Houmas House
The Basics
General Wade Hampton built Houmas House in the 1820s for his wife, Mary Cantey. By the late 1850s, the house and grounds were valued at an incredible $1,000,000, and the plantation employed some 150 slaves. It was owned at the time by John Burnside. Dubbed the “Sugar Prince” for his immense wealth, he presided over the largest sugar empire in the South. The mansion is a popular stop on tours of Louisiana’s River Road plantations. Visit the grounds independently, or join a small-group tour from New Orleans to see the house itself.
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Things to Know Before You Go
Entry to Houmas House is by paid ticket.
There are three restaurants on-site offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Tours of the house are available in both English and French.
The house is wheelchair accessible.
Make time for a classic mint julep at the Turtle Bar.
How to Get There
Houmas House is located along River Road between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The street address is 40136 Highway 942, Darrow, LA 70725. Daily bus services pass the house from New Orleans, and guided tours often provide round-trip transport. There is parking on-site for those planning to drive to the plantation.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
Houmas House is open seven days a week. Opening hours are 9am–8pm. The first tour of the day departs at 9:30am, and the last tour at 7pm. The most popular times to visit are midmorning through early afternoon, so plan to come later in the day for a quieter experience.
Visit Napoleon House New Orleans
Continue your trip back in time to the Big Easy’s glory days with a stop at Napoleon House in the French Quarter. The house got its name after a plot was hatched to rescue Napoleon from exile and bring him to the city. The emperor died before the plot could happen, but the name stuck. The house is now a popular bar and restaurant serving dishes with a Southern twist.
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