Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll be joined by New Orleans musicians who will give a presentation on New Orleans Music and perform just for us! Afterwards, we’ll head over to Bourbon St. on foot to view the French Quarter Festival Kick-Off Parade. Next, we’ll meet our motorcoach to head to lunch and our field trip.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant
Afternoon:
We’ll reboard our motorcoach for an overview of the city with a local expert. We’ll make stops at highlights such as Lake Pontchartrain, Bayou St. John, City Park with its magnificent oak trees and Sculpture Garden and one of the famed and mysterious above-ground cemeteries where the departed — from pirates to voodoo queens — are interred. We will return to the hotel mid-afternoon. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to enjoy the French Quarter Festival performances. The French Quarter Music Festival, the largest free music festival in the South, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization launched in 1984. More than 2,000 community volunteers now help to make it a success. The outstanding musicians present every genre from traditional and contemporary jazz to R&B, New Orleans funk, brass bands, folk, gospel, Latin, Zydeco, classical, cabaret, and international. There are more than 400 performances on 23 stages throughout the French Quarter over four days, the largest celebration in the world of Louisiana music.
Dinner:
Your choice to dine as you like. The choices are many, as local restaurants set up special stands in Jackson Square, Riverfront Park and many other locations. The “food festival” aspect is celebrated just as much as the live music.
Evening:
At leisure to enjoy the festival. Additionally, an entrance voucher is included for Fritzel’s European Jazz Club, for you to use at your discretion (drink included).