Day-Trip Itinerary: Louisiana's River Parishes

Louisiana’s River Parishes encompasses an area of Louisiana stretching from the outskirts of New Orleans and following the Mississippi River Road to just outside Baton Rouge. Here, visitors have several options for things to do: explore historic plantation estates, delve into the mysteries of the swamps, eat their fill of andouille sausage, discover the history of perique (a rare, richly flavored tobacco native to the area) or even catch catfish at Lac des Allemands — the French translation for “Lake of the Germans.” After all, the town of Des Allemands is known as the Catfish Capital of the Universe.

Breakfast Options

Coffee & Norco

Coffee & Norco is a 24-hour cafe and bakery serving up all the favorites, from donuts and specialty pastries to breakfast sandwiches, omelets, French toast and shrimp & grits.

Cafe Perique

Grab a coffee brewed to perfection or a melt-in-your-mouth donut to start your day at Café Perique in Gramercy. Don't have a sweet tooth? Try their classic Southern breakfast items, including biscuits, gravy and grits.

Chung’s Heavenly Cafe

Chung's Heavenly Cafe offers a variety of breakfast options. Try the breakfast croissant, omelet, sausage kolache or beignets.

Morning Activities and Attractions

Houmas House and Gardens 

Kick off your day exploring the charm of Houmas House and Gardens in Darrow, a historic estate set among 38 acres of gardens. Start your day with breakfast at the on-site Dixie Café, then tour the mansion and River Road Museum. Conclude your visit with a mint julep or French martini at The Turtle Bar, and maybe stay for dinner at The Carriage House, immersing yourself in the history and natural beauty of this Southern retreat.

Swamp Adventures

Experience the Louisiana swamps in style with Swamp Adventures. With years of experience, Swamp Adventures has an ideal crew to share the area's culture and heritage with visitors. Take an intimate yet thrilling ride in their premium airboats, soak up the stories you won't hear anywhere else and see what critters you can spot! 

Oak Alley Plantation

Explore over 200 years of history at Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie. From its sprawling oaks and open spaces to its hidden nooks and crannies, Oak Alley’s landscape tells the story of a plantation in evolution. Wide pastures stand where a pecan grove once thrived, and a 1920s formal garden quietly preserves the remains of an 1830s kitchen hidden under its turf. See the "Big House," the exhibit on slavery at Oak Alley and the Blacksmith Shop — a tribute to the enduring legacy of Louisiana craftsmen, sharing the history of forging metalwork on plantations.

Lunch Options

B&C Seafood

Check out B&C Seafood in Vacherie for an authentic taste of Cajun home cooking. For those looking for Louisiana classics, order up a bowl of seafood gumbo, while more adventurous eaters can try out frog legs or smoked rabbit gumbo.

Creole House

Creole House in Paulina is a casual eatery serving up the classics. Try a juicy burger, fresh seafood platter or a finger-licking po'boy.

Spuddy's Cajun Foods

The specialty of Spuddy's Cajun Foods in Vacherie is their house-smoked meats, including the regional favorite — andouille sausage. For a real treat, schedule the Spuddy's Cajun Cooking Experience, where you can go back into the kitchen and learn to make traditional Cajun food yourself.

Afternoon Activities & Attractions

Destrehan Plantation

Established in 1787 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Destrehan Plantation remains the oldest documented plantation home in the Lower Mississippi Valley. Special exhibits including an original document signed by Thomas Jefferson and an exhibit on the 1811 Slave Revolt. 

Cajun Pride Swamp Tours

Experienced local guides offer exciting tours of the Manchac Swamp when you book with Cajun Pride Swamp Tours. This is a memorable tour in a privately owned swamp with abundant wildlife.

Laura Plantation: Louisiana's Creole Heritage Site

The top-rated plantation tour at Laura Plantation transports you into the complex and intimate relationships of four generations of one Louisiana Creole family, both free and enslaved. Laura's permanent exhibit examines in biographical detail the lives of Africans on the plantation, from enslavement into the 20th century. 

Dinner Options

Frenier Landing Restaurant

Frenier Landing Restaurant is located on the west shore of Lake Pontchartrain in LaPlace. The alligator sausage with Creole mustard or fried crawfish tails are great appetizers, and notable entrées include Eggplant Napoleon or the whole stuffed flounder. Make sure and leave room for their bread pudding or a slice of rum cake for dessert!

The Seafood Pot

The Seafood Pot is a down-home seafood spot in New Sarpy located on Louisiana’s famous River Road. Start your meal with a bowl of gumbo or stuffed artichokes, followed by the house special of crabmeat au gratin with crab cakes over pasta. Finish your meal with a slice of homemade cheesecake.

Nobile's Restaurant & Bar

At Nobile's Restaurant & Bar, you can enjoy fine River Road cuisine in a restored 1895 Victorian building. This spot has a ton of history, paired with delicious menu options. Dig in to gumbo, seafood, po'boys, steaks and other specialties.

Discover more attractions in the Great River Road area.