Sometimes the best travel experiences happen close to home.
I recently attended the Southern Travelers Explore Conference in St. Rose, Louisiana, hosted by the Louisiana River Parishes tourism organization just outside New Orleans. What followed was several days of learning, exploring historic plantations, tasting local food, and getting out onto the water.
It turned into a wonderful reminder of just how rich in history, culture, and adventure this stretch of the Mississippi River is.
The Journey Begins: Buc-ee’s, Plantations & Roadside Diners
My travel companion Ruby and I began our trip with the obligatory stop at Buc-ee’s new Mississippi location. Snacks acquired, we continued toward Louisiana.
We had been provided a plantation pass by the LA River Parishes, and we made our first stops at two neighboring historic sites.
St. Joseph Plantation
Our first visit was to St. Joseph Plantation, where we enjoyed an excellent tour led by Robert. The plantation remains part of a working sugarcane operation and is owned by the Waguespack family, who have maintained the property for generations.
The tour offered a detailed look at life on a Louisiana sugar plantation and the complex history tied to the land.
Felicity Plantation
Next door is Felicity Plantation, owned by the same family for roughly 150 years. Our guide, Sharon, was delightful and did a wonderful job bringing the history of the house to life.
It struck me that after all these years, the plantations in this area are still producing sugarcane, connecting modern Louisiana agriculture directly to its past.
A Classic Louisiana Breakfast for dinner
We stopped at a local favorite, Dot’s Diner, for a bite to eat.
After a long day of driving and exploring, breakfast with tater tots hit the spot. Sometimes, simple diner food is exactly what you need to get ready for a busy conference week.
Conference Begins
The conference itself took place near the airport at the comfortable Holiday Inn Express & Suites New Orleans Airport South. Here is a quick room tour video.
Sessions included helpful talks on content organization, blogging systems, and mobile photography from travel creators like Tammilee of Gulf Coast Journeys and “Hip Grandma” Veronica. It was a great mix of practical advice and networking with other writers.
An Evening at the Grand Dame: Oak Alley Plantation
Thursday evening brought the highlight of the event-the opening reception at Oak Alley Plantation.
Often called the grand dame of Louisiana plantation homes, Oak Alley is famous for its breathtaking alley of centuries-old oak trees leading to the main house.
The evening included: Mint Julips on the lawn, Sunset photos under the Oak canopy, and a Cajun buffet dinner featuring Gumbo and local dishes.
The food was particularly good, and the setting couldn’t have been more atmospheric.
Cajun Cooking & Plantation History at Destrehan
The Friday afternoon tours included two fascinating experiences:
Cajun Cooking with Chef Spuddy
Chef Spuddy led a lively Cajun cooking demonstration that may have produced the best gumbo I’ve ever eaten, and I’ve eaten a lot of gumbo.
Our meal included Gumbo, Etouffee, Roux Peas, and Bread Pudding.
Three of our content creator attendees volunteered to prepare dishes. The whole experience was entertaining and delicious.
Touring Destrehan Plantation
Destrehan Plantation offers a powerful and historically important tour.
The site plays a role in telling the story of the 1811 German Coast slave revolt, one of the largest slave uprisings in American history. The plantation had served as a Freedmen’s Bureau location after emancipation.
Our guide, Brenda, did an outstanding job explaining the history of the plantation and connecting the past to the present. The plantation even holds historical documents signed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. This historic document appointed Jean Noel Destrehan to the Orleans Territorial Council to help establish the region’s civil government. This vital artifact marks Louisiana’s pivotal transition from colonial rule to American representative democracy. The document is kept under lock and key in the climate-controlled Jefferson Room.
Dining Along Lake Pontchartrain
Friday evening, we dined along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain at Frenier Landing Restaurant & Oyster Bar.
The restaurant served the attendees a parade of Louisiana seafood:
Oysters, Crawfish, Fried shrimp, fresh fish, and multiple desserts
It was the perfect way to sample several local flavors without committing to one dish. My shrimp was fresh and delicious.
Craft Beer at the German Coast Beer Company
Saturday afternoon’s tour was a stop at German Coast Beer Company.
The brewery reflects the area’s historic German Coast heritage and the owner’s passion for craft beer. Lunch featured excellent red beans and rice from the restaurant next door, Crawfish and Chill. There was more food than any of us expected.
Marketplace & Louisiana Bonfire Traditions
Sunday morning began early with a marketplace event where travel writers met with tourism representatives from across the US.
