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Feb 16 - Feb 21, 2025
Louisiana
Signature City New Orleans
Program No. 2856RJ
Get to know the real New Orleans through full days of excursions to historic landmarks, artists’ haunts and jazz venues. Plus, sample cuisine at the New Orleans School of Cooking!
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6 days
5 nights
12 meals
4B 1BR 3L 4D
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
New Orleans, LA
2
Intro. to New Orleans, City Field Trip, Sculpture Garden
New Orleans, LA
3
New Orleans Architecture, Garden District Tour, Ogden Museum
New Orleans, LA
4
World War II Museum, Music Lecture, Free Time
New Orleans, LA
5
Literature lecture, Sazerac House, Free Time, Cooking School
New Orleans, LA
6
Jazz Brunch, Program Concludes
New Orleans, LA
At a Glance
With over 300 years of colorful culture under its belt, New Orleans revels in its giddy blend of European refinement and carefree effervescence, a place where virtue and vice are celebrated in equal measure. On this introduction to New Orleans, we’ve planned a full schedule of activities, so you can experience the intoxicating charms of “the Crescent City” that have long fascinated artists, writers, musicians and scholars. Experience live New Orleans jazz, and take field trips inside and outside the French Quarter and Garden District. Get perspectives on architectural and literary landmarks, and enjoy unique culinary adventures as well as the National World War II Museum.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Moderate walking and standing.
Best of all, you’ll…
- See Lake Pontchartrain, Bayou St. John, the famed aboveground cemeteries and St. Charles Avenue, including a walk in the Garden District to take in its historic architecture.
- Delve into the local literary history as you study Tennessee Williams, John Kennedy Toole, William Faulkner and other impressive writers with an expert.
- Experience the New Orleans School of Cooking.
General Notes
You may enjoy a slower-paced program, "New Orleans at a Slower Pace: A City of History, Culture and Celebration" (#1475), or a more active, Small Group program with more free time "Jazz, Jambalaya and Joie de Vivre in New Orleans" (#21665).
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Nellie Watson
Nellie Watson, a native New Orleanian, has always had a deep passion for the local environment. She has enjoyed sharing stories with Road Scholar for over 20 years, and is also a provider for aerial flightseeing tours of the endangered wetlands. With a background in architecture and a B.F.A. in environmental design, she began her career at two large international architectural firms, had her own residential design firm, and is currently is a professional model maker for major film productions like Marvel and Disney.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Angela Carll
View biography
Angela Mequet Carll is a native New Orleanian who was a writer for “The Times-Picayune” for 30 years. She holds a master’s degree in English with an emphasis on Southern Literature and is the author of “Where Writers Wrote,” a book about writers in New Orleans. She has taught at Tulane University, is a graduate of ITMI, and a licensed New Orleans exploration leader. Angela has been a group leader for Road Scholar since 2016 and brings a wide variety of experiences to her groups.
Milton J. Carr
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Milton Carr was born in Tremé, a cultural center of New Orleans. After studying in San Diego, Milton returned home to New Orleans where he worked for Domino Sugars. During his 33 years at Domino, he became interested in sugar cane’s connections to slavery and the economic history of the city. Milton has been a licensed New Orleans guide since 2001, and is a one-of-a-kind expert on the city's unique music, history, culture and heritage.
Lyndel Brauninger
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Lyndel Brauninger, a native New Orleanian, is a retired educator who taught in the metropolitan New Orleans area for more than 30 years. Besides leading Road Scholar groups, she leads walking “foodie” groups in the French Quarter, where she has been a licensed exploration leader since 1996. Lyndel enjoys experiencing and learning everything the Crescent City has to offer, particularly the architecture, history, music, food, and amazing theater. She is thrilled to share her passion for New Orleans with people from all over the world.
Robin Rocque
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Robin Rocque's favorite city to share with guests is her hometown of New Orleans. Its diversely unique culture and musical background provides a lovely backdrop during its introduction. Robin has happily led groups in many cities and several countries. Robin has been a licensed New Orleans tour guide since 2004, and a certified international tour manager since 2011. She is an alumna of Vassar College, and recently served as a board member of a nonprofit organization that provides community support in and around New Orleans.
Dave Roberts
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Dave Roberts was born in New Orleans and baptized in the same church as Louis Armstrong. He received his B.B.A. from Loyola University (New Orleans) and his M.B.A. from the University of New Orleans. For many years he worked at Loyola University as the director of student finance. Dave started working as a New Orleans group leader in 1997. His expeditions are a blend of history, architecture, food, music, writers, movies, and current events.
Doreen Ketchens
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Doreen Ketchens is a musician whose primary interest lies in spreading the culture and traditional music of New Orleans all over the world through performances and education. As the leader of the jazz band Doreen’s Jazz New Orleans, she has been called "Queen Clarinet," "The Female Louis Armstrong," and “Lady Louie” by critics who have heard her perform. Doreen's Jazz New Orleans has represented New Orleans around the world, performing in Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, South America, Russia and the U.S.
