History, Music, & Swamps
Kid Ory & Louis Armstrong Photo Credit: Bing Images: cinefaniac.fr
The History, Music, and Swamps experience features the history of Louisiana’s River Parishes at Destrehan and Ormond plantations and the Godchaux House. While Destrehan Plantation is the Gateway to Louisiana’s River Parishes, its close neighbor Ormond Plantation is the introduction to the biking and walking paths on the Mississippi River Trail. The unique history about the Godchaux House is primarily its diversity of ownership, and the 1811/Kid Ory Historic House and Historic Riverlands Soul River Musical Journey emphasize the history of music in Louisiana’s River Parishes. The outdoor adventures on this excursion are a swamp zipline thriller with ZipNola, an exciting kayaking trip with Wild Louisiana Tours, a scenic swamp tour offered by Cajun Pride Swamp Tours, and enjoying a walk or bike ride along the Mississippi River Trail. Breakfasts are served at Honeydoux Cafe and Coffee & Norco, and lunch and dinner are served at Ormond Plantation, ZoraChristina, Bec’s at the Lake, and The Seafood Pot restaurants. The History, Music, and Swamps Tour is a harmonious and venturesome Experience!
Day 1
Holiday Inn Express & Suites New Orleans Airport South
Make yourself at home at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites New Orleans Airport South Hotel in St. Rose, Louisiana. The hotel is just seven minutes from the New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport and offers complimentary roundtrip airport shuttle service, free wireless Internet access, a free breakfast buffet, dry-cleaning service, a business center, and many other amenities.
Day 2
Honeydoux Cafe & Bakery
Your experience begins in Destrehan, Louisiana with breakfast at Honeydoux Cafe & Bakery. Enjoy a delicious full breakfast or a tasty breakfast sandwich along with a homemade danish.
Destrehan Plantation
After breakfast your first guided tour is Destrehan Plantation, which showcases the craftsmanship of Charles Paquet, the enslaved master builder of the mansion. The tour also showcases original documents signed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison and an exhibit of the 1811 Slave Revolt.
Ormond Plantation
Your next guided tour is Ormond Plantation, followed by lunch in one of the elegant parlor rooms in the Ormond Plantation’s Restaurant. You will enjoy a delicious meal prepared by Chef Richard Kiral.
1811/Kid Ory Historic House
After lunch, you will visit the 1811/Kid Ory Historic House in LaPlace, Louisiana. On this tour you will view and listen to the music collection of Edward “Kid” Ory, the famous Creole trombonist who played alongside of Louis Armstrong, Joe “King” Oliver, and Mutt Carey. The museum is housed in Woodland Plantation where the 1811 Slave Revolt uprising began on the surrounding grounds.
Godchaux House
Next, you will travel to Reserve, Louisiana and tour the Godchaux House. You will learn the unique history about the diverse ownership of this plantation, which includes French men and women, Free men and women of Color, and the wealthy Jewish owner, Leon Godchaux, the Sugar King of Louisiana.
Historic Riverlands Soul River Musical Journey
Life after slavery is presented at Historic Riverlands, where you will take a Soul River Musical Journey through music genres that illustrate music themes associated with African Americans during segregation, integration, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Black Lives Matter Movements.
ZoraChristina Catering & Restaurant
For dinner, you will dine in a quaint, casual setting at ZoraChristina Restaurant and enjoy a delicious meal prepared by Chef Mike McGee.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites New Orleans Airport South
Relax, unwind, and get a good night’s sleep at your hotel, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites New Orleans Airport.
Day 3
Coffee & Norco
Today, your outdoor exploration begins with breakfast at Coffee & Norco in Norco, Louisiana. The diner offers a variety of full breakfast meals, omelets, beverages, and breakfast sweets.
ZipNOLA
After breakfast you will travel to the Manchac Greenway, Louisiana’s Swamp Road, to ZipNOLA in LaPlace, Louisiana. Brace yourself for the ride of your life on this swamp zipline over the Manchac Swamp. While zipping, you will have a perfect view of alligators, turtles, eels, and many other amphibians and wildlife.
Wild Louisiana Tours
Your next adventure on the Manchac Greenway is a kayaking trip on Shell Bank Bayou. You will paddle through the logging canal that will lead you to the beautiful Lilly Bayou, where there is endless opportunities to explore nature, while listening to the history of the Manchac Swamp that was once two logging towns.
Bec’s at the Lake Restaurant
After your kayaking escapade, you will enjoy a delicious lunch at Bec’s at the Lake Restaurant. Bec’s offers steaks, seafood, burgers, and delectable deserts in a comfortable, casual setting. Before or after dining, take a walk to the entrance of Lake the beautiful Lake Pontchartrain.
Cajun Pride Swamp Tours
Your outdoor exploration continues on an informative, educational, and adventurous swamp tour offered by Cajun Pride Swamp Tours. Enjoy the beauty of the Manchac Swamp, presenting views of moss-draped Cypress trees and sightings of alligators, raccoons, and herons, while listening to stories about the mysteries of the swamp told by captains who still live off the land.
Mississippi River Trail, Destrehan, Louisiana
Travel back to Destrehan, Louisiana to take a relaxing stroll on the Mississippi River Trail and enjoy the scenic beauty of the river and the quaint boutique town of Destrehan.
The Seafood Pot Restaurant
Your outdoor observation ends with dinner at the Seafood Pot Restaurant in New Sarpy, Louisiana. Select from a variety of seafood platters and add a pound or two of fresh boiled crawfish along with a delicious daiquiri.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites New Orleans Airport South
Relax, unwind, and get a good night’s sleep at your hotel, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites New Orleans Airport Hotel.
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Discover Exciting Ways to Explore
Make planning your next vacation to Louisiana's River Parishes easy. Use one of our trip itineraries to get started.
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New Orleans PLANTATIONS Country
Explore the 10 historic estates in the River Parishes of Louisiana and discover the stories rooted in their past.
New Orleans SWAMP Country
Create memories learning the folklore of our swamps and viewing gators in their natural habitat.
ANDOUILLE Trail
Andouille was created here, so get out and try the local smokehouses that each have their own version of the "best".
OUTDOOR RECREATION
The region out here is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts to explore and find adventure.
Lac Des Allmands
Famous for catfish, Lac Des Allemands is a haven for outdoor sportsmen.
PERIQUE
Enjoyed around the world, Perique can only be grown and processed out here.
CAJUN & CREOLE CUISINE
Cajun and Creole cuisine are as necessary to our culture as the people who make it.
TRANSPORTATION
Tour buses, shuttles and local airports are all transportation options for the River Parishes.
STAY OUT HERE
Louisiana's River Parishes offers a wide range of lodging options from rustic and quaint to upscale and luxurious.