The Culture & Architecture
of New Orleans

Itinerary: March 3-9, 2026

DAY 1: TUESDAY, MARCH 3 | WELCOME TO NEW ORLEANS!

Meet at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

When you arrive in New Orleans’ brand new airport, you will collect your luggage and proceed to the arrivals area of Louis Armstrong International Airport. Look for our local guide and U.S.-based tour leader holding a PRC sign to greet you. Depending on flight schedules, we will gather travelers into groups according to arrival times. From there, you’ll be escorted to your private transportation for the transfer into the city and onward to our New Orleans hotel to begin the adventure.

Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport

Check into Hotel St. Vincent

Check in to the historic Hotel St. Vincent, a thoughtfully restored 19th-century landmark located in New Orleans’ vibrant Lower Garden District. Once a children’s asylum, this striking red-brick property has been transformed into a stylish boutique hotel blending old-world architecture with modern design. With lush courtyards, inviting common spaces, an Italian restaurant, Vietnamese café, Chapel Bar and pool, Hotel St. Vincent offers both comfort and character. Its central location makes it easy to explore nearby Magazine Street, the Garden District, and the city’s lively music and food scenes.

Hotel St. Vincent

Welcome cocktail and introductions at the Chapel Club

Meet & greet each other as we begin our tour. We will have a welcome and orientation over cocktails (or non-alcoholic refreshments) at the Chapel Club within the Hotel St. Vincent.

Welcome introductions at the Chapel Club

Dinner at Brennan’s

Enjoy a welcome dinner at Brennan’s, a New Orleans institution located in the heart of the French Quarter. Known for its elegant Creole cuisine and lively dining rooms, Brennan’s has been delighting guests since 1946. Savor classic New Orleans dishes such as turtle soup, Gulf seafood, and their world-famous Bananas Foster—flambéed tableside where the dessert was first created. This is the perfect introduction to the flavors, charm, and hospitality of New Orleans.

Brennan’s Restaurant

Music Experience at Preservation Hall

After dinner, we’ll head over to our friends Preservation Hall, one of New Orleans’ most iconic music venues. Tucked into the heart of the French Quarter, this intimate hall has been the home of New Orleans jazz since 1961. Step inside the historic space and experience an unforgettable live performance by local legends who preserve, protect, and perpetuate the city’s jazz tradition. With its close quarters and pure focus on the music, Preservation Hall concerts are one of the most authentic cultural experiences in New Orleans.

Jazz concert at Preservation Hall

DAY 2: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 | FRENCH QUARTER

Breakfast at our Hotel, the San Lorenzo Restaurant

Each morning, enjoy a freshly prepared, cooked-to-order breakfast at the hotel, served daily from 7:00–11:00 am in one of the hotels’ fine restaurants. Today will be at the San Lorenzo restaurant.

Hotel St. Vincent breakfast, San Lorenzo Restaurant

10:00 am ~ Private tour of M.S. Rau

Discover the wonders of M.S. Rau Antiques, a world-renowned antique gallery in the heart of the French Quarter. Behind its Royal Street façade lies an extraordinary collection of fine art, rare antiques, and exquisite jewelry—featuring works by Monet, Tiffany & Co., and Chippendale. This should be a museum but it’s all for sale! Wander through beautifully curated rooms, step into a hidden “secret room,” and uncover southern treasures with stories as rich as the city itself.

MS. Rau Antiques

11:15 am ~ Historic New Orleans Collection French Quarter Architecture and Courtyard tour

Take a 35-minute guided tour of the Historic New Orleans Collection's remarkable architecture and courtyards, where 300 years of French Quarter history come alive. Explore HNOC's beautiful courtyards including the historic Merieult House, the Seignouret-Brulatour Building, and the founders' former residences. Experience the iconic Brulatour Courtyard, one of the most illustrated courtyards in the world and a French Quarter landmark that has captured the creative spirit of New Orleans for decades. Discover how the French Quarter evolved from swampy colonial outpost to the oldest neighborhood in America's most distinctive city through this engaging architectural journey in the heart of the Vieux Carré.

Historic New Orleans Collection

12:00 pm ~ Lunch and behind the scenes at Napoleon House

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the building that served as the residence of Nicholas Girod, the then-mayor of New Orleans. Built in 1797, the Napoleon House earned its name from the mayor's offer, in 1821, to provide a home to Napoleon Bonaparte during his exile. Napoleon never took up the invitation, and eventually passed away on Saint Helena in 1821. Afterward, we’ll enjoy a leisurely lunch featuring their classic muffalettas, red beans & rice, and refreshing Pimm’s cups, accompanied by the lively sounds of a solo banjo player.