Nellie Watson
View biography
Nellie Watson, a native New Orleanian, has always had a deep passion for the local environment. She has enjoyed sharing stories with Road Scholar for over 20 years, and is also a provider for aerial flightseeing tours of the endangered wetlands. With a background in architecture and a B.F.A. in environmental design, she began her career at two large international architectural firms, had her own residential design firm, and is currently is a professional model maker for major film productions like Marvel and Disney.
Clare Pierson
View biography
Clare Pierson has taught literature and creative writing to all levels of students and teachers. She has been managing editor of the Tennessee Williams Journal, a periodical dedicated to works of and about America's premier playwright. She served on the editorial staff and wrote a regular column for The Double Dealer Redux, a quarterly dedicated to writers and their writings. She continues to serve on the executive committee of the Tennessee Williams / New Orleans Literary Festival.
Terry Neal
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Terry Neal has been leading groups throughout the U.S. since 2018. Born and raised in the deep south, she loves to cook and dance, sometimes at the same time. She has over 30 years of customer service and hospitality experience, even working at a haunted plantation in Louisiana. While growing up, she traveled with her family to various locations in the U.S., but it wasn’t until her Air Force son was stationed in England that the travel bug took a deep bite.
Suggested Reading List
(7 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Signature City New Orleans
Program Number: 2856
All The King's Men
All the King's Men traces the rise and fall of demagogue Willie Stark, a fictional character loosely based on Governor Huey ""Kingfish"" Long of Louisiana. Stark begins his political career as an idealistic man of the people but soon becomes corrupted by success and caught between dreams of service and an insatiable lust for power.
Life On The Mississippi
An invaluable companion to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Life on the Mississippi is Mark Twain's inimitable portrait of 'the great Father of Waters'. Part memoir, part travelogue, it expresses the full range of Twain's literary personality, and remains the most vivid, boisterous and provocative account of the cultural and societal history of the Mississippi Valley, from 'the golden age' of steamboating to the violence wrought by the Civil War.
Confederacy of Dunces
A Confederacy of Dunces is a picaresque novel written by American novelist John Kennedy Toole, published by Louisiana State University Press in 1980, eleven years after the author's suicide. The book, published through the efforts of writer Walker Percy (who also contributed a revealing foreword) and Toole's mother Thelma Toole, quickly became a cult classic, and later a mainstream success. Toole posthumously won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1981. It is now considered a canonical work of modern Southern literature, in the USA. The title derives from the epigraph by Jonathan Swift: "When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him." The story is set in New Orleans in the early 1960s. The central character is Ignatius J. Reilly, an educated but slothful 30-year-old man still living with his mother in the city's Uptown neighborhood, who, due to an incident early in the book, must set out to get a job. In his quest for employment he has various adventures with colorful French Quarter characters.
Creole New Orleans Race and Americanization
This collection of six original essays explores the peculiar ethnic composition and history of New Orleans, which the authors persuasively argue is unique among American cities. The focus of Creole New Orleans is on the development of a colonial Franco-African culture in the city, the ways that culture was influenced by the arrival of later immigrants, and the processes that led to the eventual dominance of the Anglo-American community.
A Streetcar Named Desire
This classic drama follows Blanche DuBois and the issues that arise when she moves to New Orleans to live with her sister and her husband.
Why New Orleans Matters
In the aftermath of Katrina and the disaster that followed, promises were made, forgotten, and renewed. Now what will become of New Orleans in the years ahead? What do this proud, battered city and its people mean to America and the world?
Award-winning author and longtime New Orleans resident Tom Piazza illuminates the storied culture and uncertain future of this great and neglected American metropolis by evoking the sensuous rapture of the city that gave us jazz music and Creole cooking; examining its deep undercurrents of corruption, racism, and injustice; and explaining how its people endure and transcend those conditions. And, perhaps most important, he asks us all to consider the spirit of this place and all the things it has shared with the world: its grace and beauty, resilience and soul.
Rising Tide
An American epic of science, politics, race, honor, high society, and the Mississippi River, Rising Tide tells the riveting and nearly forgotten story of the greatest natural disaster this country has ever known -- the Mississippi flood of 1927. The river inundated the homes of nearly one million people, helped elect Huey Long governor and made Herbert Hoover president, drove hundreds of thousands of blacks north, and transformed American society and politics forever.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
12 meals (
4B, 1BR, 3L, 4D
)
4 expert-led lectures
5 expert-led field trips
4 performances
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
New Orleans, LA
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hotel Monteleone
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Easy walking inside hotel; at your discretion if you’d like to go out. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:30 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: Immediately following the registration period, the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Some field trips will be walking, others via motorcoach. In addition to meals at the historic Monteleone Hotel, we’ll dine around at some of the city’s fine restaurants. Breakfasts will be offered in the hotel’s restaurant. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions. As a special bonus, we will have vouchers to use at a popular jazz club and the Louisiana State Museum.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant in the French Quarter.
