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Culture & Cuisine
Greenwood Gator Farm
Great Gatsby-style Speakeasy, The Tunnel
Houmas House Estate & Gardens
Jazz & Zydeco Music
Embark on a captivating journey through Louisiana's rich agricultural heritage and become immersed in Cajun culture while learning about sugarcane fields, crawfish farms, and swamp life. Fly into Baton Rouge for enriching visits to the LSU Center for River Studies, Capitol Park Museum, and LSU Rural Life Museum. Indulge in two phenomenal dinner experiences – regional cuisine in a Roaring Twenties-themed speakeasy beneath our hotel and at White Oak Estate with recipes curated by the renowned Chef John Folse. From visiting West Baton Rouge Museum to an airboat excursion through the untamed beauty of the Atchafalaya Basin, each moment in this charming city is filled with inspiring agricultural wonders. Venturing into Lafayette, uncover the secrets of TABASCO® sauce on Avery Island, savor the flavors of the South during a crawfish boil dinner and get up-close to alligators at Greenwood Gator Farm. On the way to New Orleans, step back in time at Houmas House Estate and Gardens, then settle in for three remarkable nights in the French Quarter. Witness firsthand how to prepare regional dishes at the New Orleans School of Cooking, watch a moving 4-D film at the National WWII Museum, and experience Southern hospitality during a Jazz Brunch at Court of Two Sisters. Plus, there is plenty of time at leisure for independent adventures in the “Big Easy!”
Trip overview may vary by departure.
Highlights
Vermillionville Living History Museum & Folklife Park
See the traditions of the region’s Acadian, Creole, and Native American communities come alive at this 23-acre immersive museum along the banks of the Bayou Vermilion. Enjoy a fascinating cotton program that details the crop’s historical significance, visit restored 18th- and 19th-century homes, interact with costumed artisans demonstrating timeless crafting techniques, explore the beautiful grounds, and listen to live Cajun and Zydeco music. The hands-on activities, storytelling, and dancing bring the vibrant folklife of Louisiana to life!
Agricultural Adventures
Discover Louisiana's agricultural heart, starting in Baton Rouge with highlights like the LSU Center for River Studies, Capitol Park Museum, and LSU Rural Life Museum, where the state’s rich heritage comes alive. Enjoy a guided hayride through the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens and visit Baton Roots Community Farm to see sustainable farming in action. Learn about sugarcane cultivation at the West Baton Rouge Museum, then continue to Lafayette for a traditional crawfish boil and a farm tour. On Avery Island, explore the making of world-famous TABASCO® hot sauce and savor fresh products at Conrad Rice Mill, America’s oldest working rice mill, on a journey celebrating the flavors and traditions of Louisiana’s vibrant agriculture.
New Orleans School of Cooking
Sit back and enjoy learning the basics of Louisiana cooking! Watch a skilled chef prepare authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine while learning about the dynamic history and tall tales of New Orleans. Sample a variety of colorful and distinct dishes, complemented by local beer or Southern sweet tea, and take a recipe card to impress your friends with these delicious delights back home.
Atchafalaya Basin Airboat Swamp Tour
Climb aboard a covered airboat for a thrilling ride through America’s largest freshwater swamp, the Atchafalaya Basin. Glide past ancient cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, and keep an eye out for wildlife like alligators, turtles, and wading birds in their natural habitat. As we journey into Louisiana’s untamed wilderness, our expert captain details the swamp’s unique ecosystem, history, and cultural significance.
- Day 1: Fly to LouisianaUpon arriving in Baton Rouge, we check in to Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center for a two-night stay. Nestled along the banks of the Mississippi, our hotel features an outdoor pool that overlooks the river and downtown area as well as a Great Gatsby-style speakeasy, The Tunnel. Go beneath the historic hotel and travel back in time to the Roaring Twenties during tonight’s elegant Welcome Reception, where we get to know fellow travelers over complimentary wine, hearty appetizers, and Louisiana-style charcuterie.
