From Europe to America
It does not mean what you think it does when a local asks you “Where y’at?” This is actually a question about how you are doing rather than your physical location.
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Due to the city's high flooding risk, all graves in the local cemeteries are above-ground tombs.
Creole maidens from the upper echelon of society were not allowed to look men in the eyes during New Orleans' colonial past, according to Experience New Orleans.
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The city was originally built as a hurricane shelter in the beginning of the 18th century.
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Due to the city's unique history as a cultural melting pot, African and Creole rhythms began to mix with European instruments until New Orleans eventually became the birthplace of jazz music.
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Given the city's vibrant energy, it comes as little surprise that NOLA's (New Orleans') motto is "Laissez les bons temps rouler!" (Let the good times roll!)
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New Orleans barber Buddy Bolden has been touted as one of, if not the primary, figure in the development of jazz as a musical genre.
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New Orleans was actually declared the capital of Louisiana on two different occasions, until Baton Rouge was permanently named the state's capital city in 1879.
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Originally planned to be an actual water channel, NOLA's Canal Street was at one point the widest street in the world.
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The first opera in the United States was performed in New Orleans in 1796.
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In the past, well-to-do Creole families entertaining guests would sew crushed glass into cheesecloth bags to put in water glasses as an imitation of ice, according to Experience New Orleans.
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New Orleans is one of the few places in the US where it is totally legal to openly drink alcohol on the street. Even better, they give you swanky plastic cups for it.
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New Orleans was the birthplace of popular table games like poker and craps.
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However, despite the city's reputation for inventing these games, there is only one private casino operating under Louisiana law in New Orleans, according to Traveling with Jones.
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The Crescent City is home to a variety of culinary delicacies you just can't find anywhere else. Some local favorites include beignets, as well as turtle and alligator soup.
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According to Traveling with Jones, locals don't typically use the conventional directions of north, south, east, and west. Instead, they go uptown, downtown, riverside, and lakeside.
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In 1813, Louisiana's first non-colonial governor, William Claiborne, offered a US$500 reward to the public for the capture of legendary pirate Jean Lafitte. The crafty pirate then countered with a $1,500-$5,000 reward for the governor's head, according to knowsouthernhistory.net.
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Many of New Orleans' historic homes from the colonial period feature floor-length mirrors so that women could ensure that their ankles weren't showing.
See also: Incredible photos from the Victorian era
New Orleans was the birthplace of an array of stars, such as the iconic musician Louis Armstrong, as well as Reese Witherspoon and Ellen DeGeneres.
Most know New Orleans for its vibrant jazz culture and wild parties during Mardi Gras, but this colorful southern city in the US is so much more than meets the eye. The Crescent City's culture and history is chock full of amusing and intriguing quirks only locals know about. Click through the following gallery to find out the most fascinating facts you've never heard about New Orleans.
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Things you never knew about New Orleans—but really should
Today is Mardi Gras
TRAVEL Louisiana
Most know New Orleans for its vibrant jazz culture and wild parties during Mardi Gras, but this colorful southern city in the US is so much more than meets the eye. The Crescent City's culture and history is chock full of amusing and intriguing quirks only locals know about. Click through the following gallery to find out the most fascinating facts you've never heard about New Orleans.
(Photo by Victoria Heath on Unsplash)