Travel to USA's Deep South in Southern Style

Join AAA Vacations on a cultural journey and delight in famed southern hospitality on a tour of New Orleans and the Deep South.

Cajun cuisine, antebellum mansions, the bayou and the magic of the French Quarter make this an experience to last a lifetime. Travel to USA’s most flavor region – and be sure to try the beignets.

At Martin Accordions, learn about the craft and take in a private Cajun music performance. Settle in for a dinner party at Lansdowne House, a privately owned antebellum plantation. Learn the art of Cajun cooking from the experts at the New Orleans School of Cooking. Discover the magic of the charming French Quarter during a walking tour. Each day brings you closer to one of America’s most captivating regions. Keep reading to learn what a sample itinerary of a New Orleans AAA Vacation looks like.

Travel to USA’s Deep South

Day 1 – New Orleans – Tour Begins

Welcome to America’s most inviting cultural region. Take some time to experience the city that has given us great music and incredible food. It won’t be long before you realize why they call New Orleans the “Jazz Capital of the World.” Later, spend the night at the newly renovated Astor Crowne Plaza hotel in the legendary French Quarter, where you’ll spend the next several nights.

Day 2 – New Orleans

This morning, enjoy a panoramic tour of New Orleans with a local guide. Begin this southern USA trip along historic Esplanade Avenue. See St. Louis Cemetery No. 3, which opened in 1854 and holds some of the most elaborate crypts found in the city’s cemeteries. Then, relax during a drive along the shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain. This romantic road eventually leads to St. Charles Avenue, whisking you past gorgeous mansions as well as Tulane and Loyola, two world-famous universities. This afternoon the choice is yours! Perhaps you will choose to take a walk through history at the National World War II Museum to learn about the American experience in the war. Or, you may choose to celebrate the festive side of New Orleans at Mardi Gras World where you will hear about the history of this unique tradition and tour a working warehouse where artisans create spectacular floats for the famous parades.

Day 3 – French Quarter

Set out on a walking tour of the famous French Quarter, a popular destination for U.S.A. travel. Stroll past the majestic St. Louis Cathedral, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Continue on to the bustling French Marketplace and explore Pirates Alley, the Cabildo, the Presbytere and the Pontalba. Complete your tour with a stop to taste a true New Orleans favorite – beignets at Café Du Monde. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure to discover the “Big Easy” your way. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a spectacular dinner and a lesson in Cajun cuisine.

Roll up your sleeves & prepare to discover how to cook New Orleans-style during a unique cooking demonstration at the New Orleans School of Cooking. Sit back and enjoy the show as the chef teaches you the secrets behind some of the delicious regional dishes.

Day 4 – Baton Rouge

This morning you travel to Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana. Enjoy a guided tour of the Louisiana State Capitol Building and learn about the state’s most influential political figure, Governor Huey Long. Hear the stories and legends from the time of his governorship and witness the location of his untimely assassination at the State House. Later, continue to Natchez. This small city, resting on a bluff high above the Mississippi River, personifies the grace and elegance of the South with its preserved antebellum mansions. You’ll spend the next couple of nights at the Hotel Vue in Natchez, Mississippi.

This evening you are invited to an exclusive dinner at Twin Oaks, the privately-owned home of locally acclaimed chef Regina Charboneau.

Day 5 – Natchez

Mark your southern travel to USA with a blast from the past in Natchez, where a local guide will take you on a captivating tour of the pre-Civil War town. Tour Longwood, an impressive octagonal mansion that today remains unfinished. Construction began shortly before the Civil War and the interior was never completed. Marvel at the beautiful design and imagine another way of life. Experience a taste of the southern lifestyle as you spend the balance of the day at leisure in Natchez.

Day 6 – Lafayette

Depart for Lafayette, the heart of Cajun Country. En route, visit Martin Accordions, a family-owned accordion shop. Take this can’t-miss opportunity to see how the south has influenced music in your travel to USA. Learn about this intricate craft and listen as the Martin family band entertains you with music and stories. The DoubleTree Hilton Lafayette is where you’ll lay your head for the last two nights.

Day 7 – Cajun Country

Immerse yourself in the Cajun culture. Begin at the Acadian Cultural Center at Jean Lafitte National Park for an introduction to the history and culture of Cajun Country. Next, visit Vermilionville, a 23-acre living history museum and folklife park showcasing the Cajun and Creole heritages. Later, cruise along the eerie bayous and through the Atchafalaya Basin – no trip to Cajun Country would be complete without seeing the swamp! This evening, enjoy delicious regional dishes as you say goodbye to your fellow travelers at your farewell dinner.

Day 8 – New Orleans – Tour ends

Return to the New Orleans airport and head home with a new appreciation of the South.

Have any stories from your time spent in Louisiana and the rest of the Deep South? Share your experiences with us in the comments section.

Learn more about this exciting trip.

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