Travel the Great River Road from New Orleans to visit Whitney and Laura Plantations. This small-group tour combines candid history, riverine landscapes, and guided interpretation for a six-hour exploration of plantation life and memory.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You leave the bustle of the French Quarter behind and the Mississippi River pulls you into a different rhythm — a long, low horizon of sugarcane and oak alleys stretched along the Great River Road. Your guide drives a compact-group van; conversation shifts between cinematic film locations and the hard facts recorded in fieldstone and ledger.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
6 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels; mostly short walks on even but sometimes gravelly ground
Wildlife
History
River Road plantations were built on alluvial soils deposited by the Mississippi; the plantation system grew with sugarcane and enslaved labor, leaving layered cultural and architectural legacies.
Conservation
Many sites now function as museums and memorials with preservation programs; visitors are encouraged to stay on paths and follow site rules to protect fragile structures and burial grounds.
Reserve your spot on the Small-Group Laura and Whitney Plantation Tour from New Orleans today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Download Whitney Tour App in advance
Whitney uses a mobile app for its self-guided experience—download it and bring headphones to keep audio clear and sanitary.
Bring sun protection and water
Paths and esplanades are exposed; a wide-brim hat, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle make summer visits far more comfortable.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes
Gravel paths and historic grounds are uneven—closed-toe shoes reduce dirt and trip hazards during both self-guided and guided portions.
Be mindful and respectful
Sites memorialize enslaved people; follow signage, avoid disruptive behavior, and photograph with sensitivity near burial markers and memorials.
Headphones
Required for Whitney’s audio tour and makes listening in a van or on-site easier.
Reusable water bottle
Hydration is important in Louisiana heat and many sites have limited water access.
summer
Closed-toe walking shoes
Helps on gravel, grass and in historic structures with uneven floors.
Sun hat and sunscreen
Shaded spots are limited; UV protection improves comfort during exposed portions of the tour.
spring|summer|fall