Evening:
At leisure. Live music fills the Carousel Bar & Lounge overlooking Royal Street right inside our historic hotel — a French Quarter landmark since 1886. The Carousel evokes a spirit of fun with the renowned Merry-Go-Round, the city’s only revolving bar. Live music continues on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
Day
2
Intro. to New Orleans, City Field Trip, Sculpture Garden
Location:
New Orleans, LA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Monteleone
Activity Note
Walking 1 block from hotel to motor coach for field trip; Field trip will last for 3.5 hours with a bathroom break in between; walking 3 blocks from bus for lunch.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
In this introduction to New Orleans, we’ll learn about our history and culture, traditions, celebrations, people, and what it means when we say, “It’s a New Orleans thing.”
Lunch:
At a local jazz café. There will be live musical performances during this meal.
Afternoon:
We’ll board a motorcoach and continue our delightful introduction to New Orleans as our instructor points out significant sites and reveals more about the city’s people, traditions, and unique culture. We’ll make stops at highlights along the way, including: 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.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Experience nightlife in the French Quarter. If you’re a music aficionado, there are lots of options. We have provided a voucher (drink included) for Fritzel’s European Jazz Club. The French Quarter has something to offer for almost every interest and taste.
Day
3
New Orleans Architecture, Garden District Tour, Ogden Museum
Location:
New Orleans, LA
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Monteleone
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; Riding a motorcoach for about 1.5 miles; Walking 8 blocks in the Garden District; Walking/standing at museum
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll have an introduction to the architecture and diversity of New Orleans from a local architecture expert. Architecture is an expression of culture. We’ll learn how different nationalities and ethnicities — such as immigrants from Europe and the West Indies — influenced local architecture and contributed to the “gumbo” of our society. We’ll then board the motorcoach and become immersed in New Orleans architecture. We’ll learn about various types of iron works, architecture, and historic homes with some stops along the way. Next, we will set out on a walking field trip with a local historian in the aptly named Garden District, one of the loveliest neighborhoods in the country. It was laid out in 1832 for incoming, well-to-do Americans who were not interested in mingling with native New Orleanians. The feeling was mutual! Grand houses were built on large lots in this lush setting.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, we will visit the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Donated by businessman Roger Ogden and other collectors, the museum houses a private collection of over 4,000 works of art depicting outdoor scenes and southern life. Here you will see southern artists' paintings, watercolors, sculptures, prints, and photographs.
Dinner:
Dinner will be on your own this evening, at your own expense, so that you may experience whatever restaurant or cuisine you desire. Feel free to ask your Group Leader for restaurant suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Go out to experience more of New Orleans night life, music, and culture. If you haven’t used it yet, your voucher for Fritzel’s is good any night of the week. Feel free to also have a relaxed evening at the hotel; the choice is yours.
Day
4
World War II Museum, Music Lecture, Free Time
Location:
New Orleans, LA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel Monteleone
Activity Note
Walking at your own pace through World War II Museum; benches available. Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Formerly known as the D-Day Museum, the National World War II Museum was founded by eminent historian Dr. Stephen Ambrose, author “Band of Brothers” and other best-sellers. A self directed exploration will takes us through three buildings that house exhibits highlighting the role of participants from world leaders to the everyday men and women whose contributions helped to win the war, as well as those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Many items in the vast collection — such as uniforms, weaponry, vehicles, medals, diaries, letters, artwork, photographs, and other mementos — are on display while thousands of records and archives are available to scholars for ongoing research. We’ll also see the film “Beyond All Boundaries” narrated by Tom Hanks. Through first person accounts and amazing special effects, we’ll take a journey through the war that changed the world.
Lunch:
At the hotel.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, we will have a lecture/ performance at the hotel by a jazz clarinetist who performs Dixieland and Trad Jazz. We have left the rest of this afternoon free for you to visit more sites in the French Quarter or relax at the hotel before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Take this time to experience more of our very special city and what it has to offer.
Day
5
Literature lecture, Sazerac House, Free Time, Cooking School
Location:
New Orleans, LA
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hotel Monteleone
Activity Note
Walking 4-5 blocks from the hotel to Sazerac House and the Cooking School. Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll be joined by the managing editor of the Tennessee Williams Journal, whose love of writing and New Orleans is evident in her enthusiastic lectures. We’ll learn about some of the famous writers who lived in and wrote about the French Quarter including William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, John Kennedy Toole, and more. Following our morning lecture, we will visit the Sazerac House. Here, we will take a self-directed exploration to learn about the history of the Sazerac cocktail and how spirits played an important role in New Orleans' culture.
Lunch:
On your own to explore local fare.
