Making Schools Work Conference Explore New Orleans

Overview

Explore New Orleans

We hope you enjoy your stay in New Orleans. To help, we have filled this page with ideas and discount codes to make your downtime as enjoyable as your conference time!

Time Zone

Set your watches: The time zone in New Orleans is central!

Food

New Orleans’ amazing food is famous. Our guide tells you what food to try – and where to find it - while you are here.

Local Fares

New Orleans has a lot of local specialities that you won’t want to miss. Here are just a few:

  • Gumbo: A rich, savory stew with seafood or sausage, often served with rice.
  • Jambalaya: A hearty dish of meat, seafood and rice, seasoned with local spices.
  • Po’Boys: Traditional New Orleans sandwich with fried seafood or meats, served on French bread.
  • Crawfish Étouffée: A spicy, flavorful stew served over rice.
  • Beignets: Fried pastries topped with powdered sugar, a must-try at Café du Monde.

Nearby Restaurants

While the city is filled with great choices, we wanted to make sure you had some ideas about great places to eat near the convention center. Here are some of our favorites that you can get to with a 15-minute walk or less:

  • Cochon: Known for its modern take on Cajun Southern food.
  • Peche Seafood Grill: A seafood lover’s dream, serving fresh Gulf seafood with a Southern twist.
  • Meril: Emeril Lagasse’s casual eatery, offering a wide variety of New Orleans-inspired dishes.
  • Mother’s Restaurant: Famous for po’boys, gumbo and hearty breakfast offerings, a New Orleans institution. This is a good choice for those on a budget!
  • Drago’s Seafood Restaurant: Located inside the nearby Hilton Riverside, it’s famous for its charbroiled oysters.
  • Mulate’s: A lively Cajun restaurant with traditional dishes and live music.

While it is a little bit farther out, another great option for anyone looking for vegan or gluten-free options is the Meals From the Heart Cafe. 

July Events in New Orleans

New Orleans always has something exciting going on. Here are some local events that are usually happening during July.

  • Tales of the Cocktail: An annual cocktail festival celebrating bartenders and mixology with tastings, competitions and seminars.
  • French Market Creole Tomato Festival: While the 2025 dates aren’t confirmed, this local food fest often happens in July and celebrates the summer Creole Tomato harvest.

Local Attractions

It is no surprise that New Orleans has a lot for you to explore. To help you plan your time away from the conference, we’ve broken down some big attractions for you by interest.

Essential New Orleans

  • French Quarter: Iconic for its historic architecture, vibrant nightlife and live music. Explore Bourbon Street, Jackson Square and the St. Louis Cathedral.
  • Garden District: Famous for its well-preserved mansions, oak-lined streets and boutique shopping.
  • National WWII Museum: Located near the convention center, this is one of the most popular museums in the country, offering an immersive WWII experience.
  • St. Louis Cemetery No. 1: The oldest cemetery in New Orleans, known for its above-ground tombs and unique burial practices. Guided tours are recommended to explore its historical significance and famous residents, such as Marie Laveau.
  • Mardi Gras World: A behind-the-scenes look at the making of Mardi Gras floats and costumes. Visitors can tour the facility, see the artists at work and learn about the history of this iconic celebration.
  • Audubon Park and Audubon Zoo: Located uptown, Audubon Park offers beautiful walking paths and oak trees, while the zoo features a wide variety of animals and engaging exhibits, making it a perfect spot for families.
  • Jackson Square: A historic park in the French Quarter surrounded by landmarks like the St. Louis Cathedral and the Cabildo. It’s a great spot for people-watching and often features local artists showcasing their work.
  • City Park & New Orleans Museum of Art: A bit further from the downtown area but worth the trip for beautiful landscapes, sculptures and art exhibits.
  • Steamboat Natchez River Cruise: Take a relaxing ride on the Mississippi River aboard an authentic paddlewheel steamboat.
  • Live Music Venues on Frenchmen Street: Known for its vibrant live music scene, Frenchmen Street is home to various bars and clubs where you can experience jazz, blues and local music talent.

Musically Inclined 

  • Frenchmen Street: Less touristy than Bourbon Street, this is the go-to spot for live jazz and local bands in intimate venues.
  • Preservation Hall: A historic jazz venue in the French Quarter that offers nightly performances of traditional New Orleans jazz.
  • Tipitina’s: One of the city’s most famous music clubs, Tipitina’s has hosted countless legendary musicians, specializing in New Orleans funk and jazz.

