New Orleans Excursions

For a Half Day

Destrehan Plantation: Located 37km (23 miles) west of New Orleans, along I-310, the Destrehan Plantation (tel: (504) 764 9315; website: www.destrehanplantation.org) was built in 1787 and remains the oldest intact plantation home in the lower Mississippi. The plantation is open daily from 0900-1600. There is an admission charge. Tours and period crafts demonstrations are led by costumed guides, who praise the house's excellent insulation made with a mixture of mud, straw, horsehair and Spanish moss known as bousillage. Scenes from Interview with the Vampire (1994) were filmed here.

Longue Vue House and Gardens: The interior of this 1942 Classic Revival mansion is exactly as it was. Each room, like the one devoted to flower arranging or another that is dedicated to modern art sculpture, is an entity unto itself. All are surrounded by a magnificent collection of flowers, greenery and fountains that comprise seven unique gardens. Longue Vue (tel: (504) 488 5488; website: www.longuevue.com) is located near the airport, just off Metairie Road Exit 231A at 7 Bamboo Drive. The estate is open daily. Admission is charged.

Oak Alley Plantation: No fewer than 28 ancient oak trees line the entranceway of this stately, pre-war plantation home. When completed in 1839, the Greek revival-styled, 10-room mansion was considered a modest plantation home. The grounds and home are so picturesque, that they have been the setting for scenes from such films as Primary Colors, The Long Hot Summer and Hush... Hush Sweet Charlotte. The site grounds also have a B&B, gift shop and restaurant. Oak Alley Plantation (tel: (225) 265 2151 or 1 800 442 5539; website: www.oakalleyplantation.com) is open daily 0900-1700 and is located at 3645 Highway 18 (Great River Road) Vacherie. Admission is charged.

For a Whole Day

Barataria Preserve: The Barataria Preserve (tel: (504) 589 2133; website: www.nps.gov/jela) is part of the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park. It is located on the west bank of the Mississippi near Marrero, about an hour's drive from New Orleans along the Business-90 and Highway-45. The Preserve encompasses some 8,000 hectares (20,000 acres) of forest, swamp and freshwater marsh, with new exhibits detailing the Louisiana coastal wetlands. Natural history walks are available daily. Canoe treks can also be arranged. The visitor centre is open daily 0800-1700. Admission is free.

Lafayette: About 200km (130 miles) west along I-10 from New Orleans is Lafayette, the gateway to the Cajun country. The Acadian Cultural Center (tel: (337) 232 0789; website: www.nps.gov/jela) traces the origins and culture of the Cajun people, who were relocated from Nova Scotia, Canada, to the Mississippi Delta in the 18th century, as well as other cultures of the region. The centre is open daily 0800-1700. There are several attractive Cajun towns and plantations north of Lafayette on the Cajun prairie. The town is also a good base from which to explore the swamps and bayous of the Atchafalaya basin.

New Orleans Northshore: The Louisiana Northshore (tel: (504) 892 0520 or 1 800 634 9443; website: www.louisiananorthshore.com) maybe just across the Lake Pontchartrain bridge, but it is a world apart from New Orleans. Five quaint towns make up the parish: the artsy Covington; Mandeville and Madisonville with their Victorian waterfront homes; the funky Abita Springs, home to the eccentric USM Museum; and the antique shopper's heaven, Slidell. It is also home to Louisiana's largest and most pristine marshes, Honey Island Swamp.

Most of the swamp tours originate on the Northshore. This is the place to spend the day fishing, golfing, sailing or kayaking on the bayou. The Tammany Trace, a 50km (31-mile) rails-to-trails path, is popular with bikers and hikers. ‘Gator' groupies will want to check out the Insta-gator Alligator Ranch (tel: 1 888 488 1560; website: www.insta-gatorranch.com). Foodies will want to dine at La Provence in Lacombe, now owned by New Orleans chef John Besh (tel: (985) 626 7662; website: www.laprovencerestaurant.com). Wonderful cabins, built on piers over the lake, are found at Fontainebleau State Park (tel: (985) 624 4443; website: www.crt.state.la.us).