Afternoon:
Free Time. We have provided vouchers to explore the Cabildo and Presbytère flanking St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square. All were constructed during the Spanish period (1795-1799). The Cabildo was the center of government. The Presbytère, built on the site of what had been the residence of Capuchin monks, was used for commercial purposes. Both are now key components of the Louisiana State Museum. The Cabildo displays artifacts of American history as well as rarities such as Napoleon’s death mask. The Presbytère’s interactive exhibit on Mardi Gras traces our annual celebration from its origins to the present day with an exquisite collection of artifacts and memorabilia. Another exhibit expresses Louisiana’s saga of resilience in the face of disasters. You might also like to stroll along Royal Street with its antique shops, visit the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, or go for a ride on the paddlewheeler “Natchez” — last authentic steamboat on the Mississippi. There are many opportunities to experience our people, cultures, and celebrations.
Dinner:
We’ll dine at the world renowned New Orleans School of Cooking. Here an expert local chef will teach us how to cook Creole and Cajun cuisine, as they explain the difference. We’ll see the preparation of a traditional dish, then have it for dinner. For dessert, we’ll sample the best pralines in town!
Evening:
At leisure. This evening, we will have one more opportunity to hit the town and enjoy New Orleans Jazz. Then prepare for check out and departure following our final event in the morning.
Day
6
Jazz Brunch, Program Concludes
Location:
New Orleans, LA
Meals:
BR
Activity Note
Walking 4 blocks to/from restaurant. Hotel check-out by12:00 p.m. Noon.
Brunch:
At the celebrated Court of Two Sisters, we’ll settle in for a true New Orleans delight, the jazz brunch. The elaborate buffet offers tasty hot and cold New Orleans favorites from eggs any style to Creole jambalaya, grits and grillades, gumbo, classic desserts, and much more; coffee, tea, water included, other beverages available for purchase. Tap your toes to the music of the restaurant’s resident jazz trio. Enjoy this final dining and musical experience with a broader and deeper understanding and appreciation of our city, the one and only New Orleans. Please note that the jazz brunch will occur between 9:00-10:30 AM. Our hotel check-out is at noon. Please plan you flights accordingly. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
12 Meals
4 Breakfasts
3 Lunches
1 Brunch
4 Dinners
LODGING
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Participant Reviews
Based on 87 Reviews
Sort By:
We had a very good time. The Hotel Monteleone is first-class, great service and well-located for everything. Most speakers were outstanding and gave us a good overview of the city, its history and unique features. Food was always excellent. I had never been to New Orleans and this is a very good way to see and learn about the city.
— Review left November 5, 2024
This was such an outstanding trip. Our wonderful leader was a personal friend of the virtuoso clarinetist, Doreen Ketchens, and had her play for the group. When the programme was over, my companion and I stayed an additional week and found her on her 'corner' on Royal street. What an authentic NOLA experience! We loved the music, the accommodation (the beautiful Hotel Monteleone), the architectural lecture on NOLA, the walking tour of the Garden District, the WW II Museum, the Cable Cars, the amazing food including the Superior Seafood and Oyster Bar as well as the great Cafe Du Monde and the Cafe Beignet, the cooking school. When the tour ended, we went to additional museums, more walking tours, the Aquarium, the Mardi Gras float museum, a ferry to the Algiers Point, The Art Gallery, the Broadway touring play, Mrs. Doubtfire at the historic Saenger Theatre, the paddlewheel steamer and so much more.
I would recommend that the Roadscholar trip to New Orleans be longer. So much to see and do; so little time. Five star!
— Review left October 23, 2024
I had never been to New Orleans and it was on my bucket list to go. Early on the trip, two of the other participants (who were traveling together) happened to say this was their 5th trip to the city. I was astonished that they would return again and again to the same place, especially with a tour group. By the end of the trip, I understood why they loved New Orleans as much as they did. I would certainly go back.
— Review left May 22, 2024
Well worth the time, effort and expense and exceeded expectations!
— Review left May 18, 2024
Wonderful experience- see all New Orleans has to offer in a safe and engaging program.
Solo travelers will be most welcome. The group will have solos, partners and others in the class. It is most comfortable to be part of the group.
I can't wait to enjoy my next RS program, maybe in the fall, but definitely in January to experience Signature City-Miami!
— Review left May 13, 2024
This program was fun and interesting. I would do it again !
— Review left May 11, 2024
The hotel was definitely 5 star. Food was excellent. All the attendees were very pleasant and we did make some new friends
— Review left May 7, 2024
I enjoyed this program. Speakers are excellent storytellers that I could have listened to longer. We stayed in a nice historic hotel in the French Quarter within walking distance of Jackson Square and Cafe du Monde. This was a program filled with excellent restaurants and must-see attractions, i.e. the WWII Museum, City Park Sculpture Garden, Vue Orleans, an architectural walking tour of the Garden District and a cooking demonstration and dinner at the Cooking School of New Orleans.
— Review left May 4, 2024
Our trip to New Orleans exceeded our expectations! The accommodations, food, group leader, presenters and field trips were wonderful. And the food! Loved every minute!
— Review left April 29, 2024
IThis was my first trip with Road Scholar, but it won't be my last! I'm already thinking about my next destination.
— Review left March 3, 2024
We enjoyed the program very much - the group leader, participants, hotel, and planned activities.
For the future, please add programs for Palm Springs, CA, and Sarasota, FL.
— Review left February 15, 2024
Great itinerary, delicious meals, well planned with wonderful knowledgeable presenters. A good balance of structured vs free time. We were unable to go to The Vue Orleans and some of the local museums were closed because of the weather, and our guide quickly came up with alternate options for the group. Road Scholar then gave us credit for the inconvenience, even though it wasn't their fault! Visiting New Orleans has been high on my bucket list and this was the perfect trip to see and learn a lot about this amazing city. Our guide Debbie was the best- organized, knowledgeable, helpful, with a very warm personality. I highly recommend this trip!
— Review left January 20, 2024
It was our first Road Scholar trip and won't be the last, based on the fun and interesting visit to New Orleans.
— Review left November 20, 2023
The New Orleans Signature Cities is our 3rd R.S. experience. We highly recommend this program. Great cultural content and fantastic hotel located right in the French Quarter.
— Review left November 18, 2023
My wife and I had a wonderful time getting to know more about New Orleans. Our group leader Debbie and all of the presenters were great. Each of the presentations were both informative and highly entertaining. I really enjoyed the bus and walking tours of different areas of New Orleans (especially the Garden District and St. Louis Cemetery 3), the World War II museum, the Vue Orleans museum, and the New Orleans School of Cooking. Located in the French Quarter, the Hotel Monteleone and its staff were absolutely top-flight. This was a fabulous trip!
— Review left November 3, 2023
Informative and entertaining trip to New Orleans! Had a great time and enjoyed the other participants also
— Review left October 22, 2023
My wife and I have always wanted to visit New Orleans. By choosing Road Scholar, we found the perfect way to get the most out of our journey.
— Review left October 22, 2023
Fantastic trip. Wonderful hotel, food, lectures and tours.
— Review left October 22, 2023
This was my first time traveling with Road Scholar. I enjoyed the entire experience.
If you haven't tried them, I would strongly recommend you give them a try.
— Review left October 18, 2023
New Orleans is unique in its cultural diversity. This program highlights the threads that weave its beautiful tapestry be it its food, art, geography or immigrant histories.
— Review left October 15, 2023
Wonderful
— Review left October 7, 2023
I thought the Signature City New Orleans trip was great! It was a big group but our tour leader did a great job keeping everyone engaged and happy. There was a good mixture of dining at restaurants and dining at the hotel. There was also a good mixture of walking and bus trips. I also liked that there was a good deal of free time which allowed for more exploration of the city. The location of the Hotel Monteleone was ideal. A block or two away from Bourbon Street but still in the heart of the city. One could easily walk to the waterfront or just about anywhere downtown.
I went by myself on this trip but I left with many new friends. Everyone was very friendly. I highly recommend this tour.
— Review left July 19, 2023
5 Stars We were in New Orleans the week before Jazz week. Each day more and more musicians poured into the city performing on the street corners and Jackson Square... from classical violin, opera singers, to blue grass, country, and jazz. The RS schedule offered a good variety of information about the city, architecture, history, food, music, and literature. A concert after lunch by clarinetist Doreen Ketchens was a high point. I recommend booking tickets for Preservation Hall beforehand during your free time in the city.
— Review left July 5, 2023
This was just a wonderful program for anyone wanting to learn more about New Orleans provided by instructors who actually live there and who give you the best inside information about this area of Louisiana.
— Review left May 29, 2023
It was a great trip. The group leader, Angela Carli was knowledgeable, with a great personality. She was attentive to our needs. She had to find two speakers who were ill and could not conduct the lectures. We enjoyed the substitutes speakers lectures. She was one of the substitutes, covering the lecture about writers in New Orleans. She was qualified, as she was an author herself.
— Review left May 29, 2023
Everyone, American or foreign, should visit New Orleans to understand how diverse this country is. This is the perfect tour for that learning experience.
— Review left May 29, 2023
Thank you for a wonderful experience. We had a great time and learned a lot.
— Review left May 28, 2023
This program will touch all five of your senses! A wonderful experience!
— Review left May 22, 2023
We were first-timers with Road Scholar, and it was a great experience! We will be back for more programs!
— Review left May 21, 2023
Get to know New Orleans at its best with the help of Roads Scholar.
— Review left May 21, 2023
I chose Road Scholar because I wanted to travel to New Orleans, a place I had never been and wanted to learn about the history, culture, architecture, and music of the area. This was my first trip as a single so I wanted the security of touring with a group. I got all of this and more. The program was very organized, the speakers were knowledgeable and entertaining, and the tours and recommended free time fit perfectly. I highly recommend Road Scholar.
— Review left May 21, 2023
Signature City New Orleans was fabulous. The hotel in the French Quarter was superb. The program leader and guest speakers were all native to New Orleans. Program was fun and entertaining. Food, music, and culture of city wax great.
— Review left May 19, 2023
This was a wonderful "First Trip"
The fellow travelers were a fun and interesting group.
Robin had the whole week running like a clock, she is special.
— Review left February 20, 2023
So glad I went. Robin is a wonderful group leader. We did so much, but at a pace that was not taxing.
The Hotel Monteleone is a gem and right in the middle of everything!
There were several hidden perks not mentioned in the trip itinerary, to do if you want more!
Be sure to book a front seat (bench) at a Preservation Hall performance for one of the nights you are there.
— Review left January 16, 2023
A very thorough multi-century look at one of the most eclectic cities in the US through music, food and history.
— Review left November 20, 2022
This was a wonderful trip made better by humorous well informed instructors, great food and music. The program enriched our visit taking us places and showing us thing we probably would have missed on our own. It is an amazing city and this program brought out the best of it.
— Review left November 13, 2022
You may think you are in another country when visiting New Orleans, the history, culture, traditions, and way of living is very unique. Native Americans, French, Spanish, Germans, Irish, Italians and African Americans have left their legacy that makes this city so intriguing. It is vibrant with jazz music in every corner, specially in Bourbon st., don't miss to use your voucher for Fritzel's we were a large group of 10+ and felt perfectly safe walking @ 8:00pm, the players were so good. The lectures provide a good history background, it enhanced our walking/museums tours around the city. You will love the New Orleans class music, as you will participate on a “second Line”. It you can, experience the ride on the streetcar (Red) on Canal street (few blocks from the Hotel) we paid $1.25 and the ticket was good for a return as well. Also the streetcar (Green) that crosses Canal St., Don't forget to eat a Beignet at Café du Monde across from the Cathedral. We were fortunate to have a very special Tour leader Robin she is a true ambassador of NOLA, the warm camaraderie of all of the other participants made me feel so welcome and a part of a group of old friends.
— Review left October 8, 2022
Had a good time. Great group leader(Robin),lecturers, guides and fellow travelers !
— Review left April 16, 2022
What a fabulous experience! This program ranges from an informative and wonderful jazz performance, to an architectural tour of the garden district, to a cooking demo featuring terrific gumbo, to the battlefields of WWII - and that's only half of it! Thank you Angela, Doreen, Milton, Nelly, Erik, Harriet, and Clare for sharing your gifts and love of New Orleans!
— Review left February 19, 2022
Highly recommended trip for solo female participants as you will be able to enjoy the city's history, architecture, music and culture safely and be able to try all of the New Orleans foods in a group.
— Review left February 12, 2022
A wonderful introduction/revisit to NOLA....highlighted by our guide,Robin, and our stay @ the Hotel Monteleone. Tour highlights by experts who truly love the "Big Easy". Loved the experience!
— Review left February 2, 2022
Every American would enjoy experiencing a week in New Orleans today, learning about the City's history, enjoying its cultural music, and tasting its
fine foods,
— Review left February 28, 2020
This program has a good mix of Mardi Gras fun and New Orleans history and culture today. If you like Jazz, you will get a good taste of that also. And speaking of taste: The food was outstanding!
— Review left February 21, 2020
This is DEFINITELY the one.
— Review left February 21, 2020
The Signature City tour of New Orleans was a delight!! Great guides, interesting topics and very comprehensive. A great value!
— Review left February 17, 2020
Experienced the culture, history, food and fun of New Orleans in a fun and informative way.
— Review left February 13, 2020
You have a very good website. RS offers a ton of programs. Be sure that when someone does a search for a particular locality, that all of the programs offered there come up. Also, for scholars booked on an upcoming trip, there is a way that supposedly participants can get in touch with each other beforehand. I tried to use it, but couldn't get it to work or couldn't figure it out, and to me it looked as though no one else was using it. Also, you might offer a "chatboard" that you would monitor in which RS travelers can ask and answer questions and offer advice and exchange views with others on the various programs. On a related note, it would be nice if RS could pause sending us emails almost daily promoting various trips when we are already booked on one. I realize this would involve some expense, but it's slightly annoying to get emails promoting Signature City New Orleans when we're already booked on that program.
— Review left February 12, 2020
Signature New Orleans is a great way to immerse yourself in the flavor and passions of the city. I learned much, heard some great music and had a lot of fun!
— Review left February 11, 2020
Our tour was great in all aspects. I recommend it. We have traveled quite a bit--all over the world. So be aware--the sidewalks in New Orleans are terrible--the absolute worse we've ever encountered. Worse than old Europe.
Worse than South American. Worse than New York. One of our travelling companions fell. If you are mobility challenged you need to address this seriously.
— Review left February 9, 2020
If you like great food, friendly people, and unique culture, this is the trip for you!
— Review left February 2, 2020
Food, fun, information are in this program with a reasonable amount of walking and activity.
— Review left January 31, 2020
The food was excellent as well as opportunity to walk it off, a little!
— Review left November 24, 2019
I have been on four Road Scholar trips in the past twelve months. Each trip has been an unique , growth experience. As a solo woman traveler I have made many new friends. I have learned so much from the other participants. I highly recommend Road Scholar.
— Review left November 21, 2019
SUPER tour!! Our leader, Clare Pierson, was professional, a great presenter, as well as a very warm and funny person. She carried out her 'Mothering' role well and kept us moving or discussion on point. The other presenters, Anne Leonhard, Nellie Watson, Harriet Robin and Doreen Ketchens were all incredible and we appreciated what each added to the program. I must admit, Anne was a personal favorite! The content covered was also very good - interesting, well presented and kept all of us involved. The trips out into the city were very good and transportation was comfortable.
The meals associated with the tour were also a highlight. We appreciated the small table approach and it was more like dining with friends - which some fellow travelers became. The quality of the food was incredible, as were the restaurants that had been recommended to us, for the meals where we were on our own.
The stay at the Monteleone was wonderful. The staff were helpful and always very pleasant. Our car was in the garage and the valets were very quick in retrieving it. The room was small but well appointed and comfortable. I would love to stay there again!
I have already recommended this tour and, Road Scholar, in general, to several people. This was our first tour and I'm already creating my Wish List for future tours.
The price you charge is very reasonable, considering the quality of the programs, meals, and accommodations. Now, if you had been able to control the weather...….!!!
Thanks very much!
— Review left November 21, 2019
Our visit to New Orleans was a great look at what makes this city so unique! I highly recommend it.
— Review left November 20, 2019
My husband and I and two other friends participated in New Orleans: City of Mystery & Intrigue in November 2019. We learned about the culture, architecture, food and music of New Orleans. The program was a perfect mix of group lectures and field trips with time on our own. The historic hotel was in the French Quarter so we could walk everywhere. It was an outstanding experience and we came away feeling that we had truly experienced the heart of New Orleans and its people.
— Review left November 18, 2019
Location and Information on my first Road Scholar trip gets an A+. Schedule was great. Balanced planned activity and free time. Where it went downhill was the staff. The tour guides were knowledgeable and shared history and their personalities which were fun. Although they were great when sharing info in the planned sessions it was clear to me that our hostess was preoccupied and lacked that great southern hospitality. She spoke at me but not with me and was not even present nor represented on our last night. We were literally on our own without being able to choose or discuss any issues. Dinner was incomplete since I consider cocktails and wine to be part of a festive meal. We did not even have an option and one of my fellow travelers walked to the other side of the hotel to get drinks for several of us and a bottle of wine since the wait staff did not have the authority to do so by our missing host, road scholar. I was told that generally the last evening was when the host guide shared a list of names etc of travel companions. We were never given that opportunity so we could only tear off pieces of paper to scribble info and share. Several of us also found it rude that she left our Sunday brunch without as much as a wave goodbye. Since I looked at her as the host of my trip I was very disappointed in her lack of the often mentioned great southern hospitality.
— Review left November 11, 2019
This program is very good and educational. Before departing for this program get the best weather forecast as we were caught out with a sudden cold day or two, for which we were not too well prepared. My only downside was dealing with the noise level and people/vehicle density around the hotel site.
— Review left November 4, 2019
This tour was great. Angela was welcoming and very good at keeping the group on track. The hotel was awesome. The program material was diverse which kept things interesting. The instructors were all extremely knowledgeable about their topics. We received plenty of advice on things to see and do (and eat) in the free time built in to the program.
— Review left June 12, 2019
If you like jazz (especially impromptu street musicians), creole cooking There is no excuse to go hungry in New Orleans, or enjoy a little history both local & the WWII museum & literary, a little architecture, a little exploration of old cemeteries and meeting new friends, this program is for you! Y'all come on down!
— Review left May 28, 2019
Enjoyable, educational, excellent guides/instructors, positive experience. This was my first trip with Road Scholar and I would feel free to recommend it to others. Hope to travel again with Road Scholar.
— Review left May 22, 2019
Wonderful tour with great accommodations right in the French Quarter, terrific food, excellent guides. Couldn't have asked for anything better.
— Review left May 19, 2019
What a wonderful way to get to know New Orleans. The French Quarter is historic and fun, but getting outside that area exposes one to so much more. The city is diverse, animated, unique and welcoming. The food is amazing and our hotel was spectacular. All of the things we did and places we visited were so interesting from the Garden district to the neighborhoods ravished by Katrina to the New Orleans Cooking School to the World War II museum. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who wants to get to know the whole of New Orleans - a city of resilience and celebration!
— Review left May 18, 2019
This was my first time on a Road Scholars trip. It was perfect in every way. I highly recommend Road Scholars. It was informative and very interesting and the accommodations were very nice. Everyone was very friendly.
— Review left May 13, 2019
I had a wonderful time and hope to do another program in the future. This was my first time. I have been on several cruises and this trip to New Orleans was by far the most informative and fun trip I have been on.
— Review left May 13, 2019
This was an amazing program! Excellent tour guides, lecturers, wonderful accommodations and terrific restaurants. Fell in love with New Orleans... Had I visited on y own, I'm fairly sure that I wouldn't have absorbed all there is to absorb in this city.
