Road Scholar is expanding its educational travel offerings with two new Civil Rights Movement tours for 2027, giving travelers an opportunity to explore some of the most significant locations in American history through expert-led experiences. The nonprofit organization, widely recognized for its lifelong learning programs for adults over 50, announced the new itineraries after the continued success of its original Civil Rights tour through Alabama and Georgia.
The new tours—“Rhythm of Resistance: Civil Rights & Jazz in New Orleans” and “The Civil Rights Movement in Jackson, Memphis & Nashville”—will begin in May 2027, commemorating the 10th anniversary of Road Scholar’s first Civil Rights educational program.
Road Scholar Builds on a Popular Educational Travel Program
Road Scholar introduced its original Civil Rights Movement program in 2017, taking travelers through historic sites in Alabama and Georgia. Over the years, it has become one of the organization’s most impactful educational experiences. Nearly 550 travelers participated in 2025, with many describing the journey as a life-changing experience that offered a deeper understanding of America’s struggle for racial equality.
The organization says the new itineraries continue its mission of combining travel with learning, helping participants connect with history through museums, historic neighborhoods, local experts and cultural experiences rather than traditional sightseeing alone.
Both new tours are now open for booking, alongside future departures of the original Alabama and Georgia Civil Rights program.
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New Orleans Tour Explores the Connection Between Civil Rights and Jazz
The first new itinerary, “Rhythm of Resistance: Civil Rights & Jazz in New Orleans,” examines how the Civil Rights Movement and the evolution of jazz shaped one another in one of America’s most culturally influential cities.
Travelers will meet musicians at the legendary Preservation Hall, explore the historic Tremé neighborhood, and visit the Whitney Plantation, where historians interpret the history of slavery from the perspective of enslaved people.
According to Lindsey Temple, Road Scholar’s Program Operations Director, the program offers visitors a meaningful way to understand New Orleans by connecting the city’s fight for equality with the birth of America’s most iconic musical tradition.
New Orleans already ranks among Road Scholar’s most popular destinations, making the new itinerary a natural expansion of its educational travel portfolio.
Jackson, Memphis and Nashville Highlight Defining Moments of the Movement
The second program, “The Civil Rights Movement in Jackson, Memphis & Nashville,” focuses on major events, influential leaders and historic locations that helped shape the movement across three Southern cities.
Participants will visit the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. In Nashville, the tour includes the National Museum of African American Music, highlighting the powerful relationship between music and the fight for civil rights.
In Jackson, travelers will explore the Medgar Evers Home and the Emmett Till Interpretive Center, learning about individuals whose courage became catalysts for lasting social change.
Bobbie Duncan of the Center for Educational Adventure, which partners with Road Scholar to organize the program, said the itinerary was designed to connect participants with communities where ordinary people made extraordinary decisions that influenced the nation’s history.
Educational Travel Continues to Grow in Popularity
Interest in heritage and educational tourism continues to increase as more travelers seek meaningful experiences instead of traditional vacations. Rather than simply visiting landmarks, Road Scholar’s programs encourage participants to understand the historical context behind the places they visit through expert presentations, guided discussions and local perspectives.
The May 2027 launch date also carries symbolic significance, celebrating a decade since Road Scholar introduced its first Civil Rights educational journey. By expanding into New Orleans, Jackson, Memphis and Nashville, the nonprofit broadens access to important stories that remain relevant in conversations about equality, justice and civic engagement today.
Travelers interested in meaningful American heritage experiences may also enjoy exploring the best places to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in 2026, where history and culture come together across the country.
For complete itineraries, departure dates and booking information, visit the official Road Scholar website.
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