new orleans underground tour

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New orleans underground: the city beneath the city.

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – New Orleans is one of the most historically significant cities in the United States, but beneath the surface lies an archaeological treasure trove.

Recent finds tell us a lot about who we are, but some wonder if enough is being done to preserve and protect ancient treasures.

New Orleans is a city where the past culture oozes from the streets.

You can feel the past just below your feet.

And often times the deeper you go, the more you find.

Storyville disappeared more than 100 years ago after prostitution was declared illegal, but beneath the surface lies clues to its storied past.

The real treasure troves? In holes or privvies discovered behind many of these historic homes where they had outhouses.

When plumbing came in, the privvies, became dumpsites and many macabre.

Many macabre discoveries are among thousands of items now at the University of New Orleans.

Included, hundreds of almost perfectly preserved goat jawbones, pulled from a French Quarter outhouse pit on Saint Peter Street.

Archaeloogists wanted to know why so many goat jawbones? With the help of city records they found in the early 18th century, a tailor lived on the site. The tailor used goat brain chemicals.

“The most likely explanation was they were using the brains for processing and tanning hides,” said Rayn Gray, PhD, with UNO Archaeology.

Experts say just about anytime you dig in the French Quarter and surrounding areas, you uncover evidence of civilizations going back up to 300 years.

“We have found a few corked bottles and the archaeologist noticed they gave a boozy aroma,” said Eric Seiferth, curator, with the Historic New Orleans Collection.

Archaeologists for the Historic New Orleans Collection uncovered many significant items when it recently renovated it’s properties on Royal Street at the old Seignoret Broulatour House.

“In the well we found a whole lot of mid to late 19th century items tossed in the well after it was no longer in use,” said Seiferth.

Among them, tins with French labels used to store everything from cosmetics to sardines.

Digging through the layers they also found lines of black stratification in the soil which they believe are from major French Quarter fires dating back to 1788 and 1794.

“They noted they gave off a smoky aroma,” said Seiferth.

One of the largest recent digs on Bourbon Street during it’s massive reconstruction. Researchers uncovered an old streetcar railroad tie, now on display in The mayor’s office, as well as a 16 inch iron pipe dating back to one of the cities earliest water systems.

“It was part of the water system installed here in about 1888 give or take five years,” said Seiferth.

UNO’s Dr. Ryan Gray says one of the most significant archaeological sites lies beneath the area near the intersection of Toulouse and Rampart. That’s where a construction project uncovered hundreds of bodies. part of the old Saint Peter Cemetery, dating back 250 years.

“By my estimate, there were probably as many as 8,000 to 12,000 people interred on that block,” said Gray.

A building collapse at 810 Royal Street in 2014 provided archaeologists a rare opportunity to explore soil unearthed for 300 years.

“Thanks to the new owners after the building collapse they invited us in and gave us the opportunity to do three years of excavation,” said Gray.

UNO archaeologists found pottery and other artifacts from native Americans, southern France, and England dating back to the 18th century.

While the artifacts found beneath the streets and buildings of New Orleans are fascinating, few visitors get to appreciate them but all that could be changing soon.

“We have launched an archaeological tour called city within the city,” said Gray.

The reason for the some of these discoveries, federal law requires archaeologists be on hand for any federal project to protect archaeological treasures. But many fear those treasures may be lost, because similar requirements are not in place for other projects.

“In New Orleans on private property there’s really no laws apply to what happens beneath the ground,” said Gray.

The other way to find historical artifacts, a private landowner must invite archaeologists to perform a dig.

“I think leaving it up to individual property owners doesn’t ensure that we’re going to be able to take it advantage of all those opportunities that we can,” said Seiferth.

Archaeologists would like to see that change to discover and protect the treasures beneath the historic homes and streets of New Orleans.

UNO’s Dr. Ryan Gray says many times homeowners who recognize the potential significance of the soil beneath their properties will call them to give them permission for an excavation. That can often delay a project but in many cases, Dr. Gray says excavation often reveals priceless discoveries, but tell us much about who we are.

