Born on the Bayou [Bend]

Last week we visited Ima Hogg’s country house, this week we’re visiting her city house: Bayou Bend. As we learned last week, Ima Hogg’s hobby was to collect interiors. While the Varner-Hogg Plantation showcased her collection of antebellum interiors, Bayou Bend showcases her impressive early American interiors. Her collection rivals the Dupont Collection in Rhode Island. But this week we’re not going to explore the interior on Bayou Bend, we’re going to check out that other famous attribute of Ima Hogg’s city home: the garden.

Walking through the parking lot and stepping across the footbridge is a walk back to a more elegant era. The sloping lawn and glamorous terrace look like something F. Scott Fitzgerald would have imagined for Mr. Gatsby and Daisy. Alas, you probably won’t find any champagne toasts on the day of your visit, although they do occasionally still happen!

This week we’ll be exploring the garden by using synonyms to stroll our way through history.

Audience: Families, Adults, Stroller Friendly

Price: Garden only: $7.50 Adults; $6 Students (with ID) / Seniors (65+ with ID); $5 Children 10–18; Free for children 9 and younger/ House and Garden: $12.50 Adults; $11 Students (with ID) / Seniors (65+ with ID); $10 Museum members; $6.25 Children 10–18; Free for children 9 and younger*

Parking: Free onsite parking

Distance: 1 mile or less

Time to Complete: 1 hour or more depending on how long you stay in each spot

What to Bring:

• This scavenger hunt!

• A pen/pencil

• Smart phone

• Walking shoes/comfy clothes

• Sunscreen/bug spray

• Stroller (if you have little ones)

• Water

Important Note: Bayou Bend is usually closed on Mondays, with a few exceptions for the holidays.

Synonym Hunt

Map