The Crescent City offers student groups a dazzling array of performance opportunities, history, and spirited culture
The city of New Orleans welcomes students of all ages and interests with vibrant and immersive cultural experiences, iconic attractions, lively jazz music, performing arts opportunities, and deep-rooted history around every corner.
New in NOLA
Now open on Frenchmen Street, JAMNOLA offers an immersive, funhouse-style journey through 29 unique exhibits created by local artists. Each installation showcases the city’s dynamic amalgamation of culture, art, music, and theater.
The Audubon Nature Institute continues its Riverfront for All initiative at the Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park. It features lush landscapes, shade trees, river-facing seating, and a marsh-inspired children’s playground and equipment for exploration and relaxation.
At the Museum of Illusions, students can engage in a unique sensory experience as they navigate more than 50 immersive and interactive exhibits that explore the science behind optical illusions, an ideal stop for hands-on STEM learning.
Performance Opportunities
Students can participate in an iconic second line parade led by a live brass band, where NOLA culture brings everyone together in a long-celebrated tradition. Secondlines are an intricate part of New Orleans heritage, offering students an interactive, high-energy introduction to the city’s musical spirit.
Head to the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park to explore sites and exhibits related to the birth of jazz in New Orleans. Groups can participate in activities celebrating the musical art form, along with ranger talks, musical programming, and performance opportunities.
For outdoor showcases, the Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park in the historic French Quarter provides a beautiful outdoor setting featuring numerous performance pavilions, gazebos, river-view overlooks, and green-space gathering spots. Nearby Oscar Dunn Park offers additional performance space in a lively, open-air environment.
Just a 15-minute drive outside of the French Quarter, Lakeside Shopping provides another performance option for youth groups, hosting occasional student and community performers and offering high-visibility entertainment opportunities.
Must-Experience Attractions
Go behind the scenes at Mardi Gras World, where students can glimpse NOLA’s most iconic celebration and explore its colorful culture up close. Take a one-hour tour and discover the incredible craftsmanship of elaborate floats and costumes, and learn about the rich history of Mardi Gras traditions.
The Louisiana State Museum system includes multiple French Quarter sites, such as the Louisiana Civil Rights Museum, the Presbytère, and eight more properties that highlight New Orleans’ rich history and heritage. Explore the Historic New Orleans Collection, a free museum with thoughtfully curated exhibits exploring the city and Gulf South history.
At StudioBE, students can experience Brandan Odums’ thought-provoking large-scale artworks through a guided or self-guided tour. Displayed in a 35,000-square-foot warehouse, his work tells the stories of Revolutionaries, everyday heroes, and the community through captivating exhibits.
At Preservation Hall, groups can immerse themselves in the traditions of New Orleans jazz in a venue that has entertained locals and visitors since the 1950s. The acoustics and intimate setting provide visitors with a musical experience, the way jazz was meant to be heard, connecting students to the musicians, instruments, and culture.
New Orleans is the perfect blend of rich history, fascinating culture, and plenty of performance spaces, making it an ideal destination for field trips. Plan your visit to the Crescent City for a memorable educational experience that will resonate with students.
CONTACT New Orleans & Company
- Rachel Funel
- Senior Account Executive
- https://www.neworleans.com/groups/student-groups/
- rfunel@neworleans.com
