New Orleans is more than music and food, it’s a city layered with history, culture, and soul.
On my recent trip to Essence Festival, I carved out time to explore three powerful tours that left me with more than just beautiful memories. They left me changed.
Black Heritage & Jazz Tour – All Bout Dat Tours
Led by a passionate local guide, this tour brought Black New Orleans to life, from Congo Square to Treme, Armstrong Park to second-line traditions. It was a journey through sound, survival, and cultural pride.
Whitney Plantation – KS Luxury Transportation Tours
This was not your typical plantation visit. The Whitney centers the lives of the enslaved, their names, their stories, their humanity. It’s sobering and necessary. It reminded me how travel can be a way of witnessing and honouring untold truths.
Vue Orleans
On my final day, I took in the skyline from Vue Orleans but the true view was inside: interactive exhibits tracing Mardi Gras Indian culture, Creole identity, and the musical heartbeat of the city. It was vibrant, thoughtful, and reflective of the city’s beautiful complexity.
Each experience gave me something different, rhythm, remembrance, and perspective. I left with a deeper connection to New Orleans and an even deeper respect for the people and stories that shaped it.
Watch the video recap to walk through these three powerful experiences with me. Whether you’ve visited New Orleans or it’s still on your list, I hope this gives you a glimpse beyond Bourbon Street.