Foodies

  • Café du Monde: A must for anyone visiting New Orleans, known for its famous beignets and coffee.
  • Cochon: Offering a modern take on traditional Cajun cuisine, located near the convention center.
  • Commander’s Palace: Located in the Garden District, this iconic restaurant is renowned for its Creole cuisine and award-winning chef.

Art Lovers

  • New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA): Located in City Park, this museum houses a vast collection of art, from classic European paintings to contemporary works, and a beautiful sculpture garden.
  • Ogden Museum of Southern Art: Near the convention center, this museum focuses on Southern artists, offering a deep dive into the region’s cultural and artistic history.
  • Contemporary Arts Center (CAC): Also close to the convention center, CAC features contemporary visual and performing arts with changing exhibitions from local and international artists.

Animal Lovers

  • Audubon Aquarium of the Americas: Situated by the Mississippi River near the conference venue, this aquarium showcases marine life from around the world, including local species from the Gulf of Mexico.
  • Audubon Zoo: A little further from downtown, this zoo features exhibits such as the Louisiana Swamp and Jaguar Jungle, plus a splash park.

Sports Fans

  • Caesars Superdome: Take a tour of this massive sports venue, the iconic home of the New Orleans Saints. While it’s the NFL offseason, it’s still a must-see for football fans.
  • Smoothie King Center: Home to the New Orleans Pelicans. Even if basketball games aren’t happening, check for summer events or concerts.
  • New Orleans Jesters: Catch a local soccer game if the schedule lines up with your visit.

Historians

  • National WWII Museum: One of the top-rated museums in the U.S., this museum offers immersive exhibits on World War II and is close to the convention center.
  • Lafayette Cemetery No. 1: Located in the Garden District, this cemetery is famous for its beautiful, above-ground tombs and historic significance.
  • The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience: This museum explores the many ways that Jews in the American South influenced and were influenced by the distinct cultural heritage of their new homes. Through exhibits, collections and programs focused on the unique and remarkable history of Southern Jews, they encourage new understanding and appreciation for identity, diversity and acceptance. Opened in 2021, they have already received national accolades from USA Today and the New York Times. 

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Architecture Enthusiasts 

  • Garden District: Known for its beautiful, historic mansions and oak-lined streets, the Garden District is perfect for an architectural walking tour.
  • St. Louis Cathedral: One of the oldest cathedrals in the U.S., this iconic building sits in Jackson Square and is a masterpiece of French and Spanish colonial architecture.
  • Faubourg Marigny and Bywater Districts: Explore these bohemian neighborhoods for colorful Creole cottages and unique architectural styles.

Nature Lover

  • City Park: One of the largest urban parks in the U.S., City Park features walking trails, boating, the New Orleans Botanical Garden and the Besthoff Sculpture Garden.
  • Woldenberg Riverfront Park: A great place for a scenic walk along the Mississippi River, located near the convention center and French Quarter.
  • Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve: Just outside the city, this park offers a chance to explore Louisiana’s natural wetlands and swamps on walking trails or boat tours.

Discounts

Sometimes the hotels, venues and other conference partners provide us with discount codes. This is where you will find them. 

Visit New Orleans

Promo Code: SREB25

Description: Attendees can get a 15% discount to any of the tours listed on the Visit New Orleans site. Just use the promo code to receive your discount.

Book a Tour: You can book a tour on their site. 

Attendees who need assistance can reach out to:

Unique NOLA Tours

Promo Code: SREB25

Description: Located in the Garden District, Unique NOLA Tours offers six tours at various times of day to suit your schedule. 

Their most popular tours are their Sinister Criminal Intentions tour, the Lewd Spirits Tour for adults and their family friendly ghost tour for all ages.

Schedule: 

Tours are offered daily, and all listed times are in Central.

Tour Time
Garden District Tour 10 AM
The Local’s Guide to the French Quarter Tour 10 AM, 4 PM
Pestilence, Pandemic & Plague Tour 1 PM
Kid-friendly Ghost Tour 5 PM
Sinister Criminal Intentions: The Original True Crime Tour 4 PM, 7 PM
Our Favorite Ghosts Tour 8 PM
Lewd Spirits Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour 5 PM, 8 PM

Book a Tour: You can book a tour on their website or call them directly to book at 504-777-7769

Restrictions: There are no limitations for this tour. You can use it on any tour for any number of people. 

The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience

Description: Explore the many ways that Jews in the American South influenced and were influenced by the distinct cultural heritage of their new homes. You can learn more about the museum on their website.

Location: Located in the Warehouse District, just a 15-minute walk from the convention center.

Book a Tour: When you buy your ticket at the front desk, you can mention the Making Schools Work Conference and get a ticket for $12, a 20% discount.