Editor’s Note: During this period of social distancing, Student Group Tour magazine will continue to provide ideas for planning educational travel. Many attractions and destinations are closed at this time; please contact them directly for updated information.
From World War II history to all things Mardi Gras, The Big Easy is not only an exciting city but an educational destination for students. Here are just a few great attractions to include in an itinerary.
New Orleans & Company
800-672-6124
neworleans.com
SOCIAL STUDIES
Learn about New Orleans history, culture and entertainment through the extravagance of Mardi Gras at Mardi Gras World. Tours take groups through artist studios and operating workshops to get a behind-the-scenes look at where 80% of the floats that journey down New Orleans’ streets during Carnival season are built. Students can dress like a Mardi Gras float rider and make their own colorful masks to take home.
HISTORY
Named one of the “Best Places to Learn U.S. Military History” by USA Today, The National WWII Museum provides dynamic educational resources to help students explore the values and beliefs that surrounded this monumental conflict. Discuss the culture, science and engineering behind WWII through interactive displays and hands-on activities. Educators have the option to put the exhibits right into the classroom with the museum’s ww2classroom.org immersive program.
ART
Critically acclaimed artist Brandan “BMike” Odums established Studio Be in 2016, an art exhibition featuring several murals and installations in a 36,000-square-foot gallery. Known for his playful mix of realism and vibrant color, Odums portrays Black American activists and ordinary people while also highlighting topics like the self-care movement and law enforcement violence. All inside a transformed warehouse, students can tour the facility and discuss issues like prejudice and self-acceptance through exceptional artwork.
