Join The Emilies for a weekend exploration of the most interesting city in the United States. New Orleans history is one of the most diverse in the country, spanning indigenous civilizations, Spanish and French conquest and slave trade, the rise of a unique Creole culture, the War of 1812, American Civil War, and the modern Civil Rights Movement. Educators can also earn 10 hours of professional development, pending approval from their school.

Our trip will officially begin Friday night when we meet at the hotel to head to our Haunted History Tour. New Orleans is full of stories of ghosts, vampires and serial killers - we wouldn't be true historians if we didn't explore the city at night, right?

After breakfast at the hotel, we will walk through the French Quarter from Congo Square to Jackson Square, stopping to discuss the city's unique history along the way. Afterwards, we will have free time to explore one of the many nearby museums, including The Cabildo, Historic Voodoo Museum, Pharmacy Museum, or the Jazz Museum. (Entrance ticket not included in cost.) Or you can just set up shop at Cafe du Monde and eat your weight in beignets!

After we freshen up at the hotel, our group will head to our private dinner at the historic home of Creole cooking, Dooky Chase. Founded in 1941 and transformed into a cultural institution by Leah Chase ("the Queen of Creole Cuisine"), this restaurant became the epicenter of the civil rights movement in New Orleans. Visitors included Thurgood Marshall, Dr. King and dozens of others who held strategy sessions over meals in the upstairs meeting room. After dinner, we will head to the historic Preservation Hall for a live jazz show.

After breakfast at the hotel, our group will head to the National World War II Museum (or, a smaller group might head to the Whitney Plantation just outside the city.) After exploring the preeminent museum on the U.S. contributions in WWII, we'll have the afternoon free to check off any other bucket list items you have to see! (We'll provide suggestions that won't be exclusively cemeteries and tombs, we promise. iykyk) To end our trip, we'll meet up at the hotel one last time to head out for a private food and history tour in the Uptown district along Magazine Street.

After one last hotel breakfast, we'll say our goodbyes as everyone heads home (or to another adventure!)