Guest Information
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Guests of attendees are a special part of the PCIC Conferences. The Local Committee takes great care to help make their time at the Conference as pleasant and entertaining as possible by offering a variety of off-site activities while attendees participate in the daily sessions.
Who is a guest? A guest is a spouse/significant other, friend, or child that is not involved in an electrical industry related occupation. Authors, co-workers, or associates that are involved in any related industries may not be registered as a guest. Guests must be registered for the Conference to attend the Monday Social and to participate in guest-designated functions, such as the Guest Hospitality Suite, tours, vendor hospitality events, etc. Guests are not allowed to attend paper presentations or special meal functions (eg Authors, YEDS, or Emeritus meals). However, tickets for attendee luncheons are available for guests to purchase if they chose to do so.
Guest Tours are offered by the Local Committee throughout the conference. Guest Tour information for New Orleans 2023 will be updated once the tours are finalized. The tours allow the guest to experience local areas of interest. See below for tour details and pricing. Tour tickets are non-refundable, but may be exchanged or sold between guests. Exchange information will be made available in the Guest Hospitality Suite.
Check this link for the more information on each of the tours!
ieeeias-pcic2023.website.bokun.io/online-sales/product-list/62978?page=1
ieeeias-pcic2023.website.bokun.io/online-sales/product-list/62978?page=1
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Sunday, September 10, 2023
Tour 1 - Large Airboat Adventure Swamp Tour
Tour 2 - National WWII Museum with roundtrip transfers Tour 3 - French Quarter Walking Tour Monday, September 11, 2023
Tour 4 - Houmas House & Gardens with Lunch
Tour 5 - Exclusive Garden District Walking Tour with Lunch Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Tour 6 - Oak Alley Plantation with Southern Brunch
Tour 7 - Steamboat Natchez Lunch Cruise + Hospitality Suite Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Tour 8 - Swamp Cruise
Tour 9 - Laura Plantation: Louisiana's Creole Heritage Site Tour 10 - Culinary & Cocktail Experience |
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Tour 1 – Large Airboat Adventures Swamp Tour (54 max)
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
$92
Travel at speeds up to 40 mph across the bayou in an airboat then slow down for unforgettable photo opportunities and hear fascinating information from the local captains who grew up near the fishing village of Lafitte, named for the French pirate Jean Lafitte. He and his band of buccaneers used the labyrinth between New Orleans and the Gulf to operate a smuggling empire. These agile airboats take you deep into the marsh where traditional boats do not dare to go. Once deep in the wetlands, you will be in the prime location for viewing the fragile beauty and plentiful wildlife of Sportsman’s Paradise.
What is included: Private round-trip transportation from the New Orleans Marriott, tour guide to meet group in lobby of hotel and provide commentary enroute, 1.5-hour tour in 15-27 passenger airboat, live albino alligator exhibit, ear protection provided for use during tour, all taxes and gratuities.
What is excluded: Snacks are available for purchase in the gift shop.
Tour 2 – National WWII Museum with roundtrip transfers (100 max)
9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
$58.50
New Orleans' #1 attraction covers the epic and global scale of the war that changed the world. Designated by Congress as the official WWII museum of the United States, The National WWII Museum is located in downtown New Orleans on a six-acre campus, where five soaring pavilions house historical exhibits, on-site restoration work, a period dinner theater and restaurants.
The National WWII Museum's exhibits are housed in four buildings, each arranged around central themes of the war. They cover the epic and global scale of the war that changed the world, in a voice that is intimate and personal. Interactive features, oral histories, and personal vignettes add a meaningful perspective. Exhibits not only highlight the role of world leaders, but also the everyday men and women who found the strength and courage to accomplish the extraordinary.
Beyond All Boundaries, narrated and produced by Tom Hanks exclusively for The Museum, is a unique and powerful 4-D cinematic experience available nowhere else in the world. The 48-minute production plunges viewers into the 20th century's most titanic struggle and tells the tale of the Greatest Generation's journey from Pearl Harbor into the fire of epic battles to America's final victory in the words of the veterans themselves.
