the Big House has stairs with a video tour alternative available downstairs.

Are meals included with the tour?

Lunch is not included, but snacks and grab-and-go meals can be purchased at the Plantation Café.

Can I take photos during the tour?

Photography is prohibited inside the Big House but encouraged on the balcony, grounds, and exhibits outside.

Are guided tours offered daily?

Yes, tours depart daily at 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM from the Lighthouse Ticket Office in New Orleans.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The tour is suitable for all ages, though younger children should be prepared for moderate walking.

What is the meeting point for the tour?

Meet at the Steamboat NATCHEZ dock at 400 Toulouse Street, New Orleans, LA, 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time.

Explore Oak Alley Plantation: Historic Louisiana Tour Beneath Ancient Oaks

Located along the storied banks of the Mississippi River near New Orleans, Louisiana, the Oak Alley Plantation offers visitors a compelling glimpse into the complex history and striking natural beauty of the American South. This guided tour unfolds across a 5-hour journey that showcases not only the legendary Greek Revival mansion built in 1839, but also the mile-long pathway lined by 28 ancient oak trees—each nearly 300 years old—that gives the plantation its name. The imposing alley of towering oaks is one of the most photographed natural landmarks in the region and serves as a dramatic gateway to a site rich in layered stories.

Visitors are welcomed to explore the plantation’s “Big House,” a remarkable symbol of antebellum grandeur that has been immortalized in numerous film and television productions. Inside, the tour sensitively reveals the difficult realities woven into this scene of historic opulence, including detailed exhibits about the enslaved people who lived and worked here and the sugarcane economy that shaped the region. Beyond the mansion, the grounds provide self-guided access to reconstructed slave cabins, a blacksmith shop featuring the original forge, and educational displays about the dozen families who have owned the property over nearly two centuries.

The trip includes a picturesque route crossing the Bonnet Carré Spillway, offering panoramic views of Lake Pontchartrain and passing other renowned plantations like Whitney and Evergreen. This convoy of plantations along the Mississippi whispers tales of an economy once driven by fertile lands and river trade, rich with crops like sugar cane, cotton, and indigo.

The Oak Alley Plantation offers more than history—it is a vivid outdoor classroom balanced with moments of serene natural beauty. Guests can pause to savor casual meals at the Plantation Café, relax under the shade of oaks, or stroll the meticulously maintained East and West Gardens. This experience provides both a deep dive into southern heritage and a memorable encounter with some of Louisiana’s most iconic scenery.

Offering round-trip transportation from New Orleans, the tour is conveniently accessible to visitors seeking a day immersion into regional history and landscape. Whether you’re drawn by the imposing architecture, the stately oak canopy, or the human stories etched into these grounds, Oak Alley Plantation stands out as an essential destination for those exploring Louisiana’s outdoor and cultural heritage.

About New Orleans Steamboat Company

New Orleans Steamboat Company operates historic riverboat cruises and guided excursions based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The company offers a range of Mississippi River sightseeing and jazz cruises aboard the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS and seasonal sailings on the Steamboat NATCHEZ, plus swamp, plantation, walking, and specialty small-group tours.

Cruise experiences include daytime and evening sightseeing jazz cruises with live music performed by the Dukes of Dixieland, multiple dinner seating options with Creole buffets or plated lunches, brunch sailings, seasonal party packages, and holiday-themed departures such as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve events. Land-based offerings include swamp and airboat adventures, guided tours to Oak Alley and Whitney plantations, craft cocktail and cooking walking tours, cemetery and Garden District strolls, and interactive ghost and spirits walks in the French Quarter.

Each trip description lists duration, meal options when applicable, live music or narration, and onboard amenities such as full-service bars and multiple observation decks. Local guides provide historical context about New Orleans, the Mississippi River, Jean Lafitte, and regional wetlands and wildlife on swamp and plantation tours. Many cruises feature live jazz and family-friendly programming; several airboat and swamp tours emphasize wildlife viewing opportunities.

Bookings are arranged per listed trip schedules and seating times. As a long-established New Orleans operator featured by tour aggregators and known for narrated riverboat cruises, the company combines maritime tradition with local culture to deliver interpretive sightseeing and entertainment on and off the water. Public and private group bookings are available for many departures.