Louisiana's River Parishes - 2025 Destination Guide (R)
LOUISIANA
Louisiana's River Parishes are situated on a strip of land about 30-miles long along the Mississippi River, in between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. We are known for our unique history, agriculture, cuisine, and ecosystems. Influences from Germans, Acadians (Cajuns), French, Spanish, Native Americans, and enslaved people blend to create a regional culture - unique even to Louisiana.
Out here, you will hear the legends of our past through tours of historical attractions in New Orleans Plantation Country. The 1811 Slave Revolt Trail will tell the story of brave freedom fighters in the place where they made their stand.
Explore and find real adventure in New Orleans
Swamp Country, where you’ll learn of the ecosystem's importance to the people of this region and encounter the creatures who live in harmony with the locals. See why Lac Des Allemands is the “Catfish Capital of the Universe” and widely known for freshwater crab.
Along the Andouille Trail you’ll find Cajun/Creole recipes passed down from generation to generation and perfected over time. Bonfire Country will light up your holidays with a display like you’ve never seen before. Finally, you’ll discover Perique tobacco, which can only be grown out here.
Visit our website, watch some videos, and get started planning your trip today.
neworleansplantationcountry.com history remembered.
Visit
WHITE GOLD GROWS FROM FERTILE SOILS
While the rest of the South cultivated cotton, the Mississippi River provided a unique opportunity for these Louisianans to transport sugarcane, commonly called white gold, to New Orleans and markets abroad.
The mid-1800s was one of the River Parishes wealthiest periods, with the many sugarcane plantations amassing large concentrations of wealth. In fact, at one time America's highest concentration of millionaires was found along the Mississippi River from New Orleans north to Baton Rouge.
However, the success of this operation relied heavily on enslaved people, whose numbers continued to increase over the years prior to the Civil War to service the growth in demand for sugar. During this era, Louisiana's plantations were producing half of all sugar consumed in America.
TOURS HIGHLIGHT HISTORY & HARDSHIP
Each of the historic estates in New Orleans Plantation Country embodies a unique story that has carried forth for nearly 200 years. Hear perspectives of adversity and triumph to gain an understanding of what life was like for those who lived and worked out here.
LEARN ABOUT ARCHITECTURE
Important and historic architecture surrounds you - from opulent and intricate to simple and rustic. Stroll lavish landscapes, shaded by ancient Spanish moss-draped live oak trees before immersing yourself in the uniquely decorated rooms and facades.
Although Native American, Spanish, German and African populations were all abundant in the region, French tradition reigned supreme.
Serving as the dominant cultural force, French influence is the initial ingredient of Creole culture.
In 1734, Bernard de Verges created the first documented design for a structure in our area. It integrated fundamental features that would establish longevity and comfort in the Southern Louisiana environment.
The hot, humid climate determined as much of the architecture for plantation houses as the tools and materials used in the construction. Early plantation house styles were built on a continuous foundation so that the weight was spread evenly into the weak soil. Whether used for storage or living space, elevated first floors were a necessity. An emphasis on cross ventilation and protection from the elements remained a top priority.
Heavy cypress timber from nearby swamps was chosen to construct the houses because cypress can withstand intense wind and rain, keeping families and possessions safe during hurricanes, and cypress is also termite resistant.
So begin exploring the houses today, and discover the stories rooted in their past.
Evergreen Plantation
Destrehan offers guided tours by costumed historical interpreters, demonstrations by artisans, and an exhibit on the 1811 slave revolt.
destrehanplantation.org
The most intact plantation complex in the South with 37 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
evergreenplantation.org
The Godchaux House
The Godchaux House was built in 1764 and was the hub of the St. John Parish Sugar industry in the 1800s.
godchauxhouse.com
1811 / Kid Ory Historic House
One of the oldest structures in St. John the Baptist Parish, the Historic House figures in two noteworthy moments in American history: The 1811 rebellion of enslaved people and the dawn of jazz. 1811kidoryhistorichouse.com
Laura: Louisiana's Creole Heritage Site
Discover intimate, first-hand accounts of four generations of one Louisiana Creole Family, both free and enslaved.
lauraplantation.com
Poche Plantation
Nestled amongst beautiful oaks, this house offers first class RV accommodations and cabins for lodging.
pocheplantation.com
Oak Alley Plantation
Come explore 28 historic acres and exhibits dedicated to preserving and interpreting its history.
oakalleyplantation.com
St. Joseph Plantation
This working sugar plantation, owned and operated by the descendant, has been used in numerous films and tv shows.
stjosephplantation.com
Whitney Plantation
An exclusive focus on slavery, this plantation museum has exhibits, memorials, and sculptures.
whitneyplantation.com
Ormond Plantation
Home to the German Coast Farmer's Market, this beautiful home serves as a bed and breakfast, wedding venue and offers fine dining.
ormondplantation.com
Make adventure Your Destination.
neworleansswampcountry.com
between the swamp eco-system, wildlife, and locals who call Louisiana's River Parishes home.
Cajuns and Native Americans have respected and protected these lands for centuries, and they have continued to remain a cornerstone of our culture. Out here you will see alligators sun bathing and egrets perched on logs as you kayak or canoe Manchac Swamp.
AIRBOAT
For an exhilarating, fast paced swamp adventure, book a tour on an airboat where you will see the natural beauty our region has to offer.
PONTOON BOAT
Enjoy plenty of photo opps with family and friends as you meander through the Manchac Swamps on one of our pontoon boat tours.
KAYAK
Explore the ecosystems out here and truly immerse yourself in the heart of the River Parishes while hearing about the abundant wildlife on a guided kayak tour.
Guided swamp tours are led by ambassadors of our land and the lakes and marshes provide you with a fully immersive and eco-educational experience.
Seeking more adventure? Book a bowfishing trip or check out Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries at wlf.louisiana.gov for hunting and fishing seasons and gator hunting guidelines.