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Great Tour Jane was our tour guide and having majored in history in school, she was very knowledgeable and informative. Provided historical and current data on the French Quarter. Had a very nice time as a first timer to New Orleans. - Fred K

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What Lies Beneath The Streets of New Orleans is Amazing

Kezia Kamenetz

Kezia Kamenetz is a native to southern Louisiana and lives in the Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans currently. When not writing about all the amazing things to be found in her state, her central passion is dreams and the wisdom they can offer, which you can learn more about by visiting KeziaVida.com

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In the 1960s as suburbanization was encroaching on the robust nature of cities’ downtown, New Orleans Mayor deLesseps “Chep” Morrison led the way for the construction of an underground tunnel connecting the proposed Riverfront Expressway and the Pontchartrain Expressway.

The tunnel is roughly 700 ft. long and perfectly straight, and construction began in 1964. By 1969, though, the Riverfront Expressway failed to be approved, and the tunnel became obsolete.

Since then, it has been underused and not well-known at all, until a recent sinkhole opened up at the foot of Canal Street, bringing attention to the old tunnel.

Isn’t it crazy what lies beneath New Orleans streets? I would never have expected it. Do you know of any other secret tunnels under New Orleans that we should know about? Were you surprised to learn about this one? Let us know about your experiences! We love to hear your feedback.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Underground Donut Tour

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New Orleans Underground: The city beneath the city

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - New Orleans is one of the most historically significant cities in the United States, but beneath the surface lies an archaeological treasure trove.

Some wonder if enough is being done to preserve and protect ancient treasures.

New Orleans is a city where the past culture oozes from the streets.

You can feel the past just below your feet.

And often times the deeper you go, the more you find.

Storyville disappeared more than 100 years ago after prostitution was declared illegal, but beneath the surface lies clues to its storied past.

The real treasure troves? In holes or privies discovered behind many of these historic homes where they had outhouses.

When plumbing came in, the privvies became dumpsites and many were a macabre scene.

Many macabre discoveries are among thousands of items now at the University of New Orleans.

Included, hundreds of almost perfectly preserved goat jawbones pulled from a French Quarter outhouse pit on St. Peter Street.

Archaeologists wanted to know why so many goat jawbones? With the help of city records they found in the early 18th century, a tailor lived on the site. The tailor used goat brain chemicals.

“The most likely explanation was they were using the brains for processing and tanning hides,” said Ryan Gray, PhD, with UNO Archaeology.

Experts say just about anytime you dig in the French Quarter and surrounding areas, you uncover evidence of civilizations dating back up to 300 years.

“We have found a few corked bottles and the archaeologist noticed they gave a boozy aroma,” said Eric Seiferth, curator with the Historic New Orleans Collection.

Archaeologists for the Historic New Orleans Collection uncovered many significant items when it recently renovated properties on Royal Street at the old Seignoret Broulatour House.

“In the well we found a whole lot of mid to late 19th century items tossed in the well after it was no longer in use,” said Seiferth.

Among them, tins with French labels used to store everything from cosmetics to sardines.

Digging through the layers they also found lines of black stratification in the soil which they believe are from major French Quarter fires dating back to 1788 and 1794.

“They noted they gave off a smoky aroma,” said Seiferth.

During one of the largest recent digs on Bourbon Street during its massive reconstruction, researchers uncovered an old streetcar railroad tie, now on display in the mayor’s office, as well as a 16 inch iron pipe dating back to one of the cities earliest water systems.

“It was part of the water system installed here in about 1888 give or take five years,” said Seiferth.

UNO’s Dr. Ryan Gray says one of the most significant archaeological sites lies beneath the area near the intersection of Toulouse and Rampart. That’s where a construction project uncovered hundreds of bodies; part of the old St. Peter Cemetery dating back 250 years.

“By my estimate, there were probably as many as 8,000 to 12,000 people interred on that block,” said Gray.

A building collapse at 810 Royal Street in 2014 provided archaeologists a rare opportunity to explore soil unearthed for 300 years.

“Thanks to the new owners after the building collapse they invited us in and gave us the opportunity to do three years of excavation,” said Gray.

UNO archaeologists found pottery and other artifacts from native Americans, southern France, and England dating back to the 18th century.

While the artifacts found beneath the streets and buildings of New Orleans are fascinating, few visitors get to appreciate them, but all that could be changing soon.

