Metairie, Louisiana
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The National WWII Museum
Museum chronicling American role in World War II
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Caesars Superdome
Massive domed stadium in New Orleans
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French Quarter
Historic New Orleans neighborhood famed for French colonial architecture
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New Orleans Museum of Art
New Orleans museum with diverse fine art collections
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Tulane Stadium
Former New Orleans stadium on Tulane University campus
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Louis Armstrong Park (New Orleans)
Public park celebrating jazz heritage in New Orleans
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Gold Mine on Airline
Neighbourhoods of Metairie, Louisiana
- Old MetairieLeafy, car-friendly suburb suited to shoppers and diners wanting a convenient base upriver from New Orleans.
Dining: Diners Nightlife: Bars Shopping: Malls Stays: Mid-Range- Lakeside Shopping Center: Large mall with a broad mix of shops and eateries.
- Metairie Cemetery: Historic cemetery known for ornate tombs and local history.
- Veterans Blvd: Main retail and dining thoroughfare for local shopping and meals.
- Clearview Mall: Big-box shopping centre with various food options.
- BucktownQuiet residential pocket with family homes, independent cafés and bars, suited to visitors avoiding tourist crowds.
Dining: Cafés Nightlife: Local Bars Shopping: Boutiques Stays: Mixed- Bayou Metairie/Local Cafés: Local cafés serving coffee and brunch in neighbourhood settings.
- Local bars along Veterans: Unpretentious local bars favoured by residents.
- Small independent shops: Small independent boutiques and services scattered through the area.
- Clearview CorridorPractical, car-friendly corridor of chain restaurants and big-box stores, handy for short stays and drivers.
Dining: Chain Eats Nightlife: Quiet Shopping: Big-Box Stays: Budget- Clearview Shopping Area: Big-box stores and casual restaurants gathered for convenient shopping and dining.
- Local cinemas and services: Local cinemas and everyday services for standard suburban needs.
- Driving routes to New Orleans Airport: Direct driving routes convenient for arrivals and departures at the airport.
Metairie, Louisiana at a Glance
Costs: $80-140 / day - car-dependent suburb; midrange hotels and dining near New Orleans.
Safety: Moderate; suburban crime pockets - generally residential but with occasional property and violent crime; stay aware at night.
Best Time: February-April, October-April - mild spring and autumn; Mardi Gras season peaks in Feb-Mar.
Metairie is a suburban hub in Jefferson Parish just west of New Orleans, mixing shopping corridors with residential neighborhoods. Many visitors base themselves here for easy access to New Orleans dining, festivals, and lakeside recreation.
Getting around: Car is easiest in Metairie; use I-10 or Veterans Memorial Boulevard for New Orleans; Uber/Lyft, Jefferson Parish buses and local taxis fill gaps.
Infrastructure & convenience: Metairie offers big-box stores, Lakeside Mall, reliable utilities and major hospitals like Ochsner nearby; suburban sidewalks and bike lanes are inconsistent outside commercial corridors.
Local tips: Expect Southern hospitality-tip 15-20% in restaurants, wear casual clothes for festivals on Veterans Boulevard, and plan for heavy traffic during Mardi Gras.
Dining: Try po’boys, gumbo, fried seafood and muffuletta at local po’boy shops along Veterans Memorial Boulevard; stop for beignets or coffee en route to New Orleans.
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?
Foodies
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.
Families
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.
Party Animals
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
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.
Plan Your Visit to Metairie, Louisiana
Best Things to Do in Metairie, Louisiana
Museum
The National WWII Museum
Museum chronicling American role in World War II
Stadium
Caesars Superdome
Massive domed stadium in New Orleans
Lake
Lake Pontchartrain
Large brackish lake north of New Orleans
Historical Site
French Quarter
Historic New Orleans neighborhood famed for French colonial architecture
Church
St. Louis Cathedral
Historic Catholic cathedral in Jackson Square, New Orleans
Road
Bourbon Street
Historic New Orleans street famed for nightlife and jazz
Plaza
Congo Square
Historic New Orleans square central to African-American music
Plaza
Jackson Square (New Orleans)
Historic public square in New Orleans' French Quarter
Metairie, Louisiana Bucket List
Don't Miss
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.
Hidden Gems
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.
Day Trips
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.
Nearby Cities #
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.
Winter
Coolest, driest months-great for walking local parks and Bourbon Street without swelter. Occasional cold fronts bring brief chills; layering advised.
Spring
Best time: warm, sunny days, lower humidity, and blooming magnolias-ideal for outdoor festivals, swamp tours, and dining al fresco before summer’s heat arrives.
Summer
Hot, humid, frequent afternoon storms and peak hurricane risk later-great for river nightlife and indoor music, but expect sweaty days and sudden heavy rain.
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 6° - 17° | 12° | 137 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.3 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.4h |
| February | Good | 8° - 19° | 13° | 136 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 3.4 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 11.0h |
| March | Very Good | 11° - 23° | 17° | 136 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.5 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 14° - 26° | 20° | 119 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.5 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.8h |
| May | Excellent | 19° - 30° | 25° | 127 mm | some cloud | 76% | 3.0 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 13.5h |
| June | Good | 22° - 33° | 30° | 145 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 2.6 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.9h |
| July | Good | 23° - 34° | 32° | 167 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.1 m/s | 2.0 very high | 13.7h |
| August | Good | 23° - 33° | 32° | 156 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.1h |
| September | Very Good | 21° - 32° | 26° | 142 mm | some cloud | 78% | 2.5 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Excellent | 15° - 27° | 21° | 79 mm | mostly sunny | 77% | 2.8 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.3h |
| November | Very Good | 11° - 23° | 17° | 119 mm | some cloud | 79% | 2.9 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.6h |
| December | Good | 7° - 19° | 13° | 127 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 3.2 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.2h |
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 Eat in Metairie, Louisiana
Local Food
Metairie is a practical, down-to-earth suburb of New Orleans where the eating is very much of the Gulf: fresh seafood, fried comfort food and neighborhood po’boys.
- 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.
International Food
Besides Gulf comfort, Metairie has family-run Italian delis, Latin spots and casual international diners-great for low-key meals.
- 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.
Vegetarian
Vegetarian options are plentiful in Metairie’s cafes and newer health-focused eateries-expect salads, bowls and good breakfast choices.
- 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.