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Rip Van Winkle Gardens
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Rip Van Winkle Gardens

See all things to do
See all things to do
Rip Van Winkle Gardens
4.5
412 reviews
#1 of 20 things to do in New Iberia
Historic Sites • Gardens
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9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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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
412 reviews
Excellent
309
Very good
76
Average
19
Poor
4
Terrible
4
James T
51 contributions
Quiet, peaceful setting
Jan 2023 • Solo
I decided to visit the gardens on a mild January day. Many of the plants were damaged from the recent freezing weather, but this is still a peaceful and relaxing getaway for a couple of hours. I can’t wait to come back in the spring.

The peacocks are fun to watch and add some additional color and beauty to the place. The lady at the gift shop said that there are about 50 of them on the grounds!

I didn’t do the house tour, but plan to do so on my next visit. Same with the restaurant.
Written January 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MonroeLouisiana
Monroe147 contributions
Love the Gardens!
Aug 2020
We are trying to do outdoor activities during Covid, and Rip Van Winkle Gardens did not disappoint. Although the weather was hot and we wished for more shade, the gardens are beautifully landscaped. Near the entrance is a 12-minute film that run constinuously on background/histor. The structures, fountains, and statues were interesting to look at from outside, although currently the mansion is not available for an inside tour, merely a ramble on the porch. The story of the disaster (explosion, sinkhole) that took in some of the garden and a resident's house during late 20th century was mindboggling. All that was left of the house is a chimney in the lake. There is a cafe on the grounds which is now open, but it closed before we finished our tour, and we weren't hungry anyway. I really don't have all of the right words to describe how beautifully kept the gardens are, but our photos were remarkable. I would love to return again once the mansion is reopened. I learned so much--Jefferson Island is not really an island (a salt dome), the Gardens are not actually inside New Iberia, and the they are named Rip Van Winkle after a film actor who often portrayed this literary character, the original owner of the mansion and gardens.
Written August 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffrey H
Monticello, UT23 contributions
A gorgeous place
Feb 2020 • Couples
Took the self-guided tour of the gardens. Nice, but during this time of year it certainly wasn't great. Weather today was cold and windy so we rushed through it to get back inside quickly. A knowledgeable guide that could point out, explain and give some interesting anecdotes about things in the gardens would be great.

Toured the mansion. Truly enjoyed our guide, Amy. Disappointing that they don't show you any of the house but the main floor.

Ate lunch at the cafe. Wow! Great food. The seafood dishes we ate (Crab au gratin and Seafood Heaven) were absolutely delicious! The pecan pie for dessert was pleasantly sinful. :) Service was very good. The view of the gardens and lake from our table was so relaxing and enjoyable. We loved it. Great experience.
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AMBC77
Wisconsin124 contributions
Could be awesome but not worth the price....not even close
Mar 2023
This could have been an awesome tour. We arrived at 3:30 and the place closes at 5. First, the woman in the gift shop made it a point to tell us over and over again they close at 5 so make sure we were back there to watch a video after the house tour because she wasn't going to wait on us.. we could walk the gardens as long as we wanted as long as we were willing to let ourselves out of the gate. We continued to the house tour which would have been nice but the crabby woman doing the tour ruined the experience for us. She was so robotic and not welcoming at all. She asked if we had any questions but she really didn't want to answer them and rushed us through. I would us the words, robotic, arrogant and unfriendly to describe our experience with her. You can only tour a few rooms. I would not recommend the house tour at all. We were visiting from out of state and the lady at the welcome center didn't bother telling is there were NO plants bloomed yet and stlll charged us full price to walk gardens that weren't even gardens. With all of the friendly people and attractions in the area, I would skip this money trap and just read about the tragedy on the lake in a book or watch a You Tube video. I would recommend Longfellow Evangeline State historic sight. Way more information for only $4 and beautiful grounds and suoer friendly people..
Written March 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
heffkids
Saint Louis, MO57 contributions
Beautiful grounds worth to stop. Avoid the house. It's not worth the extra money
Feb 2023 • Couples
Gardens are Japanese influence and very pretty. The outlook over the lake is magnificent. We were here in late February and unfortunately most of the blooms were yet to happen.
For the house, it is a waste of money. Don't spend the extra $4 for touring the house. It probably is very neat house but the tour is limited to the first floor only and no photos of any kind with or without flash. For total tour takes about 15 minutes and they're a little bit confused on some of the stories they tell tour.

For example, they said when Jefferson built the house he didn't like using slaves so he did not use any slaves and all servants were paid for their services .

However they also say the house was built in I'm 1871 which would have been after emancipation and so slaves were outlawed and he could not have had slaves if he wanted them.
A little confusing in their story line.
Written February 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
julia c
Gulfport, MS79 contributions
Well worth the stop, but plan to stay 2 nights instead of just one
Jul 2021
Stay in either the Cook’s Cottage or the Servant’s Quarters (both include a tour of the Jefferson House and the RVW Gardens). It is so relaxing and serene, and the pristinely kept gardens are absolutely beautiful. Can’t say enough about the serenity of this place! Peacocks, and other beautiful birds roam the property. The difference between the cook’s cottage & the servant’s quarters, so I was told: The cook’s cottage has a living room but no kitchen. The 2 Servants qrtrs have a kitchen (non-working) but no living room. The servants qtrs are adjacent to the Jefferson House, whereas the cottage is beside the gift shop. The cont'l bkfst includes juices, fruit, and packaged stuff such as danish, grits, oatmeal that cd be heated in the m/w in room. Use the 2nd day to do the Tabasco Plant tour on Avery Island.
Written August 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tastebudtravelers
287 contributions
Day filled with delights and history
Apr 2022 • Couples
This was such a memorable day. We stumbled upon this amazing island, plantation, gardens, restaurant steeped in history and culture. You must plan your time here to take the tour of the estate and gardens and then dine in the cafe. I had the gumbo and yeast rolls that made my eyes roll to the back of my head. Lip smacking good.
Written August 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ddalmas
Charlotte, NC54 contributions
Beautiful visit and stay at Rip Van Winkle Gardens
Dec 2021 • Couples
Such beautiful gardens! Very well maintained. Easily seen in an hour or less. The best thing, however , was spending the night in the Cooks Quarter’s on the grounds. Such a cute B &B and a fridge waiting to welcome us! Wine, fresh cheese and crackers, and awesome fixings for breakfast the next morning.
We arrived before sunset and such a beautiful one over the lake. The next morning, we opened our curtains to beautiful peacocks right outside our window! How fun is that?
And lastly, the home tour was very well done by docent Mary in her beautiful red cape. Don’t skip this! If you stay on property, you can get a 9 am tour which is not open to the public. In Covid times, this was a blessing?
We highly recommend a visit and we will be back.
Written January 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer B
Houston, TX15 contributions
Must visit! Don't bypass to go directly to Avery Island. You'll be missing out!
Feb 2023 • Couples
Even though it is winter and the gardens weren't in full bloom it was still beautiful and serene. some plants were actually in bloom. We really enjoyed our time there! We plan to visit in spring so we can see the gardens in full bloom.
Written February 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CKing2012
Tyler, TX28 contributions
Great way to spend the day!
Jul 2022
Beautiful gardens & great tour! Loved the peacocks. Even in the July heat we were able to walk most of it without roasting in the sun. Fascinating history and loved the tour of the house. We had lunch at the restaurant and it was good - very large portions. Great way to spend the day!
Written July 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Rip Van Winkle Gardens (New Iberia) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Rip Van Winkle Gardens
Rip Van Winkle Gardens is open:
  • Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM