Signature City New Orleans

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,

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!

This is DEFINITELY the one.

The Signature City tour of New Orleans was a delight!! Great guides, interesting topics and very comprehensive. A great value!

Experienced the culture, history, food and fun of New Orleans in a fun and informative way.

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.

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!

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.

If you like great food, friendly people, and unique culture, this is the trip for you!

Food, fun, information are in this program with a reasonable amount of walking and activity.

Excellent introduction to New Orleans. Well organized, very good lecturers and tour guides. Good selection of restaurants and locations to visit, plus a very nice hotel in a great location.

The food was excellent as well as opportunity to walk it off, a little!

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.

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!

Our visit to New Orleans was a great look at what makes this city so unique! I highly recommend it.

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.

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.

This experience is clearly above average. The organization and the program insure that participants get just the right amount of exposure to the culture of New Orleans. The food is certainly part of the tour and is exceptional. The organization, documentation, structure is best in their class.

What an excellent program! This was our 18th program and definitely one of the best. We got a wonderful introduction to the architecture, food, music, literature and history of this wonderful city. The hotel was outstanding, and, as usual, we met friendly people.

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.

Learning about the strategic historical place held by New Orleans in America's development has been outstanding. I highly recommend this program.

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.

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!

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.

Wonderful tour with great accommodations right in the French Quarter, terrific food, excellent guides. Couldn't have asked for anything better.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

One of the best programs I have been on

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.

Great program, Group photo and email lists would be great

The most awesome Road Scholar program we've ever attended!

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.

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.

This is a wonderful program, I highly recommend it to everyone.

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.

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.

The perfect introduction for first time visitors. Great overview of the city, interesting lectures by longtime residents, wonderful cooking class

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

Easy to use

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.

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!

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.....

It was a wonderful trip with a great group of travelers. Our guides were outstanding. The weather was not cooperating but .....

The New Orleans program is a wonderful introduction to the Crescent City. The location (Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter) is ideal. The only downside is that the tour doesn't allow for much free time for participants to do their own exploring.

This program is "like a box of chocolates". It is a sampler of New Orleans music, architecture, food, and culture. It is not an in-depth study of any, and a very slight and brief look into each. It may wet your appetite for more. If you want more in-depth exploration, plan additional time on your own or find another more focused program. This is New Orleans 101, it may be all you want to know, or it may be a gateway to more exploration of the Big Easy.

This is the way to see and appreciate New Orleans

a really easy and comprehensive site...informative and well organized

A delightful and educational trip. This was my 13th Road Scholar program. I am not a superstitious person, but we had rain and unusually cold weather for several days on this trip. A coincidence, climate change, or a voodoo influence? Our presentations and tours about the history, the architecture, the writers, and the music of New Orleans were informative and enjoyable. The Road Scholar restaurant selections were outstanding with a menu focus on New Orleans’ cuisine, and the Hotel Monteleone was elegant and centrally location in the French Quarter. We extended our trip by 2 nights and we took the opportunity to see some other sights which included a Mardi Gras World tour where they build the floats and figures for the Mardi Gras activities. If have additional time in New Orleans and you want dinner reservations at a top restaurant, you should make your reservations weeks in advance. We made reservation 2 weeks before the trip and we still had some trouble making reservations. Fortunately, there are many good restaurants, so there were many acceptable alternatives.

In New Orleans, Signature City we had great presenters, who taught us about the history, architecture , and authors of the area. The jazz we listened to was also great.

This program exceeded our expectations, thanks to the leader Claire Pierson, the instructors (Anne, Doreen, Nellie & Harriet), the Hotel Monteleone (wow!), and the delicious variety of restaurant meals. New Orleans is a fun city with a fascinating history!

The writing is to small

absolutely marvelous experience learning about New Orleans, their culture food, music their history and so much more.

Road Scholar provides exceptional quality and value.

The lectures were excellent but maybe a little too long. More info was given on the tours and sometimes there was redundancy. Very knowledgeable lecturers. Food was excellent but too much food. Music was great. The group was very large: 42. This made getting to know others difficult. We were divided into 2 groups for some activities and this helped some. There were mobility challenged participants and the tour leader did not insure there were appropriate seats available for them on at least two occasions. Anticipating your group participants needs should be one of the main roles of the tour director. We worked it out but it could have been easier. The bus driver was excellent and the access to the bus was wonderful.

We happened to arrive during Voodoo Fest and Halloween. What an awesome time to visit New Orleans. We both learned a lot and appreciate the culture and the "food" of the area. So Happy we were on this trip and looking forward to our next one.

We listened, we learned, we observed, we made new friends, and we experienced the sights and sounds of New Orleans in a more educational way than on any of our two previous trips to New Orleans. As we prepared to return home, we felt like we were leaving dear friends behind. Superb time.

This is a very comprehensive tour of the French Quarter. The leaders and instructors exceeded our expectations. The activity level is spot on. The accommodations, food and overall experiences were top notch. Weather is unpredictable so be prepared for any type and you will love it!

I loved the variety of activities offered by this program. It was well organized. I have only accolades to report-no complaints!

New Orleans was wonderful and made more so by out tour leader, Angels. I will be booking more trips in the future based on my New Orleans experience

Excellent

Signature City: New Orleans was a brilliant experience. For people like myself who live outside the US this program was a wonderful introduction to a unique city and its proud people as well as enjoying the friendliness of the American people I met on this tour.

This was a trip that was informative, enjoyable and rates a "10."

If you can afford the extra charge, a stay in the French Quarter at Hotel Monteleone is not to be missed.

A terrific, fun opportunity to visit New Orleans, listen to the music, eat the food, and enjoy the city!

I've previously visited New Orleans, but this program provided both a fun and educational experience. I highly recommend this to others.

Great program. Size of group was perfect and well managed. Educational speakers are top notch. Reastaurants were great treats.. The hotel was like a five star concierge hotel. Group guide was dedicated and knowledgeable.

This was our first Road Scholar trip and it exceeded all of our expectations. The events were well planned and mixed with just the right amount of free time. Accommodations were beautiful, and the food was just wonderful! We enjoyed the other participants as well as all of the presenters and the group's leader, Angela, who managed to put a smile on all of our faces every day.

I thought the WW2 war Museum was a great addition to this trip