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Tourism

Come Experience The Heart of Louisiana's Plantation Country. Ascension Parish, located in the heart of Plantation Country, mixes Old South traditions with exciting new offerings. Sprawling sugar cane fields and beautiful cypress swamplands surround our quaint towns. Visit Gonzales during the Jambalaya Festival and sample their famous jambalaya, a delicious mixture of rice and cooked meats. Other parish celebrations include the Galvez-Lake Firemen's Fair, Louisiana Chili Cookoff, the Boucherie, Strawberry and Sunshine Festivals. Unique restaurants, lodgings, antique shops and Tanger Factory Outlet Center are also located here. Tour an Acadian village in Sorrento, and then discover our antebellum plantations. Houmas House, the African-American museum, Ashland/Belle Helene, Bocage and l'Hermitage each depict gracious southern living. Historic Donaldsonville served as state capital from 1830-31. This quiet town contains magnificent pre-Civil War architectural structures, including Ascension Catholic Church and St. Emma Plantation. Explore the Old South with a new twist ... in Ascension Parish.

Ascension Parish Tourism Commission
6967 Highway 22, Sorrento, LA 70778
Phone: (225) 675-6550 Toll Free: (888) 775-7990
Fax: (225) 675-6558
E-mail: tour@ascensiontourism.com

Plantation Homes

Ashland-Belle Helene
Contact: Gary Lacombe – Shell Chemical LP
Phone: (225) 621-6500
Hours: Drive-By Only

This stately home, built in 1841, exemplifies the massive simplicity and dignity of the classic revival architecture. Ashland has served as authentic location for several well-known motion picture including Clark Gable’s “Band of Angels” and “A Long, Hot Summer” among others.

Hermitage Plantation
38308 Highway 942, Darrow, LA 70725
(Mailing Address) 1323 Eighth Street, New Orleans, LA 70115
Contact: Robert Judice Phone: (225) 473-1812
info@hermitageplantation.com
www.hermitageplantation.com
Hours: By appointment only
Admission: Yes Tour Length: 1 hour Company Policy: Escort & Driver
Group Size (Min./Max.): 25+

The beauty and grace of the Old South are reborn again at Hermitage Plantation, Louisiana’s earliest known Greek Revival mansion. The historic home and grounds of this plantation will reopen to visitors in 2008. Andrew Jackson visited here in the 1820s. Now it’s your turn.

Houmas House Plantation & Gardens
40136 Highway 942
Darrow (Burnside), LA 70725
Contact: Kevin Kelly
Phone: (225) 473-7841 or (888) 323-8314
kk@houmashouse.com
www.houmashouse.com
Hours: Mon. – Tue. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Thurs. – Sun. 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Admission: Yes

Relive the magnificent plantation era with a visit to our Greek Revival mansion, built in 1840. Houmas House is home to wonderful stories of sugar cane farming on the grandest scale, Civil War history, period furnishings of early Louisiana craftsmanship, significant movie settings and formal gardens beneath 200-year-old, moss-laden live oaks.

St. Emma Plantation
1283 Highway 1 South
Donaldsonville, LA 70346
Contact: Shelby Gilley
Phone: (225) 922-9225
Hours: Drive-By Only

This home was built in 1847 by one of the leading sugar planters of the day. The site of the Battle of Kock’s Plantation, a skirmish in 1863 when Union forces were surprised by a contingent of Texas troops and were routed, suffering significant losses. St. Emma is filled with Empire period furniture suitable to the original construction date.

Lodging

Visitors to the Ascension Parish can choose from a wide array of accommodations, ranging from magnificent plantation homes and the elegant charm and serenity of the many bed and breakfasts and cottages to the modern hotels and motels along I-10, offering all the amenities.

An overnight stay in Ascension Parish provides a most gratifying way to experience the charm of Louisiana. The Ascension Parish Tourist Commission has a listing of all sites. To contact them, call (225) 675-6550 or toll free at (888) 775-7990.