“We have launched an archaeological tour called “City within the city,” said Gray.

The reason for the some of these discoveries...federal law requires archaeologists be on hand for any federal project to protect archaeological treasures. But many fear those treasures may be lost because similar requirements are not in place for other projects.

“In New Orleans on private property there’s really no laws apply to what happens beneath the ground,” said Gray.

The other way to find historical artifacts, a private landowner must invite archaeologists to perform a dig.

“I think leaving it up to individual property owners doesn’t ensure that we’re going to be able to take it advantage of all those opportunities that we can,” said Seiferth.

Archaeologists would like to see that change to discover and protect the treasures beneath the historic homes and streets of New Orleans.

UNO’s Dr. Ryan Gray says many times homeowners who recognize the potential significance of the soil beneath their properties will call them to give them permission for an excavation. That can often delay a project but in many cases, Dr. Gray says excavation often reveals priceless discoveries, but tell us much about who we are.

Copyright 2021 WVUE. All rights reserved.

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Going Rogue: Exploring Underground New Orleans

Freaksheaux to geaux at allways lounge & theatre (photo: joshua brasted).

New Orleans is known for three things: its nightlife, music and food. Plenty of the city’s infamous “institutions” function as tourist magnets, but if you want to party like a local, check out these best kept secrets of New Orleans !

Nightlife: Frenchman Street

Avoid overcrowded Bourbon Street and check out Frenchman Street instead  for a local favorite in New Orleans . You’ll find several NOLA local-approved bars and a vibrant live music scene. Catch Shotgun Jazz Band with its Dixieland feel or Panorama Jazz Band that throws in a bit of Klezmer, both at The Spotted Cat Music Club .

Or dash across the street to Snug Harbor for bigger names including hometown favorites Ellis Marsalis and Charmain Neville.

St. Claude Avenue deserves a shout-out as well. Check out Saturn Bar if you’re in the mood for a laid back vibe. For a weirder night, The AllWays Lounge & Theatre promises wild nightly entertainment including the occasional Freaksheaux to Geaux , a vaudeville-inspired circus act.

Music Destination: Rock ‘n’ Bowl

At first glance Tipitina’s (a.k.a. “Tip’s”) looks to be a ramshackle hole-in-the-wall, but it’s one of the best kept secrets in New Orleans for live music . If you’re looking for something with more polish that garners equal respect from locals, Rock ‘n’ Bowl holds its own.

As the name suggests, it’s a bowling alley that doubles as a live music venue. Its new post-Katrina location boasts a huge bar and plays host to Zydeco, R&B, and other local acts.

Leave time to stop by the Maple Leaf Bar where you’ll often find Rebirth Brass Band , a local favorite. Also try the Palm Court Jazz Café , the best kept secret in New Orleans’ French Quarter. It offers a lovely sit-down dinner accompanied by live jazz and exudes an Old World ambiance.

Upscale Dining: La Petite Grocery

Located inside a historic building that was — you guessed it — a grocery, La Petite Grocery offers a romantic atmosphere. James Beard Award finalist and Bravo TV’s “Top Chef” competitor Chef Justin Devillier serves up food that is succulent and fabulous — there aren’t enough adjectives to describe how good it is.

If you’re craving more, try Upperline Restaurant for its posh Southern feel or Lilette which has a hidden garden courtyard lit by fairy lights. If you’re into decadence, order Lilette’s Alaskan King Crab Claws with Passion Fruit Butter.

Affordable Eats: Café Reconcile

For a more wallet-friendly meal, try the crawfish étoufée, jambalaya, or po’ boys at Café Reconcile , a local favorite in New Orleans . It also functions as a non-profit program that provides job training to young people from at-risk communities. Stop by to enjoy some great New Orleans food and give back to the city!

Also delicious are Liuzza’s Restaurant & Bar and Liuzza’s By The Track . Though they share a name, they are unaffiliated with one another. Both have that hole-in-the-wall New Orleans feel and offer po’ boys and the like.

Soul Food: Willie Mae’s Scotch House

What is soul food? Think ham hocks, chicken livers, slow-cooked beans, greens, and cornbread. It’s rich and delicious. Willie Mae’s Scotch House, another James Beard Award winner, is the place to go for soul food.