Meals Included: Dinner
- Day 2: Baton RougeEvery morning of our trip begins with an included breakfast. Today, we become immersed in the culture, history, and economy of the Bayou State at Capitol Park Museum. Feel the magic of Mardi Gras, marvel at a rare Civil War submarine, view a 48-foot wooden shrimp trawler, and dive into the legacy of the charismatic yet controversial governor-turned-state senator, Huey Long. We have lunch this afternoon at LSU Rural Life Museum with time to visit the historic buildings and Exhibit Barn for a glimpse into the 18th and 19th-century working class. Our exploration continues next door on a guided hayride in the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens for beautiful sights of specialty gardens. Later, we return to the hotel to freshen up before tonight’s dinner at the opulent White Oak Estate, featuring recipes by celebrity Chef John Folse.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 3: Airboat Swamp TourThis morning, we explore the LSU Center for River Studies to browse exhibits and see a topographically correct 3-D map of the Mississippi River Delta spanning the size of a basketball court. Our enriching visits continue at West Baton Rouge Museum, where we learn about processing sugarcane from field to factory. Later, we board an airboat for an exciting swamp tour of the Atchafalaya Basin to discover Louisiana’s incredible natural beauty while gliding through the cypress forest and watching for wildlife. Tonight, we arrive in Lafayette to settle into our accommodations with an evening at leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 4: Crawfish CultureOur day starts at Vermilionville Living History Museum and Folklife Park. Become part of the life in the 18th century as we learn about cotton production, discover local cultures, interact with costumed artisans, and more. This afternoon, we enjoy a moment to relax at the hotel before touring a crawfish farm and indulging in a quintessential crawfish boil dinner (non-shellfish options are available).
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 5: Spice & RiceOur first stop today is Avery Island to explore the only TABASCO® pepper sauce farming and production site in the world. Next, a short drive brings us to New Iberia to tour the oldest operational rice mill in the United States: Conrad Rice Mill. Learn about the variety of products they create and delight your taste buds with samples in the gift shop! Afterwards, savor an included lunch in Lafayette before returning to the hotel for leisure time. Tonight, we gather for dinner at Randol's Cajun Seafood Restaurant in Breaux Bridge, featuring live Zydeco music and dancing.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6: Alligator Farm & The French QuarterThis morning kicks off with a tour of Greenwood Gator Farm to be surrounded by the swamp life of Louisiana and alligator farming, plus a chance to come face-to-face with the reptiles! Next, feel the spirit of yesteryear during our stop at the historic Houmas House Estate and Gardens in Darrow. We savor traditional Louisiana cuisine, crafted with locally grown produce for a farm-to-table experience before a tour of the early 1800s Greek-revival mansion and exquisitely landscaped gardens. Later, our journey continues to New Orleans, where accommodations in the renowned French Quarter await.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 7: New OrleansWe discover “The Big Easy” today, starting with Vue Orleans. Take in 360° views from the city’s only indoor and outdoor observation deck, hear how locals fought for Civil Rights, watch how the Mississippi shaped the city on the panoramic theatre screen, and have fun with interactive exhibits. The afternoon is yours to pursue personal interests! Grab lunch at the French Market and taste an iconic beignet, stroll down Bourbon Street, or relax at the hotel. Tonight, we regroup for an incredible dinner experience at the New Orleans School of Cooking. Feel the nostalgia of the French Quarter as a chef skilled in Cajun and Creole cuisine teaches us about the area’s cooking style in a renovated warehouse, then indulge in a variety of colorful and distinct dishes.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 8: WWII Museum & Jazz BrunchAfter breakfast at the hotel, we explore the National WWII Museum to understand the American experience and stories behind the war. View a variety of detailed exhibits, then attend a showing of Beyond All Boundaries, a 4-D cinematic journey. Next, we celebrate our adventure with an all-you-can-eat Farewell Jazz Brunch at the world-renowned Court of Two Sisters with lively sounds of a talented jazz trio. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy the vibrant French Quarter!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Brunch
- Day 9: Fly HomeWe return home with unforgettable memories of our Southern agricultural getaway.
What's Included
All Accommodations
- 2 nights at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center
- 3 nights at Homewood Suites by Hilton Lafayette
- 3 nights at Bienville House, New Orleans (French Quarter)
Attractions & Highlights
- Capitol Park Museum
- LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens guided hayride
- LSU Rural Life Museum
- Atchafalaya Basin airboat swamp tour
- LSU Center for River Studies
- Sugarcane program at West Baton Rouge Museum
- Crawfish farm tour
- Vermillionville Living History Museum & Folklife Park
- Avery Island TABASCO® self-guided tour
- Conrad Rice Mill tour & tastings
- Greenwood Gator Farm tour
- Houmas House Estate & Gardens guided tour
- New Orleans School of Cooking class
- Vue Orleans observation deck
- National WWII Museum & 4-D film Beyond All Boundaries
- Time at leisure in New Orleans
17 Excellent Meals
- Welcome Reception at Baton Rouge’s speakeasy, The Tunnel
- Dinner at White Oak Estate & Gardens feat. recipes by celebrity chef John Folse
- Crawfish boil dinner
- Dinner at Randol's Cajun Seafood Restaurant feat. live Zydeco music & dancing
- Farewell Jazz Brunch at Court of Two Sisters
Learn more about what's included with the Holiday Advantage.
Birmingham - Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport