We’ll begin the day poring over a set of historical maps that lay bare the history of the city’s development, and how it took shape along the curves of the Mississippi River. Then we’ll go for a stroll through the Vieux Carré, a neighborhood within the French Quarter originally inhabited by French, Spanish, and enslaved African people. As we walk along these historic streets, we’ll trace the history of this place through its unique architecture, living legends, and lingering relics of centuries past. We’ll take a break in the afternoon so that you can enjoy lunch and explore New Orleans on your own. You’ll be free to wander the Old Pharmacy Museum, or a bookstore that lets you inhabit the same halls as William Faulkner once did. Late in the afternoon we’ll regroup and make our way to Congo Square—a public space that, amidst widespread imperial erasure and suppression of enslaved African culture, became a rare haven for the preservation and evolution of the rhythms, sounds, and dances of enslaved people. Later in the evening, we’ll head to the historic Princess of Monaco Courtyard and Carriage House, where we’ll tuck into iconic Louisiana fare—including your guide’s favorite gumbo in the city, crafted from a myriad of fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

This morning begins at the Music Box Village, where we’ll wander an outdoor garden ripe with massive musical architecture. Each piece of art is a collaboratively designed, fully functional musical instrument. We’ll get a hands-on tour of the installation and compose a tune or two alongside one of the project’s co-founding artists. Then it’s off to St. Claude Avenue, a vibrant art corridor home to larger-than-life murals and galleries galore, and along Esplanade Avenue, an old portage road that eventually gives way to  Bayou St. John. Upon reaching City Park, we’ll wind our way through a grove of ancient oaks until we reach Café Du Monde—a beloved caffeination destination serving up pillowy beignets and a mean café au lait. Fully satiated, we’ll head to the Sculpture Garden, which boasts more than 90 works of art from across the globe, nestled within an elegant ecosystem of glassy lagoons and lofty pines. From there, we’ll make our way to the Singing Oak. With chimes fastened to its branches, the oak tree is both a composer and an instrumentalist, emanating calming songs whenever the wind blows. We’ll sprawl beneath its outstretched branches and enjoy a picnic before stopping by the Tomb of the Unknown Slave, a site that honors and mourns the countless enslaved individuals who died without a proper burial. Dinner tonight will be on your own, and after, you’ll have the option to explore the city’s many music venues.

This morning, we’ll travel downriver to the Lower Ninth Ward neighborhood to meet up with Gina Phillips, a local artist, educator, and musician. Sourcing used fabric from neighbors, friends, and family members, she creates layered, three-dimensional portraits of neighborhood figures—including artists and musicians. From there, we’ll head to Studio BE, an abandoned-warehouse-turned-art-sanctuary and the brainchild of Brandan “BMike” Odums, the artist who organized graffiti artists en masse to cover a housing project slated for demolition with artwork. Depicting historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, Odums’s work embraces and harnesses the political energy of the generation of African American activists who came up in the time of the nation’s first black president. Later in the day, we’ll hit the St. Roch Market, an eclectic food hall tucked inside a 19th-century market, featuring a carefully curated blend of cuisines and distinctly designed. We’ll head back to our hotel to digest all the food and information we’ve absorbed today. After a bit of rest, we’ll meet a musician who will share their musical journey before we head out to watch their band take to the stage for a dynamic, live performance. 

Today, we’ll head uptown, where historic mansions and opulent, lush gardens abound. As we wander the Garden District, we’ll dig into the political landscape that gave birth to it. Later, we’ll visit the Lafayette Cemetery #2 where we’ll learn about burial rites within the city. We’ll head further upriver until we encounter the mysterious mansion “built by bananas,” and peel back the layered history of the Crescent City’s connection to the fruit. With food on the mind, we’ll send you off with a New Orleans-style brunch, complete with a mimosa or bloody Mary to ensure pleasant travels. Until our next adventure!