The History, Lumber, and Italians tour presents the history of Garyville, Louisiana.  Garyville was once a bustling urban town that led the world in the production of lumber and attracted many Italian/Sicilian immigrants and was one of the largest Sicilian communities outside of New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The tour begins with a visit to San Francisco Plantation, followed by a walking tour in the Garyville Historic District.  San Francisco Plantation is most opulent plantation house in North America, and the Garyville Historic District is a culdesac of historic buildings, featuring  the Garyville Timbermill Museum, the Gary State Bank, and the Garyville General Store. Not far are the St. Hubert Rosary Walk and St. Hubert Prayer Garden, offering serenity and beauty and a quiet place to meditate. The outdoor adventures of the History, Lumber, and Italians tour begins with a visit to the German Coast Farmers market, following an airboat tour with Swamp Adventures, and ending with exploring the Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area Nature Trail.  Breakfasts are served at Chungs Heavenly Sweets and the River Brew Coffee House, and lunch and dinner are served at Fatty’s, Petra, Atchafalaya Seafood Company, and Pier 51 Seafood restaurants.  The History, Lumber, and Italians tour is an intriguing, educational, and unforgettable experience!

Day 1

Fairfield Inn & Suites By Marriott LaPlace

Make yourself at home at the Fairfield Inn & Suites By Marriott, the newest hotel in Louisiana’s River Parishes. The hotel offers a free hot breakfast, free high speed Internet, a fitness center, and an outdoor pool.

Day 2

Chung’s Heavenly Sweets Cafe

Your experience begins with breakfast at Chung’s Heavenly Sweets Cafe in LaPlace, Louisiana. Chungs has a variety of delicious breakfast croissants, wraps, and the tastiest Beignets in Louisiana’s River Parishes.

San Francisco Plantation

After breakfast, you will spend the day in Garyville, Louisiana, beginning with your first tour at San Francisco Plantation. Once owned by Elisée Rillieux, a free man of color and Luise Von Seybold Marmillion, the widow of the plantation owner, Valsin Bozonier Marmillion, San Francisco Plantation presents the legacy of wealth and elegance and the history of slavery and sacrifice.

Garyville Timbermill Museum and Pond

Your next experience in Garyville is a guided tour of the Garyville Timbermill Museum, featuring exhibits illustrating the timber industry and the Lyon Cypress Lumber Mill, which was the largest mill in Garyville. Following the tour of the museum, you will take a walk along the Timbermill Pond that was used to transport and float lumber to the timber mills.

Fatty’s Restaurant

Next door to the museum is Fatty’s Restaurant, where you will enjoy a delicious lunch. Fatty’s has daily specials such as Jambalaya and White Beans with Pork Roast, all you can eat fried fish, and Shrimp Stew.

Gary State Bank

After lunch, you will walk across the railroad tracks to visit the Gary State Bank. The bank has the original teller windows and original safe and a new modern parlor where you will sit and listen to stories about Italian immigrants who settled in the town.

Garyville General Store

Connected to the Historic Gary State Bank is the Garyville General Store that is still a popular marketplace in the Garyville neighborhoods. Browse around and pick up a few items and refreshments before you continue your walk to the St. Hubert Rosary Walk and St. Hubert Prayer Garden.

St. Hubert Rosary Walk

The St. Hubert Rosary Walk is a circular path of a beautiful manicured lawn surrounded by white posts representing the Holy Rosary. In the center of the lawn is a gazebo that is draped with a variety of beautiful flowers and greenery, offering an ideal setting for reflection. Absorb the serenity and quiet atmosphere before walking over to the St. Hubert Prayer Garden.

St. Hubert Prayer Garden

The St. Hubert Prayer Garden is a small Garden of Eden surrounded by pine trees and a variety of beautiful flowers and plants. The inner path of the garden is a Path of Prophets, which represents biblical prophets, starting with Abraham and ending with St. John the Baptist. The path leads to the Way of the Cross, which features the fifteen stations of the Cross that ends at a large statue of Jesus rising from the grave. Take some time to meditate in the Garden before dinner.

Petra Restaurant

For dinner, you will enjoy a delicious meal at Petra Restaurant, an Italian owned fine dining restaurant in LaPlace, Louisiana.

Fairfield in & Suites By Marriott LaPlace

Unwind, relax, and get another good night’s sleep at your hotel, the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott.

Day 3

River Brew Coffee House

Your outdoor exploration begins in Destrehan, Louisiana at the River Brew Coffee House. Enjoy a delicious steaming hot cup of coffee and a large bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit along with a homemade cinnamon roll.

German Coast Farmers Market

After breakfast, your day outside continues with browsing and shopping at the German Coast Farmers Market. Purchase fresh vegetables, fruit, and homemade goods, and watch a variety of cooking demonstrations by local farmers.

Swamp Adventures

Your next venture is an exciting airboat tour with Swamp Adventures in Luling, Louisiana. You will explore the history and culture of Louisiana wildlife and get a chance to see alligators and other animals that reside in the swamp.

Atchafalaya Seafood Co.

For lunch, you will enjoy a delicious meal at the Atchafalaya Seafood Company, serving fresh domestic seafood and home-made delicacies. Try the Corn, Shrimp, and Crab Bisque, the Grilled Salmon, or the Whiskey Bay Pasta.

Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area Nature Trail

After lunch, spend some time exploring and admiring the Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area Nature Trail in LaPlace, Louisiana. The trail offers multiple walking and hiking trails and is home to countless species of birds, including many bald eagles.

Pier 51 Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar

Your dinner tonight is at Pier 51 Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar. Pier 51 offers fresh boiled, fried, grilled, or blackened seafood, over-stuffed Po-Boys, and a variety of homemade tasty desserts.

Fairfield Inn & Suites By Marriott LaPlace

Relax and get another good night’s sleep at your hotel, the Fairfield Inn & Suites By Marriott.