Staying at the Myrtles Plantation turns a day trip into a plantation-country weekend. The inn operates on the grounds of the house built in 1796 in St. Francisville, about forty-five minutes north of Baton Rouge, where tall oaks, long galleries and a famous reputation for ghost stories draw visitors from across the country. Guests stay in the main house or in separate buildings on the property, depending on availability, and can walk the grounds in the evening after day visitors have gone, which is when the place feels most atmospheric.
The experience combines history, folklore and quiet. The property offers evening tours, which are available to a wider public as well, and an on-site restaurant has served meals in the plantation setting. Rooms are decorated in period style with modern comforts such as air conditioning, though the age of the buildings means that layouts, noise and amenities differ from a modern hotel. If you want a seamless, high-tech stay, this is not the place. If you want character, it is hard to beat.
St. Francisville is the best base for a historic weekend. Rosedown Plantation and its gardens, the Audubon State Historic Site and Oakley House, and Port Hudson State Historic Site are all within a short drive, and the town has small shops and restaurants along its main street. From the Myrtles, a day could include breakfast on the grounds, a morning at Rosedown, lunch in town, an afternoon at Oakley and dinner back at the inn before the evening mystery tour.
Practical advice
Reserve well ahead, especially for weekends, October and holidays. Ask about the specific room, because the main house and outbuildings offer different experiences. Do not expect a busy nightlife scene; the draw is atmosphere and history. Visitors should also remember that this is a former plantation, and the site presents its history, including slavery, in tours. Confirm amenities and policies directly with the property when you book.
Plan your timing so you can enjoy both the daytime and the evening. Arrive in the afternoon, walk the grounds and visit Rosedown or Oakley before dinner. After the evening tour, the property is quiet, and the sound of crickets and the sight of moss in the lamplight are part of the stay. Ask about room histories, noise and the availability of cottages. Pack comfortable shoes and a light layer, and bring a sense of humor about the legends.
Why stay here
- ✓Plantation inn on historic grounds
- ✓Rooms in the main house or cottages
- ✓On-site restaurant
- ✓Evening tours on the property
- ✓Garden and oak-lined grounds
- ✓Quiet rural setting
- ✓Close to Rosedown and Oakley
- ✓Free parking
Good questions
Where is the Myrtles?+
In St. Francisville, about forty-five minutes north of Baton Rouge, close to Rosedown and the Audubon State Historic Site.
Is it really haunted?+
The house is famous for ghost legends. Many stories are folklore, but the atmosphere is part of the draw.
Is it far from Baton Rouge sights?+
Yes. It suits a plantation-country weekend rather than a downtown base.
