Louisiana
French Quarter Music Festival
Program No. 10918RJ
Immerse yourself in great music at the French Quarter Music Festival, where you’ll hear renowned musicians showcasing a range of musical styles. Come for the music stay for the cuisine.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
10 meals (
4B, 1BR, 2L, 3D
)
1 expert-led lecture
1 expert-led field trip
7 performances
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
New Orleans, LA
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hotel Monteleone
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00PM. If your arrival is delayed, please ask for your packet when you check in. The French Quarter Festival events take place at locations spread throughout the area. Expect to walk extensively to access the stage locations. Road Scholar will provide a folding chair to carry with you to festival stages.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: After you have your room assignment, check the message board for the location to register with the Road Scholar program staff, which is also where the Orientation session will take place. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 4:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures and answer questions. In addition to the main event of this program, the French Quarter Festival, exclusive Road Scholar educational presentations and performances enhance your experience and learning in New Orleans. Your Group Leader will provide maps and “insider” information to assist you to navigate and choose from the extensive festival offerings and make the most of your time. For detailed festival information and to start planning in advance of your arrival in New Orleans, visit the festival website at https://frenchquarterfest.org There is also an app that can be downloaded to your smartphone to help you navigate the many offerings. Menu selections for included meals are made in advance. We’ve selected some of our favorite local eateries! Road Scholar participants are divided into groups, each with your own Group Leader, and each group will rotate through the selected restaurants. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
In a private room at the hotel. We'll enjoy a special music performance as we dine.
Evening:
At Leisure: Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars. Then settle in and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Exclusive Performance, City Field Trip, Festival Begins
Location:
New Orleans, LA
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Monteleone
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach during the city field trip. The field trip will last 3.5 hours and with a short bathroom break about half way through. Walking and standing according to your personal discretion to attend your choices of festival performances.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll be joined by New Orleans musicians who will give a presentation on New Orleans Music and perform just for us! Afterwards, we’ll head over to Bourbon St. on foot to view the French Quarter Festival Kick-Off Parade. Next, we’ll meet our motorcoach to head to lunch and our field trip.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant
Afternoon:
We’ll reboard our motorcoach for an overview of the city with a local expert. We’ll make stops at highlights such as Lake Pontchartrain, Bayou St. John, City Park with its magnificent oak trees and Sculpture Garden and one of the famed and mysterious above-ground cemeteries where the departed — from pirates to voodoo queens — are interred. We will return to the hotel mid-afternoon. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to enjoy the French Quarter Festival performances. The French Quarter Music Festival, the largest free music festival in the South, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization launched in 1984. More than 2,000 community volunteers now help to make it a success. The outstanding musicians present every genre from traditional and contemporary jazz to R&B, New Orleans funk, brass bands, folk, gospel, Latin, Zydeco, classical, cabaret, and international. There are more than 400 performances on 23 stages throughout the French Quarter over four days, the largest celebration in the world of Louisiana music.
Dinner:
Your choice to dine as you like. The choices are many, as local restaurants set up special stands in Jackson Square, Riverfront Park and many other locations. The “food festival” aspect is celebrated just as much as the live music.
Evening:
At leisure to enjoy the festival. Additionally, an entrance voucher is included for Fritzel’s European Jazz Club, for you to use at your discretion (drink included).
Day
3
Private Music Performance, French Quarter Music Festival
Location:
New Orleans, LA
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hotel Monteleone
Activity Note
Walking and standing according to your personal discretion to attend your choices of festival performances.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll enjoy another Road Scholar exclusive presentation and performance by local musicians.
Lunch:
For this afternoon's lunch, one group will have this meal at a local restaurant in the French Quarter, while the other will have the meal on their own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions, and will alert you to which group has this free meal during orientation.
Afternoon:
Free Time to enjoy the festival. Additionally, Road Scholar includes vouchers to explore the Cabildo and Presbytère, which flank St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square. Both were constructed during the Spanish period (1795-1799). The Cabildo was the center of government. The Presbytère, built on the site of what had been the residence of Capuchin monks, was used for commercial purposes. Both are now key components of the Louisiana State Museum. The Cabildo displays artifacts of American history as well as rarities such as Napoleon’s death mask. The Presbytère’s interactive exhibit on Mardi Gras traces our annual celebration from its origins to the present day with an exquisite collection of artifacts and memorabilia. Another exhibit expresses Louisiana’s saga of resilience in the face of disasters. You might also like to stroll along Royal Street with its antique shops, visit the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, or go for a ride on the paddlewheeler “Natchez” — last authentic steamboat on the Mississippi.
Dinner:
For this evening's dinner, one group will have this meal at a local restaurant in the French Quarter, while the other will have the meal on their own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions, and will alert you to which group has this free meal during orientation.
Evening:
At leisure to enjoy the festival performances.
Day
4
Private Jazz Performance, French Quarter Festival, Free Time
Location:
New Orleans, LA
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hotel Monteleone
Activity Note
Walking and standing according to your personal discretion to attend your choices of festival performances and free time activities.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
During an exclusive Road Scholar presentation at the hotel, one of New Orleans' top musicians explains – and demonstrates - the origins of New Orleans Jazz, accompanied by his famous band, leaving us snapping our fingers and tapping our toes.
Lunch:
For this afternoon's lunch, one group will have this meal at a local restaurant in the French Quarter, while the other will have the meal on their own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions, and will alert you to which group has the free meal during orientation.
Afternoon:
Free time. Another glorious afternoon of the festival’s musical possibilities. You may wish to explore the special events, such as Cajun and Zydeco dance lessons. Or, choose to visit the Historic New Orleans Collection, the Hermann-Grima House, sip café au lait at the Café du Monde, or any of the multitude of choices to experience New Orleans history and culture. The choices are yours!
Dinner:
For this evening's dinner, one group will have this meal at a local restaurant in the French Quarter, while the other will have the meal on their own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions, and will alert you to which group has this free meal during orientation.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Private Music Performance, French Quarter Festival
Location:
New Orleans, LA
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hotel Monteleone
Activity Note
Walking and standing according to your personal discretion to attend your choices of festival performances and free time activities.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Another up close and personal Road Scholar exclusive presentation in the hotel, with New Orleans musicians. Some of our best play just for us in a private performance.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Free time. Is your heart pumping, are your toes tapping, your fingers snapping? Enjoy the music and events at the many festival stages.
Dinner:
We’ll walk to a nearby restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Enjoy a final evening of the French Quarter Festival! Prepare for check out and departure tomorrow.
Day
6
Jazz Brunch, Program Concludes
Location:
New Orleans, LA
Meals:
BR
Activity Note
Walking 4 blocks each way, from hotel to brunch. Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon.
Brunch:
We’ll walk from the hotel to arrive at 9:00 a.m. for an experience you’ll remember. At the celebrated Court of Two Sisters, we’ll settle in for a true New Orleans delight, the Jazz brunch, offering tasty hot and cold New Orleans favorites from eggs any style to Creole jambalaya, grits and grillades, gumbo, classic desserts, and much more; coffee, tea, water included, other beverages available for purchase. Tap your toes to the music of the restaurant’s resident jazz trio. Enjoy this final dining and musical experience with a broader and deeper understanding and appreciation of our city, the one and only New Orleans. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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