TRAILS
Visit the Manchac Greenway, manchacgreenway.org. Take your car, ride a bike, or take a leisurely stroll along one of these self-guided tours.
ZIPLINES
Zip through the swamp as your local guides educate you on the ecology and wildlife of the swamp. Our course will consist of five ziplines, two suspension bridges, and a spiral tree staircase! View alligators, turtles, waterfowl, wild boar, whitetail deer, and more!
15 people began an organized march towards New Orleans. Moving to the beat of drums and gathering participants from each plantation they passed, they eventually traveled dozens of miles and numbered in the hundreds.
The story begins at the 1811/Kid Ory Historic House, known at the time as Andry Plantation, where the originators of the revolution had done their planning and where the first participants began their fight for freedom. These very same grounds later served as the birthplace of pioneer jazz musician Edward “Kid” Ory. Visit the new museum to see the 1811 exhibit recreating what the house might have looked like on that infamous day and walk the grounds where the revolutionists once stood.
At Whitney Plantation visitors are fully immersed in history and gain a complete understanding of the struggles of plantation existence in the field, in the big house, and everywhere in between. Exhibits highlight the important factors that dictated daily life for enslaved families, first-hand
Americans in Louisiana. It houses the Soul River
Musical Journey which shows the impact African Americans have had on American music from the days of slavery to modern times.
The trail ends at Destrehan Plantation, where the 1811 Slave Revolt Museum details an uprising that largely impacted the dynamic of the relationships between the enslaved and plantation owners.
A guided audio tour, featuring actor Wendell Pierce as Charles Deslondes, will detail how the revolutionaries swept through the area, leaving many residents to flee to Destrehan while some of the enslaved joined in the revolt.
Audio Tour Narrated by Wendell Pierce Visit The1811SlaveRevolt.com to see the interactive map.
here in the River Parishes as our French and German culinary heritages combined. Be careful to not call this delicacy sausagebecause of the coarseness of the ground pork, it’s not considered sausage by locals. It's simply andouille.
Out here, andouille makers put their own unique stamp on seasonings, mixing them with the meat, then smoking it using a variety of woods such as pecan, oak, or the pit master’s secret combination. This ensures the
town smokehouse in which it is made.
All along the Andouille Trail, local makers and purveyors offer andouille on its own, in recipes handed down through the ages, and in more modern interpretations. Sliced andouille is a key ingredient in traditional Cajun/Creole dishes such as gumbo and jambalaya but you'll find it on everything from sandwiches to pizza.
Every October since 1972, the importance of andouille to our region has been celebrated at the annual Andouille Festival in LaPlace, featuring live entertainment, carnival rides, and, of course, many offerings of andouille.
SPUDDY'S CAJUN COOKING EXPERIENCE
Learn the art of making andouille, gumbo, & jambalaya. Visit www.cajuncookingexperience.com to book your Cajun Cooking Experience.
Passport to Flavor!
Get your FREE mobile pass to the Andouille Trail, filled with deals and discounts to local purveyors.
After visiting five stops along the trail, you can receive one of our Andouille Trail branded wooden spoons. We hope to see you along the Andouille Trail soon!
The early Cajun settlers to Louisiana's River Parishes brought with them many traditions that still stand today. In Bonfire Country, the holiday season begins in early December with the Festival of the Bonfires and ends on Christmas Eve with the Lighting of the Bonfires. Out here, Christmas lights look a little different and we celebrate the holiday season in our own unique way.
Each December for three days and nights, Festival of the Bonfires visitors will enjoy Gumbo cook offs, the Tour De St. James Bike Ride Competition, live local entertainment, and a beautiful fireworks display every night after the sun sets.
In the weeks leading up to the holiday season, locals spend time with their families and friends building massive wooden structures all along the Mississippi River levee, some as high as 20-feet tall. At midnight on Christmas Eve, these bonfires are set ablaze all at once to light a path for Papa Noel, the Cajun Santa Claus, to bring gifts to the children.
Experience the holidays in Louisiana's River Parishes where we say “laissez les bon temps bruler” or “let the good times burn!”
PERIQUE TOBACCO
Dig deep into the rich soil of St. James Parish, home to one of the rarest blends of tobacco in the world.
Perique (pe·rique | \pəˈ rēk) has a humble beginning – the tobacco starts out as seeds so small that one thimbleful will plant nearly one full acre. These seedlings are planted in mid-March and grow for three months and once mature, produce leaves more than 18-inches long which are harvested in June. Harvesting perique is back-breaking work, done by hand using cane knives during one of the hottest months of the year. Leaves are hung on wires in
open air barns before being placed in oak whiskey barrels to age for four months.
Perique is a labor of love, as the farmers are required to pay a copious amount of attention to the details of the fermenting to achieve the rare flavor. Every six weeks, the barrels containing the leaves are opened, the liquid is drained off and the leaves are turned so that they continue to ferment. The result is a flavor that fans define as
spicy, earthy and rich. Perique is most commonly used as a blending tobacco due to it's pungent characteristics. Agricultural research reveals that perique is able to thrive best here due to breaks in river levees throughout the years which has pumped rich sediment into the soil.
Pick up a perique cigar at Matherne's Supermarket on LA-3125 in Paulina.
FAMILY ADVENTURES
History meets the outdoors for families who crave excitement.
EXPLORE
OUT HERE
Make a stop at Destrehan Plantation to enjoy educational exhibits and demonstrations. Learn the story of Laura Locoul Gore and those who lived and worked on her family’s sugarcane plantation at Laura: Louisiana's Creole Heritage Site. After learning the history of the region, try some outdoor activities. Hike in Wetland Watchers Park or the nature trail at the St. James Parish Welcome
Center. Don’t forget to see the magic of the swamps by taking a family kayak tour with Wild Louisiana Tours or experience the thrill of riding on a pontoon boat at Cajun Pride Swamp Tours
Be sure to learn about the history along our river at the Great River Road Steamboat Museum at Houmas House and feel the spirit at Historic Riverlands, the first Catholic Church in the area built for Black parishioners.
