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Quizzes > Geography

New Orleans quiz: How well do you know the Crescent City?

Quick, free quiz to test your New Orleans trivia. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Anastasia RuthUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper cut illustration of trumpet, Mardi Gras mask, beads and jazz notes on coral background for New Orleans trivia quiz

This New Orleans trivia quiz helps you check what you know about jazz, Mardi Gras, the French Quarter, and local history. It is quick and fun, with instant answers. After you finish, try our US trivia quiz or explore a big-city neighbor with a New York City quiz.

What is the well-known nickname for New Orleans?
Crescent City
Motor City
The Big Easy
The Windy City
New Orleans is famously nicknamed "The Big Easy," a term popularized in the early 20th century to reflect its laid-back culture and thriving music scene. The phrase is often attributed to jazz musicians who found easier work conditions here compared to other cities. It has since become a beloved shorthand for the city's charm and hospitality. Learn more at .
Which major river flows through New Orleans?
Mississippi River
Missouri River
Hudson River
Colorado River
New Orleans sits along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, one of the longest rivers in North America. The river has been crucial to the city's development as a port and cultural melting pot since its founding. Its delta and shipping access made New Orleans a strategic and economic hub. For more details visit .
Which annual festival in New Orleans is celebrated with parades, masks, and beads in late winter?
SXSW
Jazz Fest
Carnaval
Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a centuries-old celebration marked by colorful parades, elaborate floats, and festive traditions. It takes place just before the Christian season of Lent and draws visitors worldwide. The event's signature beads, masks, and throws have become iconic symbols of the city. Read more at .
Which music genre is New Orleans most famously associated with?
Jazz
Reggae
Country
Rock
New Orleans is widely regarded as the birthplace of jazz, with early pioneers like Buddy Bolden and Louis Armstrong developing the genre there. The city's unique blend of African, Caribbean, and European influences shaped jazz's improvisational style. Today, jazz remains central to New Orleans' cultural identity. Discover more at .
Which classic New Orleans dish combines rice, meat, and vegetables in a single pot?
Pilaf
Jambalaya
Paella
Risotto
Jambalaya is a traditional Louisiana Creole dish of Spanish and French influence that blends rice with meats, vegetables, and spices. It's often compared to paella but has its own distinct flavor profile and history. The dish reflects New Orleans' multicultural culinary heritage. More information at .
Which famous New Orleans street is renowned for its vibrant bars and nightlife?
Royal Street
Canal Street
Frenchman Street
Bourbon Street
Bourbon Street in the French Quarter is synonymous with New Orleans nightlife, featuring live music venues, bars, and neon lights. Its 13-block stretch attracts countless tourists seeking the city's famous party atmosphere. The street dates back to the early 18th century and retains much of its historic charm. See for more.
In New Orleans culture, what does a "second line" refer to?
A method of cooking crawfish
A local dialect phrase
A nickname for the levee system
A parade tradition with brass bands
A "second line" is a New Orleans parade tradition where revelers follow a brass band, dancing and celebrating behind the main procession. Originating from jazz funerals and social aid societies, it's a vibrant expression of community spirit. Participants often carry parasols or handkerchiefs as they dance. Learn more at .
What is the official name of the popular annual music festival held in New Orleans each spring?
South by Southwest
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Essence Festival
Newport Jazz Festival
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, commonly called Jazz Fest, celebrates the city's music, culture, and cuisine every spring. Since 1970, it's showcased local and international artists across multiple genres. The festival also features Louisiana crafts and food vendors, highlighting the region's heritage. More at .
Which architectural feature is a hallmark of French Quarter buildings in New Orleans?
Glass curtain walls
Wrought-iron balconies
Adobe walls
Log cabins
The French Quarter is famous for its elaborate wrought-iron balconies and galleries, added during the 19th century. These ironworks often feature intricate designs and were influenced by both French and Spanish colonial styles. They remain one of the most photographed elements of the district. See .
What historical significance does the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans hold?
It was the first church built by Spanish missionaries
It is the oldest cathedral in continuous use in the United States
It was the first Gothic cathedral in North America
It served as Martin Luther King Jr.'s pulpit
St. Louis Cathedral, overlooking Jackson Square, is the oldest cathedral in continuous use in the United States, consecrated in 1794 and rebuilt in 1850. It has been a central place of worship and community gatherings for over two centuries. The cathedral's iconic spires are a city landmark. More at .
Which New Orleans streetcar line is recognized as the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world?
Riverfront Line
Rampart - St. Claude Line
St. Charles Avenue Line
Canal Street Line
The St. Charles Avenue streetcar line, inaugurated in 1835 as a mule-drawn system and electrified by 1893, is the world's oldest continuously operating streetcar. It still uses historic green streetcars that traverse the city's oldest neighborhood. The line is both a transit route and tourist attraction. Details at .
Which spirit is an essential ingredient in the classic New Orleans cocktail, the Sazerac?
Rye whiskey
Gin
Rum
Vodka
The Sazerac is often cited as one of the world's first cocktails and calls for rye whiskey, Peychaud's bitters, and absinthe rinse. It originated in New Orleans in the 19th century and remains a signature drink of the city. The rye's spicy profile complements the bitters and aromatic absinthe. Learn more at .
What is the name of the creole dialect historically spoken by Louisiana Creoles in New Orleans?
Louisiana Creole French
Haitian Creole
Quebec French
Cajun French
Louisiana Creole French is a distinct creole language that developed in New Orleans and southern Louisiana among Creole communities. It blends French, African, Spanish, and Native American linguistic elements. Today it remains a vital part of the region's cultural heritage, although fewer native speakers remain. For more see .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recognize Iconic Jazz Figures -

