New Orleans Jazz History and Music Walking Tour

Itinerary

1. 1
   Louis Armstrong Park 35 minutes

   Our music tour of New Orleans begins just outside the French Quarter at the historic and beautiful Louis Armstrong Park in the Tremé neighborhood. Within the park, we will talk about the historical origins of jazz and discuss one of the jazz greats, Armstrong himself.

2. 2
   The Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts Pass by

   We will walk by the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts located in Louis Armstrong Park in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was named after gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, who was born in New Orleans.

3. 3
   Stop 10 minutes

   From here, we will head into the Vieux Carre, or the French Quarter, and you’ll hear about the origins and culture of jazz while making your way through the oldest neighborhood in NOLA, all while seeing some notable historic sites. Your guide will have chosen a special route for you that evening- to ensure the best music is heard.

4. 4
   Bourbon Street 30 minutes

   Along one possible route, we’ll share the history of Bourbon Street and the residential and commercial places where blues and jazz collaborators came to make incredible music. We may even catch a busker performing at the historic French Market!

5. 5
   Frenchmen Street 30 minutes

   Or your guide may chose to head to the famous Frenchmen Street, the largest concentration of live music venues in the city. Whatever path is taken, you’ll find yourself at a great Jazz/Music Spot, and your guide will take you inside to listen and enjoy the local scene.

6. 6
   French Quarter 30 minutes

   Either way, by being with a local, you’ll learn all about the neighborhood, how to make the most of your time here, and the music culture and how it operates in the Clubs and venues. And to top it off, you will receive a drink on us at one of the stops and you’re very welcome to purchase additional beverages as and when you want them.

7. 7
   Preservation Hall Pass by

   Passing by the historic music venue Preservation Hall in the French Quarter working to protect, preserve and perpetuate the spirit of traditional New Orleans jazz.

8. 8
   Congo Square 15 minutes

   We’ll explore the area originally known as Congo Square – one of the first locations in the city where enslaved people and free people of color were allowed to gather and socialize. You’ll hear about jazz’s origins, resulting from a rich mix of cultures in a single city, which combined West African and Caribbean sounds with European musical influences – giving us this uniquely American artform.

Good to know

• Wheelchair accessible
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Travelers under 21 years of age are not permitted to join this tour.
• By joining this tour, you will be helping to contribute to the livelihoods of local musicians in the jazz clubs we visit, allowing them to earn a decent wage and continue doing what they love to do.
• This is a walking tour that will cover approximately 14 blocks (or about 1.5 miles) on foot.