Craft Cocktail Walking Tour by New Orleans Steamboat Co.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Participants should be comfortable walking at a moderate pace over uneven cobblestones for about 2.5 hours.
Overview
Taste the history of New Orleans’ French Quarter on a 2.5-hour tour featuring classic cocktails and live jazz. Visit iconic bars while diving into stories that define this legendary city.
New Orleans Craft Cocktail Walking Tour
Ages 21+ • 2.5 Hours • Drink in the history!
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About This Adventure
Embark on a captivating 2.5-hour tour through the enchanting French Quarter, where you'll savor classic cocktails and delve into the rich history of New Orleans. Experience iconic venues, including the legendary Court of Two Sisters and Fritzel's jazz pub, all while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and soul-stirring jazz that define this unique city.
French Quarter courtyards, classic cocktails, entertaining history and a little jazz. This small insider tour is quintessential New Orleans!
Duration
2 Hours and 30 Minutes
- Tour departs daily at 4pm.
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time.
About
New Orleans has long been a muse with an unquenchable taste for revelry, muddling sophistication and fancy in equal parts. It’s no wonder the cocktail scene began early…1850 to be exact. Drink in her rich history as you explore the French Quarter, where the hour is always happy.
Enter the Court of Two Sisters’ Carriageway Bar through the charm gates, wrought in Spain and blessed by Queen Isabella. Now a restaurant world famous for its jazz brunch and courtyard canopied by a 130 year old wisteria vine, the block has maintained a lively history since 1726.
Relax in the former residence* of Antoine Peychaud, the Creole apothecary who prescribed and dispensed his patented herbal Peychaud’s Bitters, which would later become the key ingredient in the Sazerac, America’s first cocktail and the official cocktail of New Orleans.
At the intersection of two cobblestone alleys in the shadows of the St. Louis Cathedral, is a legendary pirate hangout. There you’ll meet the “green fairy” known as Absinthe, the mystical herbal elixir that induced intoxicating creativity in many authors, artists, poets and musicians.
There’s nothing like soul-stirring jazz to raise your spirits. Your tour ends on a high note at Fritzel's, not your typical dive bar. This jazz pub features the who’s who of New Orleans jazz, drawing jazz aficionados from around the world. You're welcome to stay for the show, then walk to dinner at one of many fine French Quarter restaurants nearby.
Come see why New Orleans is #MoreThanBourbonStreet.
Please note, Gray Line New Orleans partners with a dozen locally owned establishments for this tour and reserves the right to substitute locations and cocktails based on nightly events.
What's Included
- Entry or admission fees
- 2.5 hour guided walking tour with a local, licensed guide
- 4 stops at iconic French Quarter establishments
- 3 classic cocktails, including taxes and service gratuities
- Souvenir Mardi Gras beads
Exclusions
- Tip or gratuity
- Tour guide gratuity (optional)
- Additional beverages are available for purchase
Please Note
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Guests must arrive 15 minutes prior to departure at 400 Toulouse Street and check in with a ticket agent at the ticket office.
- In order to help preserve the French Quarter from vehicular traffic, it is requested that you please walk, if possible, to the convenient tour departure point - just a short stroll from most downtown hotels.
- Please dress comfortably as this is a walking tour!
- Due to the historic nature of the tour, some venues are not accessible to guests traveling in wheelchairs. Special arrangements can be made with your tour guide at the beginning of the tour.
- Minimum age is 21 years
- Adult pricing applies to all travelers
- You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity upon arrival.
Adventure Tips
Arrive Early to Check In
Plan to arrive 15 minutes before the 4 pm start at 400 Toulouse St to secure your spot and handle ticketing smoothly.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
Expect about 2.5 hours of walking on cobblestone streets—supportive footwear enhances comfort throughout the tour.
Bring a Valid ID
Participants must be 21 or older and carry official ID for age verification due to alcohol service.
Stay Hydrated and Pace Yourself
With three cocktails included, it's wise to drink water in between and know your limits for a safe experience.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Urban-dwelling birds like sparrows and mockingbirds frequent the French Quarter
- Squirrels inhabiting the shaded trees in nearby courtyards and parks
History
New Orleans is credited with creating America’s first cocktail, the Sazerac, thanks to Creole apothecary Antoine Peychaud in the mid-1800s.
Conservation
Efforts to limit vehicular traffic in the French Quarter help preserve historic streetscapes and promote pedestrian-friendly cultural tours like this one.
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Adventure Hotspots in New Orleans
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Supports mobility on cobblestone streets during the walking portion of the tour.
Valid Photo ID
Required for age verification to participate due to alcohol consumption.
Light Rain Jacket or Poncho
Handy for occasional spring showers to keep you dry without overheating.
spring specific
Reusable Water Bottle
Stay hydrated through warm evenings and while sampling cocktails.
summer specific