Lunch at Napoleon’s House

1:30 pm ~ St. Louis Cathedral Tour with Chris Wiseman

Also known as the Basilica of St. Louis King of France, the St, Louis Cathedral is the oldest Catholic cathedral in continuous use in the United States, dating back to 1720. Chris Wiseman, the Executive Director of the Catholic Cultural Center of New Orleans, will give us an in depth history of its recent revitalization spearheaded by Gayle Benson, active parishioner and owner of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans sports teams. We’ll about its striking architecture, storied history, and its central role in New Orleans’ spiritual and cultural life.

St. Louis Cathedral

2:30 pm ~ Free time in the French Quarter and evening on your own

Enjoy some free time to explore the French Quarter at your own pace. Stroll along historic streets, browse unique shops and galleries, listen to music eminating from both the streets and the venues. Grab a beignet and café au lait at Café du Monde. At 3:30, you can catch a ride in our bus back to the hotel. Or, feel free to continue exploring on your own and get back on your own. For dinner we recommend GW FIns, Antoine's, Irene's, or N7 and music and drinks at 21st Amendment, Jazz at Davenport Lounge.

Free time in the French Quarter

DAY 3: THURSDAY, MARCH 5 | ST. ROCH CEMETERY & CARROLLTON

Breakfast at our Hotel, the Elizabeth Street Café

Each morning, enjoy a freshly prepared, cooked-to-order breakfast at the hotel, served daily from 7:00–11:00 am. Today will be at the Elizabeth Street Café in the hotel.

Hotel St. Vincent breakfast at the Elizabeth Street Café

10:00 am ~ “A Historical Geography of New Orleans, 1700s-2020s,” with Professor Richard Campanella, at the Preservation Resource Center

Geographer and author Richard Campanella, professor and associate dean for research at the Tulane University School of Architecture, will take participants through 300 years of history, geography, urbanism, and architecture, from prehistoric times through the 2020s, explaining how the delta formed, why New Orleans was established here, and how it developed into a distinct and storied metropolis—troubles and all. This graphical presentation will be followed by a Q&A / discussion session. You can download many of Prof. Campanella’s hundreds of articles here, and look over his sixteen books at https://richcampanella.com/.

Richard Campanella

11:45 am ~ Lunch at St. Roch Market

St. Roch is a historic public market building that has served the community since 1875. Market operator Kevin Pedeaux, who has been serving coffee here since the food hall reopened in 2015 and took over operations in 2023 will share the remarkable story of this resilient landmark: how its towering white cast iron columns were salvaged from the Civil War-era New Orleans Free Market, how it survived yellow fever epidemics, multiple incarnations as everything from a corner store to a seafood shop, and Hurricane Katrina's devastation before being revitalized as New Orleans' pioneering food hall. After learning about this cultural crossroads where local food artisans, each passionate about sharing their craft, are creating future New Orleans traditions, you'll have the freedom to explore lunch options from the diverse vendors—from Sicilian meatballs and Mediterranean gyros to Burmese laksa and fresh Gulf oysters—experiencing firsthand how this historic market continues to nourish the community nearly 150 years after it first opened its doors.

St. Roch Market

1:00 pm ~ St. Roch Cemetery Tour

Step into New Orleans’ past with a guided tour of the historic St. Roch Cemetery. Explore the unique above-ground tombs, ornate sculptures, and private family vaults that reflect centuries of culture, faith, and tradition. Learn about the rich history of jazz funerals, why our dead are buried above ground, and the captivating stories of famous soldiers, musicians, and even Storyville madams who rest in our iconic “Cities of the Dead.”

St. Roch Cemetery

2:00 pm ~ Time at leisure

Return to the hotel to enjoy some time at leisure. Recharge your batteries, go for a swim, catch up on email, or take a nap.

4:00 pm ~ Streetcar Ride to Riverbend

Take a ride on the world’s oldest continually running streetcar to Riverbend, enjoying scenic views of historic neighborhoods, oak-lined streets, and the charm of everyday life in New Orleans. Arrive at the Streetcar Barn in Carrollton, a formerly thriving resort whose past is intricately tied to the famous St. Charles Streetcar.

