NEW ORLEANS AIRBOAT FIELD GUIDE
Two Plantations, One Lived History: Laura & Whitney on a 7.5‑Hour River Road Circuit
A full‑day tour that pairs restored Creole architecture at Laura Plantation with the Whitney Plantation’s museum‑quality exhibits on slavery—essential context for anyone tracing Louisiana’s past.
Two Plantations, One Lived History: Laura & Whitney on a 7.5‑Hour River Road Circuit.
Experience the rich history of Louisiana at Laura Plantation and Whitney Plantation, where restored Creole architecture and museum exhibits on slavery sit on the banks of the Mississippi; this 7.5‑hour journey offers a concentrated, educational exploration of both sites.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Whitney Plantation: A Museum Devoted to Slavery
The Whitney Plantation is preserved as a museum focused on slavery in the southern United States. The site includes the main house, outbuildings, imaginative commissioned art (including life‑size sculptures of children), and research led by a Senegalese scholar; it opened to the public in December 2014.
Laura Plantation’s Creole Complex and Original Structures
Laura Plantation is a restored Louisiana Creole plantation on the West Bank near Vacherie with an early‑19th‑century raised big house and several surviving outbuildings, including two original slave cabins; it is one of about 15 plantation complexes in the state with this completeness and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
A Paired Visit That Centers Memory and Architecture
Visiting both Laura and Whitney on the same day pairs the material history of Creole plantation life with Whitney’s explicit, museum‑driven interpretation of enslavement—together offering layered perspectives on the region’s past.
What the day feels like
What the Day Feels Like
This is a single‑day, 7.5‑hour excursion that visits two of the Mississippi River’s interpretive plantations: visitors leave New Orleans in the morning and spend the day exploring the restored buildings and curated exhibits at both Laura and Whitney, returning the same day with a concentrated dose of history and site‑specific interpretation.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour is aimed at.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Pickup from hotels is between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM; total tour duration is 7.5 hours.
The operator does not list specific gear requirements.
This tour is operated by Crescent City Tours & Transportation.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Double Plantation Tour?
The tour lasts approximately 7.5 hours.
What time does pickup occur?
Pickup for reservations is scheduled between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM from your hotel.
Is there an age requirement?
Yes — the tour is available to guests aged 6 and older.
Which plantations are visited on the tour?
The tour visits Laura Plantation and the Whitney Plantation.
What makes Whitney Plantation distinct?
Whitney is a museum district devoted to the history of slavery, featuring commissioned art such as life‑size sculptures and exhibits based on historical research; it opened its public museum portion in December 2014.
What is notable about Laura Plantation?
Laura Plantation is a restored Louisiana Creole plantation with an early‑19th‑century raised big house and several surviving outbuildings, including original slave cabins; it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.