What is included: Private round-trip transportation from the New Orleans Marriott, entry/admission fee to National WWII Museum campus, all taxes and gratuities. Museum requires timed admissions for entry and film. Buses to depart hotel at 9:30 am. 10:00 am film followed by self guided tour. Continuous return shuttle with staff to remain on site.
What is excluded: Food and beverages are available for purchase in the Museum.
Tour 3 – French Quarter Walking Tour (100 max)
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
$33
Walking the streets of the French Quarter, you will see how New Orleans' unique past shapes the life and culture of today's residents.
New Orleans has enjoyed eras of prosperity and celebration few can imagine. The city has also risen above fires, epidemics, hurricanes, floods, wars, slavery, and social conflict. And that was just the first 100 years!
For centuries this port city has been a cultural haven where creativity has flourished in art, architecture, music, literature, cuisine, and politics. This tour presents New Orleans’ oldest neighborhood during a pivotal point in a long and colorful history.
The French population doubled, sugar empires rose, Baroness Pontalba transformed Jackson Square, steamboats connected New Orleans with the Western “frontier”, and European and American ideals clashed in a place where Free People of Color were among the social elite.
From the Ursuline nuns who educated the colonists to the pirate Jean Lafitte who supplied luxury items to the wealthiest corridor on earth, learn how the saints and sinners of our Creole past shaped the heart and soul of today’s New Orleans.
What is included: Entry/admission fee, tour guide to meet group in lobby of hotel, two-hour guided walking tour of the French Quarter, all taxes and gratuities.
What is not included: The sidewalks of the French Quarter can be uneven and may be unsuitable for wheelchairs or those with limited mobility. Snacks are available for purchase in various locations along the tour.
Tour 1 – Large Airboat Adventures Swamp Tour (54 max)
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
$92
Travel at speeds up to 40 mph across the bayou in an airboat then slow down for unforgettable photo opportunities and hear fascinating information from the local captains who grew up near the fishing village of Lafitte, named for the French pirate Jean Lafitte. He and his band of buccaneers used the labyrinth between New Orleans and the Gulf to operate a smuggling empire. These agile airboats take you deep into the marsh where traditional boats do not dare to go. Once deep in the wetlands, you will be in the prime location for viewing the fragile beauty and plentiful wildlife of Sportsman’s Paradise.
What is included: Private round-trip transportation from the New Orleans Marriott, tour guide to meet group in lobby of hotel and provide commentary enroute, 1.5-hour tour in 15-27 passenger airboat, live albino alligator exhibit, ear protection provided for use during tour, all taxes and gratuities.
What is excluded: Snacks are available for purchase in the gift shop.
Tour 2 – National WWII Museum with roundtrip transfers (100 max)
9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
$58.50
New Orleans' #1 attraction covers the epic and global scale of the war that changed the world. Designated by Congress as the official WWII museum of the United States, The National WWII Museum is located in downtown New Orleans on a six-acre campus, where five soaring pavilions house historical exhibits, on-site restoration work, a period dinner theater and restaurants.
The National WWII Museum's exhibits are housed in four buildings, each arranged around central themes of the war. They cover the epic and global scale of the war that changed the world, in a voice that is intimate and personal. Interactive features, oral histories, and personal vignettes add a meaningful perspective. Exhibits not only highlight the role of world leaders, but also the everyday men and women who found the strength and courage to accomplish the extraordinary.
Beyond All Boundaries, narrated and produced by Tom Hanks exclusively for The Museum, is a unique and powerful 4-D cinematic experience available nowhere else in the world. The 48-minute production plunges viewers into the 20th century's most titanic struggle and tells the tale of the Greatest Generation's journey from Pearl Harbor into the fire of epic battles to America's final victory in the words of the veterans themselves.