Bittersweet Plantation
404 Claiborne Avenue, Donaldsonville, LA 70346
Phone: (225) 473-1232
www.jfolse.com

The Cajun Village Cottages
6486 Highway 22, Sorrento, LA 70778
Phone: (225) 715-6060/(225) 473-3007
www.thecajunvillagecottages.com

Alligator Bayou Cajun Cottages
35019 Alligator Bayou Road, Prairieville, LA 70769
Phone: (225) 677-8297. Toll Free: (888)-3SWAMPS
www.alligatorbayou.com

Cabahanosse Bed and Breakfast
602 Railroad Avenue, Donaldsonville, LA 70346
Phone: (225) 474-5050
www.cabahanosse.com

Lanoux Guest Cottage
38349 Cornerview Road, Gonzales, LA 70737
Phone: (225) 647-8878

The Victorian on the Avenue
117 Railroad Avenue, Donaldsonville, LA 70346
Phone: (225) 473-1886
www.the-victorian-on-the-avenue.com

Dining

From gumbo, fresh seafood and smoked sausage to our world famous jambalaya, it is no wonder Ascension Parish is famous for its River Road Cuisine. Parish locals and visitors alike can enjoy tastes from South Louisiana, French, Spanish and Italian influences.

Whether you crave a sizzling steak in the warm and comfortable atmosphere of Sno’s Seafood & Steak House, or a bowl of gumbo from the crown jewel of Louisiana’s River Road, Houmas House Plantation & Gardens, you will find it in Ascension.

Attractions

Ascension Parish has a rich cultural heritage that is celebrated in the local community theater, vibrant artists’ association and beautiful plantation homes and museums that display our unique history and traditions.

Dedicated to preserving the rich history of Ascension, many museums can be found in the area. Gonzales is home to the “Tee Joe” Gonzales Museum located on the scenic New River. Donaldsonville, the third-oldest city in Louisiana, showcases the River Road African American Museum and the Historic Donaldsonville Museum. At the Cajun Village in Sorrento, one can tour several cabins typical to southern Louisiana Cajun people.

Alligator Bayou Tours
35019 Alligator Bayou Road, Prairieville
Phone: 888-3SWAMPS (888-379-2677)
www.alligatorbayou.com

Come enjoy an exciting, educational and unforgettable experience at Alligator Bayou Tours. Jump aboard the Alligator Queen, an all-weather canopied boat, for a 90-minute guided tour of the 13,000-acre Spanish Basin. Visit the one-of-a-kind turtle exhibit or walk through the six-acre Alligator Eco-Habitat. For an even more authentic experience, stay in one of the overnight cottages or rent a canoe for a self-guided trip.

Cabela’s
2200 Cabela’s Parkway, Gonzales, LA 70737
Contact: Teryn Banker
Phone: (225) 743-3400
www.cabelas.com
Hours: Mon. – Sat. 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; holiday & winter hours are subject to change.

Offering quality outdoor merchandise, the 165,000-square-foot showroom features museum-quality animal displays, aquariums and trophy animals interacting in recreations of their natural habitats.

The Cabin
5405 Highway 44, Burnside, LA 70738
(Junction of LA 22 and LA 44)
Contact: Joel Robert at (225) 473-3007
jrobert@thecabinrestaurant.com
www.thecabinrestaurant.com
Hours: Mon. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Tues. – Thurs. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Fri. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Admission: No
Tour Length: No guided tour - 30 min. on own
Group Size (Min./Max.): 10-600

More than a unique and delightful dining experience, The Cabin represents a bit of Louisiana history brought back to life — constructed from authentic slave dwellings dating back as far as 150 years, and on the National Register of Historic Places, complete with unique “wallpaper” and antique tools. Also home to the restored first African-American Catholic school and “Rock,” the cypress alligator.

The Cajun Village
6470 Hwy. 22
Phone: (225) 675-5572
www.thecajunvillage.com
Hours: Open seven days a week

The Cajun Village in Sorrento is a collection of historic Acadian buildings that have been refurbished into unique specialty shops. Come enjoy beautiful antiques, handcrafted gifts from Louisiana artisans, exclusive home décor and some good ole Cajun cuisine. The Cajun Village includes stores such as Boniblu, The Coffee House, Louisiana Pottery, Cajun Village Antiques, Cajuntown USA, Louisiana Wines and the Country Store.