EAT LIKE A LOCAL
Families can’t leave without enjoying a classic snoball from Todd’s Cream Shack. If you’ve worked up an appetite, enjoy a delicious roast beef po-boy from St. Rose Tavern Don’t forget to wash it down with an ice cold root beer. If you want to eat your history lesson, then stop off at Spuddy's Cajun Foods and taste homemade andouille.
GET ARTSY
The Lafon Performing Arts Center has productions to entertain everyone in the family. A Saturday stop by the German Coast Farmer's Market will help you find a locally-made souvenir or treat to take home. Be sure to check out the gift shops at each plantation for books, jewelry, art and much more.
ACTIVE EXPLORERS GET OUTDOORS
Start your adventure in New Orleans Swamp Country
Out here, we sit between the Mississippi River and the swamps and bayous of Southern Louisiana, and there is no shortage of adventures to be had by land or sea. The low-elevation, fresh, brackish or salt-water wetlands dominated by woody plants and trees create a haven for nutrient rich land where animals and plants thrive. Louisiana’s River Parishes are the perfect place to get outside and explore.
Numerous boat launches in our region make it easy for anyone to have access to our waterways. Enjoy world famous
Swamp Country
Make adventure your destination out here, where excitement is always around the corner.
catfishing or crabbing on Lac Des Allemands Precision Fishing Charters offers fishing trips targeting speckled trout, red drum, black drum, and more.
Stick to the shore and you can hike, mountain bike, or take your dog along the Bonnet Carre Spillway Trail, a 5.2-mile out and back multi-use trail. At the Turtle Cove Office, hop on a boat and cruise to the Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station where you’ll see our beautiful wetlands while learning about our conservation efforts.
Swamp Adventures provides opportunities to see the sights of the swamp by airboat or opt for a relaxing pontoon boat tour with Cajun Pride Swamp Tours Wild Louisiana Tours gets you up close and personal with our waterways by way of kayak tours in the Manchac Swamp and inshore kayak fishing charters.
Unwind from your swamp tour and take a stroll along the Mississippi River Trail on the Mississippi River Levee under the Hale Boggs Bridge. The top of the levee offers a fantastic view of the river’s busy marine traffic.
Charter Fishing
Sport fishermen of every skill level can experience the bounty of river parish waters.
Kayak
Get close to nature in our swamps and see various animals, birds and native wild flowers.
Cycle
Bike the levee along the mighty Mississippi River or mountain bike the Bonnet Carre Spillway Trail.
Hike
Take a hike out here and explore the unique flora and fauna found only in our swamps and humid climate.
ZipNola
New Orleans newest and most exciting attraction! Coming Winter 2021 Zip through the swamp as your local guides educate you on the ecology and wildlife of the swamp. Their course will consist of five ziplines, two suspension bridges, and a spiral tree staircase! www.zipnola.com
Golf
Enjoy our five golf courses and driving ranges situated amongst Spanish moss draped live oaks.
THE HISTORY OF THE ENSLAVED
From slavery to civil rights, hear local stories of triumph in the face of adversity.
Out here, the impressive plantation houses along the Great River Road are a stark yet stunning reminder of our region’s wealthiest period and America’s darkest chapter. The streets of our towns hold the footsteps of Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, and other marchers in the freedom fight of the Civil Rights Era.
Experience the 1811 Slave Revolt Trail where America’s largest uprising of enslaved people took place. Destrehan Plantation, the oldest plantation in the Mississippi Valley, houses the 1811 Slave Revolt Museum for an in-depth depiction of the revolt. At the 1811/Kid Ory Historic House, tour the museum where the Slave Revolt began and where famous Jazz musician, Edward “Kid” Ory was born. Learn more about the enslaved by visiting 1811slaverevolt.com.
At Whitney Plantation visitors become fully immersed in the lives of the enslaved. Evergreen Plantation is known as the most intact plantation complex in the South, presenting 22 original slave cabins. Take a narrated driving tour in St. John the Baptist Parish to discover key historical sites of the Civil Rights movement. Visit the final resting place of Ethel B. Robinson, Civil Rights leader and founder of St. John Rescue Mission Church, and see the Bethlehem Baptist Church and Knights of Peter Claver Office where the meetings of the Civil Rights Movement took place.
See the Historic Riverlands Christian Center, the first Black Catholic Church in Louisiana. While you’re there explore the Soul River Musical Journey, detailing the vast influence African Americans have had on our shared music culture throughout history. In Louisiana’s River Parishes, history is remembered around every corner.
Learn more at The1811SlaveRevolt.com
FROM THE GROUND UP
Out here, awe-inspiring architecture embodies the poetic myth of our region.
The plantation houses along the Great River Road are the most assertive remains of a complex plantation culture. Within the big houses, lavish entertainment areas are often a stark contrast to the utilitarian living quarters. Look closely to identify how the river played a large role in the construction and detailing of the structures.
At Laura: Louisiana's Creole Heritage Site, Guillaume Duparc used highly skilled enslaved people to assemble his house
using an inverted boat design. Today, etched roman numerals on beams that helped pull together that design can still be found in the basement of the house, which is the best example of farm houses from that period.
Edmond Bozonier Marmillion of San Francisco Plantation turned his vision into the very steamboat Gothic style that resembled the ornate structures of a Mississippi riverboat.
Visit Destrehan Plantation, the oldest documented plantation house in the lower Mississippi Valley. Designed and built by Charles Parquet, "a free man of color."
Drive by the restored Godchaux Sugar House on the River Road in Reserve and visit the St. Joseph and Felicity Plantations, the latter of which just underwent extensive renovations.
Learn more at NewOrleansPlantationCountry.com
SOUL & SPIRITUALITY
Churches and cemeteries
depict the spiritual richness of the region.
