Louisiana Travels for Aug. 5, 2012

WWII Museum offering tour with cruise

Advocate file photo -- A cruise and meal aboard the Steamboat Natchez in New Orleans is part of the National World War II Museum's new tour, 'New Orleans History and Heritage: From Andrew Jackson to Andrew Higgins.

The National World War II Museum in New Orleans is offering a new tour called "New Orleans History and Heritage: From Andrew Jackson to Andrew Higgins."

In addition to special access at the museum, the tour branches out into the city, and includes a lunch cruise on the Mississippi River aboard the Steamboat Natchez, a look at the architectural treasures of the French Quarter, and three nights' stay at the Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel, and more.

The tours happen monthly and the next is scheduled for Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 23-26.

The itenerary includes day one: arrival at hotel, welcome reception at the John E. Kushner Restoration Pavilion, and dinner at the American Sector restaurant at the museum; day two: Breakfast, "behind the lines" curator-led VIP tour of the museum's private collection, lunch, city tour of New Orleans and its unique surrounding neighborhoods, and entertainment and dinner at the museum's Stage Door Canteen; day three: Breakfast, tour of the Home Front, Higgins Boat and D-Days in the Pacific galleries, showing of the 4-D film, Beyond All Boundaries, lunch aboard the Steamboat Natchez, and an evening exploration of the French Quarter; and day four: Breakfast, tour of the Invasion of Normandy galleries, lunch at the 1940s style Soda Shop.

Tour prices start at $1,650. For ticket information, go to http://www.ww2museumtours.org.

News from the park
City Park in New Orleans will hold a plant sale from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 11.

They're encouraging buyers to bring a wagon and get there early for the best selection. Only cash or checks accepted. Admission to the sale is free.

For more information, call [phone].

The park, located on 1 Palm Drive is now on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/pages/City-Park/155304834507418?ref=ts, and on Twitter, @NOLACityPark, and the park has also joined the smartphone app Instagram, where its user name is NewOrleansCityPark. Get updates about the Celebration in the Oaks coming up this Christmas via Mr. Bingle on Twitter, @MisterBingle, or on the Celebration in the Oaks Facebook page.

ON THE INTERNET:
http://www.neworleanscitypark.com

Satchmo fest ends Sunday, Aug. 5
The Satchmo SummerFest honoring New Orleans' native son and jazz great Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong runs through Sunday, Aug. 5, at the Louisiana State Museum's Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Ave.

In addition to music, movies and lots of New Orleans cuisine, there are also seminars inside the Mint from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

These are free and open to the public.

ON THE INTERNET:
http://www.satchmosummerfest.com

Seniors' fall trip
A trip for seniors is planned to Savannah, Ga.; Jekyll Island, Ga.; and Beaufort, S.C., for Oct. 7-13.

For further information, call Kirk Brown, [phone] or [phone].

Dining with Swamp star
Troy Landry of History's Swamp People and Paragon Casino Resort's new executive chef, Normal Nichols, will present a cooking demonstration and buffet style meal at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at the Paragon, La. 1, in Markville.

They will show how to make some of Landry's favorite dishes and then serve these and more to diners.

There will also be music by Johnny Chauvin and the Mojo Band. Landry's sons, Jacob and Chase, who also star on the show, will visit with the crowd.

Tickets are $21.95 and diners must by 21 years of age and older. For tickets, call [phone].

ON THE INTERNET:
http://www.paragoncasinoresort.com

Louisiana Travels is a biweekly column about travel destinations and events in Louisiana. Email items for Louisiana Travels to [e-mail] or [e-mail] or fax to [phone].