They’re known for their fried chicken. This humble place originally opened in the Tremé neighborhood, and recently launched a more polished location in Uptown, right on the St. Charles streetcar line.

The Original Brown Derby is located inside a rundown grocery store and is a great to-go option. You’ll stand in line cafeteria-style to receive some succulent homestyle cooking.

Dessert: Angelo Brocato Original Italian Ice Cream Parlor

The locals simply call it “Brocato’s,” and it is the place to go for Italian pastries. The shop feels like an old ice cream parlor with its tile floors and scrollwork-backed chairs. Savor their delicate Italian cookies, flavorful sorbets, and decadent cannoli after dinner.

For non-Italian desserts, try the macarons at Sucr é , or the Butternut donuts at Blue Dot Donuts . Don’t miss the world famous beignets at Café du Monde in the French Quarter or Morning Call in City Park.

The French Quarter location is the more obvious for visitors, but the City Park setting is great for kids with its adjacent playground and climbable live oaks.

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Sipping in Secret: Prohibition in New Orleans

• September 4, 2023

Table of Contents

New orleans during prohibition .

New Orleans, a city steeped in history, has a past filled with secrets that often go unacknowledged amidst the buzz of its party culture and lively nightlife. While the country battled restrictions on alcohol consumption and production during the early 20th century, New Orleans remained a beacon of booze, with speakeasies and bootleggers appearing throughout the city. Despite these obstacles, the Big Easy persevered, remaining a hub of entertainment and cultural significance. This era cemented New Orleans’ legacy as a city that always delightfully surprises, offering a rich history that shaped a drinking culture that is still enjoyed to this day. 

Rise of Prohibition in New Orleans 

With the passage of the 18th Amendment in 1919 and the subsequent implementation of the Volstead Act , Prohibition cast its shadow over New Orleans, but failed to dampen the spirits of its citizens. Instead, clever smuggling methods via Lake Pontchartrain and St. Bernard Parish led to widespread rum-running, and thousands of New Orleanians brewed their own illicit alcohol. 

By 1920, an estimated 10,000 residents had already broken the law and joined the rebellion against the nationwide ban. The city became a hub of resistance, with bootleggers, speakeasies, and underground distilleries operating with frequency. Despite the risks, New Orleans persevered in its pursuit of the pleasures of alcohol. 

The Speakeasy Scene 

Amidst the prohibition era in New Orleans, speakeasies flourished within the unlikeliest of places, including downtown office buildings. Along the bustling downtown streets, an automobile cunningly served drinks at curbsides, while resourceful waiters discreetly peddled beverages from hidden hip flasks in restaurants.  

While the multitude of small home brewers largely escaped scrutiny, restaurants, clubs, cabarets, and bars faced frequent targeting. The Hood Act, Louisiana’s enforcement law, obligated local police to assist federal agents, but their support was lackluster at best. Some police officers were even complicit, engaging in moonshining or acting as lookouts for smugglers. By December 1926 , New Orleans boasted the highest number of padlocked speakeasies and illicitly selling saloons in the entire nation. 

The Whiskey Tree 

Nestled deep within the Honey Island Swamp, at the peak of the prohibition era, stood an extraordinary meeting place known as the Whiskey Tree. Secluded and inaccessible by road, this secret spot drew moonshiners who sought refuge from the prying eyes of law enforcement.

Pirogues and round bottom boats stealthily gathered under the sheltering branches of the bald cypress tree; their occupants eager to maintain a step ahead of the authorities. Though prohibition has long since ended, the legend of the Whiskey Tree lives on, as visitors to this hallowed site can still hear the echoes of past moonshiners and the faint whispers of departing boats that once ventured into the darkness. 

See More of New Orleans on a Swamp Tour 

Discover the hidden secrets of the Crescent City’s enchanting swamplands with our immersive swamp tour in New Orleans . Step back in time as we unveil the intriguing tales of the prohibition era and how the waterways were used to smuggle liquor. Traverse the Honey Island Swamp, where the legendary Whiskey Tree is located, and discover fascinating creatures that call this place home.

