Top 20 Amazing Facts about New Orleans

Top 20 Amazing Facts about New Orleans

New Orleans is unlike any other city. This enchanting region has given home to some of America’s most recognized talents, from Louis Armstrong’s jazz to Emeril Lagasse’s cuisine.

Take a stroll down Bourbon Street, enter St. Louis Cathedral, or see the ancient plantations previously owned by elegant Creoles.

Visit the National WWII Museum, then eat beignets and dance to zydeco on Frenchmen Street. The parties never end in New Orleans, from the crazy Mardi Gras to the eerie Voodoo Fest.

New Orleans is simply brimming with unique styles, flavors, sights, and sounds. So, let the good times roll!

Discussed below are 20 amazing facts about New Orleans.

1. New Orleans, Founded in 1718 by The French, was Named after The Duke of Orleans

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New Orleans’ French origins and regal moniker lend the city an image of old-world elegance and aristocratic beginnings. While strolling down Bourbon Street past St. Louis Cathedral, it’s easy to picture oneself in the great streets of Paris.

The wrought-iron balconies and Creole townhouses of the French Quarter transport you back to the reign of Marie Antoinette in Versailles.

Stop in Jackson Square for café au lait and beignets, and you’ll feel transported to a lively French village.

The influence of France is obvious at every turn in New Orleans, from the elaborate architecture to the Creole food, making this Louisiana metropolis truly unique in America.

2. Jazz Music Originated in New Orleans in The Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries

Jazz music, the archetypal American art form, originated in New Orleans, where smokey Storyville bars in the French Quarter served as training grounds for early jazz pioneers like Louis Armstrong.

This melting-pot metropolis created a whole new genre by fusing spirituals, blues chords, and African rhythms.

Every part of the city is filled with the sound of jazz, and live music is coming from Preservation Hall and the rowdy bars down Frenchmen Street.

The New Orleans Jazz Museum documents the development of jazz and its legendary performers. And the city’s Jazz Fest honors this legacy every spring with a variety of international performers.

New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, is the only place that can truly capture its essence.

3. The Jazz & Heritage Festival, the Longest-Running US Music Event, Takes Place in New Orleans.

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The storied New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has honored the city’s rich cultural diversity and musical heritage for more than 50 years. Every spring since 1970, the Fair Grounds Race Course has welcomed hundreds of thousands of fans for Jazz Fest.

Revelers enjoy thrilling concerts by international superstars like Paul McCartney and jazz giants like Ellis Marsalis under the shade of expansive live oaks.  

The best of Louisiana’s cuisine, music, and crafts—from crawfish bread to Mardi Gras Indians—are showcased on stages and under tents.

While revelers stroll amidst the brilliant hues and sounds, music fills the air along with the delightful scent of pralines and beignets.

Nothing captures the spirit of New Orleans’ past more than Jazz Fest, a distinctively local event that has grown to become a globally recognized yearly tradition.

4. The French Quarter in New Orleans Is a Small District with a Lot to Offer

The historic French Quarter in New Orleans encompasses just over 90 blocks but is packed with sights, sounds, and tastes. While enjoying beignets at Café Du Monde, stroll by St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, and the Cabildo.

Take in the celebratory mood as you stroll down busy Bourbon Street, where jazz luminaries such as Louis Armstrong and Fats Domino previously performed.

Before wandering along the Mississippi River, marvel at the antebellum architecture of great estates.

This small region packs a powerful punch, capturing New Orleans’ colorful culture and joie de vivre.

5. The St. Louis Cathedral is A Symbol of New Orleans’ Rich History

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The beautiful St. Louis Cathedral, which rises majestically in Jackson Square, is one of New Orleans’ most recognizable scenes.

Since 1794, this National Historic Landmark has dominated the French Quarter skyline with its distinctive triple steeples and French Renaissance architecture. Intricate murals and stained-glass windows dazzle within, while street painters such as Edgar Degas have captured the cathedral’s splendor on the outside.

This living landmark has hosted papal visits as well as funerals for local luminaries such as Louis Armstrong, demonstrating New Orleans’ strong Catholic origins.

In this historic city, St. Louis Cathedral is a proud symbol of faith and French tradition.

6. The Vibrant French Market in New Orleans is One of The Oldest Public Markets in The United States

The vibrant French Market, which stretches six blocks along the Mississippi River, dates back to the early colonial era, when New Orleans was governed by France and Spain.

This open-air bazaar, founded in 1791, immediately became the bustling hub of the nascent city. The market’s colorful mix of stores, cafes, and entertainment continues to enchant visitors today.

Explore the stalls selling local arts, crafts, and products, or sample Cajun cuisine.

Famous jazz performers such as Pete Fountain and Al Hirt began their careers busking here, following in the footsteps of pioneering greats such as Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton, who previously performed in this famous market.