St. Michael’s Catholic Church's most unique feature, the Lourdes Grotto, was added to the church in the 1870s. The grotto is housed behind the altar and constructed 18 years after the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Modeled after the grotto in Lourdes, France, materials used to create it pay homage to the surrounding region. This grotto is made from bagasse, the dry pulpy residue left after juice from sugarcane is extracted. The recessed dome is fashioned out of an overturned sugar kettle, and the altar is covered with small clam shells from the Mississippi River.
St. Michael's is also home to the Henry Erben Organ, the oldest working organ of its kind in Louisiana. The organ came to the church by boat in 1857.
Explore the grounds of the Kulgar and Kenner cemeteries in the Bonnet Carre Spillway. The graveyards were originally established for the enslaved in the 1800s and later served as the burial grounds for black Civil War Union Army veterans.
Religion impacted the lives of African Americans during segregation. Built in 1936, our Lady of Grace Church, now located at Historic Riverlands Christian Center exhibits what life was like for Black people living under Jim Crow laws and emphasizes different music genres created by African American musicians throughout history in it's Soul River Musical Journey.
HISTORIC WOMEN OF THE RIVER PARISHES
Stories from women who shaped the culture of this region.
Under French Civil Law in Louisiana, women - including some women of color - were allowed certain rights including being able to own land and manage plantations. Journey to a land that time forgot and discover the diverse lives and livelihoods of Creole women throughout the River Region.
Discover the life of Laura Locoul and other Creole women, both free and enslaved, who were instrumental in managing and maintaining Laura Plantation. Learn the history of Louise Monica-Hebert and Agnes Hodgins-Monica two prominent Italian entrepreneurs who owned their own grocery stores in Garyville, Louisiana.
Two women who became plantation owners after their husbands died were Amelia Picou, a free woman of color who became the owner of the Reserve Plantation, now the Godchaux House and Louise Von Seybold Marmillion who owned and managed San Francisco Plantation
Travel to Frenier Cemetery to see the grave of Julia Brown, a prominent African American landowner, local healer (traiteur), midwife, and practicing Voodoo priestess who was said to have predicted the deadly Category 4 hurricane of 1915. The Cajun Pride Swamp Tour features a replica of Julia’s house hidden deep in the bayou.
ITALIAN AND SICILIAN INFLUENCE IN THE RIVER PARISHES
From culture to cuisine, Italians made their mark.
Italians have been immigrating to Louisiana since 1682 when Neapolitan Enrico de Tonti traveled with LaSalle to claim the area for French King Louis XIV. Garyville, LA was the largest Sicilian community outside of New Orleans for decades. Explore Garyville Historic District, a cul-de-sac of historic buildings, featuring the Garyville Timbermill Museum and Pond, the Gary State Bank, and the Garyville General Store
Find a moment of peace and serenity at the St. Hubert Rosary Walk and St. Hubert Prayer Garden, offering the perfect settings for reflection surrounded by pine trees and a variety of beautiful flowers and plants.
LOUISIANA'S RIVER PARISHES ON THE BIG SCREEN
See the sites where these famous movies were filmed.
The many plantation houses of Louisiana’s River Parishes have offered unique and historically accurate settings for many movies, such as Django Unchained filmed at Evergreen Plantation and 12-Years A Slave, which was actually filmed at four different locations including Felicity, Bocage, Destrehan, and Magnolia Plantations. However, not all movies filmed in the River Region are historical, like Brad Pitt’s Interview with the Vampire, which was filmed at Oak Alley Plantation or The Skeleton Key, also filmed at Felicity Plantation.
Montage of Desiree Archinard Locoul and Laura Locoul. Photo courtesy of Laura Plantation and the Zoe Company.
TASTE THE RIVER PARISHES
Our culture and heritage are directly showcased in the foods we crave, cook, and eat
LOCAL INGREDIENTS INSPIRE OUR RECIPES.
Food of this region comes from anything we can hunt, catch or grow. Our surrounding swamps and bayous provide us alligators, frogs, freshwater crabs, crawfish, catfish and a wide variety of other animals.
Marshlands provide game birds such as ducks and geese. The brackish waters created when the Gulf of Mexico’s saltwater mixes with our freshwater provide abundant seafood and inspire recipes containing oysters, shrimp, and saltwater crabs.
Along the Andouille Trail, traditional makers like Wayne Jacobs Smokehouse hang locally sourced meats and seasonings as they’re carefully smoked to become this unique regional treat.
Fertile soil sustains gardens and farms to yield bountiful harvests of sugarcane, Creole tomatoes, sweet potatoes, okra and eggplant along with other fruits and veggies as found at the German Coast Farmer's Market.
Visit AndouilleTrail.com to follow the links.
Traveling along the river between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, the cuisine is influenced by Native American, French Spanish, German, English, African and Italian cultures.
Cajun food is based on French style cooking that evolved from indigenous ingredients sourced from the land. Creole cuisine is considered a sophisticated cousin of Cajun cuisine, utilizing refined European cooking techniques.
Although the two styles are similar, subtle differences can be tasted in some of the sauces that are the essence of signature dishes such as jambalaya, gumbo, ettoufee, and remoulade. CAJUN
Cajun/Creole recipes rely heavily on fresh herbs and spices to give its food a unique flair. Dishes typically begin with the “trinity” - onions, celery and bell pepper. From there, recipes build savory richness and a distinctive piquant flavor profile.
Les Babas de Chouquette or as the locals call it, Baba, is a soft, sweet, yellow cake covered with a thick, rich custard spread with delicious coconut then generously topped with fluffy meringue spread.
St. James Parish came to know the popular dessert in 1957, when Lillian C. Burgeois “Chocquette” introduced the region to a recipe rich in taste and history. According to Choquette, she and her mother had been enslaved by the de la Chapelle family. Today, you can taste Baba at Nobile’s in Lutcher.