Along the way, our expert New Orleans swamp tour guides bring history to life, sharing captivating stories about the animals and plants that reside in the area. Don’t miss the opportunity to uncover the hidden secrets of this magical place and book a New Orleans swamp tour  adventure today! 

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The 9 best underground New Orleans bands, as chosen by Pears

New Orleans punks Pears pick their nine favourite bands from hometown

Born and raised in the NOLA scene, melodic punks Pears know a thing or two about the best bands in New Orleans. But we’re not talking about the usual suspects of Down , Crowbar and Eyehategod , Pears are looking deeper and digging into the dirty underground world. We caught up with vocalist Zach Quinn and Brian Pretus to talk about the best underground bands from their hometown, and they didn’t disappoint. Stick some new New Orleans noise in your ears.

Zach: “Fun, kinda sound like Sebadoh. Their new album is really great, although it’s not out yet. The first Pears tour ever was with this band, and the guitarist/vocalist Craig is also a rapper.”

I’m Fine

Brian: “These guys are some of my best buddies in the world. If you like fest punk then you should check this band out. But you’d better hurry up because they’re trying to turn into a doom band.”

Zach: “Doom metal from Baton Rouge. I’m not really traditionally a metal guy, but this band is awesome. They’ve been around since I was in diapers… so like ten years or something.”

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Donovan Wolfington

Brian: “They’re our friends. Their singer Neil drove us on a couple tours but they’re one of the best NOLA bands ever, if you ask me. They sound like Weezer if Weezer was pissed and never turned into a rap/pop band. For fans of Joyce Manor and Culture Abuse and shit.”

Zach: “Sick punk, rock ‘n’ roll stuff. Vocalist Dylan is also in another newer band that’s really awesome, but I can’t remember the name… But basically everything he does is good. They have a music video where they are under a bridge and they’re playing cards , I guess just being bad.”

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Brian: “Some crusty pals doing a weird like classical/black metal thing – I’ve never heard anything like it. Weird instrumentation, weird songs. If you’re into original ideas at all, you’ll definitely like it.”

Lovey Dovies

Zach: “God damn , James Hayes can write a song! He’s got a baby now who is really cute, and I don’t know if there’s ever gonna be more Lovey Dovies records, which is a massive shame. There are two full-lengths and they are fucking perfect.”

Brian: “It stands for Masters Of The Obvious. They were from New Orleans, relocated to Chicago, but then I guess moved back to New Orleans. They’re super-old, like maybe a thousand years old. Zach got me into them forever ago. It’s almost comically lo-fi, pseudo-Ramones type stuff. You can pretty much guarantee their song titles are going to be lyrics for the. Sometimes they play with their original line-up, which isn’t very good, and sometimes they have like fill-in people that usually totally rock.”

Little Bags

Zach: “I was in this band. It was like alternative punk stuff. Go buy the tape at the Community Records website .”

Pears are supporting Rise Against across the UK and Europe in October and November.

Rise Against UK and European 2017 tour

Oct 25: Oslo Sentrum Scene, Norway Oct 27: Stockholm Fryhuset, Sweden Oct 29: Copenhagen Vega Main Hall, Denmark Nov 01: Birmingham O2 Academy, UK Nov 02: Manchester O2 Apollo, UK Nov 04: Leeds O2 Academy, UK Nov 05: London O2 Academy Brixton, UK Nov 06: Dublin The Academy, Ireland Nov 08: Newcastle O2 Academy, UK Nov 10: Luxembourg Rockhal, Luxembourg Nov 11: Paris Bataclan, France Nov 12: Amsterdam Afas Live, Netherlands Nov 14: Munich Zenith, Germany Nov 15: Frankfurt Festhalle, Germany Nov 17: Dusselfdorf Mitsubishi Electric Halle, Germany Nov 18: Hamburg Sporthalle, Germany Nov 19: Berlin Velodrom, Germany Nov 21: Zurich Halle 622, Switzerland

20 years on from NOLA, Down reflect on its flood-fuelled creation...

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Most people are familiar with Bourbon Street and the French Quarter, but many people don’t know Magazine Street, where our tour takes place and has a rich history around food, art, culture and nightlife. We’ll visit 4 different shops - trying donuts and beignets all along the way. Starting with traditional beignets with powdered sugar and a coffee in hand, we’ll learn about the neighborhoods rich history as it relates to New Orleans. At our second stop, we’ll follow that up with artisanal donuts at one of the best donut shops in New Orleans. After a short walk, we’ll have some super interesting beignets with various toppings and sauces, unlike anything you’ve tried before. And finally, we’ll end up at our last stop and we’ll have our last surprise on the tour. It’s sure to be a delicious and casual adventure you’re sure to enjoy.

We also offer much more information about the route, the city, the stops, and more. Check it out today!

Hope to see you soon!

Description

Stop At: Magazine Street, Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana

Our tour begins in the Garden District neighborhood at PJ's Coffee, one of the cutest coffee shops in New Orleans. Here we’ll try some of their amazing beignets, featured above. After that, we’ll take a leisurely walk along Magazine Street. We’ll then continue our way to over to District Donuts, one of the best donut shops in New Orleans. After a brief walk, we'll visit our 3rd and 4th stops for some amazing beignets. At each location, we'll sample several different types, flavors and styles of donuts and beignets, so come hungry! Just an FYI - the tour does not begin and end at the same location.

Duration: 2 hours

• Reservations are REQUIRED for all bookings
• Book Your Package On-Line and Receive Your Confirmation
• Departure point: Detailed check-in instructions - including the address and parking information if applicable - will be included in your final confirmation email.
• Duration: 2 hours (Approx.)

The Vintage, 3121 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115, USA

What's Included

• Coffee and/or Tea
• Gratuities (Optional)

What To Bring

• Confirmation Voucher (printed or mobile)
• Any required or suggested items listed on your confirmation email.

Additional Info

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Not recommended for travelers with severe mobility issues (cannot walk or stand for 2 hours)

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You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

• For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
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• Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
• Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
• This activity requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Average 4.92 out of 5 stars based on 283 traveler reviews collected by Cool New Orleans and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

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Underground Donut Tour launches in New Orleans

The Underground Donut Tour announced on Monday, April 4 that it will be expanding to New Orleans, Louisiana. The tour has been running for nearly 7 years in cities across the country, including Chicago, Philadelphia, New York City, Portland, Seattle, Boston and Nashville, and is now adding New Orleans to the roster.

“New Orleans is home to some of the best food, culture, nightlife, beignets and donuts in the country. How could we not add it to our roster?” says Jeff Woelker, founder of the Underground Donut Tour. “Our team visited New Orleans just prior to COVID-19 and we were planning on opening this location in 2020, but those plans got postponed with everything going on. Thankfully, it looks like things are opening back up and we’re ready to welcome both locals and tourists alike to come and join us for a donut and beignet celebration!”

Starting April 15, guests will walk between 4 of the best donut and beignet shops in New Orleans, experiencing the history of each location, along with many local sights, sounds, and history of Magazine Street and the Garden District, but most importantly, samples of the best donuts and beignets at each location. Some of the locations include District Donuts and The Vintage with two other secret locations guests will learn about on the tour.

“I can’t wait to share the history of Magazine Street and the Garden District along with meeting many amazing guests. And how can I forget eating some fantastic donuts and beignets along the way?” says Jenn Johnson, tour manager for the Underground Donut Tour New Orleans.

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Underground Donut Tour Comes To New Orleans

Do you like donuts? The Underground Donut Tour is coming to the Big Easy. For the past seven years, the tour has been launching in cities in the Northeast and Midwest, like Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston. Now it’s time for New Orleans to get the sweets treatment!

Underground Donut Tours Launching in New Orleans

The Underground Donut Tours have attracted millions of people throughout the years to the best donut shops in the respective cities.

Attendees get to learn about the history of the business as well as taste the goodness of their donuts. Unlike the other cities, donut tours in New Orleans will include beignet shops as well.

“New Orleans is home to some of the best food, culture, nightlife, beignets, and donuts in the country. How could we not add it to our roster? Our team visited New Orleans just prior to COVID-19 and we were planning on opening this location in 2020, but those plans got postponed with everything going on.  Thankfully, it looks like things are opening back up and we’re ready to welcome both locals and tourists alike to come and join us for a donut and beignet celebration!” said Jeff Woelker, founder of the Underground Donut Tour.

