Oak Alley Plantation--A Great Stop

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Touring the low country along the rivers in Louisiana can be a lot of fun and stopping at some of the “plantations” can be enlightened. We stopped at several “plantations” and this is about our stop at the Oak Alley close to Vacherie, Louisiana. This plantation was built between 1837 and 1839. The mansion has a square floor design which surrounds the central hall. On the outside one can quickly see the roots of the name Oak Alley and large oak tress that run toward the river which one cannot see today since there is a flood levees in place. On the four sides of the house there are 28 Doric columns, which was a common feature of many of the mansions located on river roads such as this one. You will notice that prices to get into the various houses usually run around $20 and if you get a discount it will be small, perhaps a dollar. The discount here was $1.00. Some publications indicate there is an AAA discount and/senior/children discount. Keep in mind this is a tourist attraction designed not to preserve history, but to make a profit.

You can reach the location either by your own personal motorized transportation and tours are available form New Orleans via tour buses. We noticed the cost of entrance and the bus ride was around $50 per person from most companies and if you take in a couple of plantations there is another discount.

Before going to any of the “plantations” you might be well advised to do a little research on those you plan to tour. While there is not a lot of material available in the Dallas area at either the library or book stores, there is some materials available on the internet and lots of pamphlets and books in the Louisiana area. Doing some pre-arrival research will help you determine what is fact, fiction and “hype”. You will get a lot of “hype” as these are tourist attractions and the owners want to make you feel good about your tour.

Oak Alley is on the National Historic Landmarks The house has high ceilings and large windows. The floors were originally marble however today they are wood. The tour of the house was interesting however one is always thinking about the tour guide who has been “programmed” for each section you will enter. Asking her a specific questions will more than likely not result in an answer.

The owns welcome picture taking however not with a flash. Taking pictures on the grounds is a photographer’s delight. A professional photographer must pay a fee for shooting such things as a wedding, etc. After leaving the main house there is a short walk to the auto museum. Don’t get too excited as there are just two 1930’s cars in the shed. Across from the museum is a tent that ahs been erected to duplicate one of those of a Confederate officer. A tour agent will give you some history as you notice the “tip jar” sitting right in front of you.

Just a short walk is the gift shop and restaurant filled with the usual tourist items for this type attraction. We chose not to eat at the restaurant after reviewing the menu and noticing the rather high prices for lunch. You can walk throughout the grounds at your own leisure without feeling rushed.

While we think the admission fee is too high especially for a family, it seems to be the going rate in the area for these type attractions. We think this location, in spite of some shortcomings, is still a five star attraction within that area

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Photos

Front of house
Picture taken at the levee which is in front of the house

Oak Alley Back of House
This photo is of the back of the house just as you go into the grounds

Bell At House
Bell located at side rear of house used to notify field hands and other of certain happenings on the plantation such as dinner and supper

A View Toward The House
Looking toward the hosue

Front Porch Oak Alley
Front porch at Oak Alley. If you sat on the front porch you would look toward the river in the old days. A levee now blocks the view.

Front Porch
Massive white columns lined the sides of the house and this is on the front porch

Front Porch
Sit on the front porch and you will be looking at the Mississippi River. Levees now block the view.

Fireplace
Fireplace inside the two story Oak Alley Plantation

Dining Room
The dining room at Oak Alley now displays replicas of the original settings. All very beautiful.

Dining Room
The dining room at Oak Alley Plantation

Bedroom At Oak Alley
One of the bedrooms at Oak Alley Plantation

A Sitting Area In one of the roioms
This is a sitting area in one of the bedrooms

Bedroom
Bedroom at Oak Alley

Twin Beds In One Room
Oak Alley bedroom

Children’s Room
Cradle displayed in the rook of one of the new born

Outside Gardens
These gardens are located at the side of the main house between the main house and the current museum

Model A In Museum
Only two cars displayed in the museum and this was one of them

Restaurant and Gift Shop
Restaurant and Gift shop

Front of Oak Alley
Front of house looking up from the river levee

Dining Room
Dining room at Oak Alley

Comments

[Gary Dauphin]

Well done, minor correction
Thank you for your nice review of Oak Alley Plantation. I did want to share one comment in the interest of fairness. You stated, "Keep in mind this is a tourist attraction designed not to preserve history, but to make a profit. " Oak Alley Plantation is run by the organization I work for- the non-profit, 501(c)3 historic trust, Oak Alley Foundation. We work very hard to keep the house and grounds up to the highest standards, and to provide an enjoyable, beautiful and educationally significant historical tour. We are constantly updating our historic content, and take our education mission very seriously. While there is a for-profit restaurant and gift shop located just off the historic grounds, they are there for the convenience of our guests and we do not feel they detract from our core mission. If you disagree, I respect your opinion, but just wanted to make sure that our historical education mission was clearly articulated. Thanks, Gary

[Gary Daupin]

Very nice shot!
Great view.