SEE A COMPLETE LIST OF THE RESTAURANTS OF LOUISIANA’S RIVER PARISHES AT TASTETHERIVERPARISHES.COM
Options listed here will help you plan your dining experience in the region:
• Seafood: Atchafalaya Seafood Company, B&C Seafood, Bec’s at the Lake, Fatty’s, Frenier Landing, Nobile’s, The Seafood Pot
• Cajun/Creole/Po-boys: Belle Terre Country Club, Bonnie’s, The Creole House, Frostop, Jenny’s Overstuffed Po-boys, Oak Alley Restaurant, Sandwich World, Spuddy’s Cajun Foods, St. Rose Tavern, Wayne Jacob’s Smokehouse, ZoraChristina, Atchafalaya Seafood Co.
Sweet in taste, like an adult snoball, daiquiris are a staple of the region and a Louisiana tradition. Crawgator, Cajun Colada, Painkiller... the flavors go on and on, as do the sizes. Stop by The Seafood Pot or one of New Orleans Original Daiquiris, one of the many daiquiri shops in the area, and grab one the next time you find yourself out here.
MINT JULEP
Enjoy a refreshing mint julep as you stroll beneath the live oaks at Oak Alley Plantation or while enjoying fresh Louisiana seafood at B&C Seafood. No matter where you stop, you can ask your bartender to make you their own version of this famous drink.
JULIA BROWN
You’ll hear the legacy of Julia Brown as you make your way through the Manchac Swamp, but come to Frenier Landing to taste the drink that her story inspired. Beware, they say the drink can conjure her spirit!
CAFFEINE
Get your river spark. Enjoy CoffeeCo or PJ's Coffee at Café Perique and view some local art.
RIVER RHYTHMS
Our rhythms are the pulse of our people.
LIVE MUSIC
Zydeco began as a blend of Louisiana French accordion music and AfroCaribbean beats. A mixture of Creole, Cajun, gospel, and the blues, it has evolved with other influences. Instruments include accordions and washboards, guitars and drums creating a sound that moves your feet as much as your spirit. Be sure to stop by Frenier Landing for their weekly live music
SWAMP POP
Swamp pop is identified by its layers of instrumental features. Honky-tonk pianos, heavy bass lines, blaring horns sections are all stacked atop smooth R&B backbeats. The beginnings of this sound can be traced back to the 50’s and early 60’s, but it wasn’t until English musician Bill Millar coined the term “swamp pop” in the 70’s that listeners associated this sound with our region. Weekly dances are held at Boutte Bingo Hall on Saturday/Sunday nights.
GOSPEL / SOUL
Experience a musical journey through African American history at Historic Riverland’s Soul River Music Journey Travel through time from the call and response of the enslaved to modern day music. Enjoy the gospel tent at the annual Andouille Festival in October.
VIRTUAL RIVER PARISHES
Louisiana’s River Parishes from the comfort of your home with these virtual experiences!
RIVER REEL
The series was created to showcase the unique culture found in the River Region. Journey into New Orleans Swamp Country, be inspired by sparks of joy found in Bonfire Country, or catch a boat ride in the catfish capital of the world – all without leaving your home. TheRiverReel.com
STREAMIN’ ON THE RIVER
Enjoy a virtual vacation with the Streamin’ on the River series broken down into seven days of food, fun, and fantastic sights. Tour the historic grounds of New Orleans Plantation Country, hear the voices of the past along the 1811 Slave Revolt Trail, enjoy cooking demonstrations from the restaurants of The Andouille Trail, and more. LARiverParishes.com/streamin
RIVER RHYTHMS CONCERT SERIES
You’ll be Rockin’ in the River Parishes with this free, virtual concert series featuring live music from local artists. It’s just another reason to love Louisiana’s River Parishes!
LARiverRhythms.com
GRAB YOUR GANG AND GET
#OUT HERE
From family reunions to group tours, we are one size fits all.
ADVENTURE FOR EVERYONE
Find excitement on an airboat tour with Swamp Adventures or take a leisurely stroll down the wooden boardwalk trails of our bayou forests. See alligators with their toothy grins and turtles sunning themselves on a log. Just down the levee, Garvyville Timbermill Museum features exhibits illustrating the timber industry and the Lyon Cypress Lumber Mill, the largest mill in Garyville, Louisiana.
HOMEGROWN HISTORY
Go check out Chef Spuddy at the Cajun Cooking Experience to learn how to make a gumbo and what the different color of a roux means. Stop for a tour of the 1811/Kid Ory Historic House to see the music collection of Edward "Kid" Ory. Switch up the perspective by touring Laura: Louisiana's Creole Heritage Site, where the focus is digging deeper into the compelling stories of the four generations of Creoles who inhabited the property.
HERITAGE AND FLAVOR WITH TALES TO TELL
Immerse yourself in the ornate architecture of San Francisco Plantation, which motivated novelist Frances Parkinson Keyes to write “Steamboat Gothic." Explore the German Coast Farmers Market for homemade goods from local farmers. Feed your appetite for both history and flavor at La Bon Boucon, the creator of the Vacherie Mauldin Andouille and other distinct selections of "meats you can't beat."
MEETINGS AND EVENT FACILITIES #OUT HERE
Louisiana’s River Parishes offers a variety of unique meeting venues.
St. John the Baptist Parish Community Center
square feet
Edward A. Dufresne Community Center
square feet 321 Events
square feet Lafon Performing Arts Center
Seat Capacity Theater
Sugar Mill Pavilion at San Francisco Plantation
square feet Mule Barn at Destrehan Plantation
square feet
Ballroom at Ormond Manor
by Wyndham Luling
STAY OUT HERE IN LOUISIANA'S RIVER PARISHES
LODGING
Rest and relaxation await you in Louisiana’s River Parishes, just a quick turn off the open road. Trade your work lunch for a hot bowl of gumbo and your responsibilities for the freedom of fresh air when you travel to a place known for its rich culinary and cultural heritage.
FREE PARKING
Why pay for overnight parking? When you stay in our region, parking is free.
PROXIMITY
Stay in the midst of the plantations and swamp tours. Then daytrip to New Orleans.
BETTER VALUE
The average cost per room night is less than in nearby cities. Stay and save out here.
