Known as the city of nightlife, New Orleans is a vibrant city known for its cuisine and music scene that represents a melting pot of African, American, and French culture.

New Orleans is seen by many as the home of Mardi Gras, and is an excellent place to test out some delicious spirits!

New Orleans is the home to some of the best distilleries in the country, which is to be expected since the nightlife is so exciting here!

Come join us as we explore the distillery scene in New Orleans, as well as take a look at its culture, the things to do there, and the places to eat!

About New Orleans

New Orleans definitely overwhelms your senses. The streets are colorful, the rhythm and blues music is soulful, and the food is delicious!

This coastal Louisiana city is the heart of Cajun and creole food, and as well as being the home to shrimp and grits and gumbo, they also brought us treats such as beignets, char-broiled oysters, and muffuletta.

Also known as The Big Easy, New Orleans is home to many jazz kings and queens, stunning architecture, and the football team the New Orleans Saints.

New Orleans is also one of the few cities in the country where you can drink legally on the street, which only makes New Orleans nightlife more lively!

Local Distilleries

Seven Three Distilling Co.

Seven Three Distilling Co. is a unique distillery that you need to check out during your trip to New Orleans.

Seven Three provides tours and samples of their delicious drinks.

These tours are fun and informative, and while you can sample drinks for free, you can also buy reasonably-priced drinks at their bar too.

However, the most unique aspect of this distillery is the history behind the spirits they make, which is reflected in the names of the drinks too.

This is a must-visit distillery in New Orleans!

Celebration Distillation

Previously named Old New Orleans Rum, Celebration Distillation just proves that quality takes time.

They are the oldest craft rum distillery still in operation in the country, producing fine rum and other alcoholic beverages, from Cajun spice rum to crystal rum.

Their drinks are locally produced from sourced sugar cane molasses, ensuring the highest quality.

As well as rum, they also produce liqueur and cocktails that are ready for you to drink when you walk through the door.

You’re offered a welcome drink of rum by your guide who then tells you all you need to know about the distillery history and the distillation process.

Plus, the distillery provides a shuttle service that makes getting to and from the distillery so much easier.

So when you’re in the area, make sure to pay a visit to Celebration Distillation!

Happy Raptor Distilling, LLC

Happy Raptor Distilling is another great distillery to visit in New Orleans, with a lovely atmosphere contained in a beautiful venue.

With beautiful murals and soft lighting, Happy Raptor definitely has a charming ambience.

From cocktails to rum, Happy Raptor is sure to have something for you!

Their rum is handcrafted in house from Louisiana molasses, which just adds to the exceptional quality of their spirits.

They also offer tours that you will need to pre-book, but it’s well worth it as they tell you all you need to know about their process and what goes into making a delicious glass of rum.

Plus, you can try some of their products too!

Porchjam Distillery

Lastly, Porchjam Distillery is a great spot to check out when distillery-hopping in New Orleans.

This distillery prides itself on having a meticulous, conscientious production process, using locally sourced sugars and grain to make fine spirits we guarantee you’ll love.

While tours are unavailable with Porchjam Distillery, we still recommend heading to the distillery to try their delicious beverages.

Accessibility

The New Orleans Transit Authority runs four streetcar lines. These are the Canal Street line, the Rampart line, the Riverfront line, and the St Charles line.

It’s better to think ahead before hopping on a street car, and have the exact fare to hand as change is not provided. You can also buy a Jazzy Pass online to make your money go further.

Made famous by Tennessee Williams iconic play ‘A Streetcar Named Desire,’ taking a streetcar in New Orleans isn’t just a fun way to immerse yourself in the New Orleans experience, but a convenient way to get around too.

In terms of other modes of public transportation, the city has 40 RTA bus routes that run across the city.

A one-way ticket normally costs $1.25, while an all day Jazzy Pass costs $3 and gives you as many rides as you want for 24 hours.

Ferries are also available, and RTA Ferries can take you to Algiers for $2 per ride and are also known as ‘water taxis.’

