Metairie, Louisiana Travel Guide
City City in Louisiana, part of New Orleans metro
Metairie sits a quick drive from the French Quarter, offering Creole and Cajun restaurants, po’boys, and access to Lake Pontchartrain. Many use it as a base for New Orleans’ music, parades and neighborhood food stalls.
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Why Visit Metairie, Louisiana? #
Metairie appeals to travelers who want New Orleans-region flavor without staying in the French Quarter: culinary draws include po’boy shops, Cajun seafood and lively neighborhood joints. Lafreniere Park and the Lakeside area provide green spaces and family-friendly recreation, while easy access to the French Quarter, Garden District and Mardi Gras parades makes Metairie a convenient, food-forward base. Visitors appreciate its mix of local eateries, annual parades and quick links to greater New Orleans culture.
Who's Metairie, Louisiana For?
Metairie shares Louisiana’s rich food scene: po’boys, gumbo and Cajun plates are available at neighborhood joints off Veterans Boulevard and near Metairie Road. Expect mid-range meals around $10-25 and standout local bakeries.
As a New Orleans suburb, Metairie offers family-friendly parks, mall entertainment and easy drives into the French Quarter. Suburban hotels and quiet residential neighborhoods make it practical for family stays with good amenities.
If you want nightlife without staying in downtown New Orleans, Metairie has sports bars, live-music venues and easy rides into Bourbon Street. Late-night options are more subdued than central New Orleans but plentiful locally.
Couples can find relaxed brunch spots, riverside parks and cosy bistros for date nights; a short drive brings you to New Orleans for more intense nightlife or fine dining. Good options for weekend getaways.
Best Things to Do in Metairie, Louisiana
All Attractions ›
Metairie, Louisiana Bucket List
- Lafreniere Park - Sprawling park with trails, lagoon, playgrounds, and frequent local festivals and events.
- Lakeside Shopping Center - Large shopping center along Clearview Parkway with national stores and diverse dining options.
- Veterans Memorial Boulevard - Commercial corridor lined with restaurants, boutiques, and classic suburban New Orleans character.
- Old Metairie Historic District - Oak-lined streets featuring early-twentieth-century houses and quiet, walkable neighborhood charm.
- Metairie Cemetery - Historic cemetery with elaborate mausoleums reflecting the region's distinctive funerary architecture and history.
- Bayou Segnette State Park - Marshland park offering canoeing, fishing, birdwatching, and picnic areas favored by locals.
- French Quarter (New Orleans) - Historic quarter famous for jazz, Creole cuisine, balconies, and nonstop street life.
- Oak Alley Plantation - Antebellum plantation framed by an avenue of live oaks and guided tours.
- Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (Barataria Preserve) - Swamp boardwalks and trails showcasing wildlife, Cajun culture, and easy guided access.
- Grand Isle - Barrier island with beaches, fishing charters, and abundant shorebird sightings within driving distance.
Regions of Metairie, Louisiana #
Old Metairie
The leafy, car-friendly suburb just upriver from New Orleans; Old Metairie is where locals shop, eat and run errands. Think wide streets, strip malls, and long-standing diners - convenient for a night out in Jefferson Parish without going into the French Quarter.
Top Spots
- Lakeside Shopping Center - large local mall with shops and eateries.
- Metairie Cemetery - historic cemetery noted for ornate tombs and local history.
- Veterans Blvd - the main retail/dining thoroughfare.
- Clearview Mall - another big-box shopping and food option.
Bucktown
A more residential pocket with a few independent cafés and bars; it’s where families live and where you’ll find quieter, neighborhood-flavored dining and small shops. Good if you want to stay near New Orleans but avoid tourist crowds.
Top Spots
- Bayou Metairie/Local Cafés - neighborhood spots for coffee and brunch.
- Local bars along Veterans - dive-y spots favored by locals.
- Small independent shops - scattered boutiques and services.
Clearview Corridor
Stretching along the Clearview and Veterans corridors, this is practical Metairie - chain restaurants, big-box stores and easy highway access. Not flashy, but handy for shoppers and anyone on a short stay or with rental car plans.
Top Spots
- Clearview Shopping Area - home to big-box stores and casual restaurants.
- Local cinemas and services - standard suburban amenities.
- Driving routes to New Orleans Airport - convenient for arrivals/departures.
Plan Your Visit to Metairie, Louisiana #
Best Time to Visit Metairie, Louisiana #
Visit Metairie in spring (March-May) or late fall (October-November) when temperatures are pleasant and humidity is lower, making outdoor activities comfortable. Summers are hot and humid and coincide with hurricane season, while winters are generally mild with occasional chilly fronts.
Best Time to Visit Metairie, Louisiana #
Metairie, Louisiana's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 34°C. Abundant rainfall (1590 mm/year), wettest in July.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (137 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (136 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (136 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (127 mm).
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June
June is hot, feeling like 30°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (145 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the hottest month, feeling like 32°C due to high humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (167 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is hot, feeling like 32°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (156 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Significant rainfall (142 mm).
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October
October is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm).
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December
December is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (127 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Metairie, Louisiana
Metairie is a suburban city just west of New Orleans; most visitors arrive via Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) or by train at New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal (NOL). From those hubs it's easy to reach Metairie by taxi, rideshare, shuttle or local bus.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY): MSY is the main commercial airport serving Metairie and greater New Orleans. Rideshares and taxis to central Metairie typically cost about $20-35 and take roughly 15-25 minutes depending on traffic; shared airport shuttles run about $15-25 per person and take 20-40 minutes; rental cars are readily available on-site if you plan to drive around the metro area.
