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Louisiana (LA)
Destrehan
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Destrehan Plantation
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Destrehan Plantation

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See all things to do
Destrehan Plantation
4.5
762 reviews
#1 of 4 things to do in Destrehan
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
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9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
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About
Built in 1787, Destrehan Plantation is the oldest documented plantation home in the lower Mississippi Valley. The plantation is open seven (7) days a week with the exception of major holidays from 9am to 4pm. The first tour begins at 9:30am.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Tours & experiences
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
40 within 3 miles
Honeydoux Cafe and Bakery
6
0.2 miBakeries • Cafe
Domino's Pizza
2
0.7 miPizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
11
1 mi$ • Fast Food
Ormond Plantation Restaurant
68
1.5 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cajun & Creole • Seafood
Taste of Tokyo
52
1.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Sushi • Asian
Pizza Hut
1
1.8 miPizza
Subway
1
1.8 miAmerican • Deli
Seafood Pot
82
2.4 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood
Mariano's Italian Eatery
17
2.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Diner
Dots Diner
51
2.5 mi$ • American • Diner • Vegetarian Friendly
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Attractions
3 within 6 miles
Bonnet Carre Spillway
5
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Nature & Wildlife Areas
German Coast Farmers Market
1.5 miFarmers Markets
Oakland Cemetery
2.8 miCemeteries
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
763 reviews
Excellent
511
Very good
173
Average
58
Poor
17
Terrible
4
GarryOwenBrain
99 contributions
Unheard Voices of the German Coast Tour
Jul 2021 • Couples
We had the opportunity to learn from Dianne on her Unheard Voices of the German Coast tour dealing with all the traditionally underrepresented stories of the plantation and surrounding area, including the 1811 Slave Rebellion. Dianne’s research and continuing work is inspiring, and everyone should experience this tour. It is powerful, insightful, and so important to understanding the whole story of the development of Creole culture in southern Louisiana.

We enthusiastically recommend the Unheard Voices tour to everyone.
Written July 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Becky H
26 contributions
A Step Into History
Jun 2022
We stumbled onto this property mostly by accident while in the NOLA area. We learned to our delight, that a tour would soon start, so we jumped in for the ride. Our guide Beverly was knowledgeable and entertaining. She clearly loves what she does. So many details from history were shared and we left having our curiosity peaked and wanting to know even more about this property and the history it holds. The grounds were well kept and we really enjoyed this happy accident destination. :)
Written July 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Judy C
Destrehan, LA39 contributions
Candy Cane Celebration
Dec 2020
The Candy Cane Celebration was well-planned and well-executed. Games were fun and the prizes were fabulous. The Crafts were beautiful; my granddaughters really enjoyed their creations. Snacks were delicious and plentiful. The entire day was so much fun for our entire group. Well done!
Written December 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dan
Luanda, Angola38 contributions
Good plantation for balanced view of history
Dec 2020 • Family
The tour was excellent and gave a good overview of all aspects of the history of the plantation. Beverly was an excellent guide and was very engaging for our 7 and 5 year old children. The oak trees were also amazing to see, over 200 years old.
Written January 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MikaF
4 contributions
Please Visit Destrehan
Dec 2022 • Family
My family and I visited on Monday and learned so much from our guide Evelyn. She is a wonderful storyteller. She catalyzed as well as humanized enslavement, providing multiple perspectives, both historical and narrative.The educational model is excellent with guided and independent touring. It was a humbling and reflective experience and I recommend it to all.
Written December 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Steve t
Colorado378 contributions
Don't cut your time here short...grounds worth exploring
Feb 2020
There's more here than just the house and tour...which are wonderful. They usually have a "local flavor" experience also, ours was "how they dressed back then" type and it was well-paced and interesting. Several outbuildings to explore so allow extra time here.
Staff member in gift shop recommended Honeydoux Cafe...great bakery and sandwiches.
Written September 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Melissa
Thank you for touring Destrehan Plantation. We appreciate this review and will share it with our staff. Best, Melissa
Written September 14, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jkfahy
1 contribution
Rude docent!
May 2014
Well. After calling two of our group "stupid people" I shouldn't have been surprised by our short tour with minimal explanation, irritation at being asked questions, complaints that she couldn't climb the stairs with us, shaking her finger while shouting "NO NO NO!" as one person innocently began to take a picture (without having been informed of this rule ahead of time). Jane, our irritable tour guide, appeared to be annoyed by our questions and uninterested in her job. She should retire. The lovely house and grounds don't stand a chance with her as guide
Written May 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
EmilyRhymesWithFellony
New Orleans, LA7 contributions
Most of these reviews have bad information
Sep 2013 • Friends
I've toured almost every plantation along the river road of Louisiana, but this review is about Destrehan, my favorite for many reasons. It's the closest to New Orleans, and also the oldest in the lower Mississippi River valley. This is also the only handicap accessible plantation since I've been touring. Sadly, a lot of these reviews here reek of hurt pride. Only a few houses open for tours are privately owned. This house (as well as Oak Alley, the review below me is mistaken) is owned by a non-profit group. At least when I toured, every house required admission to even walk around the grounds, this house included. To assume otherwise shows you haven't been on any other tours.

As far as the tour was concerned, I was very impressed. Our guide talked about more than just the house and Destrehan family, she talked about life for everyone on the plantation. Perhaps my southern roots make me a tad defensive, but there is no way to "apologize for slavery." History happened, we can only learn to not repeat the mistakes. Our guide explained how the Creole system worked, which used Stockholm syndrome and mental abuse to control slaves. This is very different from the English system. I also learned about the plantations owned by Free People of Color back then and the 1811 Slave Revolt. And this was all before we entered the main house!

Inside, it was explained why the house isn't as opulent as other homes. The older the house, the simpler. This family didn't live in the plantation house all year. We talked about the architecture and the family from there.
The tour was a little over an hour in the house, from there we went to see the blacksmith on site. He was wonderful and actually made a candle holder for us.

Overall, this tour stuck with me the most. I usually keep my reviews to my travel blog, but seeing so many closed-minded reviews prompted me to change my stance. Bottom line, if you want history, take an open mind to Destrehan Plantation. Just give yourself a good 2 hours to get your money's worth.
Written September 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SaraMBrawley
Saint Louis, MO22 contributions
Sad.
May 2012 • Friends
This is a beautiful plantation that deserves better tour guides. Our guide acted like she didnt want to be there, didnt know very much about life at the plantation, and left us with a sense of "Thats it?!"
I think the guides name was Amy or Becky, not sure, but she was terrible. They need to take a trip to Laura Plantation to see how a plantation tour should be done. People pay alot of money for these tours and to step back in time, not to be made to feel like their presence is a nuisance and get rushed through an old beautiful house and leave not knowing anything about it. Even if you just want to take pictures, they make you pay the full tour price just to look around. Ridiculous. I bring visitors to New Orleans on a regular basis and show them around. We will not be returning here. They boast #1 attraction in Louisiana?? #1 in what exactly?
Written May 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Myrna B
Saskatoon, Canada83 contributions
Interesting and sobering
Jan 2020 • Couples
Carol was our tour guide and did a great job of telling the stories of the Destrehan family and the slaves too. She also was able to fill us in on many of the antiques and out buildings. Very interesting.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
destrehanplantation
Thank you for touring Destrehan Plantation. We appreciate this review and will share it with our historical interpreter, Carol.
Written February 6, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Destrehan Plantation - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Destrehan Plantation
Destrehan Plantation is open:
  • Sun - Sat 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Destrehan Plantation tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 16 Destrehan Plantation tours on Tripadvisor