Louisiana tourism have unveiled the first 26 sites on an African American Heritage Trail running from New Orleans to northern Louisiana. They include The Multicultural Center of the South and Southern University Museum of Art in Shreveport, and Melrose Plantation in Natchitoches Parish.

There are 26 stops on the trail to begin with, although that will be expanded.

Other sites in this area are Cane River Creole National Historic Park in Natchitoches and St. Augustine Church in the Natchitoches Parish town of Natchez.

The sites include the expected -- plantations and the early roots of jazz -- and the unexpected, such as Melrose, which was built and owned and operated by a former slave who in turn became a slave owner.

Heritage tourism trails are routes that lead visitors to specialty points of interest constitute a fast-growing type of tourism. Louisiana is in the process of developing a series of such trails, ranging from a Culinary Trail to a Civil War Trail.

According to the Travel Industry Associations of America, more and more travelers are seeking the authentic American experience offered through cultural and heritage tourism.

The Associated Press contributed to this report