— Review left May 8, 2019
Enjoyed my first Road Scholar trip and my first New Orleans visit. What a way to begin my Road Scholar experience! Our New Orleans guides were very enthusiastic about their area of expertise ( history, literature, cooking, architecture, WWII museum, mini jazz show.) The hotel Monteleon was exquisite, the restaurants at which we dined were varied and tasty. We were given enough free time to explore the city, and restaurants on our own. New Orleans is an exciting city, and Road Scholar introduced us well! I’d do this same trip again!
— Review left April 12, 2019
One of the best programs I have been on
— Review left April 7, 2019
This program is a great experience and a great value. The stay in the Hotel Montleone alone is worth the price of the tour. In addition, we visited wonderful restaurants and learned a lot about New Orleans.
— Review left April 6, 2019
Great program, Group photo and email lists would be great
— Review left April 6, 2019
The most awesome Road Scholar program we've ever attended!
— Review left April 4, 2019
Learning the history of New Orleans was very interesting to me. I went with a New Englanders impression of what I would observe. Once I learned about the creole history and the strategic importance of New Orleans, I came away with a much different prospective. The WWII museum was the one event that truly blew me away. This second most popular museum is a MUST see for every American.
— Review left April 1, 2019
This is a wonderful program, I highly recommend it to everyone.
— Review left March 30, 2019
I find manuvering around your website frustrating. When I click on a trip to learn about and then go back to the list, I have to begin at the very beginning in order to countinue. Then, I had to scroll through the list to try to find where I left off.
— Review left March 30, 2019
If you want to get the most from your visit to New Orleans, choose the Road Scholar tour. In a short week's time, you will experience the culture, food, good music, and the history of this exciting city. The accommodations are first class and the hotel is located in the heart of the French Quarter, a very convenient location for feeling the vibes of the city.
— Review left March 29, 2019
Great hotel, wonderful good, good music. However, NOLA has a serious homeless problem. Stepping over those poor people who live in the street a few blocks from a 5 star hotel was disconcerting.
— Review left March 18, 2019
The perfect introduction for first time visitors. Great overview of the city, interesting lectures by longtime residents, wonderful cooking class
— Review left March 18, 2019
T his program gives you the best of two activities New Orleans is noted for. Mardi Gras, the French Quarter and the surrounding city. You get to enjoy the great food New Orleans is noted for in some of the best known restaurants in the city. What's not to like!
— Review left March 3, 2019
A fantastic way to experience Mardi Gras with hotel right on the parade route and only 2.5 blocks from the French Quarter. Field trip to the WWII National Museum was a wonderful addition to the activities throughout the week.
— Review left March 1, 2019
WOW! We got to experience both Mardi Gra AND learn about the history of New Orleans, experience the jazz culture, as well as laugh through a cooking class. I had more fun than I’ve had on any other trip with any travel company!
— Review left March 1, 2019
Clare, our group leader, was organized friendly and accommodating to all participants. I had never been to New Orleans and learned so much about the history and culture. The rain did not dampen our experiences.
— Review left February 25, 2019
My husband and I had never been to New Orleans. This program helped us to experience the food and culture. We now love the city and am so glad Road Scholars gave us this wonderful memory!
— Review left February 24, 2019
Easy to use
— Review left February 22, 2019
An excellent trip -- covered most of what I wanted to see in New Orleans. Our leader, Clair Pierson, did a very good job. The people were nice to be around. The walking pace was as advertised, and appropriate. Hotel was first class, in spite of a small bathroom.
— Review left February 10, 2019
A wonderful overview of New Orleans!! Lecturers were experts in their area and presented their material well. There was enough free time to explore this beautiful city! The wonderful food is a highlight of the trip. Everything was First Class!
— Review left February 7, 2019
45 years ago, my husband and I took a trip out west from South Florida. On the way back home, we stopped in the French Quarter. It was August, so very hot and steamy, were pan handled left and right and hawkers tried to get us to go their strip clubs. We looked at each other and said "we're outta here!!!" Well, I must say that things have changed!! And for the better. Still hot, and still panhandling, but much cleaner and safer. I went on this trip as a single person and never once felt unsafe even at 11 p.m. on Bourbon Street. We had a beautiful historic hotel with excellent food and service. The various dinners and lunches were wonderful with a bonus of a cooking class at the New Orleans School of Cooking. Music every night was fantastic. Don't miss Preservation Hall. It's a bit touristy but who cares? It's a landmark...... I learned a lot about Creole and Cajun and the cuisine of the area. My trip was early December so everything was decorated for Christmas. Be sure to take the Streetcar and don't call it a Cable car or Trolley.....that's a no-no. It's 40 cents for seniors. New Orleans is a true melting pot of all nationalities that migrated to this wondrous place through their port of entry. This was my 5th RS trip and there are more to come for me. Don't miss this fantastic city.....so glad I visited and gave it another chance!! It's beautiful.....
— Review left January 21, 2019
It was a wonderful trip with a great group of travelers. Our guides were outstanding. The weather was not cooperating but .....
— Review left January 8, 2019
