Lower Mississippi Plantations The River Road meanders along both banks of the Mississippi River, changing route numbers as it goes.
It runs behind the levee, past petrochemical plants, towering live oaks draped with Spanish moss, and magnificent plantation homes.
Creole families once owned and operated the plantations located between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
Some of the old plantation residences have been given a new lease on life as small museums.
Exploring Lower Mississippi Plantations By 1850, two-thirds of America's millionaires lived on plantations located along the Great River Road.
The economic relationship between the plantations' production and the trade from New Orleans to the rest of the world made it one of the wealthiest regions of the nation.
The treasures of this glory are displayed in homes from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, with colorful French and Spanish Creole architecture and beautiful natural surroundings.
Restored Plantations Many plantations are carefully restored and are open to the public as bed and breakfast hotels.
Nottoway The largest plantation in the area, Nottoway boasts an impressive 65 rooms.
Houmas House The country's largest sugar plantation in the 19th century, this grand house now displays a fine antiques collection.
Madewood Plantation This Greek revival style plantation house is one of the best preserved in the area and is also a bed and breakfast.
Oak Alley A glorious double row of live oak trees lines the drive to this mansion, which was built in 1836.
San Francisco "Steamboat Gothic" style is displayed in all its glory at this plantation.
Laura The slaves who worked this typical Creolestyle plantation are the source for the Brer Rabbit folktales.
Destrehan This French-style mansion was constructed with a combination of wood and brick.
Upper Mississippi Plantations The West Feliciana Parishes, to the north of Baton Rouge, were not included in the Louisiana Purchase and remained part of the Spanish domain until 1810.
The plantations in this area differ from the southern Creole-style plantations.
They were established by British immigrants or by Americans from North Carolina and Virginia, who made their fortunes here and brought their own culture and architectural styles.
These beautiful plantations, with exceptional surrounding gardens, are well worth visiting Exploring the Upper Mississippi Plantations The French established Baton Rouge in 1719, when they built a fort to control access to the Mississippi River and the interior.
After being controlled by the Spanish and the British, this city was finally incorporated into the United States in 1817, and became the state capital in 1849.
North of Baton Rouge the plantations were established by British or Americans, who held on to their Anglo-Saxon heritage.
A different architecture with Greek revival influences is dominant in this area.
Many of these plantations have been restored and are now charming B&Bs.
Greenwood Plantation One of the largest and most beautiful plantation houses in the area, Greenwood was built in 1830 by William Ruffin Barrow in classic Greek style.
Living Traditions Many of the original workshops and tools have been reconstructed and are in use.
Butler Greenwood Built in 1790, this house is thoroughly Victorian, both in its architecture and furniture.
The Myrtles Built between 1796 and 1830, The Myrtles plantation is exceptionally well preserved.
Its 120-ft (40-m)-long cast-iron gallery is its most extravagant exterior feature.
Cottage Plantation With its original 14-karat gold wallpaper in the parlor, offers one of the best stays in the area.
Andrew Jackson stayed here after the Battle of New Orleans.
Catalpa This little Victorian cottage is surrounded by 30 acres of splendid gardens.
Tours of the interior reveal numerous interesting historic family heirlooms.
Oakley House Naturalist John James Audubon tutored James Pirrie's daughter, Eliza, at this plantation.
Many of Audubon's original prints are on display.
Fascinating nature trails are also available.