Destrehan Plantation - 13034 River Rd., Destrehan, 985-764-9315 - French Colonial house was built in 1787.  Open 9-4 daily. Houmas House - 40136 Hwy. 942, Burnside, 888-323-8314  - Circa 1840  house was once centerpiece of  the country’s largest sugar cane plantation. Currently closed for renovations, will open for tours in the fall. Laura: A Creole Plantation - 2247 Hwy. 18, Vacherie, 888-799-7690 -- 1805-era plantation is the "birthplace of Br'er Rabbit," It served as a sugarcane plantation for 180 years.  Open 9-5 daily. Longue Vue House and Gardens - 7 Bamboo Road, Metairie, 488-5488 — Classical Greek Revival estate featuring impressive art and antiques, on eight acres gardens. Open 10-4:30 Mon-Sat, 1-5 Sun. Nottoway Plantation -- 30970 Highway 405, White Castle, 225-545-2730;  225-346-8263 – Completed in 1859, this house features the renowned “White Ballroom”.  Open 9-5 daily.

HISTORIC HOMES AND PLANTATION HOMES Madewood Plantation Madewood Plantation House -- Napoleonville, 800-375-7151 - 1846 era 21-room mansion is one of the largest in Louisiana. Served as a sugar plantation. Open 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. daily. Oak Alley Plantation -- Hwy. 18, Vacherie, 265-2151, 523-4351 - Famous for its alley of 250-year-old oaks leading up to the restored 1839-era mansion.  Open 9 a.m. 5:30 p.m. March-Oct; 9 a.m. 5:00 p.m., Nov-Feb.

Ormond Plantation - 13786 River Rd, Destrehan, 985-764-8544 - Oldest French West Indies-style Creole plantation on the Mississippi River was built in the 1780s.  Open 10-4:30 daily.  Pitot House - 1440 Moss St., 482-0312 – Historic eighteenth-century French Colonial/West Indies house on  Bayou St. John. Open 10-3 Wed-Sat. Poché Plantation -- 6554 Hwy. 44, Convent, 225-562-7728 -- Circa 1867) estate was the home of American Bar Association founder Judge Felix Pierre Poché. Open 10-4 daily. San Francisco Plantation -- 2646 Hwy. 44, Garyville, 888-322-1756 - Circa 1856 authentically restored Steamboat Gothic Creole House. Features hand-painted ceilings.   Open 10:00-4:30.