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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
FOR ST. FRANCISVILLE AREA


Our Exclusive Itinerary (Quick Print Version)
"What Can You Do For 1 - 5 Days
in the St. Francisville Area ???"



IF YOU (SADLY) HAVE 1 DAY ONLY:


If you sadly have 1 day only in an area that needs 2 full days in the very least, then:

          BREAKFAST: To fortify yourself for a busy day, begin by indulging in a gourmet New Orleans-style breakfast of Eggs Benedict, Eggs Basin Street, or Eggs Creole here at Barrow House Inn.

          Now, to work off those calories, drive the 7-8 miles to Audubon State Historic Site (Oakley Plantation), which was built during the colonial period here (late 1700s). The architecture is a much simpler style and the grounds are quite natural, much like they were 180+ years ago when Audubon himself walked the same paths.

          For a different pace, travel a mile further down the road to the Mary Ann Brown Nature Preserve and take a light hike through the woods.

LUNCH: Drive back into SF (St. Francisville) and eat lunch at a true local treasure, Magnolia Cafe.

         Then onto Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site. It's a true "Gone With The Wind" experience with the 1835 Greek Revival 'big house' and 28 acres of formal English gardens. Stroll down the alley of oak trees and admire the many statues, fountains and gazebos. The tour of the house alone is a captivating hour, so you will spend a good amount of your afternoon here.

         The last stop is our Civil War site, Port Hudson (15 miles south of town on Hwy 61). Port Hudson was the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River after the Union captured Vicksburg. One of our most frequent guests said this battleground is fascinating, especially for those in the military. Not to be missed: the Ketchum Hand Grenades and computer in the welcome center that gives your family's connection to this battle. Kids love it!

         Return to SF and guess what? You've only spent $10/person because all of these sites are state parks!

DINNER: 2 Four-Star Restaurants, Varnedoe's Carriage House (on the grounds of the Myrtles Plantation) or The Oxbow (sample menu - PDF document).


SECOND DAY IN ST. FRANCISVILLE AREA:


A. SHOPPING & WALKING TOUR:

Directory of Local Shops (click 'Tourism' button in menu at top)

Historic District Walking Tour (includes map)

          After breakfast, pick up our unique audio walking tour at the Barrow House. Listen to the town's history and stroll around the historic district, which includes a stop at Grandmother's Buttons . It's truly one of the most unique shops in the entire South. Don't miss it!

          Just a block away is Grace Episcopal Church (1859), one of America's most beautiful churches and cemeteries. In Spring it's absolutely stunning when the azaleas are in full bloom.

         Continue along Ferdinand Street (the main avenue in the historic district) to shop for gifts like antiques, pottery, used books, quilts, Audubon prints, and whatever else suits your fancy.

          After lunch, drive out  into the countryside to Greenwood Plantation, where you can learn about the rebuilding of the home (which took 16 years) and the filming of the TV mini-series "North and South."

          Next, drive through part of the Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area on your way to the Louisiana State Penitentiary Museum at Angola. It's truly fascinating and the stories told by the curator(s) make it well-worth the trip. There you will see the infamous electric chair 'Gruesome_Gertie' and prisoner weapons display. In the Gift Shop you can buy a DVD of the award-winning A&E documentary "The Farm: Life Inside Angola Prison" (the crew stayed at Barrow House Inn while shooting the film) & an "Angola: A Gated Community" t-shirt.

          Return to SF. If this is a Friday or Saturday night, you can take the fun 'Mystery Tour' at Myrtles Plantation, where you are entertained with stories of ghosts that supposedly roam the property. NOTE: The night tour is more fun than the day tour, so *do not* do both.

B. GOLF:

You can chose from 3 golf courses in the surrounding area:
Beaver Creek - (PUBLIC) 18 holes on 200 acres of rolling terrain
Copper Mill - (PRIVATE) 18 holes of “links-style” golf reminiscent of Scotland
Prison View - (PUBLIC) Why the name "Prison View" ??? Get this: it's 9 holes *inside* Angola, our state prison. Yet at this "long-term bed & breakfast", you don't have to stay to play! ;)


THIRD DAY IN ST. FRANCISVILLE AREA:


          Take a 5 minute drive to Butler Greenwood Plantation, with its fabulous Victorian parlor and visit with Anne Butler, who is 8th generation and a noted local historian and author.

          Drive up the road a few miles to Cottage Plantation, which is famous for hosting Andrew Jackson on his way home to Tennessee after defeating the British at the Battle Of New Orleans on January 8, 1815 (the battle was actually pointless, since the War of 1812 officially ended 2 weeks prior).

          If you are here between March 1 - July 1 *or* October 1 - December 1, you're in luck. You can visit Afton Villa Gardens , a garden among the ruins of Afton Villa Plantation that's patterned after the world-famous Sissinghurst Castle Garden in England . Afton Villa is 40 acres with 80,000 daffodils and countless tulips in the Spring and more beautiful blooms in the fall.

          In the afternoon, take the ferry ($1 charge ) across the Mississippi River to visit New Roads, another historic town located on the banks of  the False River.

LUNCH: Eat Lunch at Satterfields overlooking the False River, then chat with the incomparable Miss Lucy Parlange at Parlange Plantation, in the *same* family since the 1750s.

DINNER: Eat Dinner at Ma Mama's Kitchen or Morel's in downtown New Roads.


FOURTH DAY IN ST. FRANCISVILLE AREA:


Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge:
          Only a 5 minute drive from the inn.  Walk along a 3 mile loop to view several 500 - 1000 year-old bald cypress trees. The aptly-named Big Cypress is the largest tree east of the Rocky Mountains, a whopping 52 feet in circumference.

Clark Creek Recreation Area
          a 45 minute drive from your B&B, and where you can hike to the Tunica Falls, a series of 7 small (and very small) waterfalls. This hike usually takes about 3 hours to complete. MODERATE ACTIVITY


FIFTH DAY IN ST. FRANCISVILLE AREA:

          Drive 12 miles east of SF to Jackson, Louisiana, our 'sister' town. Tour Milbank, an 1836 mansion, the West Florida History Museum and then sample muscadine wines at Feliciana Cellars.

          If you have extra time, head over to Centenary State Historic Site , the original location of Centenary College (1826 - 1908 at this site) And if you're there on a weekend in March - November, you can take a ride on "Louisiana's Steam Train", the Old Hickory Railroad   . . . ALL ABOARD!!!



Barrow House Inn (circa 1809)
"Giving Guests Antiques & Ambiance For Over 20 Years"
9779 Royal Street   ·   St. Francisville, Louisiana USA 70775
Telephone (225) 635 - 4791   ·   Email: 

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