Ride the streetcar to Carrollton

4:30 pm ~ Carrollton Walking Tour with Emily Manger

Step into the charming Carrollton neighborhood, where history, culture, and architecture meet the streetcar and the Mississippi River. Led by a knowledgeable guide, Emily Manger, better known as @TheCarrolltonian, we’ll dive into the unique architectural landscape, spotting landmarks that reflect the neighborhood’s development from a rural getaway to an integral and vibrant hub of New Orleans. Discover the history of the Oak Street shopping corridor. Cross the levee to see the rare batture homes at the head of Oak Street—unique houses built within the Mississippi River and the last of their kind. Learn the stories of influential families, visionary riverboat captains, industrious butchers, and pioneering dairy owners whose lives left lasting marks on Carrollton.

Carrollton walking tour

6:15 pm ~ Depart for Mosca’s with food critic Ian McNulty

Get ready for one of our most exclusive experiences—a pilgrimage to the legendary Mosca's Restaurant with Ian McNulty, New Orleans' most trusted food authority and staff writer for The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate. This isn't just dinner; it's a masterclass in New Orleans culinary culture from the man who has chronicled the city's food evolution for over two decades.

Our 30-minute journey to Westwego becomes a rolling seminar as Ian shares the stories behind New Orleans' unique food culture—from the influence of Sicilian immigrants to the evolution of Creole-Italian cuisine that makes places like Mosca's so extraordinary. As the voice behind the weekly "Where Y'Eat" radio commentary and author of "Louisiana Rambles: Exploring America's Cajun and Creole Heartland," Ian possesses an unmatched understanding of how geography, immigration, and tradition shaped New Orleans into America's most distinctive food city.

7:00 pm ~ Dinner at Mosca’s with Ian McNulty

Arriving at Mosca's feels like stepping into a wood-paneled time capsule that smells like garlic and tradition—exactly as it has since 1946. This beloved institution serves the same Creole-Italian classics it always has: no trends, no reinventions, just authentic family-style dining that locals guard as their own secret. Here's where Ian's expertise truly shines: he'll order for our entire group, selecting from treasured dishes like Oysters Mosca, Chicken a la Grande, and Spaghetti Bordelaise—each with its own story that Ian will weave throughout our meal. His deep relationships with local restaurateurs and encyclopedic knowledge of New Orleans food traditions ensure you'll experience Mosca's not as tourists, but as welcomed insiders discovering why this unassuming roadhouse has remained a pilgrimage site for serious food lovers for nearly eight decades.

Mosca’s Creole-Italian restaurant with renowned food critic Ian McNulty

10:00 pm ~ Live music at Chickie Wah Wah

Chickie Wah Wah is an intimate music bar on Canal Street in Mid-City that proudly presents local music of all sounds as well as special curated performances by touring artists. Named after Bobby Marchan's 1956 single "Chickie Wah Wah" (with music by Huey "Piano" Smith) this venue carries deep roots in New Orleans musical heritage. Since reopening full-time in 2009 after Hurricane Katrina, Chickie Wah Wah has earned a reputation as a true "listening venue." This is a comfortable, non-smoking, clean venue where you can have a cold drink, in an up-close, personal setting. The venue regularly hosts Jon Cleary, described by locals as "the best pianist in the city of New Orleans," alongside a rotating cast of New Orleans' finest musicians. Tonight's performance (TBD) will showcase the authentic sound that makes New Orleans the musical capital of America—whether it's jazz, blues, funk, or the city's countless musical hybrids.

Live music at Chickie Wah Wah

DAY 4: FRIDAY, MARCH 6 | BAYOU ST. JOHN

Breakfast at our Hotel, the Elizabeth Street Café

Each morning, enjoy a freshly prepared, cooked-to-order breakfast at the hotel, served daily from 7:00–11:00 am.

Hotel St. Vincent, Elizabeth Street Café breakfast

9:30 am ~ Longue Vue House and Gardens

Visit Longue Vue House and Gardens, an elegant estate that blends Southern charm with classical design. Tour the beautifully preserved mansion to learn about the Stern family and their legacy, and stroll through eight acres of lush, themed gardens. Following the tour, enjoy a relaxing tea service surrounded by the peaceful setting of this historic home.

Longue Vue House & Gardens

11:00 am ~ Ricca’s Architectural Salvage Tour

Explore Ricca’s Architectural Salvage, a treasure trove of New Orleans history where pieces of the city’s past find new life. Wander through aisles of reclaimed doors, mantels, ironwork, stained glass, and one-of-a-kind artifacts rescued from historic buildings. On this tour, learn how Ricca’s has preserved and repurposed architectural details for more than 70 years, keeping the spirit of New Orleans craftsmanship alive.

Ricca’s Architectural Salvage

12:00 pm ~ Lunch at Parkway Tavern

Stop for lunch at Parkway Tavern, a New Orleans favorite serving up some of the city’s best po’boys since 1911. From classic roast beef to fried shrimp, enjoy these overstuffed sandwiches in a laid-back, neighborhood setting that has been a local tradition for generations.

