Oak Alley Plantation
3645 Louisiana 18, Vacherie, LA
Oak Alley Plantation is a must-visit destination when in New Orleans. Highlights include a historic house and a lane flanked by 300-year-old live oak trees—plus 1,300 acres (526 hectares) of leafy grounds. Guided tours shed light on the plantation’s complex history of slavery and the Civil War, as well as the movies that used the attraction as a backdrop. Day trips from New Orleans’ French Quarter typically include convenient round-trip transport, while select tours combine Oak Alley with nearby plantations such as Laura Plantation or San Francisco Plantation.
A plantation visit is a must when in New Orleans and Oak Alley Plantation is one of the more popular options thanks to its thoughtful exhibitions regarding slavery and the Civil War, Sugarcane Theater performances, and exceptional Greek Revival architecture.
See the Big House and grounds on the banks of the Mississippi River on a guided tour, many of which include round-trip transportation from New Orleans’ French Quarter. For a full-day trip from the Big Easy, combine a tour of Oak Alley with a Cajun swamp tour or a trip to some of the other surrounding plantations, including Laura Plantation and San Francisco Plantation.
Oak Alley Plantation is located in the town of Vacherie, about 54 miles (87 kilometers) west of New Orleans.
Summertime visitors should dress in light clothing with plenty of sun protection for the strong heat.
Tours can run anywhere from four to nine hours long, depending on whether you combine Oak Alley with other nearby attractions in Cajun Country.
Oak Alley Plantation is partly wheelchair accessible, but there's no assisted access on the second floor. Those in wheelchairs can explore the second floor via an ipad. Disposable headphones are available.
Because there is no public transportation to Oak Alley Plantation, the best way to get there is by car. Those with their own vehicles or rental cars will find the hour-long drive smooth and easy. Otherwise, the best way to visit is on a guided tour that includes transportation. You can also book a private transportation service in advance.
New Orleans and Cajun Country are famously hot and humid in the summertime; visit during the fall or spring for the best weather for walking around outdoors. Morning tours will have the coolest weather; tours after 3pm can expect the most intense heat.
In addition to boasting the status as one of the most photographed plantations in the South, Oak Alley gained fame as a filming location for Interview with a Vampire, Primary Colors, and 1978’s Nightrider.
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