| Evening Jazz and Riverboat Cruise | Taste the Big Easy New Orleans Cuisine | Ghost Hunters Tour |
We have some great social events planned for you during your visit to New Orleans. Social Connectors can be conveniently added to your convention registration for an additional fee. All the events have limited space and are available on a first come, first served basis.
Sponsored by:
Sunday, September 17
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Savor the beauty and romance of the New Orleans skyline aboard the Dinner Jazz Cruise. The Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS decks, engine room, and bars will be open for your enjoyment either before or after dinner depending upon your seating time. Included in the Dinner Jazz ticket price is the cruise, buffet dinner, and entertainment by the Dukes of Dixieland Jazz trio.
Cruise Features:
• Detailed narration of the rich history of New Orleans.
• Captivating views of the city and the mighty Mississippi River.
• Live New Orleans swing style music by the Grammy-nominated Dukes of Dixieland Jazz trio.
• Departs from the Toulouse Street Wharf behind Jax Brewery in the heart of the historic French Quarter.
• Cocktail, beer, and wine options are available for purchase on board.
• Decks may be closed to public access due to private functions on any given night.
Meet at JW Marriott: 5:00 PM
Travel to Steamboat: 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Boarding Time: 5:30 PM
Cruising: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Dinner Seating: 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
Meeting Point and Timeline
5:00 PM - Meet in JW Marriott Hotel (614 Canal St.) Lobby - Tour leaves hotel promptly at 5:00 PM (dinner seating 6:00 PM).
NPA staff members and our tour ambassadors will escort attendees to the dock and return to the hotel.
5:00 – 5:30 PM – travel to Natchez steamboat
It is a short 10-minute walk to the dock.
If you are interested in taking the scenic route, our tour rep’ has arranged a ride on an historic New Orleans trolley bus.
6:00 - 9:00 PM – Embarkation and Cruising
9:00 PM – Return to Port
It is a short 10 min walk back to the JW Marriott hotel.
Tour experience lasts approximately 3 hours.
Tour Fee
$135.00 per person
Monday, September 18
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
There’s no better way to experience the Big Easy than with the ultimate local food tour. Eat your way through the streets of the French Quarter and visit Jackson Square in the heart of the city. Tour guides can’t wait to entertain you with interesting facts and anecdotes, and point out famous sights along the way.
This tour visits different eateries (plenty to fill you up), which are included in the ticket price (restaurants are subject to change).
Keep an ear open for the dinner bell! Come hungry! Some of the New Orleans restaurants you MAY visit are listed below, so enjoy!
NOLA Poboys
A local favorite, located in the heart of the French Quarter, dishing out some of the best seafood and po-boys in New Orleans! A delicious po-boy with the works, awaits!
New Orleans Creole Cookery
You have to try the famous Gumbo YaYa at the New Orleans Creole Cookery. You haven’t experienced New Orleans until you’ve stepped into this iconic eatery, courtesy of A.J. and Anna Tusa of the famous New Orleans Tusa restaurant family. The Cookery promises new generation energy combined with the city’s most treasured cooking traditions in a setting that really speaks to the way people dine today.
Laura’s Pralines and Candies
Nestled in the historic French Quarter, the Creole pralines and hand-dipped chocolates here are made fresh daily with recipes that date back to the 18th century. New Orleans’ oldest candy store is still going strong.
Cornet Restaurant
Experience the local flavor and legendary taste at the Cornet Restaurant, home of the largest balcony on Bourbon Street! Located on the corner of Bourbon and St. Peters Streets in the heart of the French Quarter, Cornet serves authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine inspired by the cradle of jazz. The restaurant was founded by the family who gave Louis Armstrong his first horn, a cornet. The menu has been designed to celebrate the sounds and flavors of New Orleans. Get your tastebuds ready for famous jambalaya.
Court of the Two Sisters
With the only daily jazz brunch in town, Court of the Two Sisters is famed for its beautiful wisteria-blanketed courtyard and soothing fountains. This history-rich, two centuries old restaurant is a must-see for any new visitor to the Crescent City. Take a stroll through the famous courtyard, then enjoy a delicious New Orleans muffuletta at the Court of the Two Sisters po-boy tavern.
All Tastebud guests will receive food from each Tastebud food stop. Menu items vary, so come hungry!
PLEASE NOTE: We apologize, but at this time we cannot substitute food to support dietary restrictions or lifestyles including (but not limited to): vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free options.
Meeting Point and Timeline
5:15 PM – Meet in the lobby of the JW Marriott Hotel, 614 Canal St.
NPA staff members and our tour representative will be there to meet you.
5:30 PM – Ride on an historic New Orleans trolley bus.
6:00 PM – Arrive at 816 Decatur St. for start of food tour.
Attendees who wish to can meet the tour directly at 816 Decatur St,
6 – 9 PM – Food Tour
9:00 PM – Tour Ends Return to JW Marriott Hotel
Tour Fee
$120.00 per person
Wednesday, September 20
7 PM – 9:30 PM
Learn why New Orleans is the most haunted city in America!
Take part in a genuine ghost hunter experience. Instead of simply hearing ghost stories, experience them for yourself during your own hands-on paranormal investigation. This is NOT a walking ghost tour with stories on the street. Instead, you will get a chance to use real paranormal equipment to look for ghosts in a real haunted house. Only available with this private tour is a Gallery Séance to try to commune with the spirits!
• Investigate INSIDE 2 haunted locations.
• Learn to use real paranormal equipment.
• Capture your own evidence:
o audio, video, photo
• Real paranormal investigators as your guide.
• Exclusive, a Gallery Séance to try to commune with the spirits!
• Take a walk on the dark side!
The spirits in this ghost city still have a tale to tell...listen if you dare!
Tour starts at 7 PM or 8 PM, depends on which group you are placed.
The tour duration is approximately 2 ½ to 3 hours, including a break.
Meeting Point
Tour starts at 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM
Meet at the Ice-House Bar, located in the Hotel Provincial, 1024 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA 70116, 30 minutes before tour departure.
Tour Fee
$100 per person