Parkway Tavern Po’Boys

1:30 pm ~ Pitot House Tour

Step back in time with a tour of the Pitot House, an 18th-century Creole colonial home on Bayou St. John. Once the residence of New Orleans’ first American mayor, the house showcases period furnishings, French Creole architecture, and stories of the city’s early days. Surrounded by lush gardens, the Pitot House offers a glimpse into the daily life and history of old New Orleans.

Pitot House

1:00 pm ~ Living room concert salon at the house of Tom McDermott

Walk across the street to a private living room concert. Few pianists or composers capture the full breadth of New Orleans’ piano traditions like Tom McDermott. Though raised in St. Louis, he followed the river south in 1984 and quickly became a fixture of the Crescent City’s vibrant music scene. With a powerful left hand, a deft touch, and a sly sense of humor, Tom has earned a devoted following among both fans and fellow musicians. His versatility shines through an eclectic career: he co-founded the traditional Dukes of Dixieland and the horn-driven New Orleans Nightcrawlers, recording and touring extensively with both groups and many other ensembles. We’ll meet Tom at his studio near Bayou St. John, where he’ll guide us through the evolution of jazz piano – from early ragtime and traditional jazz to the modern New Orleans R&B sound celebrated by legends like Fats Domino, James Booker, Dr. John, and Professor Longhair. With his command of every style, Tom doesn’t just explain the music’s journey, he lets us hear it unfold. This is a rare chance to experience and savor jazz as it was meant to be heard: intimate, authentic, and far from the commercial stage.

Living room concert hosted by Tom McDermott

3:00 pm ~ Free time and evening on your own

Return to the hotel to relax. Or, stay in the Bayou St. John to enjoy and explore the picturesque waterway lined with historic homes, leafy oaks, and local charm. Stroll the neighborhood at your own pace, take in the scenery, or relax by the water. Dinner is on your own. We’ll make recommendations for great restaurants and music venues.

Evening free for great food and live music

DAY 5: SATURDAY, MARCH 7 | RIVER PARISHES

Breakfast at our Hotel

Each morning, enjoy a freshly prepared, cooked-to-order breakfast at the hotel, served daily from 7:00–11:00 am.

10:00 am ~ Depart for Whitney Plantation

Embark on one of America's most culturally significant drives as we travel the legendary River Road, following the meandering curves of the mighty Mississippi River through what's known as "Plantation Alley." This historic 45-mile journey from New Orleans to Whitney Plantation takes you along the same route that 19th-century steamboat passengers would have admired from the water—past a landscape that once boasted an astonishing concentration of wealth, with one-third of America's millionaires living along this very corridor in the 1850s. As we wind through the fertile river parishes, you'll witness the complex layers of Louisiana's history: magnificent live oak alleys draped in Spanish moss that frame surviving antebellum mansions, expansive sugarcane fields that still stretch to distant cypress swamps, and the industrial reality of modern Louisiana where petrochemical plants now occupy land once devoted to plantation agriculture. Your guide will help you read this evolving landscape, explaining how the rich alluvial soil created by countless Mississippi River floods made this the agricultural heart of the antebellum South, while pointing out landmarks that tell the story of how this region shaped American history, culture, and economics. The drive itself becomes a moving classroom, preparing you to understand the full context of what you'll experience at Whitney Plantation—America's first museum dedicated exclusively to the history of slavery.

Scenic and historic drive up Great River Road

11:30 am ~ Tour of Whitney Plantation

Take a guided tour of the Whitney Plantation, the only plantation museum in Louisiana dedicated to telling the story of slavery. Walk the historic grounds, visit preserved buildings such as the Big House and slave cabins, and see powerful memorials honoring the lives of the enslaved people who lived and labored here. Through art, artifacts, and first-person narratives, the Whitney offers a moving and essential perspective on the history of the region and the legacy of slavery in America.

Whitney Plantation

1:15 pm ~ Lunch at B&C Seafood Market & Cajun Restaurant with live music

Stop for lunch at B&C Seafood Riverside Market & Cajun Restaurant, a family-owned spot known for its fresh, local catch and Cajun specialties. Enjoy favorites like fried catfish, gumbo, or crawfish étouffée in a laid-back, welcoming setting right on the river. With its market-style charm and hearty flavors, B&C offers an authentic taste of Louisiana. A cajun band will perform a private concert for us.

B&C Seafood Riverside Market with live cajun music

3:00 pm ~ Depart for Hotels

We’ll return via highway I-10 for a faster drive back.

