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LAPLACE —Louisiana’s River Parishes Tourist Commission is celebrating National Travel & Tourism Week, observed May 7-13, 2023.

Each day will be dedicated to a different area of local tourism. On May 8, New Orleans Swamp Country will be celebrated with Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Frenier Landing Restaurant, located at 113 Dottie Lane in LaPlace. Following lunch, a boat cruise will provide an overview of Southeastern Louisiana University’s Turtle Cove Environmental Research Station.

Tuesday, May 9 will provide a deeper look into the 1811 Slave Revolt Trail with lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Destrehan Plantation with guest speaker Dianne Honore’, an African American descendant of the plantation. Guests will take a tour of the 1811 Slave Revolt Exhibit and the Rost Home Colony Display.

A taste of the Andouille Trail will take place on Wednesday, May 10 with lunch starting at noon at Wayne Jacobs Andouille Smokehouse, located at 769 W. Fifth Street in LaPlace. Wayne Jacobs owner Jarred Zenringue will serve as the speaker, and attendees will tour the smokehouse and view an Andouille processing demonstration.

Maureen Gilly, owner of Felicity and St. Joseph Plantations, will lead a discussion of New Orleans Plantation Country on Thursday, May 11. Lunch begins at noon at Felicity Plantation, located at 3535 Highway 18 in Vacherie.

Friday, May 12 is dedicated to Bonfire Country, with lunch planned from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the St. James Welcome Center with speaker Camella Landry, representing St. James Parish Economic Development. Attendees will tour the Welcome Center and nature trail at 1094-1 Highway 61 in Gramercy.

All are invited to “spend the day in your backyard” on Saturday, May 13 by checking out experiences in Louisiana’s River Parishes.

Reserve a seat by emailing Willma@LARiverParishes.com or by visiting www.LARiverParishes.com

Louisiana’s River Parishes Tourist Commission is the official destination marketing organization for St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and St. James parishes.