Greater Baton Rouge Flea Market
15545 Airline Highway
Prairieville, LA 70769
Contact: Keith Bryan
Phone: (225) 673-2682 • Fax: (225) 673-9348
kmbryan@ eatel.net
Hours: Sat. – Sun. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission: No Tour Length: Varies

Each Saturday and Sunday provides a new and unique shopping experience, rain or shine, with 400 booths under cover, featuring antiques, collectibles, unique “finds”, fresh produce, Cajun food and fun for the whole family. Restrooms and RV hook-ups available.

Historic Fort Butler Commemorative Site
Contact: Andrew Capone
Phone: (985) 369-1950
acapone@charter.net
www.fortbutler.com
Tours by appointment
Hours: By appointment only Admission Fee: Yes Tour Length: 1 hour to a full day
Group Size (Min./Max.): 15+

A pivotal Civil War site, engineered by West Point, built to guard the confluence of the Mississippi River and Bayou Lafourche, a major outlet to the Gulf of Mexico. It was a star-shaped, log-and-earth constructuion, built and defended by area African-American slaves turned soldiers. It is now the site of an annual re-enactment. Guided tours of the future site of Fort Butler and other Civil War sites can be arranged.

Tanger Outlet Center
2410 Tanger Blvd.
Gonzales, LA 70737
Phone: (225) 647-9383, (800) 406-2112
www.tangeroutlet.com
Hours: Mon. – Sat. 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Over 50 designer and manufacturer outlet stores and restaurants are featured in this popular outlet mall. Special coupon vouchers and incentives are available for groups. At Tanger, every day is sale day.

Historic Donaldsonville Museum
318 Mississippi Street on the River Road next to Crescent Park
Phone: (225) 746-0004
www.historicdonaldsonvillemuseum.org

Located in the heart of what used to be Louisiana’s State Capitol, Donaldsonville, this historic building is described as, “the finest Italianate architectural style commercial building in any river town north of New Orleans.” The museum features vintage Mardi Gras costumes, an antique fire truck and many other galleries reminiscent of what life was like over a century ago.

Palo Alto Gun & Rod Club
Contact: Kenneth Gomez
Phone: (225) 717-3348
mail@paloaltoplantation.com
www.paloaltoplantation.com
Hours: By appointment only Admission: Yes Tour Length: Varies

This is true quality hunting for the discriminating sportsman. Come and enjoy a memorable Deep South hunting experience. Relax in our old log cabin lodge nestled in a live oak grove, overlooking a picturesque bayou. Palo Alto offers guided hunts for deer, duck, dove, quail and small game. Guided fresh water fishing or offshore trips for saltwater species can be arranged. Palo Alto offers full overnight accommodations and meals.

River Road African American Museum and Gallery
406 Charles Street, next to Donaldsonville City Hall
Phone: (225) 474-5553
www.africanamericanmuseum.org
Hours: Wed. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission: Yes
Tour Length: 30 minimum

The River Road African American Museum is a tribute to the hundreds of slaves who were purchased and brought to Burnside in 1858. The museum is a key tool for collecting and preserving records of the African-American heritage, and is nationally recognized for its efforts. The museum houses a rare collection of African-American memorabilia and artifacts, which offer a positive insight on their history and culture.

Tee Joe Gonzales Museum
217 W. Main Street
Phone: (225) 647-9552
www.gonzalesla.com
Tours: By appointment only
Tour Length: As needed or with guide 30-45 minutes
Group size: 20-25

Joseph Stonewall “Tee Joe” Gonzales, an instrumental figure in the development of the city of Gonzales, is honored at the Tee Joe Gonzales Museum. Tee Joe Gonzales is credited for establishing the first post office in the unsettled area and served as the first mayor of the city named after his family, Gonzales. This museum is the actual home of Tee Joe and his wife, built in 1910. The home is situated on its original site, along New River, and features furniture, pictures and clothing depicting life of the early settlers of Gonzales.

Holiday Inn/Mike Anderson's SeafoodHoliday Inn/Mike Anderson's Seafood