While associated closely with its more famous neighbor, the town of Metairie primarily developed over the years as a twentieth-century alternative to New Orleans and its Old World ways. THe Old Metairie upscale community features many high-end boutiques and homes from the 1920’s era, while Veterans Memorial Boulevard is lined with numerous shops and restaurants, including the Lakeside Shopping Center, which is one of the largest shopping malls in the region. For sports fans, Metairie is also home to Shrine on Airline, former home of the New Orleans Baby Cakes and now the home field of the New Orleans Gold rugby team.
Lafreniere Park
One the last large bit of undeveloped acreage within the East Jefferson area, Lafreniere Park is now a thriving, lush, natural green space for both local residents and visitors alike to enjoy in Metairie, Louisiana. The park today consists of softball and soccer fields, a carousel, a championship disc golf course, an ecological marsh environment, a conference center, nature trails, tot-lots, fishing spots, boating, landscaped gardens, picnic areas for families, fountains, multi-use lawns, and open green spaces. A children’s spray park, additional picnic shelters, a labyrinth, and a dog park are in the works at Lafreniere Park as well.
3000 Downs Blvd, Metairie, LA 70003, Phone: 504-838-4389
Lakeside Shopping Center
The Lakeside Shopping Center is a shopping mall found along Veterans Memorial Boulevard in Metairie. Originally opened in March of 1960, the Lakeside Center is the first regional mall in the area of New Orleans, as well as one of the busiest and largest shopping malls within the New Orleans metropolitan area. Boasting the Kids’ Castle area and over one hundred and twenty retail shops and restaurants, the Lakeside Shopping Center is anchored by Zara, JCPenney, Macy’s, and Dillard’s. The mall is typically open Monday to Saturday from 10:00am until 9:00pm and Sundays from noon until 6:00pm.
3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA 70002, Phone: 504-835-8000
Shrine on Airline
The Shrine on Airline is a baseball stadium turned also now rugby stadium in the New Orleans suburb of Metairie, Louisiana. This stadium, which is able to seat up to ten thousand spectators, was formerly the home field of the area’s minor league New Orleans Baby Cakes baseball team, formerly known as the New Orleans Zephyrs. Amenities at the Shrine on Airline include the Metairie Bank Home Run Porch, the Coors Light Party Shack, two hot tubs, a swimming pool, sixteen VIP luxury suites, and concessions, including Cajun favorites like pigskin nachos, po’ boy sandwiches, muffulettas, and fried catfish.
Metairie, LA 70003, Phone: 504-734-5155
St Ann Catholic Church and National Shrine
St Ann Catholic Church and National Shrine, formerly the St. Ambrose Parish, is a national shrine in Metairie, Louisiana dedicated to St. Ann, the mother of the Virgin Mary and the grandmother of Jesus. At the heart of the shrine is a grotto-like structure behind the sanctuary are the holy stairs. People ascend these steps while on their knees praying the “Stations of the Cross,” which are wonderfully represented in stained glass at the top of the staircase. The honoring of St. Ann tradition has been traced back to the year 1584, and the feast day is celebrated on July 26th.
3601 Transcontinental Dr, Metairie, LA 70006, Phone: 504-455-7071
Camp Parapet Monument
The Camp Parapet Monument just outside of Metairie in Jefferson, Louisiana is a fortification dating back to the Civil War. The fort was made up of a defensive line of the Confederacy around one and three-fourths mile in length, extending from the Mississippi River to the Metairie Ridge. Camp Parapet was built to protect New Orleans from an attack by Union forces coming from upriver. The Union fleet, however, took New Orleans by sailing in insead from below, resulting in the fort never being used. Visitors today can explore what’s left of the Camp Parapet Monument, mainly the powder magazine.
2801 Arlington St, Jefferson, LA 70121, Phone: 504-888-9770
Station 6 Seafood & Oyster Bar
Station 6 Seafood & Oyster Bar is owned and operated by Drew Knoll and Alison Vega, a veteran New Orleans restaurateur and chef. The Bucktown seafood specialist offers oysters, as well as a modern take on several Southern-inspired dishes, such as wildcat fish ‘n’ chips, tuna with choupique caviar and jicama, and pompano topped with curried brown butter with asparagus. Other dishes include Louisiana crab cake with 6 sauce, grilled salmon tacos, lamb burgers and other fresh fish specials. The dining room features a modern, simple design, providing a laid-back atmosphere that extends outdoors to the covered patio with its lounge-style couch seating.
105 Metairie-Hammond Hwy, Metairie, LA 70005, Phone: 504-345-2936
Bobby Hebert's Cajun Cannon
Bobby Hebert's Cajun Cannon is a one-of-a-kind sports-themed eatery in Metairie, Louisiana. Combining the culture of authentic Louisiana food and the sports culture of the state, Bobby Hebert created a restaurant venue that would appeal to both foodies and sports fans alike. THe menu at Cajun Cannon features an extensive variety of options, such as steaks, pastas, fried and blackened seafood, po’boy sandwiches, burgers, jalapeno alligator bites, crab cakes, and more. The “Thibo’Beaux’ Burger,” which consists of seven patties, is famous here for offering an ultimate challenge for anyone wanting to join the Hall of Fame of burger eaters.
4101 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA 70002, Phone: 504-324-6841
Vincent's Italian Cuisine
Established in 1989, Vincent's Italian Cuisine was founded by Vincent Catalanotto, a New Orleans native from a close and large Sicilian family. Vincent developed an appreciation for and love of food from his parents, both great cooks, from an early age. He spent much of his life in the restaurant industry, which helped fuel his passion for restaurants while letting him hone his cooking skills. His restaurant, Vincent's Italian Cuisine, soon became a hidden gem of Metairie, known as “the little Italian place on the side street.” The menu features the signature Corn and Crab Bisque and the Veal and Spinach Cannelloni.
4411 Chastant St, Metairie, LA 70006, Phone: 504-885-2984
Cafe Du Monde
Cafe Du Monde originally began in the French Market of New Orleans back in the year 1862, which continues today as the Original Cafe Du Monde Coffee Stand. The coffee shop’s menu features fresh squeezed orange juice, dark roasted coffee, chicory, and cafe au lait. However, Cafe du Monde is famous more for its beignets, which are French-style doughnuts covered with a good amount of powdered sugar. The Metairie location of Cafe Du Monde on Veterans Memorial Boulevard is open Sunday to Thursday from 6:00am until 11:00pm and on Fridays and Saturdays from 6:00am until 1:00am.
4700 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA 70006, Phone: 504-888-9770
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