12 Things You Can Only Brag About If You're From Louisiana

1. Crawfish

This one doesn't really need an explanation, because THEY ARE SO GOOD.

2. We are the festival capital of the country.

From hot air balloons to hot tamales and everything in between, we have more festivals than any other state. Louisianians are always looking for reasons to get outside and enjoy some good food and music!

3. We're a sportsman's paradise.

Cypremort Park/Facebook

Louisiana has some of the best fishing and hunting in the country. Freshwater, saltwater, duck hunting or deer hunting, people come from all over the world to experience our amazing paradise.

4. We have the best food.

Southern Foodways/Flickr

Gumbo, jambalaya, etouffee, even king cake… We have a very unique cuisine that pales in comparison to any other state.

5. We make great music.

undone/Flickr

New Orleans is known as the birthplace of Jazz. Opelousas is known as the Zydeco capital of the world. In the 50s and 60s, Shreveport's own Louisiana Heyride radio and television station helped launch the careers of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, and many many others.

6. Mardi Gras

Mike Connor/Flickr

It's more than just a day--it's an entire season. King cakes, parades and those coveted Mardi Gras Cups, and the best part is enjoying it with your friends and family. Mardi Gras makes you really appreciate how special Louisiana truly is.

7. The first documented opera performed in America was in New Orleans in 1796

Khun Hans/Flickr

It was a performance of Ernest Gretry’s Sylvain at the Theatre de la Rue St. Pierre, which burned down in the 1800s.

8. The oldest continuously running national monument is here in Louisiana.

The New Orleans street car has been in operation since 1835, making it the oldest of its kind.

9. We're inventors

David Silverman/Flickr

The Sazarac, Oysters Rockafeller, The Hurricane, Cotton Candy, and the good ole poboy were all invented right here in Louisiana.

10. We've got the best seafood.

finchlake 2000/Flickr

Louisiana is one of the largest exporters of oysters, crawfish, shrimp and crabs.
Fun fact: 1 out of 70 people in Louisiana is employed in the seafood industry in some way.

11. Several influential people are from here.