new orleans descriptive essay

New Orleans Culture

This essay about New Orleans culture highlights the city’s unique blend of French, Spanish, African, and Creole influences, which shape its architecture, language, music, cuisine, and festivals. The essay emphasizes the importance of jazz, a genre born in New Orleans, and how it remains integral to the city’s identity, resonating through venues and streets alike. New Orleans’ culinary scene is explored, showcasing iconic dishes like gumbo and jambalaya that represent a fusion of diverse cultural flavors. Additionally, the city’s vibrant festival life, particularly Mardi Gras, underscores its tradition of celebration and community spirit. The essay also reflects on the resilience of New Orleans in facing challenges such as Hurricane Katrina, noting the community’s efforts to preserve and celebrate its rich, diverse heritage. Overall, the essay portrays New Orleans as a living museum of culture and history, continuously vibrant and dynamic despite its trials.

How it works

New Orleans, fondly recognized as the Grand Effortless, emerges as a dynamic cultural nucleus, notably distinct within the American panorama for its diverse amalgamation of French, Spanish, African, and Creole influences. This unparalleled fusion not only delineates the city’s architectural motifs and linguistic cadences but also sculpts its esteemed culinary customs, musical milieu, and an array of festivities that beckon visitors from far and wide.

At the core of New Orleans’ essence lies its melodic cadence. Jazz, birthed here during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, remains a quintessential element of the city’s ethos.

Maestros like Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton spearheaded this genre, which has metamorphosed and cast its influence across myriad other musical strains. Presently, music courses through the city’s veins, with live performances permeating the atmosphere in locales ranging from the storied Preservation Hall to the lively thoroughfares of the French Quarter, where brass ensembles transmute every gathering into a spontaneous fête.

The gastronomy of New Orleans mirrors the diversity of its populace, epitomized by flavors that narrate tales of the city’s multicultural lineage. Delicacies such as gumbo, jambalaya, and étouffée epitomize the amalgamation of French, African, and Spanish gastronomy with indigenous ingredients like seafood and spices that are inherently Louisianan. The culinary landscape stands as a proud emissary of Creole and Cajun legacies, with each culinary enclave proffering not just sustenance but a slice of cultural heritage.

Festivals and revelries constitute another integral facet of the city’s cultural mosaic. Mardi Gras, the preeminent among these, unfolds as a season of merriment encompassing weeks of processions, masquerade soirées, and king cake fetes, culminating in a grand crescendo of floats and jubilation that traverse St. Charles Avenue and meander through the French Quarter. These festivities draw upon French Catholic traditions interwoven with local rituals, culminating in a spectacle that encapsulates the city’s ethos of exuberance and festivity. Beyond Mardi Gras, celebrations such as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival pay homage to the city’s musical legacy and its status as a crucible of American culture.

Despite its festive ambiance, New Orleans harbors a history of fortitude. The city has confronted myriad trials, from natural calamities like Hurricane Katrina to economic adversities. The response to these tribulations unveils much about the spirit of New Orleanians—resolute, enduring, and unceasingly jubilant. Following Katrina, the city’s resurgence was marked not solely by reconstruction but also by a revitalized commitment to safeguarding and celebrating its cultural patrimony. This resilience serves as a testament to the robust sense of community and identity cherished by the locals.

In summation, New Orleans transcends mere urbanity; it emerges as a living repository of manifold cultures and chronicles interwoven into a vivacious tapestry. From its melodic refrains and culinary delights to its festivities and its capacity to rebound from adversity, New Orleans proffers a dynamic cultural odyssey steeped in profound historical context. The spirit of the Grand Effortless, with its intricate past and its jubilant present, continues to waltz through the boulevards, beckoning all to partake in its celebration of life and cultural continuum.

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How Do You Describe New Orleans?

M uch has been said, written, and sung about this city. Some people become enamored with this place because of its rare and enticing culture that allows them freedoms that they can’t experience anywhere else. Others detest the city because they find it too indulgent and vulgar. One way or another, this 300-year-old city knows how to leave a mark on everyone who sets foot within it. Authors, actors, and artists of all kinds have left a trail of sayings about New Orleans that could fill a book.

