Shifting Lenses

New Orleans has one of the most unique cultures in the United States. While cities like Miami and San Antonio clearly show Cuban or Mexican influence, the French Quarter doesn’t feel like you’re in France. The food and culture are distinctly New Orleans.

The city’s culture is homegrown, from the iconic music to the spicy food made with unique local ingredients. Even the beignets, while having French roots, are their own thing—puffier and slightly denser than their French cousins. New Orleans has a reputation for partying year-round, not just during Mardi Gras, and the Cajun accent is also one-of-a-kind.

While the “French Quarter” gives credit to early French settlers, anyone familiar with New Orleans knows the culture is a beautiful blend of African, Spanish, and Native American influences. Architectural highlights, like the shotgun houses, the Garden District, and even the French Quarter, adapt French, Spanish, and African styles for the local climate. New Orleans is a prime example of what embracing and blending different cultures can create. It’s a city that has forged its own unique identity and is absolutely worth visiting and learning about.