I have been to New Orleans recently and I am going to share with you 9 things I noticed that I think you should know before visiting it. Check them out below.

1. The city is so clean.

For as long as I have lived in the US, the only images I have seen from New Orleans were of a decrepit dirty city. So when I finally visited the city, I was surprised by its cleanliness.

2. Traffic? What traffic?

New Orleans is an old city, it has been around since 1718. So I thought the traffic was going to be horrible due to an outdated layout and narrow streets. I was mistaken. There is no traffic. Unlike other old cities, like Savannah, I should say…

3. The hospitality.

Hospitality is a staple in the South, except for Florida, and a Southern stereotype, yeah I know. But people in New Orleans are cool and pleasant.

4. All races in one place.

I couldn’t stop but notice that there is a certain separation of communities in the country. Gosh, even immigrants tend to live in the same areas. But in New Orleans, things seemed different in that aspect, which is interesting to me.

5. The food.

Many Americans tend to think Brazilian food is spicy, which isn’t. And I always had the idea that food in Louisiana, and in New Orleans would be super spicy.

Well, I enjoyed the food a lot, because although some of their most well-known dishes are spicy, but all the dishes I ate weren’t. I was happy to see dishes served with rice and beans (a typical Brazilian staple) and a dish like feijoada.

6. Drinking on the streets.

One of the things I enjoyed the most in New Orleans was to be able to get a drink and have it outside restaurants and bars. It was amazing to be able to walk around while sipping cocktails.

7. Mardi Gras.

If you know anything about Brazil, it is probably about our crazy Carnival. Well, the Carnival from New Orleans, or Mardi Gras, is different, to say the least. It was refreshing and more family friendly than I suspected. I had a lot of fun watching the parades, the floats, collecting beads and trinkets.

8. It’s all about the tricolor beads.

I brought home a bunch of tricolor beads, but I had no idea each color represented a virtue. Much less they were the official Mardi Gras colors.

9. The ambiance.

New Orleans has this magic atmosphere about it. It is bohemian, artsy, and has interesting architecture. It is perfect for those who love parties and art.

Have you ever been to New Orleans during Mardi Gras? Share your experiences with us in the comment section below.