Author Anne Rice was born in New Orleans, finally moving out-of-state when she was in her teens. She lived in Texas and then in California through her early adulthood, yet she used New Orleans as the setting for her most famous books, including Interview With a Vampire . After finding success as an author, she bought a home in New Orleans and started spending more time here. She said, “In the spring of 1988, I returned to New Orleans, and as soon as I smelled the air, I knew I was home. It was rich, almost sweet, like the scent of jasmine and roses around our old courtyard. I walked the streets, savoring that long-lost perfume.” 

The Greek-Irish writer Lafcadio Hearn is best-known for his writings about Japan, but complicated circumstances took him to New Orleans for 10 years first. Writing for various newspapers in the late 1800s, Hearn was fascinated with opera, Voodoo, and Creole cuisine. He described the city as a “dead bride crowned with orange flowers” and often focused on the glorious decay that he saw all around him. One of his writings includes the quote, “Times are not good here. The city is crumbling into ashes. It has been buried under taxes and frauds and mal-administrations so that it has become a study for archaeologists . . . but it is better to live here in sackcloth and ashes than to own the whole state of Ohio.”

Aleister Crowley , occultist and founder of the religion of Thelema, became obsessed with imbibing absinthe at the Old Absinthe House when he moved in 1917 into an apartment that currently houses The Dragon’s Den. The writer, known for his works about the practice of magic and mysticism, spent hours appreciating the intoxicating qualities of the green liquor. He wrote, “Keep always this dim corner for me, that I may sit while the Green Hour glides, a proud pavine of Time. For I am no longer in the city accursed, where Time is horsed on the white gelding Death, his spurs rusted with blood. There is a corner of the United States which he has overlooked. It lies in New Orleans.”

The award-winning TIME Magazine writer and editor Nancy Gibbs covered many hard-hitting and controversial subjects in her over-30-year career. She wrote a particularly relevant article entitled “Hurricane Katrina: An American Tragedy” about how the U.S. government failed to protect and rebuild the city. The first line of the poetic (and even a bit sentimental) article states, “New Orleans lives by the water and fights it, a sand castle set on a sponge nine feet below sea level, where people made music from heartache, named their drinks for hurricanes and joked that one day you’d be able to tour the city by gondola . . . So as Katrina, wicked and flirtatious, lingered in the Gulf with her eye on the town, many citizens decided they would stay, stubborn or stoic or too poor to have much choice.”

Sherwood Anderson spent most of his life in Ohio, and his large body of novels, short stories, and essays are based there, too. However, when he moved to New Orleans in the 1920s, he was finally able to write his only best-selling book, entitled Dark Laughter . He wrote about the people of New Orleans: “Blessed be these people. They know how to play. They are truly a people of culture . . . putting the joy of living above the much less subtle and . . . altogether more stupid joy of growth and achievement.”

The famed playwright Tennessee Williams is celebrated in New Orleans annually during the Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival. New Orleans was certainly one of Tennessee’s favorite American cities, which he put on par with New York and San Francisco. He claimed that “everywhere else is Cleveland.” Of the many things that he wrote about the city, he explained why he personally enjoyed it so much, saying, “In New Orleans . . . I found the kind of freedom I had always needed, and the shock of it—against the Puritanism of my nature—has given me a subject, a theme, which I have never ceased exploiting.”

Benjamin Latrobe was the British architectural artist responsible for designing some of the most recognizable buildings in the U.S., including the United States Capitol and the White House as well as the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary, located in Baltimore. He and his son Henry Boneval Latrobe arrived in New Orleans and began several projects in the early 1800s. He foresaw great potential for financial gain in the city, as it was a port city. The father and son duo participated in designing a waterworks system, Charity Hospital, the St. Louis Cathedral, the French Opera House, and more. Tragically, both Benjamin and his son Henry died from yellow fever in 1820 and 1817, respectively. Before his untimely death, Benjamin wrote about the city in which he saw so much potential: “New Orleans has at first sight a very imposing and handsome appearance, beyond any other city in the United States in which I have yet been. Mud, mud, mud. This is a floating city, floating below the surface of the water on a bed of mud.”