What is included: Private round-trip transportation from the New Orleans Marriott, entry/admission fee to National WWII Museum campus, all taxes and gratuities. Museum requires timed admissions for entry and film. Buses to depart hotel at 9:30 am. 10:00 am film followed by self guided tour. Continuous return shuttle with staff to remain on site.
What is excluded: Food and beverages are available for purchase in the Museum.
Tour 3 – French Quarter Walking Tour (100 max)
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
$33
Walking the streets of the French Quarter, you will see how New Orleans' unique past shapes the life and culture of today's residents.
New Orleans has enjoyed eras of prosperity and celebration few can imagine. The city has also risen above fires, epidemics, hurricanes, floods, wars, slavery, and social conflict. And that was just the first 100 years!
For centuries this port city has been a cultural haven where creativity has flourished in art, architecture, music, literature, cuisine, and politics. This tour presents New Orleans’ oldest neighborhood during a pivotal point in a long and colorful history.
The French population doubled, sugar empires rose, Baroness Pontalba transformed Jackson Square, steamboats connected New Orleans with the Western “frontier”, and European and American ideals clashed in a place where Free People of Color were among the social elite.
From the Ursuline nuns who educated the colonists to the pirate Jean Lafitte who supplied luxury items to the wealthiest corridor on earth, learn how the saints and sinners of our Creole past shaped the heart and soul of today’s New Orleans.
What is included: Entry/admission fee, tour guide to meet group in lobby of hotel, two-hour guided walking tour of the French Quarter, all taxes and gratuities.
What is not included: The sidewalks of the French Quarter can be uneven and may be unsuitable for wheelchairs or those with limited mobility. Snacks are available for purchase in various locations along the tour.
Monday, September 11, 2023
Tour 4 – Houmas House & Gardens with lunch (54 max)
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
$126
As you enter the iron gates of Houmas House Plantation & Gardens, you can instantly see why it is called the “Crown Jewel of River Road.” The striking Greek Revival mansions is softened by a 38-acre panorama of indigenous Louisiana plant life and stunning waterscapes.
Pathways wind around the property, through courtyards, around ponds and atop hillside terraces, revealing unique spaces that are both spectacular and intimate at the same time. Sitting areas are placed throughout the lush paradise, so that visitors can relax and enjoy the estate as a treasured guest.
In fact, the entire experience at Houmas House is accessible and welcoming. On the one-hour mansion tour, a friendly guide in period attire plays the part of hostess, leading guests through every room on the first and second floor. There are no velvet ropes or off-limit areas.
You’ll learn how the mansion and its legacy evolved with each new owner over 245 years. There are fascinating stories behind the acquisition of much of the original art and rare collectibles in the mansion and throughout the grounds and the guides love to share those tales with curious visitors.
After your tour, enjoy a delicious buffet overlooking the stunning grounds.
Buffet with non-alcoholic drink and coffee. All taxes and gratuities included. Chicken & andouille gumbo, Caesar salad, Fried Catfish, Barbeque Glazed Roasted Chicken, Crawfish Alfredo Pasta, Red Beans & Rice, Corn Maque Choux, White Chocolate Bread Pudding, Subject to change based on availability.
Adjacent to the estate is the (optional) Great River Road Steamboat Museum, a 35,000 square foot museum of exhibits and artifacts showcasing the commerce, folklore, music, and culture of the lower Mississippi River. Steps away is a handicap accessible bridge from the Houmas House estate to the river, providing a safe and fun way to cross River Road and see over the levee.
Don’t miss the Turtle Bar, located in a garçonnière, or boys’ room, built in 1836. Many guests order a Mint Julep, but this quaint bar also offers 250 bottles of whiskey, rare bourbons, local beers, and a full liquor selection. Feel free to walk the grounds with your beverage. You are, after all, a guest.
