The tour begins in the French Quarter, virtually untouched by Katrina, giving the history and architecture of this old Creole city: Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, the Pontalba row houses and an overall view of the Mississippi River Port, levees and flood walls. Drive by the French Market, the old US Mint, the stately mansions, and St. Louis Cemetery #3 along Esplanade Avenue. Then, make your way to peaceful Bayou St. John, where you will view raised houses from the late 1700's and hear about their architectural significance in a city below sea level. Arrive at UNO's campus along Lake Pontchartrain's shores, where the levee system is explained and the longest of all bridges, the Causeway, is seen from the van; then, drive along the Lakeshore past the remains of the Southern Yacht Club and the marinas, and reach the second levee breach at the 17th Street Canal and view from the van the violent and utter destruction it caused to the Lakeview neighborhood. Drive though the once flooded Gentilly and New Orleans East neighborhoods continuing to witness the huge scope of Katrina's devastation. Cross over the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, MRGO, and hear about its impact on the loss of wetlands and coastal erosion, before arriving in Chalmette, St. Bernard Parish, where the size of the tour vehicles allows you to drive through a demolished neighborhood caused by yet another levee failure. Finally, drive across the Industrial Canal where you will see the largest Levee Breach which demolished the 9th Ward and then return to New Orleans downtown, pass the Superdome and the Convention Center.
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