Named one among the world’s most original and interesting cities, it’s no wonder there are an array of fun facts about New Orleans , Louisiana. This southern city is legendary for its fun and exciting culture. When visiting, you’ll discover tons to try to to , from happening haunted ghost tours to dancing to jazz and trying delicious dishes.
For those already enamored by New Orleans , these 20 facts are bound to be of interest. Things to find out include when Mardi Gras began, who invented floss within the city, and what City Park’s original purpose was. Read on to delve into these fascinating NOLA facts!
The first Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans was held within the 1800s.
The tradition of celebrating Mardi Gras and hosting parades dates back to the 1800s in New Orleans. The primary ever Mardi Gras parade was supposedly held in February 1857. Mardi Gras float parades and masked costumes originated with this event, hosted by the Krewe of Comus. Another of the small known facts about New Orleans concerning Mardi Gras is that member of the Krewe of Comus also chose the long-lasting Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and yellow in 1892.
Masks are mandatory on New Orleans Mardi Gras floats
Mardi Gras celebrations are well-known in New Orleans. But a little-known fact concerning the event is that wearing a mask when on a Mardi Gras float is mandatory.
In fact, this required mask-wearing is law! the need is put in situ to stay a way of mystery and tradition that helps make NOLA Mardi Gras season one among the simplest within the world.
Pirate Laffite helped defend New Orleans from British
19th-century pirate Laffite may be a well-known historical figure in New Orleans . One interesting fact about him is that he helped Jackson protect the town from British invasion in early 1814 and 1815. As Jackson didn’t have enough troops, he teamed up with Lafitte, who offered other pirates to hitch the fight.
Preservation Hall is that the oldest New Orleans jazz club
New Orleans is one among the United States’ jazz hotspots. the town is renowned for expanding the genre and has been home to numerous jazz legends, like Armstrong . If looking to enjoy jazz in NOLA, make certain to go to the city’s oldest jazz bar, Preservation Hall.
Opened in 1961, this location has been a jazz hotspot for many years . Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub, founded in 1969, is another great place to go to.
Hurricane Katrina was the US’ costliest natural disaster
The devastating 2005 Hurricane Katrina, which greatly affected New Orleans , was the foremost expensive natural disaster the US has seen. Costs related to the hurricane totaled $172.5 billion.
In New Orleans , the Lower Ninth Ward was the foremost damaged area, and therefore the city’s African American population was, unfortunately, hardest hit. Additionally, a huge majority of the hurricane’s total fatalities occurred within the city.
A haunted mansion sits within the French Quarter
The French Quarter is an iconic area of NOLA, with an array of landmarks and attractions. one among the creepy facts about New Orleans is that this location also has many haunted buildings. one among the foremost notable is that the LaLaurie mansion.
This range in the French Quarter was owned by Madame LaLaurie, a cruel slave master who reportedly tortured and even murdered her slaves. It’s thought that the ghosts of LaLaurie and her slaves still haunt the world .
New Orleans is nicknamed Crescent City
One more of various New Orleans fun facts is that the world has the nickname Crescent City. This nickname was supposedly given by author Joseph Holt Ingram within the early 1800s. The name happened because the Mississippi makes a crescent shape around New Orleans .
Other nicknames include NOLA (short for brand spanking new Orleans, Louisiana) and therefore the Big Easy. The New Orleans Tourism Authority even began promoting the destination under the slogan “America’s Most Interesting City” within the 1920s!
New Orleans features many above ground tombs
New Orleans is understood for its multiple iconic cemeteries and spooky history. one among the weird facts about New Orleans is that tons of of the cemeteries feature an outsized number of above ground tombs, as against traditional underground burial places.
These rows of tombs almost appear as if little houses, leading the cemeteries to be called “Cities of the Dead.” the most reason for the above ground tombs is that thanks to the New Orleans’ water level being high, it’s difficult to dig down into the world.
New Orleans was the Louisiana capital before Baton Rouge
One of the interesting historical facts about New Orleans is that the town was once the capital of Louisiana. the present capital of Baton Rouge gained the respect in 1849. However, before that, New Orleans was the capital.
NOLA was officially named the capital in 1722, four years after the city’s founding in 1718. This fact means New Orleans was the capital of the Territory of Orleans and therefore the Delaware capital of Louisiana after its admission to the us in 1812.
