New Orleans: Off the Beaten Path

Listening to jazz in the French Quarter, dining on delicious Cajun and Creole cuisine, visiting historic sites — it’s easy to find fun things to do during your New Orleans vacation. However, if you’d like to take a break from the bustle of downtown, head west of the city and take in the beautiful scenery and history of the homes along Plantation Alley. Whether you’re interested in architecture, antiques, or the history of the South and the use of enslaved labor in the years before and after the Civil War, you’ll find it all here. You won’t be able to tour them all in a day — there are plantations on both sides of the river and most are miles apart — so plan ahead by choosing two or three that best suit your interests. If you’re not driving, local tour operators offer a variety of packages.