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August 2014

Houmas House Plantation and Gardens

Football Reigns!

As seen by Queen Grace

Summer is over and now my favorite time of year is approaching. Fall! The breeze will get cooler and the leaves will change. Wedding season will be in full swing and soon to follow are the holiday parties. There are so many wonderful things about Fall.

But this year I'm particularly excited that Houmas House will show the LSU and New Orleans Saints games in the newly expanded Turtle Bar and Carriage House Restaurant! With the season openers just around the corner, it's not too early to reserve your table to watch your favorite teams rival their opponents. A few game day specialty items will be added to our regular Carriage House menu just for football season. See the Carriage House Menu Here

I will have my favorite LSU and Saints colors on. What colors will you wear?

Love,

Queen Grace

Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice Inn Package

Need a sweet reason to spice things up this summer? We've created the perfect excuse to be whisked away to The Sugar Palace and have one last summer fling complete with romance, an overwhelming culinary experience and a trip to the past. For August and September we are offering a special package featuring our Inn at Houmas House coupled with our restaurants, The Carriage House and Latil's Landing. Book any room between August 1 - September 30 and receive an $80.00 gift certificate to the new Carriage House Restaurant at Houmas

House. Add a second night to your reservation and receive a $100.00 gift certificate to the award winning Latil's Landing at Houmas House.

Use the code SPICE in the comments sections when booking online or tell the reservations attendant when booking on the phone.

Booking is Easy Here

Secrets from the Carriage House Restaurant

Lemon Butter Scones

Makes 12 scones

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup cold butter

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel

Additional sugar

In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Add buttermilk and lemon zest, stirring just until mixed.

Turn onto a floured surface; knead gently six times. Shape into a ball. On a greased baking sheet, pat dough into a circle about 1/2 in thick and 8-1/2 in. in diameter. Using a sharp knife, cut wedges in the dough. Sprinkle top with sugar. Bake at 350� for 20-25 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.

A Green Thumb Makes You Green With Envy

There is no question that visitors come from across the world to see the Houmas House Mansion and marvel at its imposing Greek Revival architecture and magnificent collection of art and antiques. But The Sugar Palace has also become famous for the perfectly manicured gardens spanning a generous 38 acres. Walking paths, water features, bridges, and sitting nooks make the pleasant stroll interesting at every turn. There is even a secret garden taking guests deep into the foliage.

Many ask who is responsible for crafting such an artistic display of plants, flowers and trees perfectly blending many colors and textures. You've probably seen the bearded man under the brown hat accompanied by his faithful companion, Chip. Craig Black has been the gardener at Houmas House for 35 years. Also an artist and poet, Black takes an artistic approach to gardening and treats his gardens like a canvas. Both Black and owner Kevin Kelly enjoy experimenting with new designs and making bold statements in every season.

The summer brings tropical, lush foliage with an exotic variety. Orchids, Bromeliads, Painted Leaves, and flowers of many bold colors can be seen at every turn. Winter brings softer and quieter blooms but still filled with bright colors. It's then you will see Pansies, Petunias, Snapdragons, Calendula, and many more woven like a tapestry.

With a million plants under his care at all times, Black can always be found grooming or replanting a section of the gardens. In addition to his landscape designs he has an art gallery at Houmas House which is open to the public. Visitors to the plantation are impressed at the volume of color in every season. And with the constant changes throughout the year, guests enjoy coming back seasonally to see what's new.

Click to get a glimpse of the Houmas House gardens in Spring, Summer, and Winter.

Stay Connected with Houmas House

Want to know more about what is happening at Houmas House? Click below and follow us every day.

Follow us on Instagram for new pictures, lunch specials, and the latest in our gardens. Post your pictures of your visit to Houmas House, use #houmashouse

Now we are offering advance ticket sales for our Garden and Mansion tour and our Houmas House Experience Tour with Transportation from New Orleans. Click below for more information.

Open Daily

Sunday-Saturday: 9 am-7 pm

Cafe Burnside: 11 am-2 pm daily

Latil's Landing: Wed-Sat 6 pm-9 pm

Sunday Brunch: 11 am-3 pm

The Carriage House Restaurant:

Breakfast- 8 am-10 am

Afternoon Tea- 2 pm- 4:30 pm

Dinner- 5 pm- 9 pm

Directions to Houmas House Here

** Please note- as of September 1, 2013 our adult ticket price to tour the mansion and gardens increased to $24.00 per adult. Our child rate will remain the same.