What is included: Private round-trip transportation from the New Orleans Marriott, entry/admission fee, buffet with non-alcoholic drinks, all taxes and gratuities.
What is not included: As there are no elevators or ramps, this tour includes some areas that are not wheelchair accessible. Pathways are either bricked or graveled. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
Tour 5 – Exclusive Garden District Walking Tour with lunch (31 max)
9:00 AM – 1:45 PM
$199
A few miles upriver from the French Quarter is one of the most well-preserved historic neighborhoods in America – the Garden District. Like many New Orleans neighborhoods, it began as a plantation, later subdivided and sold to a rising mercantile class. Newly wealthy in the years following the Louisiana Purchase, these Americans built estates to outshine the Creole’s French Quarter.
As you stroll along your guide will point out these architectural styles and features and share the stories of those who lived behind these grand facades.
After your tour you will enjoy an elegant three course lunch on the veranda of the newly reimagined Garden District oasis, at the Saint Vincent Hotel. Even more impressive is the woman who, in 1861, used funds from her successful bakery to build the Saint Vincent’s Infant Asylum. A penniless Irish orphan herself, Margaret Haughery made her way to New Orleans, built great success and is cherished for her lifelong legacy of philanthropy. The nearby statue of her is the second public monument of a woman to be erected in the United States.
What is included: Private round-trip transportation from the New Orleans Marriott, entry/admission fee, cocktail on arrival at Saint Vincent Hotel (circa 1861), three course lunch on the veranda, all taxes and gratuities.
What is not included: The sidewalks of the Garden District can be uneven and may be unsuitable for wheelchairs or those with limited mobility. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
Tour 4 – Houmas House & Gardens with lunch (54 max)
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
$126
As you enter the iron gates of Houmas House Plantation & Gardens, you can instantly see why it is called the “Crown Jewel of River Road.” The striking Greek Revival mansions is softened by a 38-acre panorama of indigenous Louisiana plant life and stunning waterscapes.
Pathways wind around the property, through courtyards, around ponds and atop hillside terraces, revealing unique spaces that are both spectacular and intimate at the same time. Sitting areas are placed throughout the lush paradise, so that visitors can relax and enjoy the estate as a treasured guest.
In fact, the entire experience at Houmas House is accessible and welcoming. On the one-hour mansion tour, a friendly guide in period attire plays the part of hostess, leading guests through every room on the first and second floor. There are no velvet ropes or off-limit areas.
You’ll learn how the mansion and its legacy evolved with each new owner over 245 years. There are fascinating stories behind the acquisition of much of the original art and rare collectibles in the mansion and throughout the grounds and the guides love to share those tales with curious visitors.
After your tour, enjoy a delicious buffet overlooking the stunning grounds.
Buffet with non-alcoholic drink and coffee. All taxes and gratuities included. Chicken & andouille gumbo, Caesar salad, Fried Catfish, Barbeque Glazed Roasted Chicken, Crawfish Alfredo Pasta, Red Beans & Rice, Corn Maque Choux, White Chocolate Bread Pudding, Subject to change based on availability.
Adjacent to the estate is the (optional) Great River Road Steamboat Museum, a 35,000 square foot museum of exhibits and artifacts showcasing the commerce, folklore, music, and culture of the lower Mississippi River. Steps away is a handicap accessible bridge from the Houmas House estate to the river, providing a safe and fun way to cross River Road and see over the levee.
Don’t miss the Turtle Bar, located in a garçonnière, or boys’ room, built in 1836. Many guests order a Mint Julep, but this quaint bar also offers 250 bottles of whiskey, rare bourbons, local beers, and a full liquor selection. Feel free to walk the grounds with your beverage. You are, after all, a guest.
What is included: Private round-trip transportation from the New Orleans Marriott, entry/admission fee, buffet with non-alcoholic drinks, all taxes and gratuities.