Whether or not it is your home or your escape to a corner of the globe outside of time, and whether or not you consider it a blessed place of freedom or a beautiful place of decay, floating on water—New Orleans has moved countless numbers and will continue to inspire awe, desire, and enchantment in those lucky enough to plant their feet on its cobblestone banquettes.

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Descriptive: New Orleans

Upon my return to New Orleans, I discovered that it remained unchanged from my previous visit. The scorching heat rose to a staggering 98 degrees and the humidity was so intense that reapplying deodorant became essential. The fusion of French and Spanish architecture further enhanced its enchanting and enigmatic allure. Regrettably, the air quality did not meet my expectations; nevertheless, I could still breathe without difficulty. There lingered a persistent stench of urine in the atmosphere, as though it had permeated for countless years. The streets bore resemblance to a whirlwind’s chaotic path, with trash strewn about haphazardly throughout the cityscape. Both locals and tourists alike seemed unconcerned by the litter scattered on the ground.

After being picked up by my grandmother from the airport, we drove back to her house, sharing a heartwarming embrace that expressed our deep affection for each other. The reunion was particularly special since it had been quite some time since she last saw me. As I settled into the backseat of her old but reliable car, I looked out the window and observed a bustling street scene. On one hand, adult men were loitering on street corners, involved in illegal drug transactions and eagerly waiting for their addicted customers who sought their daily dose. On the other hand, teenagers were engaged in intense fights within the parking lot of an unfamiliar residence.

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One aspect of New Orleans that I find truly enjoyable is seeing the peaceful elderly individuals sitting on their porches and stoops, looking back at me. This city seems to be stuck in a particular era. I can confidently say that those very same people were occupying the exact spots when I departed from New Orleans six years ago. Despite potential changes, numerous individuals remain unchanged. In no time at all, we reached my grandmother’s residence. It’s the location where I can genuinely relax and let go. The house possesses a warm cottage ambiance with towering oak trees, vibrant rose bushes, and an enchanting garden waterfall.

The moment I entered the house, I felt a sense of tranquility. The concerns of work and never-ending bills disappeared from my thoughts. This place is my ultimate sanctuary, far removed from the fast-paced chaos of the city and the overwhelming presence of others. It is here where authentic southern hospitality is found among the locals. My cousin Chastity, who is an impressive 611 in height, joined me as we explored the attractions of the French Quarter. Our initial destination was Cafe du Monde, renowned for their extraordinary and sizable beignets.

The sweetened dough, similar to donuts, is the main attraction at this place. They are deep-fried and covered in confectioner’s sugar. These doughy delights are perfect alongside hickory-flavored coffee. After our meal, I contributed some spare change to an old bucket nearby where two children entertained the restaurant patrons with tap-dancing. Our next destination was the French market, which is a personal favorite of mine that I always ensure to include in my New Orleans itinerary. The French market offers a diverse range of items like jewelry, clothing, purses, candles, and more. The best part about these products is that they do not have fixed prices.

When it comes to obtaining anything you truly desire, bargaining is necessary. Recently, I purchased unique cowries shell Jewelry that was unavailable elsewhere for a mere $20, making it a great value. Should you ever desire to visit a location that possesses its own distinctive character and rich cultural heritage, New Orleans is the place to be. From the renowned Bourbon Street in the French Quarter to the haunted Saint Louis Cemetery where voodoo queen Marie Lave’s presence lingers, this city is a haven for art enthusiasts and party revelers alike.

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3.5: Descriptive Essays

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Writing a Description Essay

Choosing a subject is the first step in writing a description essay. Once you have chosen the person, place, or object you want to describe, your challenge is to write an effective thesis statement to guide your essay. The remainder of your essay describes your subject in a way that best expresses your thesis. Remember, you should have a strong sense of how you will organize your essay. Choose a strategy and stick to it. Every part of your essay should use vivid sensory details. The more you can appeal to your readers’ senses, the more they will be engaged in your essay. You can read two sample essays at the end of this section.

Sample Thesis Statement

Although Minnesota may seem drab and cold to outsiders, natives of the state find it a wonderful place to live.

