New Orleans, Louisiana, is brimming with creative and cultural experiences unlike anywhere else in America. Here, student groups can find museums and tours that explore the people, events, and traditions that contributed to the unique cultural offerings found in this historic city and down the Gulf Coast.
Celebrate
Bring your students to Mardi Gras World, where the hourlong tour gives school groups an inside look at the magic of Mardi Gras and the history of New Orleans. Students see artists paint and sculpt while learning how the city builds props and floats for the annual parade. For extra fun, book a mask-making class where students can express their creativity and make their very own glittering, colorful Mardi Gras mask to commemorate the trip.
Credit: Louisana Office of Tourism
Learn
The Historic New Orleans Collection is a free museum in the heart of the French Quarter, the oldest part of the city. Start the tour in the Welcome Center, where students can use the interactive smart table to get a birds-eye view and historical perspective on this storied neighborhood. As they continue through the museum, students will learn about the history of the city and the Gulf Coast. Check online for the latest information on permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Ride
Explore New Orleans in style! New Orleans Street Cars are a great way to get around the city while also experiencing a bit of unique New Orleans culture and history. The dark green St. Charles streetcar is the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world, and depending on which line your group takes, students can pass by dozens of antebellum mansions, universities, expansive green spaces, and historic restaurants and hotels.
Credit: Paul Broussard/neworleans.com
View
One of New Orleans’ newest attractions is Vue Orleans, a multilevel indoor and outdoor observation deck with spectacular 360-degree views of the Crescent City—but that’s not all. Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, Vue Orleans is also an interactive cultural experience. Through its theater and exhibits, students can learn about New Orleans’ music history, iconic food dishes, the fight for freedom and civil rights, riverboats, and flood damage prevention, all while surveying the sprawling city below them.
Main Image: Canal Streetcar; Credit: Paul Broussard/neworleans.com