One of the most fascinating presentations introduced us to the Christmas Eve bonfire tradition along the Mississippi River—huge wooden structures built after Thanksgiving and burned on Christmas Eve to guide Papa Noël. The three fellas from Blood, Sweat, and Bonfires have been doing this since they were children. It is a passion for them. If I can make it back for Christmas, I know it would be an experience I wouldn’t forget.
Diving deep into the Louisiana River Parishes
After the conference’s formal closing, we boarded a bus for our hosted tour of the LA River Parishes, which included several venues and experiences in the area.
Visiting Our Lady of Blind River
We stopped at the Welcome Center of St. James Parish for a light lunch and to learn a little more about the area. After a brief ride to the marina, we boarded a boat with our guide, Lance, and traveled up the bayou to the remarkable Our Lady of Blind River Chapel.
The small chapel is only accessible by boat and was built after Lance’s grandmother reported seeing a vision of the Virgin Mary. The chapel remains open 24 hours a day to anyone able to reach it by water.
It’s a peaceful place surrounded by cypress trees and quiet bayou waters. It is definitely Pure Louisiana.
Cottages at Oak Alley Plantation
That evening, the six of us had the rare opportunity to stay overnight at Oak Alley Plantation Cottages. This was some special accommodation.
My room was in Cottage Nine, a beautifully renovated cottage with a king bed, living room, small kitchen area, and modern bath with a walk-in shower
Walking the grounds after sunset with no crowds was a special experience. I wouldn’t recommend doing this in the summer heat because the mosquitoes will be in full force. Thankfully, we had a nice breeze. February brought us the perfect weather for experiencing the area.
For breakfast, we met at the Oak Alley restaurant. We left more than satisfied and ready to explore the river parishes.
We met our tour guide, a long-time docent, for a tour of the main house of Oak Alley. She related the stories of the multiple families who have owned the property, as well as the area’s history.
Local Flavor at Mabile’s Restaurant
Lunch took us to Mabile’s Restaurant in LaPlace. This is a true spot for locals. The staff even knew our guide’s order.
The fried shrimp po’boy that I ordered overflowed with shrimp—far more than I could possibly eat. The value and quality were impressive. It is one place that will make my list when I visit the area. A truly local spot.
Music & History at the Historic Soul River Musical Journey
This was one of the most memorable and unique experiences of the trip.
The Soul River Musical Journey uses live gospel and blues performances to tell the story of Louisiana’s River Parishes and the cultural history of the Mississippi River corridor.
Two incredible singers performed, weaving historical stories into their music. It was engaging, emotional, and one of the most creative storytelling experiences I’ve seen.
Reservations are required, but it’s absolutely worth seeing. So plan ahead.
Kayaking on the Bayou?
While I didn’t join my comrades on the kayak tour, I did see them off. That evening, the dinner table was alive with stories of their tour.
Dinner at Petra Restaurant
Although we certainly didn’t need another meal, we enjoyed dinner at Petra Restaurant in LaPlace.
It was a low-key Monday night. The chicken marsala was excellent—though the portion was so large I couldn’t come close to finishing it. The menu includes steaks and Italian dishes, and it’s a great option when you want something beyond Cajun cuisine.
Bayou Adventure with Ragin Cajun Airboat Tours
Our final morning brought my first-ever airboat ride.
These boats skim across the marsh powered by large rear fans—and they are loud, which is why ear protection is essential.
Garrett, our captain, guided us through the bayou, where we spotted numerous birds and alligators, including a massive resident nicknamed Jack. He must have been close to fifteen feet long.
See the video of the ride here.
Wrapping up a busy week
This Pure Louisiana experience was a thrilling way to spend a week.
Best Time to Visit Louisiana’s River Parishes
A big takeaway from the trip was timing. I live on the Alabama coast, so I am familiar with the heat. Visiting Louisiana in February, we enjoyed perfect weather—cool breezes and bright blue skies. The summer months bring the heat and humidity, and can be miserable. Winter and early spring are ideal for exploring the region.
Final Thoughts on the Louisiana River Parishes
This trip showcased how much there is to discover in and around New Orleans. While it is fun and exciting, exploring just a bit outside of it made for an adventurous week.
From historic plantations and powerful stories of the past, music, swamp tours, and great local food, the LA River Parishes offer an incredibly rich travel experience.
It’s close to home for me—but after this visit, it’s definitely a place I will explore again. Preferably in January or February.
If you like to see more posts like this, follow me on RRJ on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
