5 reasons that make New Orleans different from anywhere else

One of the first things that is going to make an impression on any visitor or first timer to the city is how different it is from the rest of the nation. New Orleans has its own feel and cultural vibe that helps to set it apart from cities in other places, and much of this is due to the peculiar history that this city has. While the history of New Orleans may be intertwined with the rest of the United States, much of it is very independent of events that occurred in the rest of the nation.

Remained an Outpost of French and Spanish Empires until 1803
Part of the reason that New Orleans has a history and cultural landscape that is so different from the rest of the United States is because it wasn’t established as a British colony like the other early states in the union. This sort of secluded it, and set it apart from the rest of the outposts that had been established in what is now the US.

Being set apart from the rest of the English settlements, and a long way from Canada, it was a place that developed its own culture. People from various cultural traditions shared the city, lived together and their cultures mixed to make something that was different from anywhere else on the planet. Even after the city became a part of the US in the Louisiana Purchase, it maintained this feel, and new groups of people came. The new cultures that they brought with them became a part of the mix.

The French Quarter
The French Quarter is a place romanticized in the minds of many. The unique architecture, the dining establishments, and the people, help to make the neighborhood a place that is truly enchanting. Being the oldest neighborhood in the city, it is full of history, and visitors can experience the past when they participate in many of the city’s cultural events and tours. If you want the authentic New Orleans experience, then the French Quarter should take a central place in your plans.

Diverse Population and Neighborhoods
A big part of what helps to make New Orleans so special is, as we mentioned, the people. In this city, you have people that come from all sorts of cultural backgrounds, and different groups from all over the world have helped to put their cultural stamp on the city.

From its days as a Spanish settlement and as a French city, the population has always been diverse. You have the Cajun and the Creole traditions, a strong African-American influence, a Latino community and the various cultural traditions that have come with generation after generation of Europeans who made this city their home on their arrival to the New World.

Creole traditions and food
One of the most distinctive elements that you will find in New Orleans is that of the Creole culture. Originally, this term was used to describe the free black or mixed race individuals that inhabited the city. However, as more Americans started to come to the city, it became a term that was also used to identify the city’s residents of French heritage. The influence that Creole culture has had on New Orleans cannot be overstated, and it touches everything from the architecture and the accents, to the art and the food. In New Orleans, you can still experience authentic Creole cuisine, with its rich flavors and a sophisticated blend of ingredients.

Mardi Gras Festivals
If you are going to talk about what makes New Orleans unique, then you have to mention Mardi Gras. While it does have its roots in the city’s French Catholic history, just like everything else in New Orleans, the blend of cultures has left its mark on the festival. On Mardi Gras, you have the wonderful parades, the interesting costumes and a celebration that cannot be recreated anywhere else on the planet.

Any person that has ever been to New Orleans knows that this is a city that moves to its own rhythm. You have a mix of culinary styles that cannot be matched, the various cultural influences, the over the top celebrations and festivals, and of course, the history. With so much to offer, it is no wonder that so many people over many generations have fallen in love with New Orleans.

We at Fischer Environmental love where we live and we hope that you visit New Orleans- you’ll fall in love, too!