8 Tidbits Unique to New Orleans
So, you decided to take that long anticipated vacation to the famous “Big Easy” city of “N’awlins”! I have compiled eight lesser-known but unique facts (half the fun will be finding out for yourself if they are facts!) about this bold southern belle, plus a few more at the end to keep you busy when visiting!
New Orleans lives up to its nickname. With a slow, relaxed, laid-back vibe. From the beautiful French influence to the delicious Cajun and Creole cooking, there is a rich history waiting for exploration.
New Orleans is well known for Mardi Gras, the French Quarter, and the vibrant Bourbon Street. This city conjures exciting nights with never-ending parties, long, lazy afternoon strolls, sipping on chicory coffee, and eating beignets.
In a word, New Orleans is Unique!
The best things about vacationing in New Orleans are exploring and experiencing all the unique qualities and nuances that this city can claim exclusively!
Here are eight unique little facts to seek out when visiting New Orleans.
- St. Louis Cathedral is one of the oldest continuously used churches in the US. This beautiful Catholic cathedral has been a place of worship since the 1770s and is still in use today.
- The voodoo queen Marie Laveau’s tomb, was visited more than Elvis Presley’s grave. Half the fun would be discovering for yourself if she was all that bad!
- The first opera held in America was performed here in 1796.
- Saint Charles Streetcar is one of the country’s only mobile national monuments.
- The Old Ursuline Convent is the oldest building in the Mississippi Valley.
- New Orleans is the birthplace of Jazz.
- Swamplands lie beneath most of the city, built on top of them.
- LaLaurie Mansion is not only known as the most haunted place in the French Quarter but holds gruesome dark secrets of slavery.
Once you arrive and get settled, part of the beautiful journey will be investigating the many depths of this city, and this list will get you started, but it will not be the end of your exploration, I am sure.
There are many more places, foods, and facts to uncover! Here are a few more tidbits to add to your visit!
- The French Quarter was influenced primarily by Spanish architecture.
- New Orleans is frequently said to be one of the most haunted cities in America
- Bourbon Street’s namesake is the Bourbon Dynasty of France, not the whiskey. But I hear this infamous street may have influenced why American whiskey is called bourbon!
- It is illegal to ride on a Mardi Gras float without a mask
New Orleans has many unusual, quirky, and deep dark secrets. It is simply impossible to list them all! Tales coming out of this city have reached around the world, so what fun to discover them for yourself!
Suppose you have chosen this beautiful eclectic city, heavily influenced by its cultural roots, authentic cuisine, character, and history. In that case, I urge you to explore as much as possible while you are there by flowing with the rhythms of this lovely southern city.
I do not speak French/Cajun, so I have heard whispers that in New Orleans, “Laissez Les Bon temps rouler,” translated loosely into English from Cajun-French, means “let the good times roll”! I suspect you will do just that!
If you would like to see more of my writing, please feel free to click the links below! I appreciate, and am so grateful for the encouragement! ~ Penni Aubrey