What is not included: As there are no elevators or ramps, this tour includes some areas that are not wheelchair accessible. Pathways are either bricked or graveled. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
Tour 5 – Exclusive Garden District Walking Tour with lunch (31 max)
9:00 AM – 1:45 PM
$199
A few miles upriver from the French Quarter is one of the most well-preserved historic neighborhoods in America – the Garden District. Like many New Orleans neighborhoods, it began as a plantation, later subdivided and sold to a rising mercantile class. Newly wealthy in the years following the Louisiana Purchase, these Americans built estates to outshine the Creole’s French Quarter.
As you stroll along your guide will point out these architectural styles and features and share the stories of those who lived behind these grand facades.
After your tour you will enjoy an elegant three course lunch on the veranda of the newly reimagined Garden District oasis, at the Saint Vincent Hotel. Even more impressive is the woman who, in 1861, used funds from her successful bakery to build the Saint Vincent’s Infant Asylum. A penniless Irish orphan herself, Margaret Haughery made her way to New Orleans, built great success and is cherished for her lifelong legacy of philanthropy. The nearby statue of her is the second public monument of a woman to be erected in the United States.
What is included: Private round-trip transportation from the New Orleans Marriott, entry/admission fee, cocktail on arrival at Saint Vincent Hotel (circa 1861), three course lunch on the veranda, all taxes and gratuities.
What is not included: The sidewalks of the Garden District can be uneven and may be unsuitable for wheelchairs or those with limited mobility. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Tour 6 – Oak Alley Plantation with Southern Brunch (54 max)
8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
$119
As Oak Alley comes into view and you instantly understand why she is the most photographed plantation ever. Her quarter-mile long alley of 28 magnificent oak trees, each nearly 300 years old, is an impressive welcome and the ultimate symbol of grandeur at the heart of this sugar empire. Before touring the Greek Revival mansion, one of the most iconic homes in the United States, you'll enjoy a delicious Creole brunch on the grounds.
You'll soon learn that there is much more to the story of Oak Alley than the unimaginable wealth of a sugar plantation. Extensive research by the Friends of Oak Alley Foundation has revealed the lives and legacies of the many people who have called Oak Alley home.
The grounds provide a self-guided experience for you to explore:
What is included: Private round-trip transportation from the New Orleans Marriott, entry/admission fee, buffet with non-alcoholic drinks, guided 30-minute tour of mansion, self guided tour of grounds, all taxes and gratuities.
What is not included: As there are no elevators or ramps, this tour includes some areas that are not wheelchair accessible. Pathways are either bricked or graveled. Alcoholic drinks (available for purchase).
Tour 7 – Steamboat Natchez Lunch Cruise & Hospitality Suite (80 max)
10:45 AM – 1:30 PM
$107
At the height of the Steamboat Era there were 4,000 steamboats navigating the water highways of America. Today there is only one steam powered paddle wheeler left on the Mississippi River: The Steamboat NATCHEZ. Your group will enjoy a special VIP hospitality suite with an open bar while on board during the harbor cruise.
As the iconic red paddle churns the Mighty Mississippi, the NATCHEZ glides past the French Quarter and through one of the world’s most active ports. The live jazz band sets the tone for a relaxing cruise, perfect for socializing with your friends and colleagues or simply enjoying the scenery. A delicious Creole buffet, prepared fresh daily in the galley, will be served in the Main Dining Room.
For all its history and romance, the excitement of riding a steamboat is as rich and genuine today as it was a century ago.
What is included: One-way transportation from the Marriott, Entry/Admission fee, buffet with non-alcoholic drinks, live jazz music, Captain's narration during band breaks, private hospitality suite in Captain's Salon (live jazz piped in), open call bar package with wristband to drink at all bars on board (adult tickets only, must be 21), all taxes and gratuities.
What is not included: This tour is wheelchair accessible, however the top and bottom decks are stairs only. NOTE : Return transportation to the Marriott is not included but the dock is a short walk from the hotel.