    Identify key contributions of New Orleans legends like Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton, strengthening your grasp of jazz history.

  2. Analyze Festival Traditions -

    Examine the origins and distinctive customs of Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, and other celebrations to deepen your festival knowledge.

  3. Recall French Quarter Secrets -

    Remember historical sites, hidden spots, and architectural highlights that make the French Quarter unique.

  4. Summarize New Orleans History -

    Outline major events from colonial times to modern-day culture, reinforcing your understanding of the city's past.

  5. Apply Cultural Insights -

    Use fun facts and trivia to enrich conversations or plan your next Crescent City adventure.

  6. Evaluate Quiz Performance -

    Track your new orleans trivia game results to identify strengths and areas for improvement in your knowledge.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Colonial Roots and Founding -

    New Orleans was founded in 1718 by French explorer Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville and later ceded to Spain before returning to France - then sold to the U.S. in the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. A handy mnemonic "F + S = US" helps recall French and Spanish rule preceding American control (Library of Congress). These early shifts set the stage for today's vibrant new orleans trivia game questions.

  2. Birthplace of Jazz at Congo Square -

    By the 1830s, enslaved Africans gathered weekly at Congo Square in what is now Louis Armstrong Park, fostering the syncopated rhythms that evolved into jazz (Tulane University). Remember "Congo's Count" to link Congo Square (C) with the city's cultural count - down to jazz. This cornerstone of new orleans trivia highlights how Crescent City sounds shaped global music.

  3. Mardi Gras Traditions and Throws -

    Dating back to French colonial carnivals, Mardi Gras in New Orleans features krewe parades, elaborate floats, and iconic "throws" like beads and doubloons (New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau). Use the phrase "Laissez les bons temps rouler" to recall the festive spirit and mask-making customs. This fact often appears in any engaging new orleans quiz or history quiz.

  4. French Quarter Architecture -

    The French Quarter's signature wrought-iron balconies and colorful Creole townhouses date from the late 18th century, reflecting Spanish reconstruction after the 1788 fire (National Park Service). Think "Iron & Color" to remember key design elements and hidden courtyards. A solid point for your new orleans fun facts quiz!

  5. Flood Control and Levee Innovations -

    Following the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Army Corps of Engineers overhauled levee systems to protect New Orleans (NOAA). Recall the "1927 - 2005 Shield" to track major upgrades in flood defenses. This critical infrastructure insight is a top pick for any new orleans history quiz.

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