New Orleans 9 Day Jazzy Jambalaya

Arrive in New Orleans, one of the most exotic 
cities in the world, famous for riverboats, jazz, 
Creole cuisine and a seemingly endless parade of 
festivals. On arrival, pick up your car and proceed 
to your hotel. The remainder of your evening is at 
leisure. Take this opportunity to enjoy dinner at 
one of New Orleans’ many famous Cajun or Creole 
restaurants. As one of the world’s most fascinating 
cities and the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans is alive 
with tradition and home to a truly unique melting pot 
of culture, food and music.
 

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore New 
Orleans on your own. Take a walking tour of the 
Vieux Carre, popularly known as the French Quarter, 
a place of narrow streets, wonderful old buildings 
and beautiful courtyards. Visit Jackson Square, Royal 
Street, Bourbon Street and the many museums. Take 
a full day bayou and swamp tour or enjoy a riverboat 
cruise on the Mississippi. If you’re looking to explore 
a neighborhood with bohemian style and vibrant 
homes, stroll through the Marigny and Bywater 
neighborhoods near the French Quarter. The area 
is filled with hip shops, restaurants and bars, and 
Crescent Park has stunning views of the Mississippi 
River and downtown New Orleans.

Today, enjoy a drive through unique 
geography, sandwiched between Lake Pontchartrain and 
the mighty Mississippi River to the heart of the old 
South, Baton Rouge, where you’ll find eight majestic historic plantations and is also known as the South’s 
brightest hot spots! Visit one of the most beloved, 
largest plantation homes in the South, Nottoway 
Plantation and relive the fascinating history. Take a 
lunch break at downtown Main Street Market and 
do a little shopping while you’re there. After lunch, 
take a free guided tour of the “New” State Capitol, 
which is the largest state capitol building in the 
United States. You can also choose to visit the newly 
renovated outdoor museum, Rural Life Museum, 
and get a feel for living and working the plantation 
life. This evening, get a feel for the lively city that 
offers several free outdoor concerts in the Park such 
as Rock ‘n’ Rowe, Summer Beat Concert and Live 
After Five.

Continue your unforgettable journey by 
taking the Trace Parkway which evolved from an 
Indian trail into a post road and pioneer highway 
to Natchez, the oldest settlement in Mississippi. 
On your way to Natchez you can take a break in 
historic town St. Francisville and stop at one of the 
unique shops, historical homes, beautiful churches, 
or breathtaking parks. Getting closer to Natchez 
you may want to visit a plantation (Burn, Dunleith, 
Melrose, Monmouth or Longwood). Longwood is 
reputedly the largest octagonal house in the country.

Founded in 1716, makes Natchez the oldest 
city on the Mississippi. It is a charming river town 
which has been first inhabited by the Natchez Indians and French explorers who shared the land. Every 
year thousands of people come to Natchez for the 
pilgrimages that offer visits of the many Antebellum 
homes in the area. The gracious citizens open 
their homes, which have been lovingly restored, 
so that visitors can get a glimpse of the southern 
prosperous life. You can also visit Vicksburg National 
Military Park which commemorates the campaign, 
siege, and defense of Vicksburg in 1863. There are 
over 1,300 monuments, markers and plaques, a 16-
mile tour road and a national cemetery, the nation’s 
largest burial site of Civil War Union soldiers and 
sailors with graves totaling over 17,000.
 

Vicksburg perfectly blends Southern culture 
and heritage with exciting modern-day attractions. 
Described as the “Key to the South” by Abraham Lincoln, this Southern town carries a history unlike 
any other Civil War city. Founded in 1811, Vicksburg 
grew as a vital river port city. Today, Vicksburg is a 
popular spot for tourists to learn about the battles of 
the city, taste the cuisine, visit the many museums, 
and pick out the perfect souvenir
 

Today explore picturesque small town 
Natchitoches, which has been part of French 
Louisiana in the early 18th century. Do not miss the 
opportunity to taste a regional delicacy and enjoy 
a piece of Natchitoches meat pie. Drive back south 
through Alexandria, Ville Platte and Opelousas to 
Lafayette, the heart of Cajun Country where the 
Acadians, or Cajuns, started arriving in 1765. Today 
these French-American’s are famous for their joie de vivre which is reflected in their lively dancing, 
music and spicy food. Upon arrival, you can enjoy 
a walking tour of downtown to discover landmark 
buildings, or take a short drive to Acadian Village 
overlooking the bayou and filled with authentically 
restored Cajun homes and churches.
 

A short drive from Lafayette takes you to New 
Iberia and Avery Island, the birthplace of Tabasco 
sauce. Other attractions include Jungle Garden, 
lush with tropical plants, and Bird City, a sanctuary 
filled with flurries of snow-white egrets. Continue 
to Morgan City, the “Shrimp Capital of the World,” 
and Houma, where you may want to take some time 
for an optional boat tour into the deep swamp and 
bayou to see alligators and other wildlife. Following 
the scenic route, and perhaps stopping at Terre 
Bonne or Southdown Plantation, you will arrive in 
New Orleans.

Return your car at the airport before your 
departure flight.