SAFETY
Worried about the safety of your family? Out here you have less to worry about so you can focus on fun.
Louisiana’s River Parishes boast a wide range of lodging options. Whether you’re looking for something rustic and quaint or more upscale and luxurious there is a perfect fit for anyone out here. Turn the page to see what each of our hotel and lodging partners have to offer!
STAY AND TOUR
Several of our plantations offer lodging for a fully immersive experience at these historic estates. Take a tour, walk under 300-year-old oaks, grab a bite to eat, and then rest your feet all the while surrounded by history.
PARK IT AND WANDER
If you’re traveling by RV, stay at one of our many family and pet-friendly RV parks throughout the area. For something a little more unique book a spot on the grounds of historic Poche Plantation boasting modern accommodations, cable hook ups, and more.
RV Parks
Interested in bringing your RV to the River Parishes?
Stay at one of the 250 spaces near Poché Plantation.
Check out a full listing of RV parks by visiting our website at: LARiverParishes.com/RVparks
Hotels and Motels
A1 Motel 15237 US 90, Paradis, LA 70080
Best Western LaPlace Inn 4289 Main St., LaPlace, LA 70068
Comfort Inn New Orleans Airport 151 Airline Hwy., St. Rose, LA 70087
Cypress Inn
12275 US 90, Luling, LA 70070
Days Inn By Wyndham LaPlace 3912 US 51, LaPlace, LA 70068
Fairfield Inn and Suites LaPlace 944 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace, LA 70068
Hampton Inn By Hilton 4288 Hwy. 51, LaPlace, LA 70068
Holiday Inn Express & Suites LaPlace 4284 Hwy. 51, LaPlace, LA 70068
Holiday Inn Express New Orleans Airport South 110 James Dr. East, Saint Rose, LA 70087
LaQuinta Inn and Suites 14221 Hwy. 90, Boutte, LA 70039
LaPlace Motel 918 E. Airline Hwy., LaPlace, LA 70068
Legacy Suites 10533 LA-70, St. James, LA 70086
Motel 6 12215 Hwy. 90, Luling, LA 70070
Motel 6 3900 Hwy 51, LaPlace, LA 70068
Quality Inn LaPlace
3900 Hwy. 51, LaPlace, LA 70068
Ramada By Wyndham - Luling 13889 Hwy. 18, Luling, LA 70070
Southern Inn 13468 US-90, Boutte, LA 70039
Studio 6 12177 Hwy. 90, Luling, LA 70070
Surburban Extended Stay LaPlace
111 Gene St., LaPlace, LA 70068
Supreme Inn & Suites St. James Parish 10441 Hwy. 70 Access St., St. James, LA 70086
TownePlace Suites - LaPlace
4281 Hwy. 51, LaPlace, LA 70068
Troxie's Motel
12177 Hwy. 90, Luling, LA 70070
Uncle Sam's Motel
1190 E. Airline Hwy, LaPlace, LA 70068
985-758-9793 X X X
985-651-4000 X X X X
504-443-5100 X X X X X
985-308-0400 X X X
985-652-1223 X X X
985-359-2000 X X X X X
985-652-5002 X X X X X
985-618-1600 X X X X X
504-466-1355 X X X X
985-758-7800 X X X X X
985-652-4665 X X
225-473-0050 X X X
985-331-0064 X X X
985-652-5544 X X X X X
985-652-5544 X X X X X
985-785-2600 X X X X X
985-785-1600 X X
985-785-1125 X X X X
985-651-1799 X X X X
225-474-3400 X X
985-651-1700 X X X X X
985-652-9950 X
985-653-0986 X
Bed and Breakfasts
Auberge Du Chêne Vert 2794 Hwy. 44, Paulina, LA 70763
Destrehan Plantation 13034 River Road, Destrehan, LA 70047
Oak Alley Plantation 3645 Highway 18, Vacherie, LA 70090
Ormond Plantation 13786 River Road, Destrehan, LA 70047
Poche Plantation Bed & Breakfast 6554 LA Hwy 44, Convent, LA 70723
RV Parks
for a full list of amenities visit LARiverParishes.com/RVparks
B&A Trailer & RV. Park 116 Johnny Court, LaPlace, LA 70068
Bardwell RV Park 107 Bardwell Drive, Reserve, LA 70084
Cajun On The Bayou 4002 Us-90 E, Des Allemands, LA 70030
Colonial M.H. RV Park 1370 E Airline Hwy, LaPlace, LA 70068
Coosie’s RV Park 3451 W Airline Hwy, Reserve, LA 70084
Cypress Land 13801 Old Spanish Trail, Hwy 361, Boutte, LA 70039
Estay’s RV Park 129 Mitzi Ln, Paradis, LA 70080
225-206-0303 X X
985-764-9315 X X X X X
225-265-2151 X X X X X
985-764-8544 X X X X
225-562-7728 X X X
985-359-0240 X
985-536-8855 X
504-427-4354 X X X
985-652-9521
985-536-7676 X X X
504-952-5136 X
985-758-2446
Hanson RV Park 141 Matis Rd, Hahnville, LA 70057 985-783-1925
Hidden Oaks RV Park 128 Hidden Oaks Drive, LaPlace, LA 70068
Highway 90 RV Park 13448 Us-90, Boutte, LA 70039
J’s Place RV Park 136 Billings Lane, Paradis, LA 70080
L&L Court RV Park 3265 Hwy 18, Edgard, LA 70049
LaPlace Trailer & RV Park 1042 E Airline Hwy, LaPlace, LA 70068
504-430-5698 X X X X
504-356-8080 X
985-758-7044 X
504-669-8434 X
985-652-9086
Luling RV Park 316 Canal St, Luling, LA 70070 504-952-7824
Mozella RV Park 14485 Old Spanish Trail, Paradis, LA 70080 985-758-3002
Nelson RV Park 2350 River Rd, St Rose, LA 70087 504-451-2368 X
Nicholas RV Park 16139 Thelma, Hahnville, LA 70057
504-559-5850 X
Poche Plantation RV Park 6554 LA Hwy 44, Convent, LA 70723 225-562-7728
R&S Mobile Home & RV Park 1174 E Airline Hwy, LaPlace, LA 70068
Riverside RV Park 101 Dosier Ct, LaPlace, LA 70068
985-652-5331 X
985-652-5865
Sugar Hill RV Park 9450 La-44, Convent, LA 70723 225-715-9510 X
TEE-OFF IN THE RIVER PARISHES
Out here, golf includes enchanting views and sightings of rare birds native to our area.
