Our journey around Great American Cities continues with a trip down south to New Orleans. Known for its music, cuisine, and wild nightlife, it’s a city that attracts millions every year.

Name – The city originally had a French name (La Nouvelle-Orléans), as it was named after the Duke of Orleans. It later had a Spanish name (Nueva Orleans). The city went back to French control very briefly, until it was sold to the US in the Louisiana Purchase. The name stuck, but was translated to English.

Location – New Orleans is located in the state of Louisiana. This part of the US is considered to be the Deep South. It’s located on the banks of the Mississippi River and just south of Lake Pontchartrain. Due to its location, the city is at high risk for hurricanes. The disastrous Hurricane Katrina in 2005 flooded 80% of the city, and it’s still repairing to this day.

Nicknames – New Orleans is a city with many nicknames. The most famous is definitely the “Big Easy.”  There are a few ideas for where this nickname comes from. It could be because of the easy-going way of life there. It’s also known as the “Crescent City” because of the shape the city formed as it expanded along the Mississippi River. Some just refer to it as “NOLA” – an abbreviation for New Orleans, Louisiana.

Year Founded – The city was founded on May 7, 1718 by the French Mississippi Company. It was sold to the USA by Napoleon in 1803.

Population – The 2015 estimate for the population of New Orleans was just under 390,000. The population of the city shrank substantially after Hurricane Katrina. The last estimate before the storm hit was over 450,000. According to the 2010 census, the demographics of NOLA were – 60% African American, 33% White, 5% Hispanic/Latino, and 3% Asian.

Transportation – You can get into New Orleans by air at the Louis Armstrong Airport. A few different Amtrak train routes also service the city, or you could get in by bus or car. For getting around the city, you’ve got tons of options. Many areas are very walkable, or you could rent a bicycle. There are also local buses, taxis, ride-share services like Uber, and the famous streetcar system.

Famous Places – When it comes to exploring the Big Easy, the most famous part of the city is without a doubt the French Quarter. This is the oldest neighborhood in the city and is a National Historic Landmark. Here you can visit Jackson Square, admire the architecture, party on Bourbon Street, and so much more.

Another popular activity is taking a walking tour of the beautiful Garden District. Here you’ll see many historic mansions, the famous Lafayette Cemetery, and plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants. It’s much more peaceful and quiet than the French Quarter, so it’s good to come here after you’ve had your fill there.

If you want to get outside, head to the massive City Park for a relaxing afternoon. There’s lots to see and do here, including an amusement park, botanical garden, and the New Orleans Museum of Art. You could also just rent a bike or a boat and cruise around for a while.

Culture – When it comes to the culture of New Orleans, one thing always comes up – Mardi Gras. The two weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday is a period of huge celebration like no other. The city comes alive with parades and wild parties. If you don’t visit during the celebration, you can still get a little taste of it by visiting Mardi Gras World.

Learn about Mardi Gras in this National Geographic video.

New Orleans has always been a center for music, with a very unique heritage of blending European instruments with African rhythms. This city is the birthplace of jazz as well as brass bands. The musical culture of the city is alive and well, as you’ll find music on street corners throughout the day and in the many bars and clubs any night of the week. Its unique musical culture is very evident in the city’s famous “jazz funerals.”

You can’t talk about the culture of New Orleans without mentioning the cuisine. Thanks to its history and location, the culinary scene in NOLA is a big mixture. It’s mostly influenced by Creole, Cajun, and soul food, but there are also plenty of elements of French, Spanish, African, Cuban – the list goes on and on. Famous dishes here include po’ boy sandwiches, jambalaya, gumbo, and beignets (pronounced like “ben-yays”) – a fried pastry covered in sugar.

Sports – The Big Easy is home to two professional sports teams:

• NFL – New Orleans Saints
• NBA – New Orleans Pelicans

While New Orleans doesn’t have as many professional teams as other major cities, sports are still a huge part of life here. The city absolutely loves their football team, the 2009 Super Bowl winning Saints. If you should find yourself in town on a game day, get ready for lots of excitement!

 

With its rich history, stunning architecture, delicious cuisine, non-stop music, and wild nightlife, it’s no wonder New Orleans is one of the most popular cities to visit in the US.

Have you ever been to New Orleans? What did you do there? What did you think of the city? Let us know!