By far the most impressive and historic of the more far-flung plantations, Rosedown is notable for its dramatic gardens and a tour stuffed with intriguing trivia, courtesy of more than 8,000 documents in their archives. Just east of St. Francisville, Rosedown was completed in 1834 for Daniel Turnbull (whose son, William, married Martha Washington's great-great-granddaughter) on land granted by the Spanish in 1789. The two-story house, flanked by one-story wings, combines classic and indigenous Louisiana styles. A wide avenue of ancient oaks, their branches meeting overhead, leads up to the house. The 28 acres of historic gardens, dotted with marble statuary, date to 1835 and came to be one of the great horticultural collections of the 19th and 20th centuries. Unfortunately, Rosedown's ownership is now in the hands of the state of Louisiana, and many of its wonderful family treasures have been lost (well, sold, but don't get anyone started on that scandal). Still, you can easily spend 2 hours wandering here.