Between the breathtaking backdrops of live oaks and alligators meandering about the waterways, our golf courses are a popular year-round attraction. From courses integrated with driving ranges to a stand alone driving range perfect for families, grab a cold beverage and practice your swing.
Our courses include country clubs, which offer reciprocal-play agreements with some of the finest golf courses in Louisiana. For a challenging game of golf or a relaxing afternoon out on the links, you’ll enjoy teeing off in Louisiana's River Parishes.
Belle Terre Country Club
111 Fairway Drive
LaPlace, LA 70068
985-652-5000
18-hole course designed by Pete Dye www.belleterregolf.com
Cypress Lakes Country Club
10 Villere Drive
Destrehan, LA 70047
985-764-6868
18-hole course
www.cypresslakescc.com
Fashion Golf & Country Club
223 Joe Louis Lane
Hahnville, LA 70057
985-783-6486
9-hole course
Grand Ridge Golf Club
500 Willowdale Blvd
Luling, LA 70070
985-308-1640
18-hole course
www.grandridgegolf.com
Riverlands Golf and Country Club
500 Fairway Drive
LaPlace, LA 70068
985-652-6316
18-hole course
www.riverlandscountryclub.com
St. Rose Driving Range
10362 E Airline Hwy
St. Rose, LA 70087
(504) 466-0411
TIE THE KNOT #OUTHERE
Celebrate love surrounded by River Parishes landscapes and architecture.
Say your vows under the shade of centuriesold live oaks draped in Spanish Moss or inside one of our beautiful and historic churches. At a wedding in Louisiana’s River Parishes, it’s as easy to feel swept away by the architecture as it is the natural landscapes.
Out here, you will find all of the professional services needed to help create a storybook wedding along with a host of unique touches special to this region. Celebrate and pull back the many layers of our intertwined cultures through a unique menu based on our local cuisine.
Plan your wedding at the St. John Center, the newest event venue in the River Parishes, boasting a gorgeous 4,000-square-foot Atrium along with several other event spaces. With a variety of venues, gorgeous scenery, delicious cuisine, and affordable accommodations, you’ll never forget saying “I Do,” in the River Parishes.
Visit thestjohncenter.com to plan your next event.
WE FEED THE WORLD #OUTHERE
For centuries the River Parishes have fed the world.
History starts out here, as we’ve been able to use the Mississippi River as a frontier freeway for exports. What was grown out here made its way to New Orleans and beyond to help fill the needs of an ever-growing population.
With an overall annual economic value of $3 billion, it’s easy to see why sugarcane is still the king of the state. Louisiana alone is responsible for nearly 13 million tons of cane each year.
Each year the Port of South Louisiana is used to transport tons of commodities on the Mississippi River that are used throughout the world. Our rich soil has been used to grow tobacco, sugarcane, indigo, soybeans, and various fruits and vegetables. Out here bakeries and ice houses source the restaurants in New Orleans just like they have for more than a century.
Today, the tradition continues, New Orleans and the world look to us to help feed them.
CULTURE AND HERITAGE FLOWS FREELY ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Artistic influences run as strong as the current of the Mississippi River.
You will enjoy plays, musicals and fine arts performances put on by the community at the St. John Theatre in Reserve.
The Lafon Performing Arts Center in Luling is another great option for those seeking musical, dance and theatre productions out here. Check out their latest season at lafonartscenter.org.
After hearing the first-hand accounts of life at Laura: Louisiana's Creole Heritage Site, pick up a copy of Laura Locul’s memoir, which is the basis of the entire tour.
Art lovers and antique car connoseuoirs won’t want to miss out on San Francisco Plantation’s Frisco Fest which draws a diverse crowd each
March. For more opportunities to indulge in local crafts, be sure to plan a trip to Destrehan Plantation for their annual Fall Festival.
Travelers who also consider themselves foodies will need to clear their calendar on a Saturday morning to shop the German Coast Farmer’s Market located right in the parking lot of Ormond Plantation.
Explore Art Throughout the River Parishes at LARiverParishes.com
FIND YOUR WAY
Getting around the River Parishes is easy, so is planning ahead.
Local Transportation
Ride-sharing apps will get you out here, but they won’t always pick you up. Connect with United Front Transportation for quality service that will provide round-trip shuttle transit accommodating individuals, small groups or large parties.
River Cruises
International cruise companies allow our visitors to travel up and down the region by boat. As you disembark, you’ll leave the water and witness the stately mansions rise from the rich soil as you cross the levee.
Air Transportation
Pack your bags and book a flight. The airports surrounding our region provide international access so you can get out here from anywhere in the world.
• Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is minutes away.
• Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport is less than one hour.
• Charter a flight and land right here in the River Parishes at Port of South Louisiana Executive Regional Airport
• Southern Aviators offers aerial tours of the River Parishes.
THROWDOWN LIKE A LOCAL
We "throwdown" instead of party at these events.
Sings & Strings Jam Fest April in Garyville www.facebook.com/SingsandStringsJamFest/ The Sings & Strings Jam Fest is where everyone is a headliner, and no experience is required to jam with new friends. On the grounds of the Timbermill Museum in Garyville, there’s a full day of jubilant music, delicious food, and jamming to the harmony of amateur and experienced musicians.
