20 Surprising Facts About New Orleans That Are Worth Knowing
Your unofficial guide to the Big Easy.
Normally in February, the Big Easy would be in full swing celebrating Mardi Gras. But this year, since the traditional parades were canceled because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, people had to find new ways to celebrate.
While tourists and Crescent City locals alike may not have been able to celebrate Mardi Gras 2021 the way they imagined, we've rounded up some interesting facts about this go-to Louisiana destination to help cure those blues.
1. To start, New Orleans is believed to be one of the most haunted cities in America.
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From the infamous LaLaurie Mansion to the Sultan's Palace, there is no shortage of ghosts in this Southern city. If you make it to NOLA one day, there are a bunch of local tour groups where you can learn about the spooky tales of the city, including Haunted History Tours, Witches Brew Tours, and Bloody Mary's Tours.
2. The Buckner Mansion was featured as Miss Robichaux's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies in the FX anthology series American Horror Story: Coven.
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A number of other NOLA locations were also used in Season 3, including Round Table Clubhouse, Maison Vitry, and Atchafalaya Restaurant. Don't forget to pack your all-black outfit to snap a Coven-inspired photo outside Buckner Mansion; it's one of the most popular photo ops for AHS fans.
3. Constructed between 1722 and 1732, Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop claims to be "the oldest structure used as a bar in the United States."
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It has a candlelight vibe and offers a menu of numerous alcoholic concoctions, such as hurricanes and voodoo daiquiris.
4. If you fancy a drink, a variety of iconic cocktails gained popularity after being invented in New Orleans.
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The Sazerac, brandy milk punch, and hand grenade are just a few that were born here. You can credit the French Quarter restaurant Pat O'Brien's with inventing the hurricane during World War II. It continues to be a popular drink choice in NOLA today.
5. Preservation Hall usually holds over 350 acoustic concerts each year — it's a true jazz lover's paradise.
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The band is made up of a collective of more than 50 local musicians. With the intimate setting and unforgettable live music, it's a must for any jazz aficionado.
6. Marie Laveau, better known as the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, is said to have a tomb at St. Louis Cemetery No. 1.
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New Orleans has longtime roots in voodoo, which continues to be practiced today. Various voodoo shops are located in the city, including Voodoo Authentica and Marie Laveau's House of Voodoo — not to mention the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum, which is a go-to spot to learn more about the history.
7. Speaking of tombs, actor Nicolas Cage has actually prepurchased one in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1.
The unique pyramid design is hard to miss, and it's often visited on cemetery tours.
8. The first-ever New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival took place in 1970, and the tradition has continued on ever since.
It was originally held in Congo Square and had four stages, but it's since moved to a bigger venue. Stevie Wonder, B.B. King, and Ray Charles are just a few of the fest's former headliners.
9. Café Du Monde opened in 1862 and serves hot coffee and sugar-dusted French beignets to customers 24/7.
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While the Decatur Street coffee stand is the original location, there are now a number of other Café Du Monde establishments in Louisiana. (Or just order a pack of their famous beignet mix and try making some at home!)
10. Located in Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest continuously used Catholic cathedral in the US.
It dates back to the 1700s and is one of the most notable landmarks in the French Quarter.
11. Poker fan? NOLA is thought to be one of the places where modern-day poker was developed.
The game has ancient roots and was likely influenced by many different cultures. The poker we know today can be traced back to the French game poque, which was introduced to French America in 1803, around the time of the Louisiana Purchase.
12. The tradition of eating king cake — a colorful cake with a tiny baby figurine hidden inside — is an absolute must during Mardi Gras season.
It's typically enjoyed at the start of the season from Jan. 6 (aka the King's Day or Twelfth Night) through Fat Tuesday. Often made of plastic, the trinket is thought to bestow luck on whoever finds it in their piece of cake.
13. Best known for penning Interview With the Vampire and The Queen of the Damned, author Anne Rice was born in New Orleans and formerly called the Garden District home.
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The 1994 film adaptation of Interview With the Vampire was filmed at the nearby Destrehan and Oak Alley plantations outside of New Orleans.
14. Bourbon Street, one of the most well-known spots in the city, was actually named after the House of Bourbon (the French royal family at the time).
It runs for 13 blocks and dates back to 1718. Today it's home to an array of bars, restaurants, and other hot spots for tourists and locals alike.
15. The first (recorded) New Orleans Mardi Gras parade took place in 1837.
However, the city may not actually be able to claim the first Mardi Gras festivities on US soil. The town of Mobile, Alabama, is believed to have hosted its own celebration back in 1703 and claims to have introduced it to NOLA.
16. You can thank local dentist Dr. Levi Spear Parmly for the invention of dental floss as we know it.
In his 1819 book, A Practical Guide to the Management of the Teeth, Parmly describes using a waxed silk thread to clean between teeth and is often credited with the invention.
17. Jazz icon Louis Armstrong is a New Orleans staple: There are two statues in the city honoring him, AND he's the namesake of the airport and a park.
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He was born in NOLA on Aug. 4, 1901, and went on to become one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time.
18. Dating back to the mid-1800s, City Park is 1,300 acres and one of the United States' oldest urban parks.
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Miles of walking trails, two football stadiums, and a botanical garden are just a few things that call City Park home. It's the perfect spot to get some fresh air and enjoy the Louisiana sun.
19. If you're craving French-Creole cuisine, you can't go past Antoine's Restaurant, the city's oldest restaurant.
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Opened in 1840, it continues to be owned and operated by fifth-generation relatives of none other than the founder himself, Antoine Alciatore.
20. Finally, the motto for New Orleans, "Laissez les bon temps rouler," means "Let the good times roll."
While this Cajun French phrase is often said during the Mardi Gras season, it's truly an embodiment of NOLA as a whole. From the delicious local eats to the history throughout the city, you won't find anywhere else as unusual as this place.
What's your favorite thing about New Orleans? Let us know in the comments below!
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