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True Blood Travel Guide: Oak Alley Plantation

You've heard of Christmas in July, but we're about to get all Halloween in June this week as we prepare for the debut of the second season of HBO's TrueBlood. Any juicy suggestions or questions? Let us know.

Although sometimes it feels as though most characters on True Blood live in smarmy trailer parks, those are really just the mortals. Vampires are always portrayed in a more regal manner, like as masters of historical mansions, and this goes for the protagonist Bill Compton. To get a taste of the more refined southern life, as also seen in Interview With a Vampire, we head to Vacherie, Louisiana and to the Oak Alley Plantation.

Oak Alley is a traditional plantation house of the area, sporting imposing Doric columns and an ominous main drive sheltered by rows of oak trees. It is however, way more haunted. In addition to its being rumored as a favorite vampire hangout, visitors to Oak Alley report supernatural events like lights turning on and off, mysterious hands tugging at their clothing, visions of past owners, sightings of phantom carriages headed up the drive, and irresponsive clocks that, even after being reset, will always stop at 7:30—the time of the last owner's death.

Since the place has been around since 1837, it's bound to have seen a fair share of good and bad history, but it seems that here the dark lingers a little longer underneath the oaks. To see for yourself, the mansion is open everyday from 9am to 5pm, with $10 hourly tours. Or brave a night here, as it also functions as a bed and breakfast, serving famous mint juleps—which you'll sorely need after fretting the night away.

Related Stories:
· Oak Alley Plantation [Official Site]
· Louisiana Travel Coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: CanadaGood]