We can see in this thesis statement that the writer will attempt to show the aspects of Minnesota that make it a great place to live. After detailing a thesis statement, you should come up with a list of sensory words that provide vivid detail and support the thesis. You may start by thinking about the five senses. How does your particular place look, smell, feel, taste, and sound like? How can you best describe these senses so the reader feels what you feel? By organizing the elements of descriptive language into easier to handle sections, like the five senses, you are able to more specifically engage in what elements of the description are most useful.

Order of Presentation

The writer in this case could choose to present the positive aspects of Minnesota in terms of the seasons and weather changes. The details could be presented linearly, starting with spring and going through the winter, highlighting the aspects of each season that most closely support the thesis, that Minnesota is a great place to live.

Prior to starting the essay, give some thought to the audience of your piece. Who is going to read the essay, and what effect would you like it to have upon the readers? An awareness of audience is important in choosing the level of formality you take with your writing. Knowing your audience will also help you distinguish which details to include throughout your essay. Assume that your audience knows very little or nothing about your subject matter, and include details that may seem obvious to you.

Example Audience: In this particular essay, the writer wants to show an outsider to the state why Minnesota natives are so happy to live there. The essay should help break down stereotypes for those outsiders about Minnesota’s cold weather and apparent drabness. Because the essay is designed for those who do not live in Minnesota, and maybe have never been there, it is important to include details about the state that may seem obvious to a native.

With the preparatory work complete, it is time now to begin writing your essay. Use your thesis statement to begin to construct an introductory paragraph. The introduction should set up the basis for your essay, and the thesis statement should state its purpose.

Example Introduction

Many who have not traveled to the state of Minnesota only hear of its cold weather and boring reputation. They are sure missing out on the great opportunities that Minnesota affords. Each season offers different senses that native Minnesotans and tourists know and love. Although Minnesota may seem drab and cold to outsiders, natives of the state find it a wonderful place to live.

With the introduction complete, it is time to start constructing the body paragraphs of your essay. Each body paragraph should have a central theme in itself, and that theme should be represented in a topic sentence. Consequently, each sentence of the paragraph should relate to and support the topic sentence. The body paragraphs are where the majority of the details should be given. When writing the first draft of your descriptive essay, include as many details as is reasonably possible. You can always eliminate the ones that do not serve the essay as well when you are revising your draft. In the case of the Minnesota nature essay, we have decided to set up the body paragraphs in terms of season, starting with spring.

Example Body Paragraph

Spring in Minnesota brings new life to the state after the long winter season. The rain washes the landscape clean, leaving its fresh aroma for all to enjoy. The flowers soak up the golden sun’s rays and begin to show their vibrant colors. The first birds can be seen and heard throughout the woods and fields, telling their stories in beautiful songs. The lakes begin to show their glossy finish as the ice melts away slowly under the heat of the season.

With the body paragraphs complete, it is time to bring the essay to a close with the conclusion. The conclusion should draw a conclusion based on what has been presented throughout the body of the essay. It needs to return to the thesis, but not in an overt way. The conclusion should give the reader a final sense of what the essay was meant to portray. Remember that there should not be any new material introduced in the conclusion, and the way it is worded should give the reader a sense of finality.

Example Conclusion

The variety of activities and distinct seasons found in Minnesota reveal diverse beauty of this state. As one considers the benefits of each season, it becomes clearer why so many native Minnesotans are content with their home state. Minnesota is truly a wonderful place to live.

With the essay complete, it is time to reread and revise your essay (also see revision sections of this textbook). Read your first draft and pinpoint all of the descriptor words you used. If possible, go back and add more after the ones you already used in the essay. If you can, read your essay aloud to a friend and have him/her tell you what images are vivid and what images need more development. Rework any images that are cloudy with more descriptions. Also, check to see if your descriptions have made use of all of the five senses: sound, smell, texture, sight, and taste. Repeat these steps as many times as necessary until you are happy with your product.

Sample Descriptive Essays

America's Pastime

As the sun hits my face and I breathe in the fresh air, I temporarily forget that I am at a sporting event. But, when I open my eyes and look around, I am reminded of all things American. From the national anthem to the international players on the field, all the sights and sounds of a baseball game come together like a slice of Americana pie.