St. Louis Cathedral is that the US’ oldest active Roman Catholic Church
St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square is another of the long-lasting NOLA landmarks. But few people know that the church is that the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedral within the us . The cathedral was constructed in 1727 and has been used as a lively Catholic Church ever since.
Another of varied New Orleans history facts is that the cathedral experienced a fireplace within the late 1700s and was reconstructed within the 1850s. While the structure you see today isn’t the entire original, a visit to St. Louis Cathedral has got to get on your New Orleans itinerary.
Orleans Parish is that the third-most-populous in Louisiana
New Orleans is Louisiana’s largest city, as you might expect. New Orleans also falls under the Parish of Orleans, and this is often the third most-populous parish in Louisiana.
East Baton Rouge Parish and Jefferson Parish are the two parishes larger than Orleans Parish. New Orleans also holds the title of being the 46th most-populous metropolitan statistical area within the country.
25% of the United States’ fish species sleep in the Mississippi
The Mississippi runs throughout New Orleans and may be a crucial waterway for residents. What many don’t know is that it is also a crucial habitat for animals.
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In fact, 25% of the known fish species within the US sleep in the Mississippi . a huge array of birds and waterfowl also believe the Mississippi during migration, and there are over 60 species of mussels inhabiting the river.
If you would like to urge out on the Mississippi when in NOLA, there are numerous ways to try to to so. Taking a Steamboat Natchez cruise is one among the simplest options. This activity is additionally one among a mess of fun things for teenagers to try to to in New Orleans .
New Orleans was the most important Confederate city during the war
One of the foremost interesting facts about New Orleans history is that in the war , when the us was split into the Union and therefore the Confederacy, New Orleans was the most important city within the Confederacy .
This was the case until May Day , 1862, when the Union Army gained the town during the “Capture of latest Orleans.”
City Park was originally used for dueling
There are various fun facts to find out about City Park, but one among the foremost fascinating is that it wont to be a dueling ground. within the 1800s, duels were often wont to settle disagreements. In New Orleans , City Park was the first location where these fights would happen .
Today, the park may be a peaceful place to relax and exercise, and taking romantic strolls through City Park may be a popular activity for couples in New Orleans .
Bourbon Street isn’t named after the alcohol
Another of the various important facts about New Orleans is that the long-lasting Bourbon Street wasn’t named after the liquor Bourbon.
Despite today being referred to as one among the simplest nightlife spots in New Orleans , the road actually gets its name from a royalty .
The street was named after the French House of Bourbon within the early 1700s and has kept the name ever since.
The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is that the world’s longest bridge
One of an array of latest Orleans trivia facts is that the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is that the longest bridge within the us . it is also the longest continuous bridge over water within the world.
The over 38-kilometer-long bridge connects New Orleans , via Metairie, to the North Shore suburb of Mandeville. It spans across Lake Pontchartrain and allows those in Greater New Orleans to succeed in downtown easily.
Dental floss was invented in New Orleans by Levi Spear Parmly
Dental floss was invented in NOLA in 1819 by dentist Levi Spear Parmly. The dentist recommended use of waxen silk thread to get rid of matter that couldn’t be reached by brushing, therefore, lessening the prospect of dental issues occurring. Despite being invented in 1819, you couldn’t buy floss commercially until 1882.
You can see the tomb of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau in NOLA
One of the interesting facts about New Orleans , Louisiana, is that Voodoo priestess Marie Laveau’s tomb is found within the city.
Found in St. Louis Cemetery No.1, her existing followers and people fascinated by paranormal activity and voodoo legend flock to her grave annually .
There also are reports of her ghost being seen near the tomb, making St. Louis Cemetery one among the foremost haunted places in New Orleans .
The first recorded US Mafia activity happened in New Orleans
While US cities like ny and Chicago are referred to as hubs for Mafia activity, the primary Mafia family within the US was based in New Orleans.
The Matranga family is noted as being the primary Mafia family within the US, fixing their criminal organization within the late 19th century in New Orleans . Some even say NOLA is that the birthplace of the American Mafia!
Canal Street is one among America’s widest roads
Canal Street is another of the foremost popular locations in NOLA, full of shops, bars, and restaurants. It’s also one among the widest roadways within the us . The 210-year-old street is 171-feet wide and has also previously been named the widest street within the world.
Another interesting Canal Street fact is that it wont to act as a separated and neutral ground between the French Creole and American communities. Today, all New Orleans residents and tourists enjoy this bustling and historic street!