Tour 6 – Oak Alley Plantation with Southern Brunch (54 max)
8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
$119
As Oak Alley comes into view and you instantly understand why she is the most photographed plantation ever. Her quarter-mile long alley of 28 magnificent oak trees, each nearly 300 years old, is an impressive welcome and the ultimate symbol of grandeur at the heart of this sugar empire. Before touring the Greek Revival mansion, one of the most iconic homes in the United States, you'll enjoy a delicious Creole brunch on the grounds.
You'll soon learn that there is much more to the story of Oak Alley than the unimaginable wealth of a sugar plantation. Extensive research by the Friends of Oak Alley Foundation has revealed the lives and legacies of the many people who have called Oak Alley home.
The grounds provide a self-guided experience for you to explore:
- Film on sugar cane production from the 1800s to modern times.
- Reconstructed slave cabins and a slavery exhibit with an interpreter.
- Exhibit on the dozen families who have owned the property.
- Civil War encampment with a Confederate general historian.
- Blacksmith working with the plantation’s original forge.
What is included: Private round-trip transportation from the New Orleans Marriott, entry/admission fee, buffet with non-alcoholic drinks, guided 30-minute tour of mansion, self guided tour of grounds, all taxes and gratuities.
What is not included: As there are no elevators or ramps, this tour includes some areas that are not wheelchair accessible. Pathways are either bricked or graveled. Alcoholic drinks (available for purchase).
Tour 7 – Steamboat Natchez Lunch Cruise & Hospitality Suite (80 max)
10:45 AM – 1:30 PM
$107
At the height of the Steamboat Era there were 4,000 steamboats navigating the water highways of America. Today there is only one steam powered paddle wheeler left on the Mississippi River: The Steamboat NATCHEZ. Your group will enjoy a special VIP hospitality suite with an open bar while on board during the harbor cruise.
As the iconic red paddle churns the Mighty Mississippi, the NATCHEZ glides past the French Quarter and through one of the world’s most active ports. The live jazz band sets the tone for a relaxing cruise, perfect for socializing with your friends and colleagues or simply enjoying the scenery. A delicious Creole buffet, prepared fresh daily in the galley, will be served in the Main Dining Room.
For all its history and romance, the excitement of riding a steamboat is as rich and genuine today as it was a century ago.
What is included: One-way transportation from the Marriott, Entry/Admission fee, buffet with non-alcoholic drinks, live jazz music, Captain's narration during band breaks, private hospitality suite in Captain's Salon (live jazz piped in), open call bar package with wristband to drink at all bars on board (adult tickets only, must be 21), all taxes and gratuities.
What is not included: This tour is wheelchair accessible, however the top and bottom decks are stairs only. NOTE : Return transportation to the Marriott is not included but the dock is a short walk from the hotel.
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Tour 8 – Swamp Cruise (54 max)
8:45 AM – 12:30 PM
$69.50
Entertaining Cajun captains, homegrown in the bayous and swamps of Louisiana, will introduce you to the primitive beauty of the moss draped cypress swamp and its many native inhabitants, including the American Alligator. With no other public boats accessing the bayous, alligators recognize the tour boats as part of their normal environment. Unafraid and responsive to the captain's call, they frequently come directly to the boat and jump out of the water for food! You'll get fantastic instgrammable pictures of the unspoiled, mystical swamp as well as live action shots of jumping gators, all from the safety and comfort of the covered vessel. Only 25 miles from downtown New Orleans, it feels like a journey back to the early days of swamp exploration.
What is included: Private round-trip transportation from the New Orleans Marriott, entry/admission fee, private guided swamp cruise, all taxes and gratuities..
What is not included: Food and beverages are available for purchase in the gift shop and can be brought on board the vessel.
Tour 9 – Laura Plantation: Louisiana’s Creole Heritage Site (54 max)
9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
$85
One of the best history tours in the United States, this is an unvarnished view of all who lived on the Creole Heritage Site.
