L'auberge Baton Rouge, Louisiana | What to Do at a Casino if You Don't Gamble

If gambling isn’t really your thing like us, let us show you how we enjoyed our time at L’auberge Casino and never stepped foot into the actual casino.

EAT.

There are seven different restaurants at L’Auberge. Everything from Asian, pizza and hotdogs to fine dining and a steak house. You truly never have to eat the same thing twice.

SWIM.

Their pool area is stunning and open all year round. There’s a lazy river, adult only pool, hot tub, and private cabanas if you just want to zone out for a bit in your own space.

SHOP.

If you love brining a little something home with you from your getaways, there’s plenty to find here! They have mens attire, women’s clothing, a golf pro shop, flower shop, souvenir shop, and a luxury purse and accessories store.

GOLF.

Designed by world famous Tom Fabio, Daily rates range from $40 to $104 per person and rates are lower for hotel guests. Tee times are daily from 8am-6pm and they are closed on Wednesdays

SPA.

The 8,700-square-foot spa houses eight facial, massage and custom body treatment rooms; men’s and women’s private locker rooms, saunas, whirlpools and vanity areas.

GYM.

This gym has everything you need to get a great workout in - plenty of cardio equipment, free weights, and strength training machines.

BEACH/BOARDWALK.

Escape to Touloulou’s Beach for a game of beach volleyball, boat watching and the best sunset views.

The Myrtles Plantation, St. Francisville, Louisiana | One of America's Most Haunted Homes

This, is The Myrtles in St. Francisville, Louisiana. Here, we will visit the plantation, cottages available to stay in, Elta Coffee, and Restaurant 1796.

Myrtles Plantation

Yes, you can explore “One of America’s Most Haunted Homes”. The Myrtles Plantation is a historic home and former antebellum plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana, built in 1796 by General David Bradford.

The home has been featured on my different television for it’s mysterious past. Shows like Unsolved Mysteries, Ghost Hunters, and The Most Terrifying Places in America have all documented some of the abnormal feelings and sightings experienced at this property. We didn’t have anything happen within our group, but this may be something you need to experience for yourself.

Whether you believe it is haunted or not, this property is undeniably gorgeous. The architecture, immaculate gardens, and welcoming people are worth the visit. They have tours available at both day at night, starting at $20 per adult and they have military and child discounts available. You’ll want to reserve your tour online in advance.

Elta Coffee

Elta Coffee is the latest offering to open on the property and is open 7 days a week. In the shop, they have delicious coffees, teas, and pastries available. They even have a gift shop for you to take a memento home with you. Even if you’re not staying at the property, be sure to stop by to grab something to go or relax in the lounge for a bit.

Myrtles Cottages

Not only can you stay in a room in the main house, but you can also choose to stay on property in one of the other cottages as well. Made entirely of cypress and antique heart pine, the Crepe Myrtle, Cypress, Live Oak and Willow Cottages feature a large sitting area furnished with a sofa, two upholstered chairs and a farm table with bench seating.

Each cottage has one large bedroom with two queen size beds. Each also has a private bathroom with a shower. The cottages have front porches with four hand-hewn rocking chairs and a fabulous view of the pond and the gazebo. Rooms range from $340-1200 per night.To reserve your stay, go here.

Restaurant 1796

Centered around a 10' wood-fired hearth, Restaurant 1796 offers fresh Southern ingredients finished to perfection over the fire, with a family style feel. Not only is the restaurant eclectically elegant, but most of their dishes have either passed through or somehow been touched by the fire of the hearth. Guests are encouraged to choose individual main proteins and then fill their table with small plates and shareables handcrafted from fresh local produce.

The whole experience makes for engaging conversation and brings a relaxed atmosphere to fine dining with, of course, mouthwatering cocktails and desserts too. Be sure to make a reservation as they get booked up quickly!

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Houmas House Mansion and Gardens | Ascension Parish Louisiana

Houmas House Mansion and Gardens (Ascension Parish)

From the moment we arrived on property, we were absolutely blown away by the beauty of Houmas House and its surrounding gardens. This Antebellum home was built in the 1800s and was part of a sugarcane plantation.

Mansion Tour

In the Spring of 2003, the Estate of Dr. George Crozat auctioned off the entire contents of the mansion and grounds. Kevin Kelly, a New Orleans Businessman, purchased the mansion and surrounding grounds and began the task of restoring the mansion and gardens. The mansion, having undergone over 200 years of construction and remodeling by various owners, reflected a multitude of styles.

