Seniors Travel Through Plantation Country

The very name “Plantation Country” hearkens back to a time when cotton was king and southeastern Louisiana was the site of some of the most beautiful homes ever built in the United States. Originally the purview of millionaire farmers and traders, many of these houses have been restored and welcome senior visitors, either for tours or as bed-and-breakfast inn guests.

Plantation Country is more than a mecca for tourists. Its many charming small towns are ideal places for people who want to retire to a place where the pace of life is calm, the neighbors are friendly and big-city amenities are just a short drive away.

Straddling the Mississippi River, Plantation Country is a region rich with fascinating chapters of Louisiana’s history. Plantation homes that have become world-famous antebellum landmarks dot the winding River Road;  many are open for tours or inns. Small towns across the region lure senior visitors with historic sites, heritage museums, antique shops and art galleries.

Seniors Begin Tour At Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge is in the heart of Louisiana Plantation Country and is the Pelican State capital city. To the west, the alluvial riverfront terrain changes to the rolling hills of the Parishes, where vintners craft wine from Louisiana grapes, Civil War battle sites host reenactments and historic communities show the influences of 19th-century English settlers.

Plantation Country is also a gateway to the Atchafalaya Basin, opening the splendor and beauty of swamps and bayous to adventurous senior visitors. Most plantations produced sugar, which provided their owners with the kind of vast wealth it took to build these lavish estates.

From exquisitely maintained plantation homes and historic forts to fascinating family graveyards, river locks and a wealth of outdoor activities and scenic beauty, the State Parks and Historic Sites of Louisiana’s Plantation Country offer the senior visitor a treasure trove of unique and memorable experiences.

Senior Travelers Follow the Great River Road

Just west of New Orleans, the Great River Road begins its winding journey along both sides of the Mississippi River. Flowing fields of sugar cane occasionally give way to mysterious views of towering mansions set amongst centuries-old, moss-draped live oaks. Diverse cultural traditions combine to create the local “River Road cuisine” and the music: blues, zydeco, jazz, country and rock’n’roll.

San Francisco Plantation House, the most opulent plantation house in North America, is located on the east bank of the Mississippi River less than 40 minutes from New Orleans. So y’all come on down and see for yourself. jeb