7. Creole Cuisine is a French Culinary Style Exclusive to New Orleans

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New Orleans is famous for its distinct Creole cuisine, which combines French techniques with Louisiana ingredients.

During the colonial era, influences from Europe, Africa, and the Americas met in the port city, resulting in this delectable combination.

Signature Creole foods such as jambalaya, gumbo, and étouffée masterfully mix seafood, spices, and rice to create delectable flavors.

Local chefs such as Emeril Lagasse and Leah Chase have introduced the world to Creole cooking, while famous restaurants such as Antoine’s, Arnaud’s, and Galatoire’s have perfected it for over a century.

Dishes that celebrate the city’s cultural melting pot provide a true experience of New Orleans.

8. Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, The Longest Continuous Bridge Over Water, is an Engineering Marvel

The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, which spans approximately 24 miles across Louisiana’s Lake Pontchartrain, is an engineering wonder and the world’s longest continuous bridge over water, according to Guinness World Records.

Drivers travel for what seems like an eternity across the open ocean, with the skyline of New Orleans receding behind them. This legendary bridge has appeared in films such as The Skeleton Key, and its amazing length has impressed moviegoers.

Since 1956, the parallel two-lane Causeway bridges have connected Metairie and Mandeville, cutting travel time from nearly an hour to approximately 30 minutes.

This gorgeous journey provides breathtaking views of the wide lake and neighboring wetlands, highlighting the natural beauty of Louisiana’s surroundings.

9. To Keep Dry, New Orleans Relies on Levees and Pumps, as It is Famously Below Sea Level

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New Orleans faces a unique issue in that it is mostly below sea level. This geographical anomaly, combined with the region’s history of land subsidence, has rendered the city a perpetual war against natural forces.

New Orleans is located in the Mississippi River Delta, on a huge, low-lying plain produced over millennia by the river’s sediment deposits. This elevation, along with the lowering of the ground beneath, has resulted in a city that fights the advancing seas.

To protect itself from the ever-present threat of flooding, New Orleans has built a vast network of levees, which are high embankments designed to hold back water.

These levees, together with a network of pumps, have been critical in protecting the city, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

10. The National WWII Museum, Holding an Enthralling War Exhibit, Was voted America’s Top Museum

The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, considered the best museum in the United States, offers enthralling insight into the global struggle. Exhibits like the Boeing Center feature planes like the B-17 Flying Fortress.

The Road to Berlin follows the Allies’ march from Omaha Beach in Normandy to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and the Reichstag in Berlin.

The Road to Tokyo highlights fights from Pearl Harbor to Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima. The museum brings history to life by immersing visitors in the experiences of figures like Eisenhower, Patton, and MacArthur.

11. New Orleans is Famous for The Massive, Vibrant Week-Long Street Party Called the Mardi Gras

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Mardi Gras is a legendary week-long carnival and parade in New Orleans that draws over 1 million people each year. Blaine Kern’s colorful floats parade along Canal Street past the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral.

Participants can act out fantasies thanks to elaborate costumes and masks. Grand balls are hosted at sites such as the New Orleans Museum of Art when members of Krewes such as Rex and Zulu dress up in lavish costumes.

As jazz bands fill Preservation Hall and rowdy people fill Bourbon Street, the French Quarter comes alive with colorful music. The festivities culminate on Fat Tuesday, when people gorge before the fast of Lent begins.

12. In 2005, Over 80% of The City  was Tragically Flooded by Hurricane Katrina

Floodwaters broke the levees and swamped approximately 80% of New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina made landfall in 2005. Water reached the rooftops of Bourbon Street in historic neighborhoods, including the French Quarter and Garden District.

The superdome became a sanctuary for thousands of people who had been evacuated from their flooded houses. The shell of St. Louis Cathedral stood over muddy streets after the storm.

The delayed reconstruction process affected landmarks such as the National WWII Museum, which suffered over $30 million in damage.

Volunteers came from all across the country to help communities like the Lower Ninth Ward, which was rebuilt after the disaster.

Even though perseverance and rejuvenation eventually healed the wounded city.

13. The Superdome Stadium Has the Capacity to Hold Over 76,000 Football Fans

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The New Orleans Superdome, with a capacity of more than 76,000 screaming fans, is one of the largest stadiums in the National Football League.

The massive steel-and-concrete edifice has hosted seven Super Bowls, including the legendary Super Bowl XLVII blackout game between the Ravens and the 49ers.

Regular-season Saints games draw rowdy sellout crowds as Drew Brees and the offense take the field beneath the iconic gabled roof.

The stadium lights have beamed down on Pro Bowl legends like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. During their concert tours, music legends ranging from The Rolling Stones to U2 have filled the venue with explosive energy.

