Home > New Orleans > Small-Group Tour of Oak Alley and Laura Plantation from New Orleans
USD $110.00
Small-Group Tour of Oak Alley and Laura Plantation from New Orleans
New Orleans, United States of America
Go beyond New Orleans to tour two grand Louisiana plantations on the banks of the Mississippi River. Watch guides in period costume bring to life the history of Oak Alley Plantation, named after a double row of live oaks planted nearly 300 years ago. Then tour the Creole Laura Plantation with its sweeping sugarcane fields and historically significant slave quarters. Admire several other plantations on the Great River Road from afar, and learn their unique stories. This small-group tour allows a limited number of people to ensure a more personalized attention from your guide.
Your trip back in time to the Antebellum South begins with pickup from your New Orleans hotel. Travel with your small group by van along the shores of Lake Ponchartrain as your guide shares facts and stories about plantation culture.
Head along the Great River Road on the shores of the Mississippi to Oak Alley Plantation. During your 1.5-hour tour, admire the mansion's Greek Revival architecture, and listen to guides in period costume talk about the lives of those who called the plantation home. Afterward, enjoy some free time to walk under the spectacular canopy of 28 giant live oaks on the plantation grounds.
Leave Oak Alley and continue along the Great River Road. Pass Whitney, St Joseph and Evergreen plantations and learn about their histories from your guide before arriving at Laura Plantation, a lovely Creole plantation surrounded by sugarcane fields. After seeing the mansion, explore the outbuildings and lush flower and vegetable gardens. Your 1.5-hour guided tour finishes up in one of the slave cabins where the West African folktales that inspired the Br'er Rabbit stories were said to be recorded.
Following your tour of Laura Plantation, reboard your van for the ride back to New Orleans. Your 5.5-hour Louisiana plantation experience ends with drop-off at your hotel.
The tour was coordinated by Tours by Isabelle. Our driver/guide was John - a very likable Cajun who provided plenty of local flavor and stories, although we did hear some of the same things on the way back to NOLA that we heard on the way to the plantations. We were scheduled to be picked up at 8:30. The day before we got a call that it was moved up to 7:50 because they had to pick up several other parties. It turns out that we were next to last to be picked up and some of the people were picked up as early as 7:30. On the way to the first plantation Laura, John is calling it to find out when it opens. He didn't know. It turns out it was 10:00 so we drove around to kill time before we got there. Isabelle needs to plan this better.
Review by: S E R, April 2018
Laura focused more on the story of one family and much about the history and life of the slaves. Our guide was incredibly knowledgable._br/_ Nice gift shop.
Review by: obie1023, April 2018
We had a great time and our driver was very knowledgeable about the history of NOLA as well as both plantations. It was a full day and worth the price on Viator!
Review by: Guus B, March 2018
More a Small-Car then a Small-Group, Oak Alley is great.
Review by: Nancy D, March 2018
This was an excellent tour. Our guide, John, was well informed and answered several questions as well as providing us with a good amount of information on the drive to the plantations. The two plantations are very different, but the plantation guides were wonderful. I would highly recommend this tour.
Review by: asefeh.heiat, March 2018
Great tour, very well organized. Excellent guide. Isabelle was also extremely nice and helpful when we forgot our wallet in the tour van.
Review by: Michael C, March 2018
Excellent tour. Great guide. Plantations we're worth the trip. A low ceiling in the van however made for a tough ride/entrance/exit.
Review by: Ann S, March 2018
The trip was very nice. The guide Cat picked us up at our hotel promptly and she provided lots of fun facts along the way. Oak Alley was beautiful, but the tour there was quite large and the guide not so special. The Laura Plantation Tour was small, really just our group and the guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. 3 thumbs up.
