Regions • Plantation Country Great River Road ................................................76 See detailed map in back of guide. Baton Rouge .......................................................81 MEET YOUR GUIDE For 47 years, C.C. Lockwood has been advocating for Louisiana’s environment through a camera lens. He’s authored or coauthored books Marsh Mission , Atchafalaya and Discovering Louisiana . His latest, Louisiana Wild , documents lands protected by The Nature Conservancy. Lockwood knew little about the importance of conservation when he moved to Baton Rouge decades ago, but caught on quick. “I came down here to attend LSU [Louisiana State University] and fell in love with the food and the people,” he says. When he began photographing professionally, he discovered the Atchafalaya Swamp and quickly realized how important it is. He hasn’t stopped exploring and supporting the region since. > GREAT RIVER ROAD AREA Former sugar plantations line the highways along the Mississippi River south of Baton Rouge, and many are open today as history museums. “ Oak Alley Plantation has probably the most photographed entrance,” Lockwood says of the opulent house, built in 1837 and famous for its magnificent alley of 300-year-old live oak trees. “ Laura Plantation is another one you should see. I stopped there once when I was boating the entire length of the Mississippi River.” Other notable plantations along River Road include St. Joseph Plantation , San Francisco Plantation , Whitney Plantation and the South’s largest antebellum mansion, Nottoway Plantation & Resort . Between plantation tours, stop for a bite at B&C Seafood & Cajun Restaurant in Vacherie or The Cabin Restaurant in Burnside. IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME… • Shop at Tanger Outlet Center in Gonzales • Dine at one of Houmas House Plantation & Gardens ’ four restaurants • Tour Liuzza Produce Farm in Amite, which invites visitors to pick their own produce and tour its replica pioneer village. PHOTOS: (OPPOSITE PAGE, FROM TOP) © Laura Plantation; Galatoire’s patio – courtesy of Visit Baton Rouge ; Flamingos at Baton Rouge Zoo ©Maggie Bowles ; (THIS PAGE, FROM TOP) ©CC Lockwood ; ©San Francisco Plantation ; Picking strawberries ©Liuzza Produce Farm LouisianaTravel.com 73
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