The experience begins inside the historic Roosevelt Hotel, where guests will meet their guide—a local jazz musician and cultural historian. In the hotel’s grand lobby and historic spaces, guests will learn how the Roosevelt became a gathering place for legendary performers, musicians, and cultural icons throughout the 20th century. Your guide will share fascinating stories about the hotel’s connection to the golden era of New Orleans nightlife, the rise of big band and jazz orchestras, and the musicians who once filled these halls with music.

During the tour, guests will also stop at the Louis Armstrong Memorial Statue, one of the most meaningful landmarks in New Orleans jazz history. Standing beneath the bronze statue of Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, travelers will pause for a short storytelling moment that connects the history they’ve heard throughout the tour with the life of the man who brought New Orleans jazz to the world stage. Here, your guide will share the remarkable story of Armstrong’s rise—from a young boy growing up in the rough neighborhoods of New Orleans to becoming one of the most influential musicians in the history of music. Guests will hear how Armstrong learned to play cornet at the Colored Waif’s Home, how the streets of New Orleans shaped his sound, and how his innovations in improvisation, swing, and vocal style changed jazz forever. Guests will have the opportunity to take photos

The second stop on the tour takes guests to Mahogany Jazz Hall, one of the most authentic and intimate jazz venues in the French Quarter. At Mahogany, travelers step into a classic New Orleans jazz listening room where the focus is entirely on the music. The venue’s vintage atmosphere, exposed brick walls, and close proximity to the stage create the feeling of being transported back to the golden age of jazz clubs. Guests will settle in with a specialty cocktail and enjoy a live performance by some of New Orleans’ top traditional jazz musicians. Because the space is small and acoustically rich, visitors can experience the music up close—hearing every trumpet phrase, clarinet run, and piano rhythm exactly the way jazz was meant to be experienced.

The third stop on the tour brings guests to Fritzel’s European Jazz Bar, one of the longest-running traditional jazz clubs in New Orleans and a true hidden gem of the French Quarter. Tucked inside a historic 19th-century building on Bourbon Street, Fritzel’s offers a completely different atmosphere from the louder party bars nearby. When guests step inside, they’ll find a cozy, old-world setting filled with vintage photographs, dim lighting, and the unmistakable sound of traditional New Orleans jazz. Here, travelers will experience a live performance from a classic New Orleans jazz ensemble featuring instruments like trumpet, clarinet, trombone, piano, bass, and drums. The band plays the timeless sounds of early jazz made famous by legends like Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, and King Oliver. Guests will have the chance to relax with a cocktail while enjoying reserved seating near the stage, allowing them to fully take in the music.