9. New Orleans: Evening Jazz Discovery Tour with a Local Guide
This 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, your guide and group will talk about the historical origins of jazz and discuss one of the jazz greats, Armstrong himself.
From here, you'll make your way to the popular Marigny neighborhood, named after the nobleman and good-time guy of the same name. Updated for modern thirsts, Marigny is a hip nightlife area that appeals to New Orleanians and visitors alike. Your guide will lead the way, either on foot or by streetcar, making sure to point out a few popular local music and nightlife haunts along the way.
Soon you will arrive at the famous Frenchmen Street, the largest concentration of live music venues in the city. Your guide will take you inside some of his/her favorites. Being with a local, you’ll have access to the best options, depending on the day of the week, time of day, and band schedules. And to top it off, you will receive a free beer at one of the stops and you’re very welcome to purchase additional beverages as and when you want them.
In New Orleans, there’s always the opportunity for an element of surprise. Be on the lookout for impromptu street performances, which always make the night special. And if the timing and mood is right, you’ll get behind the scenes with one of the bands in between sets.
In addition to getting your groove on and enjoying the sights and sounds of Frenchmen Street, your tour will end at the nightly art market. This is another lively spot where the city’s artists show off their best work, from handmade sculptures to local photography. If at the end of the tour you're still craving more, your guide will point out other great locations in the area for dinner, drinks, and of course, more great music!