Brittany French

Experience a New Orleans festival, second only to the world-famous Mardi Gras celebration. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival offers two weekends of live music, food, art and more. Don't let the word "jazz" in the title fool you. The festival is a celebration of all genres, welcoming artists like Willie Nelson, Al Green, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bon Jovi, Lauryn Hill, Jimmy Buffet and many more.

The 1850 House offers the chance to experience the lifestyle of our ancestors of more than 150 years ago. It offers a glimpse of middle- and upper-class life in antebellum New Orleans, the most prosperous period in the city’s history. The Cabildo at Jackson Square, is an elegant Spanish colonial building neighboring St. Louis Cathedral and houses with many rare artifacts of America’s history. At the New Orleans Jazz Museum, you'll be able to see the instruments on which New Orleans’ greatest musicians played to create their landmark sounds—Louis Armstrong’s cornet, Fats Domino’s piano, Sidney Bechet’s soprano sax and more are all on display.

Take a tour of New Orleans like none you've ever experienced. Kayakitiyat Kayak Tours takes you through the city on Bayou St. John and you'll be able to see historic structures like the Spanish Custom House and the Pitot house, the Fair Grounds Race Course, the New Orleans Museum of Art, the St. Louis Cemetary #3, and much more.

Hit up one of America's favorite entertainment venues at the House of Blues. The New Orleans location has featured live music by performers like Eric Clapton, ZZ Top, Elton John, Willie Nelson, the Marley Brothers, John Mayer, and the Foo Fighters. While you're there, be sure to browse the art collection. The 298 piece collection is said to be the largest collection of folk art in the nation.