Laura is a classic Creole plantation researched and restored. The guided tour is adapted from Laura’s personal memoir spanning four generations of female owners and supported by 5,000 pages of legal documents.
It’s the story of a Creole dynasty and how it responded to the encroaching Anglo world. Rich in detail, the tour is intimate and honest in its portrayal of all who lived here.
When Laura Plantation opened to the public in 1994, it became the first historic attraction in Louisiana to include stories of enslaved Africans as part of the tour. As the leading interpreter of the experience of enslaved people in Louisiana and following years of extensive research in the United States and France, in February 2017, Laura Plantation opened a Slavery Museum dedicated to telling the authentic story of the slave community of this Creole farm.
The exhibit is designed around different themes reflecting the complex layers of life on the plantation, illustrating how the lives of the enslaved people, both Créole and American, were intertwined with those of their owners.
One of the largest plantation complexes, all 12 buildings are on the National Register, many built by the skilled craftsmanship of enslaved Africans.
See original artifacts, family heirlooms and furnishings and authentic slave cabins where the West African folk tale of Br’er Rabbit was recorded.
What is included: Private round-trip transportation from the Marriott, tour guide to provide commentary enroute, 70 minute guided tour of the Laura Plantation history, self-guided tour of the Slavery Museum, selection of sweet and savory snacks for return trip, all taxes and gratuities.
What is not included: As there are no elevators or ramps, this tour includes some areas that are not wheelchair accessible. Pathways are either bricked or graveled.
Tour 10 – Culinary & Cocktail Experience (50 max)
11:30 AM – 4:15 PM
$155
Our foodie experience and cocktail tour is the story of a French outpost and how it evolved into the thriving port city we love today, where customs shared over time created a distinct New Orleans cultural identity. In the words of James Beard, “Food is our common ground.
Begin your afternoon at the Riverview Room in JAX Brewery with amazing views of the Mississippi River and the French Quarter. A chef from the New Orleans School of Cooking will teach you how to cook three classic New Orleans dishes like gumbo and jambalaya in an entertaining and interactive two-hour demonstration of New Orleans culinary history.
As you finish your praline, the chef will hand you off to a local guide. Surely, you’re ready for something stronger than iced tea!
New Orleans has long been a muse with an unquenchable taste for revelry, muddling sophistication and fancy in equal parts. Drink in her rich history as you explore the French Quarter, where the hour is always happy. It's no wonder that the craft cocktail scene began early in New Orleans! In fact, the word "cocktail" and America’s first cocktail, the Sazerac were both born here.
Select your clothing to be indoors for the cooking class and outdoors for the walking tour. The attire is resort casual.
What is included: Entry/Admission fee, tour guide to meet group in lobby of hotel, two-hour private cooking demonstration at the Riverview Room by New Orleans School of Cooking, 3 course meal: Chicken & Andouille Gumbo, Shrimp Creole, Bananas Foster + pralines, recipe cards, private cocktail walking tour with licensed tour guide, visit 3-4 establishments, 3 classic cocktails, served in a "to go" cup, all taxes and gratuities. Patrons must be at least 21 years old with valid ID to enter establishments on tour.
What is not included: The sidewalks of the French Quarter can be uneven and may be unsuitable for wheelchairs or those with limited mobility. All establishments are accessible.
Tour 8 – Swamp Cruise (54 max)
8:45 AM – 12:30 PM
$69.50
Entertaining Cajun captains, homegrown in the bayous and swamps of Louisiana, will introduce you to the primitive beauty of the moss draped cypress swamp and its many native inhabitants, including the American Alligator. With no other public boats accessing the bayous, alligators recognize the tour boats as part of their normal environment. Unafraid and responsive to the captain's call, they frequently come directly to the boat and jump out of the water for food! You'll get fantastic instgrammable pictures of the unspoiled, mystical swamp as well as live action shots of jumping gators, all from the safety and comfort of the covered vessel. Only 25 miles from downtown New Orleans, it feels like a journey back to the early days of swamp exploration.
