How long is the entire Plantation Country & The Birth of Blues tour?

The full experience lasts about 3 to 4 hours, including an 80-minute tour of Laura Plantation and a 60-minute visit to the Historic Riverlands site.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. Participants can bring their own or visit nearby restaurants between the two tour segments.

Are the tours wheelchair accessible?

While the plantation and museum have some accessible areas, the uneven terrain may be challenging; contacting Tours by Marguerite ahead is recommended for specific accommodations.

What is the maximum group size for this tour?

Tours are limited to 15 participants to maintain an intimate and informative experience.

Can I take photos during the tours?

Photography is allowed, but guests are asked to be respectful of the sensitive historical context and other visitors.

Where is the meeting point for this tour?

The tour is based out of New Orleans, Louisiana; specific meeting details are provided upon booking.

Plantation History & Blues Journey with Tours by Marguerite | History Tour

Louisiana’s Riverlands region holds a distinctive place in America’s cultural and musical heritage, and Tours by Marguerite offers an immersive passage into this history through their “Plantation Country & The Birth of Blues” experience. Centered around the Laura Plantation and the Historic Riverlands site, this tour reveals the intertwined stories of Creole culture, enslaved West Africans, and the musical traditions born here that shaped jazz, blues, and beyond. Laura Plantation, established in 1805, is a living record of Louisiana’s complex past. During an 80-minute guided walk, visitors encounter the lives of over 400 enslaved Africans whose folk tales and rhythms rooted the earliest forms of American blues and jazz. The plantation’s layered history includes European settlers alongside Native American neighbors, all contributing to a vibrant cultural crossroads. The site is unique for highlighting the West African folktales known locally as Brer Rabbit stories and their role in the American music landscape. After the plantation visit, guests take a short break before moving on to the Historic Riverlands site, where a 60-minute journey delves into African-American musical legacies. Here, the profound impact of African American musicians on jazz, zydeco, gospel, soul, and R&B is celebrated, contextualized with stories of resilience through the Civil Rights movement. Tours by Marguerite conducts these walks with small groups capped at 15 to maintain intimacy and depth. This holistic tour connects historical lands with living heritage, making it an indispensable experience for travelers wanting to understand the roots of American music, culture, and history in Louisiana. With a practical, educational approach, this is a standout offering for anyone drawn to authentic cultural travel in the South. Located near New Orleans, this experience bridges the city’s famed musical culture with the foundational stories found just upriver. Visitors gain not just information but connection—to place, people, and sound.

Difficulty

easy.

Duration

3–4 hours total.

Fitness level

Suitable for most fitness levels; requires walking on uneven surfaces for up to 80 minutes per location.

Wildlife

Wading birds like herons along riverbanks
American alligators in nearby marshes

History

Laura Plantation was home to over 400 enslaved West Africans whose cultural traditions significantly influenced American music genres including jazz and blues.

Conservation

Tours by Marguerite practices respectful tourism by limiting group sizes and supporting preservation efforts for historic sites and local ecosystems.

Tours by Marguerite is a New Orleans-based tour company specializing in private car tours that connect visitors with the region’s history, culture, and flavors. Led by knowledgeable local guides, Tours by Marguerite offers personalized two-hour Sights of New Orleans tours through Creole neighborhoods and 19th-century American settlements, with a stop for beignets at the iconic Morning Call Café. Each story-driven itinerary highlights architecture, social history, and local culinary traditions. Beyond the city, Tours by Marguerite operates Plantation Country & The Birth of Blues excursions to Laura Plantation and the Historic Riverlands. These tours focus on Creole culture, the contributions of enslaved West Africans to music, and the evolution of jazz and blues in Louisiana. The Plantation Country itinerary combines historic interpretation with on-site narratives that emphasize documented records and preserved sites. Tours by Marguerite uses private vehicles for comfort and personalized attention, enabling flexible pacing and direct access to neighborhoods and riverfront sites. The company sources information from documented plantation records, local historians, and long-standing community knowledge to present historically grounded tours. Reservations are organized in advance with clear meeting instructions and private-group options. Visitors choose Tours by Marguerite for tailored small-group experiences, knowledgeable narration, and local culinary stops. The business is based in New Orleans, Louisiana, and focuses on historically accurate storytelling and respectful presentation of sensitive subjects such as slavery and cultural heritage. Tours by Marguerite delivers immersive, educational tours that blend history, music, and regional flavor. Advance booking is always recommended for popular dates.

Base locationNew Orleans, Louisiana

Tours offered2+

Specialtyothers

StewardshipLeave No Trace

My Trip

My Trip

Plantation History & Blues Journey with Tours by Marguerite

A full day in New Orleans.

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