3 Things New Orleans is Known For

Posted by Samuel Phineas Upham

Aside from the New Orleans Saints and Mardi Gras, what’s New Orleans all about? If you’ve never been, be prepared to see a new side of food, culture and music in a city like nothing else in the US.

Food

In New Orleans, even the poorest people know where to go to get great food. You will find some of the best fried chicken in the world here, but the crawfish boils are a part of the culture. Red beans and rice, jambalaya and gumbo are all part of the local flavor. Food is so good that it’s like the great equalizer in the city. You will see millionaires dining at high-end restaurants, then spend a Saturday at Popeye’s.

Distinctive culture

In New Orleans, you will find a blend of French, Spanish, Vietnamese, Canary Island, Caribbean, German, Irish, and American Dixie cultures all in one space. That has a huge impact on the cuisine you’ll find, but the city has uniqueness to it that you can’t find in Boston, Chicago or Miami. The local accent is a mix of dialects. Voodoo and piracy both have roots in New Orleans. The city was once a place of ambition, but the nickname “Big Easy” hints at a time when musicians could make an easy living playing bars or in public.

Music

New Orleans also had a huge influence on the American music scene. Thanks to New Orleans, we had ragtime, which gave way to jazz and a plethora of American music styles like rock and hip hop.