Things To See

New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours

New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours provide a range of excursions, like a tour of Manchac Swamp, a long bayou tour along the Shell Bank, and introducing you to the beautiful Honey Island Swamp.

These tours not only enlighten you on the ecology of New Orleans, but also its culture too.

New Orleans Jazz Museum

Learn more about New Orleans jazz culture by paying a visit to the New Orleans Jazz Museum.

Located at the intersection of the French Quarter and Frenchmen Street, the museum has temporary and permanent exhibitions on the history of jazz, as well as jazz performances on the third floor.

New Orleans Ghost Adventures Tour

A lot of New Orleans folklore involves the city being haunted, and so it is unsurprising that ghost tours are so popular in the French Quarter.

The New Orleans Ghost Adventure Tour allows you to conjure spirits, as well as provide tours such as cemetery tours, ghost tours of the Garden District, haunted pub crawls, and voodoo tours.

Monuments

Hurricane Katrina Monument

Located on neutral ground on Claiborne Avenue, the Hurricane Katrina Monument was unveiled to the public in 2006 and depicts an unfinished house.

The monument is dedicated to Hurricane Katrina survivors, and their determination and resilience when rebuilding their communities.

Mardi Gras Fountain

This art and fountain tribute to Mardi Gras in Lakeview pays tribute to the more than 90 New Orleans Mardi Gras Carnival krewes.

New Orleans Holocaust Memorial

Unveiled in 2003, the New Orleans Holocaust Memorial was created by artist Yaacov Adam to honor the millions of Holocaust victims.

The memorial is considered kinetic art, as the installation changes as you move around.

Culture

Blue Nile

Frenchmen Street is one of the best streets to enjoy live music in New Orleans, and the Blue Nile is one of the best spots.

Listen to blues, brass bands, and jazz bands here, and you’ll instantly be swept away by the atmosphere of Frenchman Street.

Palace Market

One of the highlights of New Orleans’ nightlife is Frenchmen Street’s Palace Market.

It’s an open-air market that is only open in the evenings, displaying local art and artisanal goods.

Food & Beverage Scene

Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar

No matter how you like your oysters, you’ve got to check out Felix’s!

There is a wide range of classic dishes on offer like jambalaya and étouffées, but the clear favorite among locals and tourists is their delicious oysters.

Café Du Monde

Beignets, chicory-laced coffee, and powdered sugar, it’s all on offer in Café du Monde!

The original coffee stand has been there for over 150 years, and is open all day, every day.

Their beignets are irresistible, and the coffee is delightfully strong. Café du Monde is so beloved that their beignet mix and their ground coffee mix is sold all over the US.

Arnaud’s

Famous for its live Dixieland jazz brunch and their classic cocktail bar (the French 75), Arnaud’s has many iconic New Orleans experiences.

After you’ve enjoyed a lovely meal in their romantic, intimate main dining room and chilling in their charming bar, you can take home their creole mustard and rémoulade sauce.

The New Orleans Vampire Café

Located right in the middle of the French Quarter, the New Orleans Vampire Café has gothic decor and an equally gothic, romantic atmosphere inspired by New Orleans’ mystique.

You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner here, as well as enjoy weekend brunch. Items on the menu include salads, seafood, southern classics like shrimp and grits, and steaks.

Conclusion

From delicious cuisine to buzzing nightlife, New Orleans has it all.

The distilleries we mentioned are a great way to round out your trip to The Big Easy!

Enjoy some local spirits while learning about the rich history of the region.

Frequently Asked Questions About New Orleans

What Time Zone Is New Orleans In?

The time zone in New Orleans is Central Standard Time, and Daylight Savings Time is observed seasonally.

When Is The Best Time To Go To New Orleans?

New Orleans is an amazing city to visit in the spring and winter, while the high humidity, heat, and possibility of hurricanes makes fall and summer less appealing.

It can be rainy from June to August, and tourists occasionally plan to visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras that tends to take place in February.

However, some prefer to avoid the crowds and expensive prices associated with Mardi Gras, so visit at other times of the year.