What is included: Private round-trip transportation from the New Orleans Marriott, entry/admission fee, private guided swamp cruise, all taxes and gratuities..
What is not included: Food and beverages are available for purchase in the gift shop and can be brought on board the vessel.
Tour 9 – Laura Plantation: Louisiana’s Creole Heritage Site (54 max)
9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
$85
One of the best history tours in the United States, this is an unvarnished view of all who lived on the Creole Heritage Site.
Laura is a classic Creole plantation researched and restored. The guided tour is adapted from Laura’s personal memoir spanning four generations of female owners and supported by 5,000 pages of legal documents.
It’s the story of a Creole dynasty and how it responded to the encroaching Anglo world. Rich in detail, the tour is intimate and honest in its portrayal of all who lived here.
When Laura Plantation opened to the public in 1994, it became the first historic attraction in Louisiana to include stories of enslaved Africans as part of the tour. As the leading interpreter of the experience of enslaved people in Louisiana and following years of extensive research in the United States and France, in February 2017, Laura Plantation opened a Slavery Museum dedicated to telling the authentic story of the slave community of this Creole farm.
The exhibit is designed around different themes reflecting the complex layers of life on the plantation, illustrating how the lives of the enslaved people, both Créole and American, were intertwined with those of their owners.
One of the largest plantation complexes, all 12 buildings are on the National Register, many built by the skilled craftsmanship of enslaved Africans.
See original artifacts, family heirlooms and furnishings and authentic slave cabins where the West African folk tale of Br’er Rabbit was recorded.
What is included: Private round-trip transportation from the Marriott, tour guide to provide commentary enroute, 70 minute guided tour of the Laura Plantation history, self-guided tour of the Slavery Museum, selection of sweet and savory snacks for return trip, all taxes and gratuities.
What is not included: As there are no elevators or ramps, this tour includes some areas that are not wheelchair accessible. Pathways are either bricked or graveled.
Tour 10 – Culinary & Cocktail Experience (50 max)
11:30 AM – 4:15 PM
$155
Our foodie experience and cocktail tour is the story of a French outpost and how it evolved into the thriving port city we love today, where customs shared over time created a distinct New Orleans cultural identity. In the words of James Beard, “Food is our common ground.
Begin your afternoon at the Riverview Room in JAX Brewery with amazing views of the Mississippi River and the French Quarter. A chef from the New Orleans School of Cooking will teach you how to cook three classic New Orleans dishes like gumbo and jambalaya in an entertaining and interactive two-hour demonstration of New Orleans culinary history.
As you finish your praline, the chef will hand you off to a local guide. Surely, you’re ready for something stronger than iced tea!
New Orleans has long been a muse with an unquenchable taste for revelry, muddling sophistication and fancy in equal parts. Drink in her rich history as you explore the French Quarter, where the hour is always happy. It's no wonder that the craft cocktail scene began early in New Orleans! In fact, the word "cocktail" and America’s first cocktail, the Sazerac were both born here.
Select your clothing to be indoors for the cooking class and outdoors for the walking tour. The attire is resort casual.
What is included: Entry/Admission fee, tour guide to meet group in lobby of hotel, two-hour private cooking demonstration at the Riverview Room by New Orleans School of Cooking, 3 course meal: Chicken & Andouille Gumbo, Shrimp Creole, Bananas Foster + pralines, recipe cards, private cocktail walking tour with licensed tour guide, visit 3-4 establishments, 3 classic cocktails, served in a "to go" cup, all taxes and gratuities. Patrons must be at least 21 years old with valid ID to enter establishments on tour.
What is not included: The sidewalks of the French Quarter can be uneven and may be unsuitable for wheelchairs or those with limited mobility. All establishments are accessible.