4:30 pm ~ Time at leisure

Enjoy some time at leisure in the late afternoon. Take a nap, go for a swim, grab a drink, check email, or simply rest before the evening ahead. Please be ready to depart for dinner before 6:00 pm.

Leisure time at the hotel

6:00 pm ~ Dinner at Tan Dinh

Venture beyond the French Quarter to discover Tan Dinh, a cultural cornerstone that represents the deep Vietnamese roots woven into New Orleans' diverse culinary fabric. Housed in an unpretentious West Bank strip mall, this decades-old institution embodies the authentic, neighborhood-driven dining that locals treasure—far from the tourist trail but central to the city's identity. This beloved restaurant serves some of the best food in the city, as while being a bridge between communities, creating the kind of cross-cultural exchange that defines New Orleans. The casual, welcoming atmosphere reflects the Vietnamese diaspora's integration into the city's landscape, offering not just a new kind of creole meal but a genuine cultural experience that has shaped the local dining scene for generations.

Tan Dinh creole-Vietnamese restaurant

8:00 pm ~ Live jazz on Frenchman Street

Depending on what the best concerts happening in the city are, we’ll head to a jazz club such as Snug Harbor, The Maple Leaf, Bacchanal, 21st Amendment, Davenport Lounge, 30/90, and others.

Jazz club on Frenchman Street

Breakfast at our Hotel

Each morning, enjoy a freshly prepared, cooked-to-order breakfast at the hotel, served daily from 7:00–11:00 am.

DAY 6: SUNDAY, MARCH 8 | GRAND FINALE

Hotel St. Vincent breakfast

10:00 am ~ Backstreet Cultural Museum Private Tour

Discover the traditions and spirit of New Orleans at the Backstreet Cultural Museum, a one-of-a-kind institution preserving the city’s African American culture. Founded by Sylvester “Hawk” Francis, the museum is located in the Tremé, the oldest African American neighborhood in America. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, free persons of color and eventually those African slaves who obtained, bought or bargained for their freedom were able to acquire and own property in Tremé. The Backstreet Cultural Museum houses an extraordinary collection of Mardi Gras Indian suits, Social Aid and Pleasure Club memorabilia, jazz funeral footage, and artifacts that tell the story of community resilience and creativity. A visit here offers an intimate look into the living traditions that make New Orleans unlike any other city.

Backstreet Cultural Museum

11:00 am ~ Preservation Resource Center’s City Tour (Part 1)

Embark on an eye-opening journey through New Orleans designed by MaryNell Nolan-Wheatley, Advocacy Director of the Preservation Resource Center. From the comfort of our bus, discover how preservation battles have shaped the city's landscape as our guide shares insider knowledge from the PRC's decades of advocacy work at local, state, and federal levels. Learn how grassroots efforts have saved neighborhoods from demolition and inappropriate development. This isn't just sightseeing; it's a masterclass in understanding how preservation policy shapes urban development and cultural identity from one of New Orleans' most knowledgeable preservation advocates. Perfect for architecture enthusiasts, urban planners, and anyone curious about how historic cities balance growth with preservation.

PRC’s city preservation tour

12:30 pm ~ Lunch at Felix’s at the Lakefront

We will stop at Felix’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar for a true taste of New Orleans’ seafood tradition. Ask any New Orleanian where their dad or grandpa took them for their first oysters. The answer is always Felix’s. Back in the 1940’s, Felix’s created a place where oyster-lovers could ‘belly up to the bar’ and have the freshest oysters shucked right in front of them becaming a New Orleans’ institution that drew a devoted local, national and international following. It offers a casual, lively atmosphere on Lake Pontchartrain.

Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar

1:30 pm ~ PRC’s City Tour (Part 2)

2:30 pm ~ Time at leisure

Enjoy your final time at leisure in the Crescent City. Return to the hotel, see some museums, or explore more neighborhoods on your own.

Time at leisure

7:30 pm ~ Final dinner at N7

Celebrate the end of an enriching week. Located in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans, N7 is a neighborhood French restaurant and wine bar founded by filmmaker Aaron Walker and chef Yuki Yamaguchi. The restaurant is set off the street behind a tall fence amidst a garden, with indoor and outdoor seating. The building was previously home to a tire shop. Before that it was a stable for carriage horses. N7’s name derives from Nationale 7 (N7), the highway that once ran from Paris to the border of Italy. Known as the “Route des Vacances”, vacationing Parisians would take the road on their way South. Along the way, the Michelin Guide would direct them to the mom and pop restaurants which began to appear in farmhouses and hotels along the way to cater to them.