First, the entrance turnstiles click and clank, and then a hallway of noise bombards me. All the fans’ voices coalesce in a chorus of sound, rising to a humming clamor. The occasional, “Programs, get your programs, here!” jumps out through the hum to get my attention. I navigate my way through the crowded walkways of the stadium, moving to the right of some people, and to the left of others, I eventually find the section number where my seat is located. As I approach my seat I hear the announcer’s voice echo around the ball park, “Attention fans. In honor of our country, please remove your caps for the singing of the national anthem.” His deep voice echoes around each angle of the park, and every word is heard again and again. The crowd sings and hums “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and I feel a surprising amount of national pride through the voices. I take my seat as the umpire shouts, “Play ball!” and the game begins.

In the fifth inning of the game, I decide to find a concessions stand. Few tastes are as American as hot dogs and soda pop, and they cannot be missed at a ball game. The smell of hot dogs carries through the park, down every aisle, and inside every concourse. They are always as unhealthy as possible, dripping in grease, while the buns are soft and always too small for the dog. The best way to wash down the Ball Park Frank is with a large soda pop, so I order both. Doing my best to balance the cold pop in one hand and the wrapped-up dog in the other, I find the nearest condiments stand to load up my hot dog. A dollop of bright green relish and chopped onions, along with two squirts of the ketchup and mustard complete the dog. As I continue the balancing act between the loaded hot dog and pop back to my seat, a cheering fan bumps into my pop hand. The pop splashes out of the cup and all over my shirt, leaving me drenched. I make direct eye contact with the man who bumped into me. He looks me in the eye, looks at my shirt, and tells me how sorry he is. I just shake my head and keep walking. “It’s all just part of the experience,” I tell myself.

Before I am able to get back to my seat, I hear the crack of a bat, followed by an uproar from the crowd. Everyone is standing, clapping, and cheering. I missed a home run. I find my aisle and ask everyone to excuse me as I slip past them to my seat. “Excuse me. Excuse me. Thank you. Thank you. Sorry,” is all I can say as I inch past each fan. Halfway to my seat I can hear discarded peanut shells crunch beneath my feet, and each step is marked with a pronounced crunch.

When I finally get to my seat I realize it is the start of the seventh inning stretch. I quickly eat my hot dog and wash it down with what is left of my soda pop. The organ starts playing and everyone begins to sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” While singing the song, putting my arms around friends and family with me, I watch all the players taking the field. It is wonderful to see the overwhelming number of players on one team from around the world: Japan, the Dominican Republic, the United States, Canada, and Venezuela. I cannot help but feel a bit of national pride at this realization. Seeing the international representation on the field reminds me of the ways that Americans, though from many different backgrounds and places, still come together under common ideals. For these reasons and for the whole experience in general, going to a Major League Baseball game is the perfect way to glimpse a slice of Americana.

Student Essay

In the following student essay, notice how the writer uses sensory details to describe not only the visual appearance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s tomb, but also the experience of visiting such a historically significant and emotionally moving monument. Pay particular attention to the organization of the description; how does the author move us around the monument and describe its characteristics? Is it effective?

Professor Smith

English 1101

11 June 2014

The King’s Tomb

The water is always so beautiful, a hypnotic shade of baby blue, with a few autumn colored leaves floating in the ripples made by the wind. This isn’t a natural body of water. No wildlife swim in the shallow waves, but this water is as full of life as any ocean. In the middle of what is fittingly called the Reflecting Pool lies the closest thing African Americans have ever had to royalty. Here lie the remains of Dr. Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King.

Nestled between the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change and the original Ebenezer Baptist Church is a beautiful white marble monument, warmly bathed in the lights circling the tomb of our late civil rights leaders. Following Dr. King’s assassination in April 1968, he was first interred at South View Cemetery, a final resting place largely reserved for African Americans during that period. It took nearly a decade before he was exhumed and placed in the beautiful ivory stone structure that he now shares with his beloved wife Coretta. The tomb, erected in 1977, sits within the south end of the Reflecting Pool. Seemingly suspended on the bright blue water, the tomb displays scriptures that only capture a small portion of the legacy left by these great leaders. Engraved on Dr. King’s portion reads, “Free at last, Free at last, Thank God Almighty I’m free at last!” from his pivotal “I Have a Dream” speech given during the March on Washington in 1963. I can’t help but attempt to recite the mantra in my head with the same bravado and conviction as Dr. King had when he gave the speech over fifty years ago. While the saying is a beautiful incantation, fit for a King, the cost at which that freedom was attained is still heartbreaking.