Review by: Twinkie, February 2018
This small group about 12 people tour takes you to two Plantations- Oak Alley American style and Laura French-Creole. Oak Alley is beautiful, although I found Laura more interesting. You are taken on tours through the houses which are very good for history and information. Stories of the enslaved and how they were treated are very sad.You also see some other plantations from the road. Our driver John was full of stories and continually pointed things out throughout the trip. There is a good cafe at Oak Alley with food. Souvenir shops at both.Highly recommend this tour
Review by: Steven M, February 2018
I really liked the personal stories shared at Laura plantation.
Review by: ELIZABETH D, January 2018
small group was great
Review by: Renata S, January 2018
Everything was perfect! Very interesting, positive and informative!
Review by: John T, January 2018
I can't recommend this tour highly enough. Our guide was especially informative, talkative, and knowledgeable. She knew so much and passed it along to us in a warm, cheerful, friendly manner. I loved seeing these two plantations and learned a lot about the history and culture of New Orleans while there.
Review by: Judith O, January 2018
Great guide Gene. Excellent visits to Clara and Oak Tree, very well narrated. Many thanks
Review by: TAGMG1969, January 2018
Loved seeing the old trees and the history of the plantation buildings and the families. Would have liked a more balanced narration that also talked about the slaves and their journey and contribution to the times as well ... this was absolutely brushed over in the main house - but the guide at Lara Plantation Stephen was excellent and had LOT of details that he covered with us and was happy to answer questions._br/_ The old Oak trees are just wonderful - worth the trip JUST for them!!
Review by: riburney, December 2017
This tour was amazing!
Review by: Victoria C, December 2017
This was a beautiful tour very informative, the guide at the Laura Plantation was an amazing girl born in new orleans and studing history of the area , very emotional I loved it.
Review by: laninaki, December 2017
Our guide had a TON of information about both plantations.
Review by: Thomas F, November 2017
Really enjoyed our tour. Driver and tour guides at the plantations were so entertaining and knowledgeable. Had a great day.
Review by: gpfreedman, November 2017
Excellent tour and tour guides at both plantations. The knowledge of history by the tour guides was fantastic. I truly enjoyed the tour and the ground were beautiful. It's important to know history and a good tour. Used Tours by Isabelle and that tour guide was really good in pointing out sites along the way to/from the plantations.
Review by: Carolyn M, November 2017
excellent tour
Review by: Laura C, October 2017
A real feel for life back them. Highly recommend this tour. Our guide was great!
Review by: lyndare70, October 2017
Our tour guide Billy was amazing. He told us so much about the area on the drive to the plantations. Oak Alley is beautiful and the tour very informative. Laura was our favorite. Our guide Stephen was a wealth of information. We really enjoyed the history of the people who lived on the plantation and how the house was constructed.
Review by: Carlita G, October 2017
This particular tour wasnt available the day that I was scheduled, instead I had the option to do another similar tour where I got to experience two other plantations including the Whitney Plantation which was recently established with a focus on the slaves in the area._br/_ We had a small group and our guide was amazing! Very knowledgeable on the history and answered as many questions as possible._br/_ I would recommend doing any tour that includes the history and area of the plantations near New Orleans :
Review by: Helen L, October 2017
We were booked for this tour, but they didn't reach the minimum number of guest, so we saw two other plantations instead. Our guide, Muriel, was fantastic. Learned tons about the history of Louisiana. The stop at San Francisco was very interesting. Guide on the tour was knowledgeable and made history come alive. I loved Houmas plantation was gorgeous. Looked just like what I imagined an old southern plantation would be. The gardens were gorgeous. All in all, a great visit.
Review by: Andrea L, September 2017
This tour was amazing!
Review by: CHRIS A, August 2017
i enjoyed our tours, the driver made the trip out interesting and fun. the history was rich and informative. I'd definitely recommend it. The driver also accommodated us on a drop off as we were running late to our next tour, not his fault, it was a scheduling issue, but he made it work. Great job.
Review by: Julia S, August 2017
The Laurel Plantation was great with a lot of animated history. The guide was good but spoke a little to quickly and seemed we were on a timetable. Twelve Oaks was wonderful and the guide explained so much and answer all questions. You have to have a mint julep while you're there. We had a blast!
