Day 1 You'll See:
Day 2 You'll See:
Day 3 You'll See:
- Cemetery and Voodoo Walking Tour
- French Quarter
- The New Orleans School of Cooking
- Steamboat Natchez Cruise with Dinner
Day 4 You'll See:
4 days full of classic cajun cuisine all across the vibrant city of New Orleans. . . no this isn't a dream, this is our 4-Day NOLA Culinary Trip!
1
St. Louis Cathedral
This Roman Catholic structure is one of the oldest U.S. cathedrals still in use and provides members of the faith and wandering travelers alike with some of the most absolutely stunning architecture in the city and a glimpse into the Catholic Church. This establishment houses the current Archdiocese of New Orleans as well as some seriously stunning Renaissance and Spanish Colonial architecture, and design features exclusive only to grand spired 1700s style churches like this one. This minor basilica will amaze your group with the beauty of its stained glass, painted ceilings, and the active local congregation.
Jackson Square
Considered to be one of 'America's Great Public Spaces,' Jackson Square is surrounded by several streets and sidewalks lined with Southern history and charm. The centerpiece of the park, the statue of Andrew Jackson himself, represents the Battle of New Orleans hero and is known as one of the most historic landmarks in the entire state. Closeby you will see the St. Louis Cathedral, various state museums and historic buildings, modern residences, and several different artists galleries. There is of course, plenty of eateries as well, and great views of the Mississippi River and park green space in general, the land spanning just over 2.5 acres in this park. It will be really easy to see why over 2 million tourists and locals visit here each year after your visit!
The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk
The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk is the premier first-to-market outlet shopping center in the heart of downtown New Orleans. This shopping center features over 75 retailers and restaurants on the gorgeous banks of the Mississippi River, offering a shopping experience like no other! Shop major brands such as Nordstrom, Levi's, Under Armour, Coach, Guess, and more during your visit, then settle in and relax at the onsite spa and salon, massage chairs, or Relax Center. After you've shopped till you drop to grab a bite to eat at any of the many onsite eateries, with popular options such as Villa Italian Kitchen, Mooyah Burgers and Fries, the River Bar, Auntie Anne's, and much more.
2
Airboat Adventures Swamp Tour
For a true Louisiana experience during your New Orleans visit save plenty of time for an Airboat Adventure Swamp Tour. This experience is not just a tour, it's an adventure! Your group will see iconic bayous and swamps on this family-friendly swamp adventure, showing you some of the most classic local scenery outside of the big city. The tour company is located about 45 minutes from the French Quarter, close to 20,000 acres of cypress swamps and true local natives; alligators, snakes, turtles, egrets, herons, white-tailed deer, bald eagles, and much more. Exotic creatures and otherworldly scenery will greet you on any tour, no matter what season or time of day you come to visit!
Southern Food & Beverage Museum
Welcome to the Southern Food and Beverage Museum of New Orleans, otherwise known as SOFAB. This nonprofit, educational and cultural organization is dedicated to the discovery, understanding, and celebration of food, drink, and its related culture and folklife in America and the world. One of our favorite things about SOFAB is the New Orleans Cooking Classes offered, weekly classes and lunch demonstrations that give guests an in-depth taste of Louisiana. You will learn about local food and eat an amazing lunch inside the museum. The demonstration class offers in-depth cooking lessons showing you step by step on how to make traditional local cuisine while also discussing the culture and history of New Orleans. There are three main classes offered: Creole New Orleans Cuisine, Creole Italian Cuisine, and Louisiana's Cajun Cuisine.
New Orleans Garden District
Stroll through the district and see various mansions, boutiques and antique shops, fine-dining restaurants, cafes, and bars. Take a ride on the iconic St. Charles Streetcar, tour local neighborhood universities, and make a stop at one of the city's most popular attractions, the Audubon Nature Institute. Shop on Magazine Street, eat at Commander's Palace (dress code enforced) and explore the legends of Lafayette Cemetery #1, filled with ornate 19th-century tombs. To fully explore the neighborhood we suggest you take a walking tour with Free Tours by Foot, a 2-hour walking tour filled with history, interesting stories, and local legends. Check out their video below for more details.
