Shadows-on-the-Teche

4.6(275)google

Adult $18·Student(6-17y) $12.5·Special $10·Infant(under 5) FreeUSD

PlantationHistoric Building

Overview

Shadows-on-the-Teche is an American 3,750 square feet (348 m2) historic house, garden, and cemetery. Formerly a working sugar cane plantation with enslaved labor, it is located in New Iberia, Louisiana, United States. Built in 1834 for planter, David Weeks (1786–1834) and his wife Mary Conrad Weeks (1797–1863).

Practical Info

320 E Main St, New Iberia, LA 70560, USA

Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours

Best TimeSpring (March to April) in the morning (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM) is the best window. This 1834 antebellum mansion features historic gardens sloped toward Bayou Teche that erupt with white and pink azaleas in spring. Morning light filters beautifully through centuries-old Live Oaks draped in Spanish moss onto the red-brick facade.

Getting ThereLocated in the historic heart of New Iberia at 317 East Main Street. Driving is straightforward: follow the city's main thoroughfare LA-14 E (Main St) directly into downtown; the historic white iron gates appear on the bayou side, featuring a free visitor lot behind the property. It is easily reachable within a 5-minute walk from downtown shops.

Travel Tips

The 1834 mansion features extremely steep, narrow historical stairs with zero elevator retrofits; accessibility is limited strictly to the ground floor.
Directly adjacent to Bayou Teche, severe swarms of biting gnats emerge at dusk; applying premium chemical insect repellent is mandatory for garden paths.

Photo Tips

Photo Rules

Interior video recording and flash photography are strictly banned; oversized shoulder bags must be locked in the visitor center to avoid brushing wall coverings.

Reviews

Positive

This 1834 Classical Revival mansion on Bayou Teche is exceptionally well-preserved; its white brick pillars under moss-draped oaks look right out of an old Southern movie.
The costumed guides offer a deep, objective tour that narrates both the wealthy planters' lavish lives and the heavy, tragic history of enslaved laborers.
The front gardens are immaculately manicured with camellias and azaleas; catching breezes from Bayou Teche makes a stroll feel as if time has slowed down.
The location is highly convenient, situated right on New Iberia's main street; the ticket includes a full professional guided tour, offering top-tier value.

Heads up

Due to strict heritage preservation, the mansion has no modern elevators; elderly guests with limited mobility struggle heavily to climb the steep wooden stairs to the second floor.
To protect the historic furnishings, photography and video recording are strictly banned inside the house, disappointing tourists looking for holiday photos.
Proximity to the bayou makes outdoor insects inescapable; on humid afternoons, stopping for photos in the gardens easily invites swarms of black mosquitoes.
The estate's dedicated parking lot has very limited spaces; during busy weekends, you have to park blocks away, which is inconvenient when pushing a stroller.