Oak Alley Plantation
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Oak Alley Plantation 3645 Highway 18 Vacherie, Louisiana, 70090, USA +1.504.265.2151 +1.504.523.4351 (from New Orleans) +1.504.265.7035 (fax)
A Brief History...Getting to Oak AlleyTours of the Antebellum MansionRestaurantGift ShopOvernight AccomodationsSpecial Events
An Affair to Remember...
Oak Alley PlantationAddress:Oak Alley Plantation 3645 Highway 18 Vacherie, Louisiana, 70090, USA +1.504.265.2151 +1.504.523.4351 (from New Orleans) +1.504.265.7035 (fax)
A Brief History...The story of Oak Alley begins with the trees. Sometime in the early 1700's, an unknown French settler built a small house on the sight of the present mansion. It was he who planted the twenty-eight live oak trees in two evenly spaced rows, reaching from his house to the Mississippi River. What happened to the Frenchman's small home is not known, but in 1837-1839, a wealthy French sugar cane planter, Juckes Telesphore Roman, built the Greek revival style mansion for his bride. Nowhere in the Mississippi Valley is there such a spectacular setting!
Spared during the Civil War, Oak Alley was sold at auction in 1866. A succession of owners followed until 1925, when Andrew and Josephine Stewart bought the plantation home and its surrounding 1,360 acres and began what was to be the first of the Great River Road plantation restorations. Mrs. Stewart died in October of 1972, leaving the antebellum mansion and 25 acres to the Oak Alley Foundation, a private, non-profit trust, so that others might continue to enjoy her beauty and dream of her rich past.
Getting to Oak AlleyFrom New Orleans, take I-10 to Sorrento, Exit #182. Take the Sunshine Bridge across the Mississippi River and exit at Highway 18 South (the first exit off of the bridge.) Follow Highway 18 South to the Oak Alley Main Gate.
Tours of the Antebellum MansionThe mansion is open for tours as follows:9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (November through February) 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m (March through October) Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day
The RestaurantThe restaurant, open daily, is located on the grounds of the plantation and serves authentic Creole and Cajun dishes.Hours: Breakfast: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Lunch: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Gift Shop:Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Overnight AccomodationsOur Guest cottages are located on the grounds of the plantation, not far from the antebellum home. These turn-of-the-century Creole cottages are tastefully furnished and cheerfully decorated with the fresh charm of country living. The absence of telephones and televisions enhances this peaceful setting.A continental breakfast, served at the restaurant between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., is included in the room rate. Rates for cottages range from $85.00 to $115.00 per night, plus tax. (All rates are based on double occupancy. There is a $15.00 charge per additional guest. Rates are subject to change without notice. Tours of the antebellum home are not included in cottage rates.) Click here for Bed and Breakfast Details...
Special EventsOak Alley Plantation Annual Spring Arts and Crafts Festival(Last weekend in March)Becoming one of the most popular spring shows in the area. Talented artists from all across the country sell, display, and demonstrate their handmade, original creations. Delicious food booths and live entertainment add to the excitement of this fun-filled festival! Click here for details on the 1995 Arts and Crafts Festival
Outdoor Dinner Theatre(Spring and Fall)Oak Alley Restaurant hosts seasonal outdoor dinner theatre, held underneath our open-air pavillions. A different play is presented each season by a talented local production company, and Oak Alley Restaurant serves up a delicions Southern style meal!
Civil War Re-enactment(Weekend before Thanksgiving)Hundreds of Civil War Re-enactors participate in this "living history," held on the grounds of Oak Alley Plantation. Campsites are open to the public. Units of infantry, artillery, and cavalry participate in daily drills, and an actually battle takes place each day.
Annual Christmas Bonfire Party(Second Saturday in December)A truly special Christmas experience! In the tradition of Christmas on the Mississippi River, we light a bonfire on the levee in front of Oak Alley, while guests eat, drink and dance the night away. Wonderful food, an open bar, and marvelous music are included in the ticket price. Space is limited and reservations are required to attend this festive holdiay event.
An Affair to Remember...A complete package of group tour menus, rates, and options is available to those seriously considering Oak Alley for their function. The following information is designed to provide interested parties with enough information to make the decision to inquire further.
Lunch GroupsSmall groups of 25 persons or more are served buffet style under our open-air pavillions. The pavillion complex can accomodate up to 300 guests in one seating. Special arrangements can be made to have live entertainment, such as a Cajun band or Southern gospel choir, perform while your group dines.Menu selections include such favorites as Shrimp Creole, Red Beans and Rice with Sausage, Chicken Fricassee, Jambalaya or even a traditional Plantation Bar-be-que. A cas bar can be made available upon request. Full deposit of the selected food package is due seven days prior to the function. A guaranteed number of guests is required 48 hours prior to the function.
Sit-Down DinnersGroups of 25 to 60 can be served an elegant, sit-down dinner in the antebellum mansion or on the terrace, after tour hours. A selection of appetizers, salads, entrees, and desserts, prepared by the Oak Alley catering staff, are available to choose from. This is a perfect setting for corporate dinners, parties, and other social events.
Large Group DinnersLarge groups of 300 to 600 interested in an elegant sit-down dinner have the opportunity to make use of our special function site, a 60' x 150' concrete foundation, located in the rear of our open-air pavillion complex, behind the Oak Alley Restaurant. (Use of this area is contingent upon the client's rental of a tent to cover the area that will be in use.)An elegant atmosphere can be created using fine china, linens, and settings. The Oak Alley catering staff can prepare a wonderful variety of appetizers, salads, entrees, and desserts.
WeddingsA wedding held beneath the canopy of 300 year old giant live oak trees at Oak Alley Plantation is the perfect setting for this special day. The ceremony is usually held under the third oak tree, while the food stations, bars, and entertainment are set up on the terrace. In the event of inclement weather, the entire ceremony is moved indoors. Pictures may be taken prior to the wedding on the grounds of the plantation.A staff person will be present with the bride and family at all times to answer questions, make suggestions, and handle certain situations that arise. Upon reserving the mansion for your wedding, we can provide you with referrals on ministers, photographers, florists, bakers, and entertainment from the area.
Cocktail ReceptionsA recption held at the antebellum mansion is truly a memorable experience. Guests are free to mingle throughout most of the mansion, the second floor veranda, and the front terrace. Tour guides will be available to answer questions and give brief tours to interested guests.Food stations are set up throughout the mansion, as well as on the outside terrace. Bars are also set up on the front terrace. A "Cajun Feast" hors d'oeuvre package offers a variety of delicious menu items to choose from. Because of the selection of wonderful items, we call this package "Dinner By the Bite." While some seating is available, this type of function is basically a standing reception. This format allows for guests to mingle more freely than a standard sit-down type of function.
Special FunctionsOak Alley Plantation and her surrounding grounds are available to interested parties for private rental, after tour hours. Arrangements can be made for special themes, entertainment, and menus for special functions. A convention planning company out of New Orleans won 1993's Special Events Magazine's award for "Best Event Coordinated for a Corporation for under $100,000" after hosting a private costume party/sit-down dinner for close to 500 guests here at Oak Alley.
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