What Local Shops Will Participate?

Underground Donut Tours is undeground for a reason! Some shops are kept hidden until the day of the event.

Some of the locations include District Donuts and The Vintage with two other secret locations you’ll only learn about on the tour.

“I can’t wait to share the history of Magazine Street and the Garden District along with meeting many amazing guests. And how can I forget eating some fantastic donuts and beignets along the way?” said Jenn Johnson, tour manager for the Underground Donut Tour New Orleans.

When Do Tours Operate?

The Underground Donut Tours will start on Friday, April 15, 2022, and run year-round. Tours run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9-11 a.m. and 10 am. to 12 noon. In the near future, more days and times will be added.

How To Get Tickets To New Orleans Underground Donut Tours

Tickets are $40 for adults and $25 for kids 10 and under. Tickets can be booked at   ndergrounddonuttour.com .

Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis, so don’t miss out.

Looking for something to do in the city?  What To See And Do In New Orleans

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What America’s first board game can teach us about the aspirations of a young nation

Professor of American Literature, Iowa State University

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Matthew Wynn Sivils does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Iowa State University provides funding as a member of The Conversation US.

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Board games are booming: In 2023 alone, the industry topped US$16.8 billion and is projected to reach $40.1 billion by 2032 .

Classics like “Scrabble” are being refreshed and transformed , while newer inventions such as “ Pandemic ” and “ Wingspan ” have garnered millions of devotees.

This growing cardboard empire was on my mind when I visited the American Antiquarian Society in August 2023 to research its collection of early games .

As I sat in that archive, which houses such treasures as the 1640 Bay Psalm Book, the first book printed in British America , I beheld another first in American printing: a board game called “The Travellers’ Tour Through the United States.”

This forgotten game, printed the year after Missouri became a state , has a lot to say about America’s nascent board game industry, as well as how a young country saw itself.

An archival find

Produced by the New York cartography firm of F. & R. Lockwood, “The Travellers’ Tour Through the United States” was an imitation of earlier European geography games , a genre of educational game. Geography games generally used a map for a board, and the rules involved players reciting geographic facts as they race toward the finish.

“The Travellers’ Tour” first appeared in 1822, making it the earliest known board game printed in the U.S.

But for almost a century another game held that honor.

In 1894, the game manufacturer Parker Brothers acquired the rights to “The Mansion of Happiness,” an English game first produced in the U.S. in 1843. In its promotional materials, the company declared it “ The first board game ever published in America .”

That distinction ended in 1991 when a game collector found the copy of “The Travellers’ Tour” in the archives of the American Antiquarian Society.

A new game for the new year

By 1822 the American market for board games was already becoming established, and middle- and upper-class parents would buy games for their families to enjoy around the parlor table .

At that time, New Year’s – not Christmas – was the holiday for gift giving. Many booksellers, who earned money from the sale of books, playing cards and other paper goods throughout the year, would sell special wares to give as presents.

These items included holiday-themed books, puzzles – then called “ dissected maps ” – and paper dolls, as well as games imported from England such as “ The New Game of Human Life ” and “ The Royal And Entertaining Game of Goose .”

Since “The Travellers’ Tour” was the first board game to employ a map of the U.S. , it might have been an especially interesting gift to American consumers.

It’s difficult, however, to gauge just how popular “The Travellers’ Tour” was in its time. No sales records are known to exist, and since so few copies remain, it likely wasn’t a big seller.

A global database of library holdings shows only five copies of “The Travellers’ Tour” in institutions around the U.S. And while a handful of additional copies are housed in museums and private archives, the game is certainly a rarity.

Teetotums and travelers

Announcing itself as a “pleasing and instructive pastime,” “The Travellers’ Tour” consists of a hand-colored map of the then-24 states and a numbered list of 139 towns and cities, ranging from New York City to New Madrid, Missouri. Beside each number is the name and description of the corresponding town.

Using a variant spelling for the device, the instructions stipulate the game should be “performed with a Tetotum.” Small top-like devices with numbers around their sides called teetotums functioned as alternatives to dice, which were associated with immoral games of chance .