Review by: Phil S, August 2017
We had a nice, small group ride out to the plantations. Our driver was a native and knowledgeable about the area, telling us about other sights along the way. Oak Alley, of course, was spectacular. The big house is fabulously preserved. We thought the group tour through the main house was a bit too big about 30 people!, but the guide in period garb was a wealth of knowledge, with anecdotes about the family who built the estate. The self-tour of the slave quarters was informative. The gift shop, etc was nice. We didn't eat at either the restaurant or the deli but things looked yummy. The real gem, though, Laura Plantation. Not as impressive in fame as Oak Alley, the visit there felt more true to the Creole experience. We had a small group with our guide and she was a pleasure, telling tales about the woman the plantation is named for and her family history. I would definitely recommend this tour for those seeking to not only experience historic Louisiana, but also a striking look into the lives of enslaved persons.
Review by: l.gallucci2, July 2017
The tour was fantastic and our tour guide the very best. She enacted scenes that had you in the moment. A must tour for anyone interested in plantation life from both owners and slaves perspective.
Review by: svetlana r, July 2017
"Small-group" tour in description is misleading. Transportation in a smaller van was nice. However, at the plantation we waited for some time until our small group was combined with other groups for the plantation tour. Plantation tour was NOT in a small group. Additional $ was not worth it.
Review by: Kathryn G, July 2017
The Laura Plantation was a plantation worth visiting. The guide at the plantation was knowledgeable and answered all questions even though the group was about 20. The guide to the plantations was awful. There were only 3 of us in the van. She talked nonstop. We tried to ask questions, but to no avail. She made for a miserable 75 minute journey to the plantation. I would not recommend this particular group tour. Yes to the plantations, no to Tours with Isabelle.
Review by: ANDREW S, June 2017
Just OK
Review by: ichampon, June 2017
We love the tour. Our kids and us learned so much from the trip.
Review by: Melissa R, June 2017
My family and I had a wonderful time. Very interesting to see Laura and Oak Alley plantation. Our tour guide at Laura was a descendent and her grandmother had been born in one of the houses.
Review by: David G W, June 2017
Laura plantation was spectacular. Our guide to the plantation was fabulous. Gene our tour guide and driver entertained us with stories of Katrina hurricane with we're very interesting. Throughly enjoyed our whole day
Review by: Susan P, June 2017
I enjoyed this tour for a number of reasons - our guide John was very helpful and informative, other guests on the tour were quite interesting, the two plantations were very different so each experience was unique, the guides at the two sites were knowledgeable, and the trees at Oak Alley are so beautiful and majestic. One thing I will note that was a bit disappointing. I specifically booked this tour because it is titled Small Group as I am not fond of large group tours. While there were only a small number of us in our group, at each plantation we joined a lot of other people for the tours. Laura Plantation was not too bad re numbers as the rooms in the house are not that large and could not accommodate more than about a dozen people. The group at Oak Alley was much larger, making movement through the rooms very slow and hard to see the details in the rooms as much as one would like. Perhaps Viator could be more specific in its description so it is clear that the on-site tours are not necessarily small group.
Review by: jmw41155, May 2017
Very interesting tour with great informative guides.
Review by: Darrell S, May 2017
very enjoyable trip. The lady that was our guide was informative as well as gracious
Review by: Dionysia K, May 2017
This was a great tour! Our guide was very pleasant and informative. It's a bittersweet feeling seeing these gorgeous plantations, yet have such a dark past. You get a real idea of how life was for people back then. It was a nice, quiet getaway from all the noise, hustle and bustle of Bourbon Street for a day. Beautiful scenery, getting to see a little of LA outside the parties of French Quarter. If you are a history buff like me, you will love this little excursion!
Review by: Washington C, April 2017
Great way to indulge in the history of the area. Weather was perfect. Take good walking shoes.
