Houmas House Mansion and Gardens (Ascension Parish)
From the moment we arrived on property, we were absolutely blown away by the beauty of Houmas House and its surrounding gardens. This Antebellum home was built in the 1800s and was part of a sugarcane plantation.
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Mansion Tour
In the Spring of 2003, the Estate of Dr. George Crozat auctioned off the entire contents of the mansion and grounds. Kevin Kelly, a New Orleans Businessman, purchased the mansion and surrounding grounds and began the task of restoring the mansion and gardens. The mansion, having undergone over 200 years of construction and remodeling by various owners, reflected a multitude of styles. It was impossible to restore the house to a definite period without sacrificing elements from other important periods of its history. The choice was made to select the best features from various periods to showcase a legacy of each family in the mansion. After extensive restorations to the house and grounds, the Houmas re-opened for tours in November of 2003. Mr. Kelly allows tours of the mansion and gardens, however the Houmas remains his private residence, as it was for its previous owners for over 240 years. Tours are $35 per person for adults and are approximately 1 hour in length.
The Gardens
There’s also a self-guided garden tour available and you won’t want to miss it because the gardens are immaculate and contain so many unique art pieces. The Gardens of Houmas House, spanning 38 acres, are a panorama of indigenous Louisiana plant life and stunning exotics designed to beckon visitors to extend their stay. The Gardens are planned to reflect the unique beauty of each part of the year with an extensive color renewal each April and November. Many sitting areas have been provided around the property to invite guests to sit and experience the year-round grandeur of the ancient oak alley, the fragrance of spring and summer blooms and the sights and sounds of bird life, wildlife and plantation life of long ago. Each courtyard displays a dramatic water feature where exotic Lotus and Lily pads thrive. Large and colorful Koi friskily circle the ponds providing vibrant colors and a peaceful feeling.
Restaurants
While on property, there’s plenty of places for you to eat. First up is the Carriage House. This beautiful space offers a casual lunch in the most stylish of spaces. Right across the hall is the Turtle Club. This little bar has so much personality! Everywhere you look, there’s an interesting art piece or interesting decorative item. I’d love to spend an evening there chatting with friends. Lastly, there’s the Dixie Café. This buffet service offers all of the southern classics in one quick stop. There is also a fine dining option for dinner called Latil’s Landing Restaurant. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available in both casual and fine dining settings. Just minutes from Baton Rouge and New Orleans, these restaurants have varying menus reflecting traditional Louisiana cuisine. Each menu is updated seasonally to reflect the availability of locally grown produce, providing a true farm-to-table experience. Both tourists and locals enjoy the quaint feeling of the intimate settings each restaurant and The Turtle Bar provide. It’s easy to imagine dining in the 1830’s when using exact replicas of the original china used by General Wade Hampton. Reservations are required for Latil’s Landing and suggested for The Carriage House Restaurant.
Accommodations
You can also stay at the plantation! The property has a few quaint cottages that can sleep between 1 and 4 people. All of the cabins are right next to one another, so it makes for the perfect setup for bridal parties, girls get away weekends, and leadership retreats. A breakfast buffet for two is included in your night’s stay as well.
Great River Road Museum
This unique museum is located on the same property as Houmas House. Tickets are $25 each for adults and a really interesting way to see the history of the area.
Visiting The Great River Road Museum opens visitors’ eyes to what early life along the lower Mississippi was like.
The culture, commerce, folklore and music was a fusion of all the foreign countries that discovered and developed this new territory. From the wealthy owners of great sugar empires, to the humble lives of the enslaved, this museum details how each lived and survived by this powerful body of water.
The Mississippi River has proved to be the most important body of water in the United States. For early explorers, its width and powerful current taunted them as they attempted to cross and explore the other side. For businessmen it proved to be the answer for westward expansion. And for power-hungry leaders it was the cause of war and the prize of many battles.
Where to Stay Nearby
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