Jazzy Jambalaya Adventure Self Drive Tour

Arrive in New Orleans, one of the most exotic cities in the world, famous for riverboats, jazz, Creole cuisine and a seemingly endless parade of festivals. On arrival, pick up your car and proceed to your hotel. The remainder of your evening is at leisure. Take this  opportunity to enjoy dinner at one of New Orle- ans’ many famous Cajun or Creole restaurants.  As one of the world’s most fascinating cities and the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans is alive with tradition and home to a truly unique melting pot of culture, food and music.

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore New Orleans on your own. Take a walking tour of the Vieux Carre, popularly known as the French Quarter, a place of narrow streets, wonderful old buildings and beautiful courtyards. Visit Jackson Square, Royal Street, Bourbon Street and the many museums. Take a full day bayou and swamp tour or enjoy a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi. If you’re  looking to explore a neighborhood with bohe- mian style and vibrant homes, stroll through the  Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods near the French Quarter. The area is filled with hip shops, restaurants and bars, and Crescent Park has stunning views of the Mississippi River and downtown New Orleans.

Today, enjoy a drive through unique geography, sandwiched between Lake  Pontchartrain and the mighty Mis- sissippi River to the heart of the old  South, Baton Rouge, where you’ll find eight majestic, historic plantations and is also known as the South’s brightest hot spots! Visit one of the most beloved, largest plantation homes in the  South, Nottoway Plantation and relive the fasci- nating history. Take a lunch break at downtown  Main Street Market and do a little shopping while you’re there. After lunch, take a free guided tour of the “New” State Capitol, which is the largest state capitol building in the United States. You  can also choose to visit the newly renovated out- door museum, Rural Life Museum, and get a feel  for living and working the plantation life. This eve- ning, get a feel for the lively city that offers sev- eral free outdoor concerts in the Park such as  Rock ‘n’ Rowe, Summer Beat Concert and Live After Five.

Continue your unforgettable journey by taking the Trace Parkway which evolved from an Indian trail into a post road and  pioneer highway to Natchez, the oldest settle- ment in Mississippi. On your way to Natchez you  can take a break in historic town St. Francis- ville and stop at one of the unique shops, histor- ical homes, beautiful churches, or breathtaking  parks. Getting closer to Natchez you may want to  visit a plantation (Burn, Dunleith, Melrose, Mon- mouth or Longwood). Longwood is reputedly the  largest octagonal house in the country.

Founded in 1716, makes Natchez the oldest city on the Mississippi. It is a charming river town which has been first inhabited by the Natchez Indians and French  explorers who shared the land. Every year thou- sands of people come to Natchez for the pil- grimages that offer visits of the many Antebellum  homes in the area. The gracious citizens open their homes, which have been lovingly restored,  so that visitors can get a glimpse of the south- ern prosperous life. You can also visit Vicksburg  National Military Park which commemorates the campaign, siege, and defense of Vicksburg in 1863. There are over 1,300 monuments, markers and plaques, a 16-mile tour road and a national cemetery, the nation’s largest burial site of Civil  War Union soldiers and sailors with graves total- ing over 17,000.

Vicksburg perfectly blends South- ern culture and heritage with exciting  modern-day attractions. Described as the “Key to the South” by Abraham Lincoln, this Southern town carries a history unlike any other Civil War city. Founded in 1811, Vicksburg grew as a vital river port city. Today, Vicksburg is a  popular spot for tourists to learn about the bat- tles of the city, taste the cuisine, visit the many  museums, and pick out the perfect souvenir.

Today explore picturesque small town Natchitoches, which has been part of French Louisiana in the early 18th century. Do not miss the opportunity to taste a regional deli- cacy and enjoy a piece of Natchitoches meat pie. Drive back south through Alexandria, Ville Platte and Opelousas to Lafayette, the heart of Cajun Country where the Acadians, or Cajuns, started arriving in 1765. Today these French-Ameri- can’s are famous for their joie de vivre which is reflected in their lively dancing, music and spicy food. Upon arrival, you can enjoy a walking tour of downtown to discover landmark buildings, or take a short drive to Acadian Village overlooking the bayou and filled with authentically restored Cajun homes and churches.

A short drive from Lafayette takes you to New Iberia and Avery Island,  the birthplace of Tabasco sauce. Other attrac- tions include Jungle Garden, lush with tropi- cal plants, and Bird City, a sanctuary filled with  flurries of snow-white egrets. Continue to Mor- gan City, the “Shrimp Capital of the World,” and  Houma, where you may want to take some time for an optional boat tour into the deep swamp  and bayou to see alligators and other wildlife. Fol- lowing the scenic route, and perhaps stopping at  Terre Bonne or Southdown Plantation, you will arrive in New Orleans.

Return your car at the airport before your departure flight.