It was impossible to restore the house to a definite period without sacrificing elements from other important periods of its history. The choice was made to select the best features from various periods to showcase a legacy of each family in the mansion.

After extensive restorations to the house and grounds, the Houmas re-opened for tours in November of 2003. Mr. Kelly allows tours of the mansion and gardens, however the Houmas remains his private residence, as it was for its previous owners for over 240 years.  Tours are $35 per person for adults and are approximately 1 hour in length.

The Gardens

There’s also a self-guided garden tour available and you won’t want to miss it because the gardens are immaculate and contain so many unique art pieces. The Gardens of Houmas House, spanning 38 acres, are a panorama of indigenous Louisiana plant life and stunning exotics designed to beckon visitors to extend their stay.

The Gardens are planned to reflect the unique beauty of each part of the year with an extensive color renewal each April and November. Many sitting areas have been provided around the property to invite guests to sit and experience the year-round grandeur of the ancient oak alley, the fragrance of spring and summer blooms and the sights and sounds of bird life, wildlife and plantation life of long ago.

Each courtyard displays a dramatic water feature where exotic Lotus and Lily pads thrive.  Large and colorful Koi friskily circle the ponds providing vibrant colors and a peaceful feeling.

Restaurants

While on property, there’s plenty of places for you to eat. First up is the Carriage House. This beautiful space offers a casual lunch in the most stylish of spaces. Right across the hall is the Turtle Club. This little bar has so much personality!

Everywhere you look, there’s an interesting art piece or interesting decorative item. I’d love to spend an evening there chatting with friends. Lastly, there’s the Dixie Café. This buffet service offers all of the southern classics in one quick stop. There is also a fine dining option for dinner called Latil’s Landing Restaurant. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available in both casual and fine dining settings. 

Just minutes from Baton Rouge and New Orleans, these restaurants have varying menus reflecting traditional Louisiana cuisine.  Each menu is updated seasonally to reflect the availability of locally grown produce, providing a true farm-to-table experience.  

Both tourists and locals enjoy the quaint feeling of the intimate settings each restaurant and The Turtle Bar provide.  It’s easy to imagine dining in the 1830’s when using exact replicas of the original china used by General Wade Hampton.  Reservations are required for Latil’s Landing and suggested for The Carriage House Restaurant.

Accommodations

You can also stay at the plantation! The property has a few quaint cottages that can sleep between 1 and 4 people. All of the cabins are right next to one another, so it makes for the perfect setup for bridal parties, girls get away weekends, and leadership retreats. A breakfast buffet for two is included in your night’s stay as well.

Great River Road Museum

This unique museum is located on the same property as Houmas House. Tickets are $25 each for adults and a really interesting way to see the history of the area.

Visiting The Great River Road Museum opens visitors’ eyes to what early life along the lower Mississippi was like.

The culture, commerce, folklore and music was a fusion of all the foreign countries that discovered and developed this new territory. From the wealthy owners of great sugar empires, to the humble lives of the enslaved, this museum details how each lived and survived by this powerful body of water.

The Mississippi River has proved to be the most important body of water in the United States. For early explorers, its width and powerful current taunted them as they attempted to cross and explore the other side.  For businessmen it proved to be the answer for westward expansion.  And for power-hungry leaders it was the cause of war and the prize of many battles. 

Where to Stay Nearby

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St. Francisville Inn and Spa | Louisiana

Welcome to the St. Francisville Inn and Spa, where peace and tranquility are equally paired with sophistication and style. This 11-room boutique hotel is the epitome of class and relaxation. The shaded porches perfect for enjoying a glass of ice-cold sweet tea and watching the day go by.

Home cooked meals are served for lunch and dinner (as well as a continental breakfast each morning) in the inn’s on-site restaurant, The Saint.  You won’t want to miss eating there – they were named one of America’s top restaurants! At the end 0f 2023, the inn added a new feature – a luxurious spa where you can get facials, scrubs, cupping, and massages. You also don’t have to be a guest at the inn in order to dine or take advantage of the spa services.

I also love that the St. Francisville Inn is within walking distance of shopping, several restaurants, and coffee shops. Plus, the town trolley is free, so it can take you wherever you need to go in town. So grab your complimentary glass of champagne at check in, kick up your feet by the pool, and get ready to relax!

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