The Superdome continues to give an unforgettable experience in both sports and entertainment.

14. Voodoo Spirituality, Introduced From West Africa, Influenced Unique New Orleans Burial Rituals

Slaves from nations such as Benin and Nigeria brought voodoo to New Orleans. The religious system, which had its roots in animism and ancestor worship, inspired the city’s particular funeral traditions.

Above-ground crypts in St. Louis Cemetery #1 are ornamented with symbols such as the veve, which are believed to empower the souls of the deceased. Before laying the departed to rest, mourners commemorate their lives with a noisy parade.

While voodoo is less visible nowadays, its legacy lives on in the varied spirituality and rituals of this culturally rich city. From Marie Laveau’s mausoleum to Congo Square, elements of voodoo mystique remain.

15. Early 1900s Pharmacy Tools and Practices are Showcased at the Pharmacy Museum

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Visiting the Pharmacy Museum in New Orleans’ French Quarter is like stepping back in time.

The museum, which was formerly an apothecary shop in the early 1900s, has glass bottles, medical instruments, and patent medications that provide a glimpse into early twentieth-century pharmaceutical practices.

Curiosities include a chloroform inhaler, crude X-ray equipment, and a mechanical leech applicator.

The museum’s items are linked to the city’s rich history through stories of early pharmacists such as Louis Dufilho Jr. The Pharmacy Museum, from its beautiful soda fountain to the laboratory upstairs, fascinatingly brings old medicine to life.

16. Due to The Swampy, Wet Environment, Tombs in Local Cemeteries are Elevated

Rows of beautiful stone and brick graves placed above the ground are common in New Orleans cemeteries. Because traditional underground graves were problematic due to the damp, marshy terrain, this architectural form evolved.

Caskets would occasionally rise back through the soft ground as a result of water. As a result, tombs in old cemeteries such as St. Louis #1 and Lafayette #1 preserve their occupants safely above the water table.

The Gothic Revival and Neoclassical constructions of these cities of the dead serve both functional and aesthetic reasons. Their timeless beauty offers a tranquil final resting place that is distinctively New Orleans.

17. The World’s Oldest Continuously Operating Streetcar is Found in New Orleans

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The clanging St. Charles Avenue streetcar is a New Orleans icon and the oldest continuously running streetcar network in the world.

The wooden heritage streetcars have traversed the historic route since 1835, offering scenic views of antebellum mansions and lush live oaks along the avenue.

Passengers can envision bygone eras of hoop-skirted women and suited gentlemen riding the trolley. The streetcars survived wars and economic depressions to become emblematic of the city’s heritage.

Coasting underneath the oak canopies today, the St. Charles Line provides a rolling history tour through the heart of New Orleans.

18. “The Crescent City” is The Official Nickname for New Orleans.

New Orleans is affectionately known as “The Crescent City” due to its location on a crescent-shaped bend in the Mississippi River.

The river winds its way through town, making an aquatic arc around the historic French Quarter and Warehouse districts before continuing to the Gulf of Mexico. New Orleans’ early development as a port city was aided by its particular terrain.

Today, the crescent-shaped river bend frames postcard-perfect vistas of Jackson Square’s St. Louis Cathedral, the riverside Moonwalk, and the Mighty Mississippi’s stunning bridges.

From its jazz-filled streets to its river-lined skyscrapers, New Orleans’ picturesque waterfront environment has won it the enduring moniker “The Crescent City.”

19. The Garden District’s Prominent Antebellum Houses are Listed on The National Register of Historic Places.

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The Garden District of New Orleans, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is home to exquisite antebellum houses. Grand Greek Revival and Italianate architecture can be found in estates such as the Bradish-Johnson House and the Longstreet-Leake House.

The Laura Plantation teaches about Creole culture. The streets are lined with towering live oaks dripping with Spanish moss, which shade the antique residences.

Author Anne Rice, who created vampire tales within her St. Charles Avenue estate, was a notable former resident. Because of its beauty and history of 19th-century luxury, this neighborhood has become one of New Orleans’ most recognizable historic neighborhoods.

20. Marie Laveau, Legendary Voodoo Priestess, Shaped the Occult Culture of Early 1800s New Orleans

Marie Laveau was a renowned Voodoo priestess who solidified the mystical culture of early 19th-century New Orleans. She presided over elaborate rituals in Congo Square and offered occult remedies to the locals, cementing her mystical reputation.

Her tomb in St. Louis Cemetery #1 became a pilgrimage site decorated with XXX marks appealing for her spirit’s intervention.

Tales of Laveau conferring with the supernatural persist in New Orleans lore and popular culture, as evidenced in works like American Horror Story: Coven.

Though details of her life mix with legend, Laveau remains the preeminent figurehead of Voodoo and occultism in New Orleans. Her mystique continues to draw spellbound visitors today.

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