2023 Louisiana Plantations & Quilts

Day 1

Arrive New Orleans – Tour Begins

Arrive in the Crescent City and settle into our downtown New Orleans hotel before greeting your Tour Manager and fellow quilting enthusiasts at this evening’s Welcome Meeting.

Day 2

New Orleans

Begin your day in the Big Easy on a guided walking tour of the French Quarter, the city’s most historic neighborhood. Next, explore beyond the beauty of the French Quarter on a New Orleans Sightseeing City Tour. Learn about city culture and history as you travel through the Garden District, Treme, and the 9th Ward. Meet the artists and craftsmen behind the scenes of Mardi Gras’ lavish parade floats on a guided tour of Mardi Gras World. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore famous Bourbon Street at your leisure. B

Day 3

New Orleans – Avery Island – Lafayette

Shop for quilting treasures and luscious, bright-colored fabrics at New Orleans Mes Amis Quilt Shop. Next, after saying goodbye to New Orleans, we set our sights on Acadian heritage and depart for Avery Island in the heart of Cajun Country. After a Tabasco Factory Guided Tour, shop at the Tabasco Country Store before enjoying our Jungle Gardens Scenic Drive through lush landscapes of moss-draped trees. Tonight, enjoy subtropical cool-air breezes while savoring local flavors at our waterside highlight dinner. B, D

 Day 4

Lafayette – Baton Rouge

Experience the sweet sounds of zydeco and watch how accordions are made on a Martin Accordions Demo and Factory Tour. Next, depart for Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s capital city, to learn the rich history of the Bayou State on a guided tour of the historic Old State Capitol building. B

Day 5

Baton Rouge – White Castle

At the LSU Rural Life Museum learn about Acadian quilts and witness how life was in a rural setting for early Louisianans. Next, we’ll visit a hand-built wooden cottage, home of the charming quilt shop, Cottage Creations. This afternoon, enjoy a red-beans-and-rice lunch, sip chicory coffee served with famous beignets, or browse the local souvenir boutiques during a stop at Cajun Village. Later, enjoy libations at a Mint Julep Reception before exploring Nottoway Plantation, the South’s largest antebellum mansion, and our home for the reminder of the tour.  B

Day 6

White Castle

Today’s Plantation Parade begins with a guided tour of Houmas House, known as The Sugar Palace, with lunch at Café Burnside included. The Laura Plantation Guided Tour has been called the country’s best history tour for its well-documented portrayal of four generations of one Creole family. After your guided tour of Oak Alley Plantation (you may recognize its oft-photographed tree-lined drive), there’s time to explore the gardens. Back at Nottoway, celebrate your journey with new friends at our customary Farewell Dinner. B, L, D

Day 7

White Castle – Slidell – New Orleans

After shopping for high-quality quilting cottons at All Stitched Up, enjoy a leisurely lunch in Slidell’s vibrant downtown before saying goodbye to fellow travel companions as we transfer to the airport to begin the journey home. B