New Orleans Plantation Tours
Drive the historic River Road along the Mississippi to Louisiana's most significant plantations in St. James Parish and Vacherie. Stunning architecture, powerful stories, and the real history of sugar and slavery.
★★★★★800+ Reviews
Hotel Pickup Included
Expert Guided Tours
River Road, St. James Parish
Full Day Tours (5-7 Hours)
Transportation Included
From $89/person
Choose Your Plantation Experience
Each plantation offers a unique window into Louisiana's complex history. We'll help you find the tour that matches what you want to learn.
Best ValueShuttle Included
Swamp & Plantation Combo Tour: Oak Alley & Small Airboat
First-Time VisitorsHistory BuffsFamiliesNature Lovers
A small airboat ride deep into the Louisiana bayou paired with Oak Alley Plantation, all in one full 8-hour day. Hotel shuttle and all admissions included.
Approx. 8 hours Small airboat – up to 10 guests
Family FriendlyShuttle Included
Whitney Plantation Tour
History BuffsFirst-Time Visitors
Visit the only plantation in Louisiana dedicated entirely to telling the story of slavery. This isn't a mansion tour - it's a powerful, immersive history experience with first-person narratives from enslaved people who lived and worked here.
5 hours 25 minutes Large coach-style shuttle group
Family FriendlyShuttle Included
Oak Alley Plantation Tour
History BuffsFamiliesFirst-Time VisitorsPhotography
This is more than a plantation tour. It is a half-day journey through 300 years of Louisiana history. Stroll beneath 28 ancient live oaks, tour the Big House, and experience powerful slavery exhibits, with round-trip shuttle transportation from New Orleans included.
Approx. 5 to 6 hours Comfortable coach, shared tour
Not Sure Which Plantation tour is Right for You?
We've been helping visitors pick the perfect plantation toursince 2009. Chat with us and we'll give you personalized recommendations based on your group.
Local tour experts in the French Quarter · (504) 226-5433· Open daily 8am - 6pm
What to Expect on Your Plantation Tour
Historic Mansions
Tour beautifully preserved antebellum homes with period furnishings, stunning architecture, and rich stories.
Complete History
Learn the full story, including the lives of plantation owners and the enslaved people whose labor built Louisiana's wealth.
Beautiful Grounds
Stroll through manicured gardens, ancient oak trees, and authentic outbuildings preserved for over a century.
Easy Transportation
Relax on comfortable coach buses with hotel pickup and drop-off included. No rental car needed.
Why Book Your Plantation Tour With Gators & Ghosts?
We Help You Choose
Not sure which plantation is right for you? We've toured them all and can recommend the best fit based on your interests.
Best Price Guarantee
Find a lower price elsewhere? We'll match it. We work directly with tour operators to get you the best deals.
Flexible Booking
Plans change. We get it. Easy rescheduling and cancellation policies so you can book with confidence.
★★★★★
3,000+ five-star reviews
"The Oak Alley tour was the highlight of our trip. Charlotte recommended it over another plantation because we mentioned we love photography. She was right, those oak trees are incredible! Thank you!"
Jennifer L., Google Review
Plantation Tour FAQs
How long are plantation tours?+
Most plantation tours are full-day experiences lasting 5-7 hours, including transportation from New Orleans. The actual time at the plantation is typically 1.5-2 hours for the guided tour, plus time to explore the grounds.
What's included in the tour price?+
Tour prices include round-trip transportation from your New Orleans hotel and plantation admission. Oak Alley is a guided tour of the property. Whitney Plantation is a self-paced visit using the official Whitney Plantation audio app on your phone. Check individual tour pages for any extras like lunch or refreshments.
Which plantation should I visit?+
It depends on your interests! Oak Alley is best for photography and classic Southern beauty. Whitney Plantation offers the most comprehensive look at enslaved people’s experiences. Chat with us and we’ll help you decide!
Are plantation tours appropriate for children?+
Yes. Both tours discuss slavery, which is central to Louisiana’s plantation history. Oak Alley covers it alongside the property’s architecture and the sugar economy that built it. Whitney Plantation is built entirely around the experiences of enslaved people, and is more intense by design. Many parents see this history as important for their children to engage with. Use your own judgment about what your kids are ready to take in, and keep in mind these are long days with significant driving and walking.
Should we tip our tour guides?+
Absolutely! Tipping 15-20% of your tour cost is standard and greatly appreciated — similar to what you'd tip at a restaurant. Our guides are passionate locals who rely on tips as a significant part of their income. A great guide can make your experience unforgettable. If they do, let them know!
What happens if it rains?+
Tours run rain or shine. If you show up in the rain, your guide will be there. We only cancel if conditions become dangerous, and in that case you'll receive a full refund or the option to reschedule.
Is this tour wheelchair or scooter accessible?+
It depends on the tour. Our walking tours around the French Quarter generally work fine for wheelchairs and scooters since they're on city streets and sidewalks. Our covered pontoon swamp boat is also wheelchair accessible. For bus and shuttle tours, the buses don't have lifts or room to store a scooter, but a collapsible wheelchair can usually be accommodated if you can manage the steps to board. Airboats are not wheelchair accessible. If you have mobility concerns, contact us and we'll help find the best fit.
Have more questions? Visit our full FAQ page
Where You're Headed
All plantation tours follow the historic River Road along the Mississippi River, west of New Orleans. The drive itself is part of the experience. You'll pass through small Louisiana towns and sugar cane fields on the way.
- Oak Alley Plantation
- Vacherie, St. James Parish, about 60 minutes from New Orleans. Famous for its quarter-mile canopy of 300-year-old live oak trees.
- Whitney Plantation
- Wallace, St. John the Baptist Parish, about 50 minutes from New Orleans. The only plantation museum in Louisiana focused entirely on the lives of enslaved people.
- Laura Plantation
- Vacherie, St. James Parish, next door to Oak Alley. A Creole plantation with detailed records of the enslaved families who lived there across generations.
Transportation from your New Orleans hotel is included on all plantation tours.
Ready to Explore Louisiana's Plantations?
Book online or chat with us for personalized recommendations. We'll help you choose the perfect plantation tour.