Whitney Plantation Tour from New Orleans: Hotel Pickup Included

Plantation, swamp, and the work to prevent the next hurricane

A guided tour of Whitney Plantation Museum departing from your New Orleans hotel, with stops along River Road to the plantation site. The drive covers the marsh of Lake Pontchartrain, the Louisiana swamp, and what the Corps of Engineers built to prevent hurricane catastrophe, plus passes Evergreen plantation where Queen Sugar and 12 Years a Slave were filmed. The tour runs 6.5 hours in an air-conditioned vehicle with an audio guide available in English, Spanish, Italian, French and German.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tour to Whitney Plantation and sights

• Depart from New Orleans hotel
• View Lake Pontchartrain marsh
• See elevated expressway through swamp
• Observe Corp of Engineers flood prevention
• Pass Evergreen Plantation filming site
• Arrive at Whitney Plantation Museum

The experience

You get picked up from your hotel and spend the morning and early afternoon traveling out to Whitney Plantation Museum on River Road. The route itself is part of the tour: the driver points out the marsh of Lake Pontchartrain, the elevated expressway cutting through the Louisiana swamp, and the levee and barrier systems the Corps of Engineers installed after Hurricane Katrina. Along the way you pass Evergreen plantation, where the TV series Queen Sugar and the film 12 Years a Slave were shot.

At Whitney Plantation Museum you walk the grounds and buildings that document the lives of enslaved people who worked the land: a focus that sets this plantation apart from others in the region. The audio guide is available in five languages, so you can move through at your own pace. The museum itself is the centerpiece of the day, and the drive out and back frames it within the landscape and history of the area.

The full trip takes 6.5 hours from pickup to return. Children from age 2 are welcome, and the vehicle is air-conditioned throughout. The operator asks that passengers keep quiet during travel time as a courtesy to others on the tour.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• entry to Whitney Plantation Museum.
• audio guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or German.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except TuesdayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Youth (4 to 11 years) · Infant (2 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 48

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendly

Operated by CRESCENT CITY TOURS & TRANSPORTATION

Is this one for you?At 6.5 hours, this tour takes most of a day, so it suits travelers with a full morning and afternoon free rather than those fitting a quick stop between other plans. The drive itself is as much the experience as the museum. If you want to understand the landscape and the history of River Road on the way out, this pace and route make that possible.

Traveler reviews

4.66★★★★★★★★★★

247 verified traveler reviews

5 ★203

4 ★27

3 ★2

2 ★6

1 ★9

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (4 to 11 years); Infant (2 to 3 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What do I see on the drive out to Whitney Plantation?

The route covers the marsh of Lake Pontchartrain, the Louisiana swamp with an elevated expressway running through it, and the hurricane protection systems built by the Corps of Engineers. You also pass Evergreen plantation, where Queen Sugar and 12 Years a Slave were filmed.

How long is the whole tour from my hotel?

The tour runs 6.5 hours total, including hotel pickup and the drive back. That covers travel time to River Road, the stops along the way, and time at Whitney Plantation Museum itself.

Is an audio guide included, and what languages does it have?

Yes, an audio guide is included with the tour. It's available in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and German, so you can follow along at your own pace through the museum.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup in New Orleans, round-trip transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, access to Whitney Plantation Museum, and an audio guide in your choice of language are all included. Lunch is not included.