Visit the Whitney Plantation Museum, a former indigo and sugar plantation on the River Road now dedicated to promoting an understanding of slavery in Louisiana. Learn about the realities of plantation life through museum exhibits and recorded narratives as you explore the restored structures and historical slave cabins. Download the Whitney Plantation app for the self-guided tour of Whitney Plantation Museum.

Self-guided tour of Whitney Plantation Museum from New Orleans
Visit Louisiana's only plantation solely dedicated to promoting an understanding of slavery
Get a unique perspective on the people who lived and worked at the National Historic Landmark estate
See the Spanish Creole main house and restored slave cabins
Learn about plantation life via recorded slave narratives
Round-trip transport provided from central New Orleans

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

This tour is highly recommended for those wishing to truly understand life from a slave's perspective.

What's Included

2 hours to spend touring Whitney Plantation
Round-trip transport from central New Orleans

Food and drinks
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Gray Line New Orleans
Gray Line Lighthouse Ticket Office, 400 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Departs from the Gray Line Lighthouse Ticket Office at Toulouse St. and the Mississippi River, just one block from Jackson Square in the French Quarter. Please arrive 15 minutes before boarding.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Make your way to the meeting point in the French Quarter, and travel outside the city along the Mississippi River to the famous River Road, home to many of Louisiana’s antebellum plantations. After crossing the Bonnet Carre Spillway, built to absorb river flooding, take in a great vista of Lake Pontchartrain and pass by the historical estates of Evergreen, St. Joseph, and Felicity that once conducted trade in crops like cotton, sugarcane, and indigo.

When arriving at Whitney Plantation, a National Historic Landmark founded more than 260 years ago, feel a sense of stepping back in time. Learn about the harsh realities and legacy of the people who lived and worked at Whitney on a self-guided tour of the estate, including original and restored slave cabins and other outbuildings. See the well-preserved Big House, considered one of the best remaining examples of Spanish Creole architecture in Louisiana.

Read about the lives of Louisiana’s enslaved people in their own words through first-person narratives recorded by the Federal Writers' Project, and explore museum exhibits that help tell the story of slavery in the American South. After absorbing the poignant and powerful history of the estate and its centuries of human stories, return to New Orleans in the late afternoon.

Mississippi River (Pass By)

Lake Pontchartrain (Pass By)

Whitney Plantation

3 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Check-in is 15 minutes prior to start time.
If the guest needs a wheelchair lift equipped bus, then special arrangements need to be made with the supplier. This must be arranged 48 hours prior to tour date. Contact details will be on your voucher.
Guests visiting Whitney using a wheelchair will have access to the gift shop, restrooms, and museum. The plantation grounds are accessible; however, there are uneven gravel paths. The main house tour is not accessible to guest traveling in wheelchairs and is not required to be modified as it is a historic home; however, the first floor is accessible. Guests would be able to view the slave quarters, but would not have access to enter.
Wheelchair accessible

Stroller accessible
Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
Tour at Whitney Plantation is Self Guided
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 55 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

about cancellations.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

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Q:Where is the departure point for the Whitney Plantation Tour?

A:The tour begins at the Gray Line "Lighthouse" Ticket Office in the French Quarter at Toulouse Street & the Mississippi River - at the Steamboat Natchez Dock (400 Toulouse Street.)

Jun 2021

Q:Is there parking near the departure point for the Whitney Plantation Tour?

A:There are public parking lots on Decatur Street that charge hourly rates. Some require prepayment through an automated kiosk on site. The parking lot closest to the tour departure point is Jax Lot # P401, 500 Decatur St.

Jun 2021

Q:What should I wear for the Whitney Plantation Tour?

A:Casual attire is appropriate. Walking portions may be on uneven sidewalks and streets, so please wear comfortable shoes. During warmer months we recommend lightly colored clothing. Caps/hats, umbrellas, and sunscreen are also suggested.

Jun 2021

Q:Can I take photos/videos during the Whitney Plantation Tour?

A:For the most part, yes. However, flash photography and/or video is not allowed in some locations you will visit. Your tour guide will be sure to inform you.

Jun 2021

Q:How long is the actual tour at Whitney Plantation?

A:You will spend approximately 2.25 hours at Whitney Plantation.

Jun 2021

Q:Is the Whitney Plantation Tour handicap accessible?

A:Yes. Please notate any requirements in the "Special Requirements" box at checkout so that an appropriate vehicle can be arranged. NOTE: Portions of the Plantation are only accessible by stairs.

Jun 2021

Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

If your able to rent a car and drive I think that’s the best option.

I highly recommend this tour for those wishing to truly understand it from a slaves prospective.

Reviews

4.5

734 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 734 reviews

Much needed

Jayson_W, May 2023

The tour was heavy but needed. As soon as you got the plantation you can feel something. George our driver was great!

The interviews from...

Haley_L, May 2023

The interviews from former slaves were very insightful and made for a more intimate experience. Thank you so much for offering this tour! Also Alton was a great tour guide!

The history of the...

Regi_P, May 2023

The history of the plantation is moving. It is a valuable and learning experience. I highly recommend as a way of learning about our nation's past.