Louisiana Catfish Festival June in Des Allemands www.louisianacatfishfestival.com
The Louisiana Catfish Festival offers good music, food, and a whole lot of fried catfish. The weekend festivities, which include a catfish eating contest, are held at the St. Gertrude Catholic Church in Des Allemands, the Catfish Capital of the World.
Alligator Festival
September in Luling www.alligatorfestival.org
The Alligator Festival offers dancing for days, eating for days, and playing with baby alligators. The three-day festival is held at the West Bank Bridge Park in Luling and includes carnival rides, food booths, and a golf tournament.
Andouille Festival
October in LaPlace www.andouillefestival.com
The Andouille Festival is a food extravaganza featuring live entertainment, carnival rides, and of course, Andouille sausage. The main event is the cooking contest, showcasing Gumbo, Jambalaya, and other tasty dishes made with Andouille sausage. The festival is held at the St. John Civic Center in LaPlace, the Andouille Capital of the World.
Drew Estate Louisiana Barn Smoker Festival
October in Convent www.drewestate.com
The Drew Estate Louisiana Barn Smoker Festival is an all-day extravaganza celebrating American Tobacco agriculture, featuring cigar brands made from Kentucky grown Tobacco and Perique Tobacco, grown only in St. James Parish, Louisiana, known world-wide as capital of Perique Tobacco. The festival is held at the L.A. Poche Farm in Convent, Louisiana.
Christmas on the Water Boat Parade
December in Des Allemands
The Christmas on the Water Boat Parade presents over twenty floats decked out in lights featuring their own holiday themes. The flotilla will festively light up Bayou Gauche Island, as boaters throw beads and candy to the crowds that gather along the shore route to watch the parade.
Festival of the Bonfires
December in Lutcher www.festivalofthebonfires.org
Festival of Bonfires is the prelude to the Bonfires on the Levee. The festival is three days of exciting activities presenting a Gumbo Cook-off, the Tour De St. James Bike Ride competition, nightly live entertainment, and lighting of bonfires on the Mississippi River Levee every night.
Bonfire Country
Christmas Eve explorebonfirecountry.com
Bonfires on the Levee is the exciting culmination of the Festival of Bonfires, when all the bonfires on the Mississippi River Levee are set ablaze. Residents in the community serve Gumbo, Jambalaya, Andouille, and other Cajun meals, along with hot Cocoa and Eggnog.
Mardi Gras: Laissez les bon temps rouler!
Out here during Mardi Gras, we let the good times roll Creole style. We invite you to come and celebrate Carnival with us and enjoy six fun and exciting Mardi Gras parades.
- Krewe of Lul – Luling
- Krewe of Towahpahsah – Reserve
- Krewe du Monde – LaPlace
- Krewe of Dage – LaPlace
- Krewe of Des Allemands – Des Allemands
- Krewe of Mac, Mardi Gras Day – Gramercy & Lutcher
Heritage Days in May
Time travel may be science fiction but Heritage Weekend at Destrehan Plantation gives visitors the opportunity to experience some of the significant events, daily chores, and simple pastimes of the 1800s in Louisiana. Heritage Weekend includes reenactments, performances, demonstrations, exhibits, and hands-on activities for visitors of all ages. Held at 13034 River Road in Destrehan. For more information, visit destrehanplantion.org.
Juneteenth (June 19th)
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery. In 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce the freedom of the enslaved under the Emancipation Act of 1862. The holiday was officially proclaimed as Juneteenth Independence Day in St. John Parish in 2020.
Running Series
Lace up those kicks and hit the pavement with Louisiana's River Parishes 2021 Run/Walk Series organized by New Orleans Running Systems, Inc.
- Saturday, May 15, 2021: Westbank Bridge Park – Luling, Alligator 5K
- Saturday, September 18, 2021: East Bank Bridge Park 5K, Destrehan
- Sunday, October 31, 2021: Veterans Memorial Bridge 5K, Grammercy
- Saturday, November 20, 2021: Old Highway 51 Half-Marathon, 10 Mile, 5K, Manchac
Visitor Centers
No matter which parish you find yourself in, stop by a local visitor center to learn more about what our region has to offer.
St. James Parish 1094 US Highway 61 Gramercy, LA 70052
225-562-2525
Monday-Friday
7:30 AM-4:30 PM
Saturday & Sunday 9:30 AM-4:30 PM
St. Charles Parish 13034 River Road Destrehan, LA 70047
985-307-0495
Seven Days A Week
9:00 AM-4:00 PM
St. John the Baptist Parish 671 Belle Terre
LaPlace, LA 70068
985-359-2562
Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM-5:30 PM
Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Welcome to Louisiana's River Parishes!
The story of New Orleans begins Out Here…
On a stretch of land tucked comfortably between New Orleans and Baton Rouge alongside the mighty Mississippi River is a story – a complex narrative - both compelling and repugnant all at the same time.
A land carved by and built by the water and riches of the mighty Mississippi. From the glory found in overcoming tragedies, the elegance and the grit, to the many adventures that twist and turn with the bend of the river…Native American, French, German, Sicilian, Acadian, and enslaved people from many lands have all contributed to our regional culture — unique to even Louisiana.
Out here we allure visitors by telling the multidimensional, memorable and poignant stories of River Parish culture. It’s not just about the plantation. It’s about the people from the front of the house to the back of the house, from the river to the swamp. It’s about the countless experiences and flavors found in everything from our andouille to our perique tobacco. It’s the bite of an alligator and the spice in our gumbo. Our sugarcane waves in the wind to the beat of our soul music as the leaves of the mighty oak dance to the song of the field.
Experience the scent of Creole and Cajun cooking or puff on a cigar made of perique tobacco! The River Parishes have fed the world for centuries…out of the rich soil, a hardworking people of all shades have harvested a global feast. Walk or bike the paths atop the levees along the Mighty Mississippi to watch ships pass as they’ve done for centuries.
A river. A land. A people. This is Louisiana's River Parishes.
As the river rolls, Denise Burrell Executive Director