3
Cemetery and Voodoo Walking Tour
This tour includes admission to St. Louis Cemetery #1, a normally closed-to-the-public area, plus round-trip transportation and an authentic gris-gris souvenir bag at the end of your tour. Not familiar with the term gris-gris? Don't worry, you will be afterward! St. Louis Cemetery #1 is famous for many reasons, including it being the site of the film Easy Rider, the home of iconic historical figures such as Marie Laveau, and the history it holds for New Orleans in general. Walkthrough the cemetery with Gray Line and hear tales of the famous and infamous people buried within, learn the evolution of the Voodoo religion, which is still practiced today, and the role it played in making the city you see today, and learn about the unique above-ground burial customs and tombs of societies. The cemetery was first opened in 1789, holding more history than you can imagine within.
French Quarter
What would a trip to the Big Easy be without a rather long stop at Vieux Carre, aka French Quarter? This essential New Orleans landmark exudes vibrant culture and history, being the oldest neighborhood in all of New Orleans. The city itself was established in 1718, founded by Jean Baptiste Le Mayre de Bienville, and blossomed around this central square, known today as Jackson Square. Noted by locals and all who have visited the Big Easy must-see, this is a place where your group can see a tapestry painted vividly with a rich history, diverse architecture, renowned culture-filled jazz clubs, fine art galleries, a lively nightlife, entertaining street performers, and some of the absolute best Cajun and Creole southern foods! While here be sure to save plenty of time to take it all in, eat all the yummy creations you can, take a historic southern tour, and see all the lively Bourbon Street entertainment available to you.
The New Orleans School of Cooking
Welcome to the New Orleans School of Cooking, the family-owned NOLA cooking school that is based on 'fun, food, and folklore'. This company was first established in 1980, since then seeing countless visitors from around the world looking to experience authentic Cajun/Creole cuisine. The classes have been voted the #6 experience in the world and #2 in the U.S. by Trip Advisor's Travelers Choice! The New Orleans School of Cooking is located in the heart of the French Quarter, within a renovated molasses warehouse built in the 1800s. The courses offered here teach the basics of Louisiana Cooking in a way you'll never forget! Your group can participate in cooking classes, private parties, and Louisiana General Store shopping while during your visit.
Steamboat Natchez Cruise with Dinner
Get ready to end your night the perfect New Orleans way, with a Dinner Jazz Cruise aboard New Orleans Steamboat Company’s own Steamboat Natchez. This locally owned and operated steamboat company is considered to be the last authentic steamboat on the mighty Mississippi and recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. The Natchez was revived in 1975 and the current one is actually considered to be the 9th steamer bearing the famous name. The expansive history of this steam engine runs along the same course as the history of the city and Mississippi River, literally! Learn about how this line of boats has been through a comparably placid antebellum era, turbulent Civil Wartime, and even laid back ‘Gay Nineties’ in NOLA.
4
New Orleans Plantation Tour
This tour allows you to choose 2 of 3 different plantations to visit on the Great River Road, winding along the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Your group can choose two of the following plantations: Whitney Plantation, Oak Alley Plantation, Laura Plantation. The tour will last around 7 1/4th hours and start at 9 am. You will meet at the Gray Line Lighthouse to start your tour, where you will board a motorcoach to reach your destination. The trip will be filled with narration filling you in on facts all along the way!
New Orleans Jazz Museum
This museum is strategically located at the intersection of the French Quarter and Frenchmen Street's live music corridor, sitting in the heart of the city's vibrant music scene. Inside you will find dynamic interactive exhibits, multi-generational education programs, research facilities, and engaging musical performances regularly. It is one of the best places to explore jazz music, which is considered to be 'one of the most innovative and historically pivotal musical art forms in the world. You will see instruments inside, such as Louis Armstrong's famous cornet, the entire instrument collection actually the largest in the world that was owned and or played by important figures in jazz history.