new orleans plantation tours

[klhage89]

We will be staying at the New Orleans Drury Inn for 2 days precruise and would like to take a plantation tour during that time. Do the hotels offer any tours or should we book that ahead of our stay. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Essiesmom]

It's possible they will have some tour brochures in the lobby. But I would do some research here on the Gulf Coast Departures board here at CC, under North American Homeports. EM

[agabbymama]

I would check with the Drury Inn beforehand to see if they offer tours. Not all hotels do. I googled tours in New Orleans and booked directly with the vendor.

viator dot com might be another option for you. I WOULD NOT WAIT until you arrive.

[bakersdozen12]

My husband and I toured the plantations near New Orleans and we just rented a car and drove to them ourselves. Personally I think it's the better way to go because you can do it on your own schedule. And PS-Oak Alley Plantation is a must see! Good luck, and have fun!

[pkay414]

Most of the hotels don't offer tours -- and I would highly suggest doing them on your own. They're easy to do by yourself.

 

My favorites: Oak Alley - beautiful grounds. The interior of the home is not my favorite. Last time I was there they were rebuilding the slave cabins.

 

Laura Plantation -- amazing creole plantation. What's amazing about this one is it was very matriarchal as opposed to patriarchal.

 

San Francisco Plantation -- just a neat house.

 

Destrahan -- AMAZING!!

 

If you get a chance, drive out to the Chalamette Battlefield (in a 1814 we took a little trip...)

 

Feel free to PM me for more suggestions. There's one down in the levys that was really neat -- I can't think of the name of it, but I can try and remember.

[gooch47]

if your hotel has a consierge (sp?) they can make reservations with tour companies for you. There are also booths around the French Quarter and in the Riverwalk Mall.

[SuiteTraveler]

I think the best way is to rent a car and drive, but there are some plantation tours that are on a swamp boat. (All the plantations are near the river since that is how goods were moved in those days.)

 

Here's an example of a Swamp Boat Plantation tour:

http://www.viator.com/tours/New-Orleans/Experience-Cajun-Country-Swamp-Boat-Adventure-and-Plantations-Full-Day-Tour-from-New-Orleans/d675-2292GRAND

 

(Oak Alley is where some early scenes for Interview with a Vampire was filmed among other notable films, btw. It has an excellent Cajun restaurant for lunch.)

 

Here are some bus tours to the various Plantations:

https://www.tripshock.com/attractions/activity-Plantation-Tours/state-Louisiana/city-New-Orleans/%3Fgclid%3DCjwKEAjwvPepBRCoqo37teOD1XsSJAC7v6WQkTK99f54sarGrt5DI1YOPFAzgLGrIeP_kbRNWZGQgBoCVhHw_wcB/

 

and here are some more plantation tours:

http://www.plantationadventure.com

 

another fun thing to do is take a Natchez Riverboat Tour right from New Orleans:

http://www.plantationadventure.com/tour_details_nosale.php?tid=16

 

http://www.steamboatnatchez.com/reservations.html

 

Another type of tour that is really interesting is the cemetery tours:

http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/tours/cemeterytours.html?notmct=15

NOTE: DO NOT attempt to tour a cemetery on your own as it is dangerous - many thieves lurk in the cemeteries and will rob unwitting tourists. Always go on a group tour.

 

Ghost Tours are also very popular:

http://ghosttoursinneworleans.com/haunted-new-orleans-tours/?gclid=CjwKEAjwvPepBRCoqo37teOD1XsSJAC7v6WQ-8zkDUovxdSEDIXneYZB5LGKBeCLaXjSfZNKn8I6qBoCacrw_wcB

 

Do be sure and spend some time walking on Decatur street, stop in at Cafe Du Monde for their famous cafe au Lait and begnets. Down Decatur street near Jackson Square, you will see all the horses and carriages for tours of the French Quarter. Find a driver and carriage you like and take a tour.

 

Decatur Street is a good place to go into a restaurant and have a mufaletta. Central Grocery and Deli is widely known to be among the best at 923 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116.

Incidentally, order only 1/2 of a mufaletta for 2 people and share as they are HUGE! There are several pharmacies along this street as well, where you can pick up soda and bottled water for your cruise and anything else you may have forgotten to pack.

 

It is also prudent to get dining reservations for dinner. Here are some of my favorite restaurants in New Orleans in or near the French Quarter:

August (John Besh) http://www.restaurantaugust.com

 

NOLA (Emeril Lagasse) http://www.emerilsrestaurants.com/nola-restaurant

 

Commander's Palace (owned by the Brennan family in the Garden District) http://www.commanderspalace.com

 

Muriel's Jackson Square

http://www.muriels.com

 

K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen (Paul Prudhomme)

http://www.kpauls.com

 

Acme Oyster House

http://www.acmeoyster.com

 

Galatoire's Restaurant http://www.galatoires.com/home

known for sautéed red fish, soft shell crab and turtle soup (Jacket required for men, no shorts or t-shirts.)

 

Arnaud's Restaurant

https://www.arnaudsrestaurant.com

Known for Oysters Arnaud, Gumbo, Pompano, Turtle Soup

Visit the small museum of historic Mardi Gras Dresses upstairs.

 

Antoine's - I highly recommend the Pompano Ponchatrain - my husband calls it the best fish he's ever had! (Antoine's is home of the original Oysters Rockefeller and also famous for Cafe Brulot Diabolique - hot spiced flaming coffee - it is REALLY GOOD and not to be missed!)

 

The Court of Two Sisters - great jazz brunch!

http://www.courtoftwosisters.com

 

If you like Casinos, Harrah's is very popular and has pretty loose slots. I recommend the Mystic Mermaid slot machines. Usually I walk out of that casino with $1200 or so from that machine.

 

Another great place to tour is Mardi Gras World:

http://www.mardigrasworld.com/?gclid=CjwKEAjwvPepBRCoqo37teOD1XsSJAC7v6WQRMMpI6kte-OmaX6BnPtywy-aqJSPaQ426OVQb8A1RhoClO3w_wcB

 

Other fun things to do:

Visit Audubon Zoo - http://www.auduboninstitute.org/zoo

 

Walk or drive around the Garden District (a good time to have lunch at the Commander's Palace.)

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/new-orleans/717266#sthash.XSzN0vVK.dpbs

 

Aquarium of the Americas

http://www.neworleansonline.com/directory/location.php?notmct=15&locationID=1246%3Futm_source%3Dgoogleppc&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=family-attractions&gclid=CjwKEAjwvPepBRCoqo37teOD1XsSJAC7v6WQbpdM64mnrQwzTRMLxvnywQPNAhEUDc2yHukmoNiVvhoC2ePw_wcB

 

Marie LaVeau's House of Voodoo

http://voodooneworleans.com

get a Tarot and palm reading.

[klhage89]

Wow...........thanks for all the information. I really appreciate it. I called our hotel and they said since we will be in New Orleans over Halloween, that we should book a tour before we get there. Halloween must be a busy time. Thanks for all the suggestions, I like to be prepared before I go. It makes for a more enjoyable time. Anything else is much appreciated.