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

Upon arrival at New Orleans’ new Louis Armstrong International Airport, collect your luggage and then proceed to the bottom of the baggage claim escalators where our local guide and U.S.-based tour leader will be waiting with a ‘PRC’ sign. Depending on flight schedules, travelers will be grouped by arrival and escorted to private transportation for the transfer to Hotel St. Vincent where our New Orleans adventure will begin.

Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport

Check into Hotel St. Vincent

Check in to the historic Hotel St. Vincent, a carefully restored 19th-century landmark situated in New Orleans’ vibrant Lower Garden District. Once a children’s asylum, this striking red-brick property has been transformed into a fashionable boutique hotel combining classic architecture with modern design. Lush courtyards, welcoming communal spaces, and a vibrant selection of bars and restaurants create a stylish, comfortable space that makes it easy to explore nearby Magazine Street, the Garden District, and the city’s bustling music and food scenes.

Hotel St. Vincent

Welcome cocktail and introductions at the Chapel Club

Meet & greet your fellow travelers as we begin our tour. We will have a welcome and orientation over cocktails (or non-alcoholic refreshments) at the intimate 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 beloved French Quarter institution renowned for its elegant Creole cuisine and festive dining rooms. Brennan’s has been delighting guests since 1946, specializing in Gulf seafood and classic New Orleans dishes such as turtle soup and the legendary Bananas Foster – created right here at Brennan’s – flambéed tableside. It 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 see our friends at Preservation Hall, one of New Orleans’ most iconic music venues. Tucked into the heart of the French Quarter, this cozy hall has been an epicenter 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 among 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 San Lorenzo.

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 renowned antique gallery located 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 place should be a museum, but everything is for sale! Stroll through beautifully curated rooms, explore a hidden “secret room,” and discover southern and global 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 lush courtyards, where 300 years of French Quarter history come alive. Step inside landmarks such as the Merieult House and the Seignouret-Brulatour Building, and linger in the iconic Brulatour Courtyard—one of the most photographed courtyards in the world and a lasting source of inspiration for New Orleans’ creative spirit. Discover how the “ Vieux Carré” evolved from a swampy colonial outpost into the city’s oldest and most distinctive neighborhood on this engaging architectural journey.

Historic New Orleans Collection

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

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the residence of former New Orleans mayor Nicholas Girod, who famously offered the 1797 building as a refuge to Napoleon Bonaparte upon his exile from France in 1821. Though the emperor never accepted the invitation, the home – now known as the Napoleon House – remains a French Quarter icon. After your private tour, linger over a relaxed lunch featuring the specialties of the house – Muffuletta sandwiches, red beans & rice, and a refreshing Pimm’s Cup – while enjoying a lively soundtrack provided by 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 and dating back to 1720, the St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest Catholic cathedral in continuous use in the United States. Chris Wiseman, the Executive Director of the Catholic Cultural Center of New Orleans, will give an in-depth history of the cathedral’s recent revitalization spearheaded by Gayle Benson, an active parishioner, major philanthropist, and owner of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans sports teams. We’ll learn about the church’s striking architecture, storied history, and 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, and soak in live music drifting from both the street corners and the venues. Treat yourself to a beignet and café au lait at Café du Monde. At 3:30, you join our bus back to the hotel. Or, feel free to continue exploring on your own and return whenever you like. For dinner in the French Quarter, there are countless great options, but we recommend GW Fins, Irene’s, Sylvain, or Bayona. End the evening with music and drinks at 21st Amendment, Davenport Lounge, or one of the countless other clubs in the French Quarter and Frenchmen Street.

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

New Orleans' most distinguished urban geographer, Professor Richard Campanella—associate dean for research at Tulane School of Architecture and award-winning author of eleven books about the Crescent City—will reveal the intricate story of how New Orleans was built. This illuminating talk will be held at the Preservation Resource Center, the city’s preeminent nonprofit devoted to the preservation of New Orleans’ historic architecture, neighborhoods, and culture. Professor Campanella will lead the group through the intriguing geography that influences daily life here: why the French Quarter is on the highest ground, how the unique shotgun houses developed from Caribbean and West African origins, and what the numbered ward system shows about social and economic patterns that persist today. This is more than architectural history—it's the key to understanding why some neighborhoods flood while others do not, how racial and class dynamics are embedded in the city's layout, and what preservation issues threaten its most vulnerable communities. Through Campanella's expert perspective, you'll interpret the visual language of New Orleans' streets, understanding the stories that cornices, galleries, and building materials tell about waves of immigration, economic cycles, and the ongoing tension between development and preservation that shapes modern New Orleans.

Richard Campanella

11:45 am ~ Lunch at St. Roch Market

St. Roch Market 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 led by Save Our Cemeteries, a department of the PRC. Explore the distinctive above-ground tombs, intricate sculptures, and private family vaults that reflect centuries of culture, faith, and tradition. Visit the St. Roch Chapel and its renowned shrine, where visitors have long left tokens of gratitude for answered prayers and miraculous healings. Along the way, learn about the history of jazz funerals, why the dead are buried above ground, and the captivating stories of notable soldiers, musicians, and even Storyville madams who rest in these 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

Ride the world’s oldest continually operating streetcar along the St. Charles Avenue line to the Riverbend, taking in scenic views of grand historic homes, oak-shaded streets, and the rhythms of everyday New Orleans life. Your journey ends at the Carrollton Streetcar Barn, once the centerpiece of a bustling 19th-century resort and now the heart of the iconic St. Charles streetcar’s operations—an enduring symbol of the city’s transit heritage.