Souls of the ancestors

Doreen_R, May 2023

A moving experience. Received a lot of information even for a self guided tour. You can move at your own pace and take it all in. Can be emotional at times imagining life at that time and in that space. I found myself praying for the souls of the ancestors.

Highly recommend.

Karen_B, May 2023

Loved the tour of the Whitney Plantation. And our driver Kin did a wonderful job of entertaining us on the trip with NOLA stories and pointing out landmarks along the way.

Would recommend

Stephanie_P, May 2023

The bus to the plantation was very clean, and prompt. Our bus driver was friendly and knowledgeable about the surrounding area. The Plantation itself was filled with interesting artifacts which made for an immersive experience. You are able to really get a sense of what life was like.

A Must Do!

JODY_B, May 2023

The tour was moving, heart wrenching and powerful. Our bus driver was great! He was fun, funny and informative.

We enjoyed the tour...

Jocelyn_K, May 2023

We enjoyed the tour however it would have been good to see inside some of the old buildings you just walk around looking at monuments with stories attached.

Tour and Plantation did not disappoint!

Elizabeth_C, May 2023

We thought the tour and bus trip was fantastic! The driver was on time, the location was easy to find and the entire trip was very enjoyable. Alton, our driver, was full of interesting information from the time we left New Orleans until we go to the plantation and then back. The plantation self-guided tour was so informative and allowed us to go at our own pace so we didn't miss anything. We spent two hours and could have easily spent more time there exploring and hearing everything from the enslaved's perspective which was extremely eye-opening. We would highly recommend this tour to anyone. We even had the opportunity to see several plantations from the bus which was an added bonus for sure.

Whitney’s hidden history.

Rick_D, May 2023

Our guide/driver, Dwayne, was great. He was cheerful, informative and helpful. The bus was very comfortable and cooled by air conditioning. I would recommend taking a snack and a bottle of water along because there is nothing but chips to eat at the plantation. The tour of the plantation is engaging and informative. Personal audio devices with headphones are free of charge and comprehensive in coverage. Worthwhile tour.

it's an incredible tour!

Will_H, Apr 2023

Ken is an incredibly knowledgeable, fun and caring guide who takes great pride in his work! I'd recommend to anyone visiting NOLA to take a tour with him.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

We love it and Ken loves it. Thank you for the wonderful review.

The manner in which the...

Paul_F, Apr 2023

The manner in which the stories of the enslaved individuals, especially those whose stories were recorded, were powerful. The manner in which the various aspects were presented is powerful. So happy we decided to visit the Whitney Plantation.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

It is an eye-opening and heart tugging tour. Thank you for letting us know how intriguiring the Whitney Plantation

Memorable

MICHELLE_H, Apr 2023

The jail and memorial walls were shocking reminders of how enslaved people were treated. Whitney plantation is much smaller than the Oak Alley plantation. The bus driver/operator was kind but needed to be trained on how to operate the wheelchair lift and wheelchair lock downs

Well worth the price of attendance....

Vera_S, Apr 2023

Pickup for the Whitney Plantation Tour is conveniently located downtown by the historical Jax Brewery. Wonderful Grayline bus ride with Daniel (the bus driver and tour guide), who was knowledgeable and very entertaining. The self-guided tour allows you to easily move through Whitney Plantation at your own pace. If you can afford to include the Grayline bus ride as transport to and from the Whitney Plantation, it is well worth the cost of attendance (approximately $79/person). Be forewarned that an entire afternoon (1:00 PM through 6:00 PM) will need to be set aside; however, there is something for everyone.... no matter the age.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Vera, like you, many people are intrigued to spend the time in walking the grounds and hearing the stories Thank you

1 traveler found this review helpful

history brought to life

bruce_h, Apr 2023

I liked the emphasis on the slave aspect of plantation life. I hated the parking fee , much more expensive than I thought reasonable.

1 traveler found this review helpful

Description of working...

Fergus_W, Apr 2023

Description of working conditions of slaves. Looking at sleeping quarters and going round big house. Pity furniture of big house not shown, even photos would be instructive

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Thank you. The non profit that owns the property are still doing repairs from Hurricane Ida, and big house still has work to be done.

1 traveler found this review helpful

Important to See

Margaret_S, Apr 2023

I brought friends from France for this tour. Overall, it was very well done. Our bus driver to and from the property was fantastic. She was friendly and kind/helpful. My only recommendation would be headphones to translate for people who need help understanding English. The property is well maintained and has a certain tragic dignity about it.

1 traveler found this review helpful

NOLA Experience

Danny_J, Apr 2023

Our tour guide Ken was absolutely amazing he shared so much history with us that was truly amazing. We look forward to our next visit to your great city.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Come back and join us again. Ken is amazing and covers a number of tours with Gray Line.

Great, but felt like an outsider.

Steven_C, Apr 2023

I am glad this place exists and that we visited it. While I knew most of what I saw, it was still good to see it for real. I didn’t feel super welcome, though, like ‘this isn’t for you’. Yes I am Caucasian.

Powerful and educational

Laura_F, Apr 2023

Powerful and educational. Experience of a lifetime. I would recommend to anyone visiting the New Orleans area.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Thank you.

2 travelers found this review helpful

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