Slave Quarters in New Orleans
New Orleans
Chateau Motor Hotel -- Very close to Jackson Square and as quaint as they come. Breakfast and newspaper are on the house. Rooms range from antique to contemporary, but the hotel is anything but new. Old slave quarters are on site and now serve as a suite. A cafe serves breakfast and lunch outdoors.$. Seniors receive discount. 1001 Chartres St., (504) 524-9636.
Mississippi River Road Plantations
Destrehan Plantation is a West Indies-style home that dates from the late 18th century and is thought to be the oldest intact plantation in the lower Mississippi valley. River Road, 8 mi/13 km west of New Orleans International Airport. Half-day activity. Adults and seniors $5, teens $3, children (ages 6-12) $2, children under 6 free. Daily 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Hwy. 48, Destrehan, 70047, (504) 764-9315.
Oak Alley Plantation, a 19th-century plantation, seems to typify gracious Southern living, which is why it has been the setting for many feature films. On Louisiana Highway 18 between St. James and Vacherie, it is about 45 mi (72 km) from downtown New Orleans. Full-day activity. Adults $6.50, teens $3.50, children (ages 6-12) $2; children under 5 free. Daily 9 am to 5 pm. Accommodations available. (504) 265-2151.
Oak Alley may be the best-known Louisiana plantation (ever see Interview with the Vampire?), but Nottoway is the biggest. It also happens to be the farthest from New Orleans, just north of White Castle and about a half hour south of Baton Rouge, the state capital. Nottoway's more than 50,000 square feet date from just before the Civil War. A restaurant is on-site. Adults $8, children (under 12) $3. (504) 545-2730.