Used Car Dealership Near Metairie, LA

If you live in or near Prairieville, Houma, or St. Rose, and you are looking for some fun or excitement for your family vacation, Louisiana has some wonderful cities to explore, one of which is Metairie. If you have never visited, here are some ideas for your vacation or just for a fun weekend getaway in Jefferson Parish. Check these places to go and things to do, and plan your visit to Metairie to enjoy some of the best our fair city has to offer.

Lake Pontchartrain

Visit the south shore where Metairie is located, the largest community within Jefferson Parish. This lake, though not a true lake, but rather an estuary connected to the Gulf of Mexico, is 360 square miles of outdoor recreation. Here you can find a plethora of fish, birds, and other wildlife. You can boat, fish, bike and more at the largest inland body of water in Louisiana. 

La Freniere Park 

Take a quiet walk by a beautiful lake, check out the waterfowl and other animals that make this park their home. Ride on the carousel, explore the site of La Freniere Plantation, or take in some of the artwork and sculptures that adorn the park. You can spend several hours here, so plan a morning or afternoon visit.

Bucktown 

A former fishing village located on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, Bucktown is now a thriving community with some of the best seafood restaurants and markets in the area. You’ll want to sample the fresh dishes or take some home for dinner with the family. This community has a rich history that includes being one of the towns that contributed to the birth of jazz.

Bucktown Marsh Boardwalk

Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the 1,000-foot span and learn about coastal issues. Visit some of the bird blinds to check out the local waterfowl or enjoy some of the informational signs about fisheries, wildlife, plants, and the coast.

Lakeside Shopping Center

Lakeside Shopping Center is an indoor shopping mall that provides top retail stores and great places to eat. You’ll find stores like Macy’s, Dillard’s, JC Penny’s, Chico’s and more and enjoy a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants like Café Du Monde, Chick-fil-a, Subway and more. If you stop by during Christmas, you’ll enjoy amazing holiday decorations and a great Christmas ambiance.

Fat City

This area is located just off Veteran’s Memorial Boulevard and adjacent to Lakeside Shopping Center. It is the region’s highest-grossing shopping center with a variety of retailers and restaurants, there are also several splendid murals that depict the local area and showcase local talent.

Jefferson Performing Arts Center

Check out a concert, theatrical performance, or dance at this beautiful, modern venue for the performing arts. You can enjoy everything from ballet to retro rock ‘n roll at this state-of-the-art facility. The non-profit venue seats over 1000 people and features impressive modern architecture.

Enjoy these great sites and features and many more when you visit Metairie in a quality used car, truck, minivan, or SUV from Premier Clearance Center Metairie.

From the smell of freshly-baked bread to the delightful designs of custom birthday cakes, a good bakery enhances any community. If you’re looking for a place to enjoy a mid-morning snack, a quick breakfast on the go or someone to make your anniversary cake, you’ll find plenty of choices with the best bakeries in Metairie.

Antoine’s Bakery Of Metairie

If you’re hungry for a King Cake, Antoine’s is the place to go. They make these cakes all year long as well as a wide variety of pastries. Choose from several gourmet cakes like red velvet and German chocolate. They make wedding cakes and those customized for any situation. Antoine’s is open seven days a week at 7:00 A.M. during the week and at 8:00 A.M. on the weekends.

Maurice French Pastries

Expect a line here early in the morning when everyone wants a special treat to start their day. Loyal patrons recommend their King Cakes as well as the chocolate Strawberry Grand Marnier cake. The owner is a Frenchman, so you know he knows his pastries. The aromas attack your senses the minute you walk in with the smell of sweet pastries and coffee to tempt you as you order. The presentation of the items is just as amazing as the taste.

Haydel’s Bakery

Professional bakers ensure you get the results you want with this bakery. Order a cake for a wedding or other special event and rest assured the bakers will get all the details correct – even if you do it all through email or over the phone. The taste is just as spectacular as the design with everything customized just the way you want. While you can expect a line on Saturday mornings, fast service ensures everyone is attended to quickly. The delicious flavors make it worth the wait.

Joe Gambino’s Bakery

A family bakery that has been around since the 1940’s, Gambino’s is a tradition in Metairie. They are well-loved for their custom cakes. The bakers can take about any design or inspiration and create a masterpiece that is sure to be a hit at the event. Everything is fresh and can be shipped all over the country. Frequent patrons call the bakery the king of King Cakes. Of course, they do more than cake with pastries and other treats to satisfy your sweet tooth anytime you’re nearby for a visit.

La Petite Sophie Patisserie

This little French bakery offers a wide variety of sweet and savory baked goods to suit a range of customers. One of the favorites is the croissant. If you’re in the mood for something savory for your breakfast or brunch, the spinach croissant will melt in your mouth. An almond croissant is sure to suit your sweet tooth. You’ll find plenty of other options as well, including kouign amann, brioche buns and more paired with coffee or tea.

Metairie, Louisiana is the heart of Jefferson Parish and is the first suburb of New Orleans. Due to its close proximity to New Orleans, Metairie shares its rich culture and has participated in long-standing traditions such as Mardi Gras. Technically, Metairie is not a city but an unincorporated area within the parish. French settlers came to Metairie, then known as Tchoupitoulas, in the 1720s. Metairie’s development can be traced back to a road created by the Acolapissa Native Americans from a natural levee formed by Bayou Metairie which is a branch of the Mississippi River. This became Metairie Road once it was paved in the 1920s. The town that was built around this road is now referred to as “Old Metairie”. Development expanded after World War II in the north and northwest of Old Metairie, but the city did not see rapid growth until the 1940s. This rise in development came after cypress swamps between Lake Pontchartrain and Metairie Ridge were drained, creating a newly habitable area.

How Metairie Got Its Name

The name Metairie is derived from the French word for farm. Over 200 years ago, Louisiana’s French settlers began describing certain farmlands near New Orleans as Metairie. Throughout the years, Metairie would be referred to other names such as Maitery, Maiterie, and Meteria. A farm owned by the Chain brothers near Bayou Choupic was named La Metairie, and the road running alongside Bayou Choupic became known as Metairie Road. This area greatly expanded over the years and is known today as Metairie, and Metairie Road is still a main roadway used to connect Metairie to the nearby city of New Orleans

Current Day Metairie

Today, you can find various storefronts, professional buildings, and shopping centers while traveling down Metairie Road. On Causeway Boulevard, you will find the Lakeside Shopping Center which happens to be one of the oldest and largest shopping malls in Louisiana. Throughout the years, Metairie’s historical residential base has shifted to include shopping centers, retail malls, nightclubs, office buildings, and other centers of entertainment. You will also find the offices and practice fields of the New Orleans Saints along with the baseball stadium of the New Orleans Zephyrs located in Metairie. Metairie may be very close to New Orleans, but it is not located in Orleans Parish. Metairie is governed by the Council of Jefferson Parish, and not controlled by a police jury or city council

The western boundary of Metairie is marked by the New Orleans International Airport which is located in Kenner, Louisiana, while the east boundary is established by New Orleans. When Traveling down Veterans Boulevard or I10 to visit New Orleans or other surrounding cities you will pass through the area of Metairie. Although not being an official city, Metairie is home to many small businesses, shops, restaurants, and homes. Next time you drive your vehicle throughout the town of Kenner or the City of New Orleans, keep a lookout for the historical area of Metairie.