Once spun, the teetotum lands with a random side up, revealing a number. The player looks ahead that number of spaces on the map.

If they can recite from memory the name of the town or city, they move their token, or traveler, to that space. Whoever gets to New Orleans first, wins.

An idealized portrait of a young country

Though not necessary to play “The Travellers’ Tour,” the descriptions provided for each location tell historians a lot about America’s national aspirations.

These accounts coalesce into a flattering portrait of the nation’s agricultural, commercial, historical and cultural character.

Promoting the value of education, the game highlights institutions of learning. For example, Philadelphia’s “literary and benevolent institutions are numerous and respectable.” Providence boasts “Brown University, a respectable literary institution.” And Boston’s “citizens … are enterprising and liberal in the support of religious and literary institutions.”

As the game pieces meander toward New Orleans, players learn about Richmond’s “fertile backcountry” and about the “polished manners and unaffected hospitality” of the citizens of Charleston. Savannah “contains many splendid edifices” and Columbia’s “South Carolina College bids fair to be a valuable institution.”

Absent from any corresponding descriptions, however, is any mention of what John C. Calhoun called America’s “peculiar institution” of slavery and its role in the fabric of the nation.

And while four entries briefly reference American Indians, no mention is made of the ongoing dispossession and genocide of millions of Indigenous people.

Though it promotes an American identity based on a sanitized version of the nation’s economic might and intellectual rigor, “The Travellers’ Tour” nonetheless represents an important step toward what has become a burgeoning American board game industry.

Two centuries later, board game culture has matured to the point that new titles such as “ Freedom: The Underground Railroad ” and “ Votes for Women ” push the genre to new heights, using the joy of play to teach the history of the era that spawned America’s first board game.

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Rolling Stones kick off 48th tour with ‘Hackney Diamonds’ cuts and classics in Houston

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The Rolling Stones opened their Stones Tour ’24 Hackney Diamonds on Sunday to a sold-out crowd of more than 70,000 fans at NRG Stadium in Houston.

The Stones played just three new tracks from the album, choosing to focus instead on classic hits including “Start Me Up,” “Gimme Shelter,” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and “Satisfaction,” according to a press release. The decision to focus on older material was not unsurprising for a group with more than six decades of songs to choose from.

It was the rockers’ first performance of material from their 2023 effort “Hackney Diamonds” since the album’s surprise release at the 600-seat club Racket in New York last October. (Fans and celebrities packed that tiny venue expecting merely a Stones show and instead were treated to a breadth of new songs — and a Lady Gaga cameo.)

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As the tour rolls on, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and company plan to make stadium stops in Glendale, Ariz.; Las Vegas; Seattle; East Rutherford, N.J.; Foxboro, Mass.; Orlando; Atlanta; Philadelphia; Cleveland; Denver; Chicago; Vancouver; Inglewood; and Santa Clara.

When the Stones hit SoFi Stadium this summer, they’ll be accompanied by the War and Treaty on July 10 and the Linda Lindas on July 13.

“Hackney Diamonds” is the rockers’ first studio album of original material in nearly two decades, following 2005’s “A Bigger Bang.” It’s also the Stones’ first LP since the death of founding drummer Charlie Watts in 2021. It’s the first time the band has been on the road since its 60th anniversary tour in 2022, and the tour will also feature a stop at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on May 2.

“Charlie was one of the funniest guys I’ve ever known,” Richards told Times music critic Mikael Wood in 2021, “and the most unlikely man to be famous. He hated that side of the job and used to savagely take the piss out of it.”

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When “Hackney Diamonds” game out, Wood wrote in his album review, “The songs blend the same ingredients the Stones have been using since the beginning — blues, rock, soul, country, gospel — but they’re tighter and punchier than on any of the band’s previous late-era LPs.”

Meanwhile, according to Rolling Stone , back at the Houston concert one fan said, “People say Joe Biden is too old to be president. They need to look at Mick!”

That said, the Rolling Stones’ 48th tour is sponsored by AARP.

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Eva Hartman is a spring 2024 reporting intern with the Fast Break Desk at the Los Angeles Times. She is a senior at the University of Southern California studying international relations, where she has served as the news assignments editor and magazine editor at the Daily Trojan.

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