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 knowledgeable guide Emily Manger, also known as @TheCarrolltonian, we’ll explore the unique architectural landscape, spotting landmarks that show how the neighborhood’s development from a rural getaway to an integral and important part of New Orleans. Discover the history of the Oak Street commercial corridor. Cross over the levee to see the rare batture settlement at the end of Oak Street— these distinctive houses built into the Mississippi River are the last of their kind on this stretch of River. Learn the stories of influential families, visionary riverboat captains, hardworking 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.

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

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 of 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 keep 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 share 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.

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 genuine "listening venue." It's a comfortable, non-smoking, clean venue where you can enjoy a cold drink up close in a personal setting. The club regularly hosts Jon Cleary, described by locals as "the best pianist in the city of New Orleans," along with a rotating cast of New Orleans' finest musicians. Tonight's performance (TBD) will highlight 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

Discover Ricca’s Architectural Salvage, a treasure trove of New Orleans history where parts of the city’s past are given new life. Wander through aisles filled with reclaimed doors, mantels, ironwork, stained glass, and singular artifacts rescued from historic buildings. On this tour, learn how Ricca’s has preserved and repurposed architectural details for over 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

2:30 pm ~ Private studio concert with Tom McDermott

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.

Private studio concert with Tom McDermott

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 provides a glimpse into the daily life and history of old New Orleans.

Pitot House

4:00 pm ~ Free time and evening on your own

Return to the hotel to unwind, or linger in Bayou St. John to soak up the scenic waterway framed by historic homes, leafy oaks, and neighborhood charm. Stroll at your own pace, pause by the water, or cross the Bayou into City Park—home to the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) and the Besthoff Sculpture Garden (free admission). Dinner is on your own this evening, and we’ll share our favorite restaurant and live-music recommendations.

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 is 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 solely 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 through the eyes of those who were enslaved here. Explore 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 provides a moving and essential perspective on the region's history and the enduring 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 gem known for fresh, local seafood and classic Cajun dishes. Savor favorites like fried catfish, gumbo, or crawfish étouffée in a relaxed, riverside setting. With its market-style charm, hearty flavors, and a private Cajun band performance just for us, B&C offers an authentic taste of Louisiana.

B&C Seafood Riverside Market with live cajun music

3:00 pm ~ Depart for Hotel

Although faster, the I-10 drive from Vacherie to New Orleans crosses the Bonnet Carré Spillway, built after the Great Flood of 1927 to divert excess Mississippi River water into Lake Pontchartrain and help protect the city from flooding.

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 reflects the deep Vietnamese roots woven into New Orleans' diverse culinary fabric. Housed in a modest West Bank strip mall, this decades-old institution embodies the authentic, neighborhood-driven dining experience that locals treasure—far from the tourist crowds but central to the city's identity. This beloved restaurant serves some of the best food in the city, acting as a bridge between communities, creating the 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 performance

Depending on the schedule of the city’s best performances, we’ll visit one of New Orleans’ famed live music clubs. From vibrant venues tucked into neighborhoods across the city, experiencing a live show is an essential part of immersing yourself in New Orleans’ rich musical culture.

Jazz club on Frenchmen Street

DAY 6: SUNDAY, MARCH 8 | GRAND FINALE

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.

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 dedicated to preserving the city’s African American culture. Founded by Sylvester “Hawk” Francis, the museum is situated in Tremé, the oldest African American neighborhood in the country. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, free people of color, and eventually enslaved Africans who gained, bought, or negotiated for their freedom, were able to acquire and own property in Tremé. The Backstreet Cultural Museum houses an exceptional collection of Mardi Gras Indian suits, Social Aid and Pleasure Club memorabilia, jazz funeral footage, and artifacts that highlight community resilience and creativity. Visiting here provides an intimate glimpse into the living traditions that make New Orleans uniquely special.

Backstreet Cultural Museum

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

Embark on an eye-opening journey through New Orleans on a tour created by 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 PRC's decades of advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels. Learn how grassroots initiatives have protected neighborhoods from demolition and inappropriate development. This isn't just sightseeing; it's a masterclass in understanding how preservation policies shapes urban growth and cultural identity, led by one of New Orleans' most knowledgeable preservation advocates. Perfect for architecture enthusiasts, urban planners, and anyone curious about how historic cities manage growth while preserving their heritage.

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 1940s, 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, becoming a New Orleans institution that attracted 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 tucked behind a tall fence in a garden setting, offering both indoor and outdoor seating. The building was once a tire shop, and before that, it served as 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 travel this road heading south. Along the way, the Michelin Guide would point them to the mom and pop restaurants that started popping up in farmhouses and hotels to serve these travelers.