Review by: Nancy M, April 2017
Loved this tour. Our guide Ellen was great. She told us a lot of stories on the way to and from the plantations. Would like some quiet time to just take in the sights on the way. Once we arrived at each of the plantations, we went on great tours of the properties. Really showed us how the people lived during this time period. At Oak Alley we enjoyed free time to drink the Mint Juleps we purchased and stroll the grounds. Great day!!
Review by: Victoria R, March 2017
This tour was amazing!
Review by: Stephen M, March 2017
The small van pick-up was wonderful and was able to maneuver up and down the narrow streets. The hour or so drive out to the plantations and back was very nice because our driver was so informative and talked about everything we were seeing. We learned so much during that van ride. Once we arrived at the plantations, we joined very large groups and toured with them. Sometimes it was hard to hear or all get in one room or space. That was disappointing. Keep in mind that small-group only applies to the van pick up/drop-off and ride. Touring takes place with very large groups. The walking was not difficult as anticipated.
Review by: Maureen W, March 2017
This was a great small group tour. Our tour guide was very knowledgable and accomodating. The large plantation homes and their stories are worth viewing if you are in NOLA. I would definitely recommend.
Review by: KC, March 2017
A good combination of totally two different plantations. Laura Plantation has more moving history of the owners and slaves and Oak Alley impresses you will the view. A great half day tour outside of the city.
Review by: PENNY H, March 2017
REALLY WONDERFUL TOUR... VERY WELL INFORMED GUIDE-- FUNNY AND PERSONABLE, TOO !_br/_ ALL THREE OF US WOULD MOST CERTAINLY RECOMMEND THIS TOUR... MY ONLY COMPLAINT_br/_ BEING THAT I LEFT MY VERY MOST FAVORITE UMBRELLA IN YOUR VAN AND HAD NO WAY TO_br/_ REACH YOU TO ASK THAT IT BE LEFT OFF AT MY HOTEL... OTHERWISE, I WOULD GIVE YOU_br/_ ALL 5 STARS !! ABSOLUTELY PERFECT IN ALL OTHER WAYS..._br/_ PENNY HON
Review by: Anna G, March 2017
This was my first time booking a group tour online and wasn't sure how it would go and if there would be any issues with it. I can tell you now that everything from ordering, confirming, the hotel pick-up, the tours, and the drop-off went smooth as ever! Zero issues throughout the day.The hotel pick up was arranged a few days prior and the shuttle picked up promptly at the time I was told. We picked up a few more people and there were no more than 12 of us in the group it made it a more comfortable tour. Our tour guide shared a lot of knowledge in regards to New Orleans and its' history as we drove to our destination. I was very impressed! When we got to the plantations, both tour guides were amazing and answered any of the questions asked. The grounds on both plantations were gorgeous! It was a great and humbling experience to walk the grounds on both plantations. Its an experience I won't forget. I highly recommend this tour to any one looking to learn about New Orleans history. You'll definitely learn a lot and then some...
Review by: Thomas M, March 2017
Tours by Isabelle does a really nice job of confirming pick up and showing up just when they said they would. The driver and guide Gene was informative and fun. Tour of Laura Plantation is outstanding -- very historic with great guides. Oak Alley is very crowded and you really do feel like you are being shuttled through the house. Perhaps a different plantation for the second house would make for a nicer experience.
Review by: Jesus A, March 2017
Our tour guide was excellent for this trip, this is a must see/do while in New Orleans. _br/_ You learned allot about the region, New Orleans while in route to the plantations. We first visited Oak Alley. This estate is breath taking, from the main plantation home to the wonderful Oak Alley itself. My wife fell in love with this place and pictures do not do this justice._br/_ We then visited the Laura Plantation, this place was different style than Oak Alley but was lovely itself. _br/_ Both guides at both plantations were excellent and pleasant and truly showed passion for the history of these locations.
RSS Feed