In a scene reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, who passed away in January 2006 after a prolonged illness, lies next to her slain husband. For a short period following her death Mrs. King was interred in a smaller yet equally beautiful tomb directly across from her late husband. Spectacular floral arrangements surrounded her tomb as scores of mourners came from afar to pay their respects to the First Lady of the Civil Rights Movement. In November 2006, she was laid to rest in a beautiful new tomb aside her husband. The words “And now abide Faith, Hope, Love, These Three, but the greatest of these is Love,” emblazon her final resting place. No truer instance could describe her legacy.

Auburn Avenue, shrouded in darkness, is void of people aside from the few vagrants that aimlessly roam the streets. Heat from the Eternal Flame warms my back as I stare off into space. The brilliant glow of the LED lights strategically placed around the tomb and the amber flicker of the Eternal Flame are the only lights that seem to suit this moment. Kneeling as if I’m preparing to pray, I take a moment to reflect. Through my clenched eyes I can hear the soft splashes of the water, the gas fueled roar of the Eternal Flame. The ambient noise of car horns, traffic and construction fade to nearly a whisper. I envision the March on Washington. I can feel the sting of water hoses pelting my black skin. I can hear the sharp sonics of police dogs barking. The feeling is overwhelming. My eyelashes clump together from the tears winning their battle against my eyelids. Nearby is a place of worship, a place where anyone can still feel the spirit of past congregations, a place where the walls hold almost as much history as any Smithsonian exhibit.

Just a few feet away sits the original Ebenezer Baptist Church, a beautiful, rustic old building left largely intact from the days of Atlanta’s past. Walking inside is like stepping into a time warp, instantly sending you to the heart of the Civil Rights Movement. With the exception of a few strategically placed speakers, the church is left in its pure form. Dr. King’s voice echoes through wooden pews playing his famous “Drum Major” speech, given during his final sermon at Ebenezer on February 4, 1968. With closed eyes, I have difficulty telling what era I am in. Given with almost Machiavellian prediction and passion, ten minutes engulfed with his powerful words makes me feel as though I’ve been baptized, born again.

Surrounded with reminders of our history’s darkest time, this place brings me peace. There’s an aura in this place. A powerful spirit that infiltrates my conscience with thoughts of struggle, loss and freedom. The reality of this place forces my mind to reevaluate my own mortality. Even with the knowledge of how Dr. King was vilified, degraded, and executed, his death serves as a shining beacon of light. A lone ray of sun through the seemingly endless cloud of racism and intolerance. Coretta’s grace, beauty and resilience in the face of unspeakable tragedy and injustice is incomparable. Her social work and philanthropy should be an influence to women of all walks of life.

The legacy that Dr. and Mrs. King leave behind is an unfulfilled one. Equality in America has improved since Dr. King’s assassination but his dream is still unrealized. There is turmoil within the King family regarding funding and management of the King Memorial, leaving the future of this serene place uncertain. Engraved on the Stone of Hope, a newly completed Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., reads, “Out of the Mountain of Despair, a Stone of Hope.” Although we still have a mountain to climb, The King’s Tomb is surely my Stone of Hope.

External Links

Checklist of Things to Consider ( https://tinyurl.com/y7zegezs ) when writing a description.

Susan Berne visits New York and describes her impressions in " Where Nothing Says Everything " ( https://tinyurl.com/yboc9m9s ), also called "Ground Zero." Another link to the story is here ( https://tinyurl.com/y99fchlw ).

Contributors and Attributions

Adapted from  Successful College Composition (Crowther et al.) . Sourced from  LibreTexts , licensed under  CC BY-NC-SA  .

Adapted from  Let's Get Writing (Browning, DeVries, Boylan, Kurtz and Burton) . Sourced from  LibreTexts , licensed under  CC BY-NC-SA  .

Adam Dobrinich

Dr.Jeffrey (PhD)

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