Nicknamed the “Festival Capital of Louisiana”, New Orleans is home to many annual festivals and events, the most well-known of which is Mardi Gras. The city has a population of approximately 380,000 and the metro area 1.2 million. A hub of culture, cuisine, and music for more than 200 years, NOLA also serves as an important port and commercial hub for the entire Gulf Coast. As the birthplace of beignets, jazz, poker, and more, it’s no wonder New Orleans is consistently one of the top ten tourist destinations in the U.S.
Located in the Mississippi River Delta just south of Lake Pontchartrain, the area changed hands between France, Spain, and the U.S. since being founded in 1718. African-American, Creole, Cajun, German, Italian, and Vietnamese influence has also made the city and its culture the grand and beautiful mixture we see today. A home for all, the crescent has welcomed peoples from across the globe. New Orleans is one of the most storied cities in America, incredible to visit and to call home.