Step into Louisiana’s past with a guided tour of St. Joseph and Felicity Plantations, where history and culture intertwine amidst breathtaking landscapes. Discover stories of sugarcane agriculture, antebellum living, and regional legacy.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Casual walking ability needed, pace is gentle and accessible for most
Wildlife
History
The plantations played a crucial role in Louisiana’s sugar economy and reflect the complex history of plantation agriculture.
Conservation
Efforts are in place to preserve the historic structures and educate visitors on sustainable land management.
St. Joseph Plantation
Step into Louisiana’s past with a guided tour of St. Joseph and Felicity Plantations, where history and culture intertwine amidst breathtaking landscapes. Discover stories of sugarcane agriculture, antebellum living, and regional legacy.
St. Joseph Plantation, located in Vacherie, Louisiana, preserves and interprets the history of two adjacent Mississippi River sugar plantations: St. Joseph Plantation and Felicity Plantation. Guests can choose guided group tours that explore working sugarcane farms, original outbuildings, and the plantation mansion, with programming that highlights 19th-century plantation life and agricultural practices.
Tours include a standalone St. Joseph Plantation Group Tour and guided experiences at Felicity Plantation. Combined options are available: a St. Joseph and Felicity Plantation Combo Group Tour and a St. Joseph and Felicity Plantations Combo Tour that runs approximately 2.5 hours and covers active sugarcane operations across roughly 1,000 acres. Tour narratives address construction dates, family histories such as the Waguespack family, and the plantations' roles as film and television locations.
Felicity Plantation tours emphasize the site's 19th-century construction and documented appearances in productions like "12 Years A Slave." St. Joseph Plantation tours sometimes explore 19th-century mourning customs, original outbuildings, and seasonal programming: the mansion receives an October transformation and the property offers nighttime tours and exclusive midnight tours on Halloween weekend.
All tours are guided and operate on plantation grounds in Vacherie, adjacent to the Mississippi River. Interpretive content focuses on architecture, agriculture, and cultural history tied to sugarcane cultivation. Visitors should plan logistics such as travel time to Vacherie and any seasonal scheduling. St. Joseph Plantation provides on-site experiences that combine historic preservation, active farming, and film-location history for visitors seeking an informed look at Louisiana's plantation heritage.
Tour availability varies by season and event.
Location
Vacherie, LA
Situated on the Mississippi River
Tours Offered
6
Group and combo guided tours available
Historic Era
19th century
Includes Felicity's 1840s construction
Combo Tour Length
2.5 hours
Covers roughly 1,000 acres
Reserve a group, Felicity, or combo tour to explore historic plantation architecture, sugarcane operations, and film-location history.
Wear comfortable shoes
The tour involves walking across uneven plantation grounds, so sturdy footwear is recommended.
Bring sun protection
Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses will help keep you comfortable during outdoor parts of the tour.
Plan for some time in nature
Enjoy the scenic views and take time to appreciate the landscape outside the historic structures.
Arrive early for better experience
Getting there early ensures ample time for the tour and possibly exploring the grounds afterward.
Comfortable walking shoes
Supportive footwear helps you walk comfortably across uneven grounds.
Sun protection
Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses shield you from the sun during outdoor touring.
summer
Light water bottle
Stay hydrated as you stroll through the plantation grounds.
Camera or smartphone for photos
Capture the historic scenery and memorable moments.