The New Orleans Area Is More than Just Mardi Gras!

New Orleans may be thought of as the ultimate party city, thanks to Mardi Gras. However, if you go to the Big Easy just to drink and dance once a year, you are missing an incredible chance to glimpse the region’s glorious and beautiful past.

The Houmas House is not only a beautiful building, but the grounds are famous for their beauty as well.

History and architecture buffs will love visiting the plantation homes in the area. There are many, many to choose from, but here are a few that are close to New Orleans. 

The Whitney Plantation (originally the Habitation Haydel) dates from the mid-1700s, when it began as an indigo plantation. Years later the owners decided sugar was more profitable. The Plantation is made up of the “Big House,” a stunning example of Spanish Creole architecture, as well as historic outbuildings. It bills itself as the only plantation museum in Louisiana with a focus on slavery, featuring exhibits, artwork, and first-person slave narratives. 

Houmas House dates back to 1803, to the time of the Louisiana Purchase. Sugar was grown on the plantation (at one time more than 20 million pounds of sugar per year), which eventually grew to 300,000 acres. Today, Houmas House is known for its amazing gardens. 

Many who visit the Myrtles Plantation say this mirror is the site of some spooky activity.

Of course, any plantation that is hundreds of years old probably has a few ghosts roaming around, and many plantations offer the option of taking a ghost tour. The most famous haunted plantation may be the Myrtles Plantation, which has the distinction of being the “one of America’s most haunted homes.” Ghost hunters have flocked to the site, and many of them have been impressed at the evidence of ghosts they say they have found. 

Whichever plantation you choose, you can’t go wrong. These amazing homes are full of history and interesting stories, in a setting you will never forget!