The Central Region of Louisiana, also known as Plantation Country, offers an abundant look at 1800's U.S. history through its plantations: Destrehan, built in 1787 is just minutes from the airport; Ormond Plantation the oldest French West Indies style Creole plantation on the river; Nottoway, the South's largest plantation home; Houmas House, site of Bette Davis's film, "Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte"; Oak Alley (the most photographed); and Laura, where Americans were introduced to the legend of Br'er Rabbit by African slaves. On the grounds of Tezcuco Plantation is the River Road African-American Museum and Gallery.Louisiana's 34-story art deco state capitol building in Baton Rouge is where Huey Long, "the Kingfish," was assasinated. Also in Baton Rouge is the U.S.S. KIDD, a restored destroyer docked on the Mississippi River, along with the gaming boats Casino Rouge and Argosy.
The St. Francisville area boasts numerous castles: Catalpa, nearly destroyed during the Civil War; The Myrtles, the "most haunted house in America"; and Butler Greenwood, with the area's finest original Victorian formal parlor. Another popular attraction is the museum at Angola Prison, where you can tour an exhibit that displays 130 years of prison life.
