Educators looking to New Orleans for student attractions and field trip opportunities have a unique variety to choose from
Of all the cities in the world, it’s hard to find one that has more treasured nicknames than New Orleans. The Big Easy, Crescent City, N’Awlins, Hollywood South and the Birthplace of Jazz have all been used at one time or another to describe Louisiana’s most populous city. World-renowned for its Creole cuisine, French and Spanish architecture, signature music, and, yes, its annual Mardi Gras celebration, New Orleans is many things to many people. But while its vibrant nightlife scene definitely precedes it, New Orleans has plenty to offer young visitors, too.
New Attractions in New Orleans for Students
- Liberation Pavilion at the National WWII Museum—Students will enter an immersive journey exploring the closing months of the war and postwar years, concluding with an explanation of links to our lives today. The three-story pavilion houses two floors of exhibit space featuring first-person accounts, iconic imagery, powerful artifacts and immersive environments.
- Expressions of America—This is a first-of-its-kind nighttime sound and light experience celebrating the power of individual Americans to impact the world around them. Experience the written words, songs, and personal reflections of the everyday people who served our country during World War II.
- Vue Orleans—Rise above NOLA at the city’s only 360° observatory, offering stunning views of the mighty Mississippi in every direction. Interactive exhibits immerse students in the stories that make the city what it is today.
- Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium—The reimagined, expanded and now combined Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium reopened in January 2023. The Aquarium transports visitors to an underwater world from the Caribbean to the Amazon Rainforest and includes more than 3,600 animals. The Insectarium features state-of-the-art, interactive installations that challenge the imagination.
Performance Opportunities for Students
- Have Your Own Parade—Let the good times roll in New Orleans by having your own second-line parade. Celebrate the city’s culture with a brass band and participants dancing in the street with parasols and handkerchiefs in hand. Ask a New Orleans expert to show you the way.
- Riverfront Performance Space—Perform onboard the Riverboat City of New Orleans or perform dockside next to the Steamboat Natchez, the last authentic steamboat on the Mississippi River. Students can even learn from New Orleans musicians at Gray Line New Orleans’ music clinic.
- The National WWII Museum—This award-winning attraction brings American WWII history to life. Outdoor performance opportunities are available for 50 people max.
- Oscar Dunn Park—Set against the iconic Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral, visiting musical and performance groups can share their talent. An outdoor venue for an unlimited number of people.
Student Activities in New Orleans
- Tour of Mardi Gras World—Get the feeling of Mardi Gras year-round, at the place where more than 80% of the floats that journey down New Orleans’ streets during Carnival season are designed and built. Begin your Mardi Gras World tour with an overview of the history of Mardi Gras before continuing through the float den, where artists work year-round to build spectacular floats and props.
- Louisiana State Museums—Experience collections and educational programs that stimulate appreciation of our state’s rich and diverse history and culture. The French Quarter properties include the Cabildo, Presbytere, New Orleans Jazz Museum and more.
- Historic New Orleans Collection—Explore this free museum and research center dedicated to the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South region. U.S. Exhibits change throughout seasons, but expect permanent exhibits such as French Quarter Life, French Quarter Galleries and Louisiana History Galleries.
- StudioBE—Consider visiting this 36,000-square foot gallery, a space for the local community and the culture that comes from it. Students can take part in workshops, programing and exhibitions showcased here.
For more information on bringing your student group to New Orleans, visit www.neworleans.com/groups/student-groups/.