New Orleans Lakefront Airport (NEW): Lakefront is a small general-aviation airport northeast of downtown New Orleans used mainly for private flights and charters. If you arrive here, expect taxi or charter transfers to Metairie to take about 25-40 minutes and cost in the $30-60 range; commercial scheduled service is minimal.
Train: Amtrak’s Crescent terminates at New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal (NOL). The Crescent connects New Orleans with cities up the East Coast (to New York); from the Union Passenger Terminal a taxi or rideshare to Metairie will typically take 10-25 minutes and cost about $12-30 depending on exact destination and traffic.
Bus: Intercity buses (Greyhound and similar carriers) serve New Orleans; many routes stop near or use the same central transport hubs close to the Union Passenger Terminal. Fares for intercity buses vary widely (roughly $10-50 for regional trips). For local connections, Jefferson Parish Transit (JeT) and the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) run bus routes between Metairie and New Orleans - expect local one-way fares around $1.25 and travel times of about 30-45 minutes by bus between Metairie and downtown New Orleans.
How to Get Around Metairie, Louisiana
Metairie is easiest to get around by car or rideshare - driving gives the most flexibility and saves time. Public transit (JeT and RTA) is cheap and useful for short hops or commuting into New Orleans, but services are slower and less frequent than in denser cities.
- Driving / Rental car ($30-70/day) - Driving is the most convenient way to get around Metairie and the surrounding suburbs. Major roads (Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Airline Drive, I-10) connect neighborhoods and parking is generally available at malls and restaurants, though expect higher fees in busier commercial areas. A rental car gives flexibility for day trips to the bayou or other parts of greater New Orleans.
- Rideshare & Taxi (Uber / Lyft / local taxis) ($8-40) - Rideshare services are plentiful and usually the fastest way to get between Metairie and New Orleans proper, especially late at night when buses are less frequent. Short trips within Metairie commonly run $8-20; trips into downtown New Orleans typically cost $15-40 depending on demand and traffic. Taxis are available but rideshares are often cheaper and more convenient for on-demand pickups.
- Jefferson Transit (JeT) buses ($1.25) - Jefferson Parish Transit (JeT) operates local bus routes through Metairie and neighboring towns. JeT is the main public option for short hops to shopping centers and transit hubs; fares are low (around $1.25 one-way). Services can be infrequent on weekends and evenings, so check schedules and allow extra time for connections.
- New Orleans RTA (regional buses & streetcar access) ($1.25) - The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority provides connections into downtown New Orleans; while the streetcars don't run through Metairie, RTA buses link with JeT routes at transfer points. Use RTA for a cheaper, slower alternative to rideshares when heading into the city - fares are similar to JeT and service is best during daytime hours.
- Biking ($10-25/day) - Parts of Metairie are bike-friendly - wide commercial boulevards and neighborhood streets make short trips feasible by bicycle. There are limited dedicated bike lanes compared with inner New Orleans, so use caution on busy roads and prefer quieter streets or multi-use paths where available. Local bike shops offer daily rentals for casual riders.
- Walking - Metairie is fairly spread out; walking works well for short stretches (shopping strips, restaurants along Veterans Memorial and Airline Drive) but is impractical for longer journeys without transit. Sidewalk quality varies by neighborhood, so plan routes and expect to cross several busy intersections for many destinations.
Where to Stay in Metairie, Louisiana #
Where to Eat in Metairie, Louisiana #
- Deanie's Seafood - Classic Metairie seafood po'boys and platters.
- Mandina's - Creole and Italian-influenced New Orleans classics.
- Mr. Ed's Seafood - Casual seafood spot, raw bar and fried plates.
- The Grit - Late-night plant-forward diner favorites.
- Brasa Rotisserie - Latin-American rotisserie with Peruvian influences.
- Sam's Italian Deli - Classic Italian sandwiches and red-sauce plates.
- Seeds Coffee - Light vegetarian breakfast and healthy bowls.
- The Daily Beet - Salads, bowls and vegetarian-friendly smoothies.
- Seed + Salt - Plant-forward cafe with gluten-free options.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Metairie, Louisiana's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Metairie, Louisiana #
Metairie is a suburban New Orleans area with plenty of neighborhood bars, casual restaurants and late-night diners, and it’s only a short drive from the Crescent City’s major nightlife strips (Bourbon and Frenchmen Streets). Expect a relaxed, friendly vibe rather than a dense club scene. Practical tips: many bars stay open late, rideshares and taxis are readily available, and parking is easier here than in central New Orleans.
Shopping in Metairie, Louisiana #
Metairie is a suburban New Orleans market with big‑box shopping, veterans’ corridor strip malls and a handful of neighborhood centers. Veterans Memorial Boulevard and Clearview Parkway host most of the retail action: groceries, clothing chains, home goods and independent boutiques. Prices follow U.S. retail norms; look for seasonal sales and local specialty food shops for Louisiana products.
Best Bets
- Clearview Mall (shopping strip) - Longstanding retail strip with national chains and specialty stores.
- Lakeside Shopping Center - Neighborhood mall with grocery stores and small retailers.
- Veterans Memorial Boulevard shops - Strip malls, dining spots and national retail outlets.
- Local farmers' markets and weekend pop‑ups - Seasonal produce, local food vendors and artisan stalls.
- Antique and consignment shops - Second‑hand furniture and vintage finds in local stores.
- Local specialty food shops - Cajun spices, local sauces and New Orleans culinary supplies.
