Old Aurora - New Orleans, LA Area Guide

In 1719, on the west bank of the Mississippi river, Jean Baptiste le Moyne, Sieur De Bienville, was granted land including Old Aurora. The land, dating back to this time, was called Algiers. One rumor claims that the name Algiers was a comparison between the proximity this location has with New Orleans, compared with France’s proximity to Algeria. Algiers grew quickly after the completion of the Greater New Orleans bridge, now the Crescent City Connection, across the Mississippi River in 1958.

Take part in arts and cultural events hosted by The Algiers Point Association, including a mini Mardi Gras for children and Octoberfest. Indulge in music at an eight-week concert series that includes wine, art, music and food -- Wednesdays on the Point -- taking place at Algier’s Point Ferry Landing. Make sure to stop by the National WWII Museum or the Louisiana Children’s Museum.

Dig into finger-licking Cajun and Creole cuisines without leaving the neighborhood. Small family-owned establishments spread throughout the area. Bars in and around the neighborhood provide live entertainment when you want to get out of the house without going too far from home. Chubbie's Fried Chicken, a tiny hole-in-the-wall stand open on weekdays, sells fried chicken meals by the box. Get your fried chicken, then choose from one of the many sides, including coleslaw, potato salad, mashed potatoes and corn on the cob. Italian food lovers head over to The Olive Branch to savor crawfish, chicken and sausage pasta followed up with giant slices of bread pudding. This local favorite also serves up some of the best pizza in the area, and its takeout menu lets you grab a personal pie to go when in a rush.

Without close attention, you might miss The Kitchen completely. Tucked into a small strip mall, this establishment's art motif inside complements jazz music playing on the stereo. Choose from Creole-influenced entrees such as blackened chicken and liver with mash. When it comes to night life, head to Rockin Rumors, where you can dance the night away or play some games of pool, darts, or on the arcade machines.

Paved sidewalks lining the street throughout Old Aurora make walking around the neighborhood a cinch.

The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) system connects the neighborhood to downtown New Orleans, through a network of trolleys and buses that cover ground practically anywhere you could want to travel. A few cab companies, including United Cabs, and Uber service the neighborhood when you need a ride to the airport, just make sure to call ahead beforehand.

By car, LA 428 connects you with US 90, which takes you to Interstate 610 and Interstate 10. You can also find parking easily within the neighborhood.

Picking which park to visit remains your only problem when seeking outdoor activities in Algiers.

The Lakewood Golf Club sells monthly memberships for as low as $30 to Louisiana residents who want to access the 18-hole course.

Behrman Memorial park, located in the greater Algiers area, has a swimming pool, a gym and a football field for those exercise-minded individuals.

Brechtel Park -- accessible for free on weekdays and open year-round -- entices birdwatchers who come to feed the ducks and geese living in the lagoons and native trees. Host a picnic, play on the playground, or climb one of many tall mounds in this 110-acre open space.

Take your canine to NOLA City Bark Dog Park. An annual permit for $48 gives you access to a clean, pristine dog park with agility courses, pools and open play areas.

Attend one of New Orleans many famous annual events, including Mardi Gras, for a cultural extravaganza. Visitors in the know realize that the best time to partake in this festival proves the weekend before it, when the entire city celebrates with festive, stimulating parades. The New Orleans Heritage & Jazz Festival, an annual celebration of the music and culture of New Orleans, takes place over a 10-day period, featuring music from the area and beyond.

Cost of living in Old Aurora sits slightly higher than that of New Orleans. A one-bedroom apartment rents for an average of $604 a month and gas prices cost 8 percent less than the national average. Beer at a downtown pub costs you between $5 and $9, and $1.25 buys you a single fare on public transportation to get to the city center.

The Oakwood shopping center in nearby Gretna contains many department, specialty and designer box stores, including Dillard’s, Sears and JC Penney, as well as a food court.

Locals shop at Winn-Dixie, a southern chain with affordable prices for bulk grocery needs. Grab a new set of shoes at Famous Footwear and a new dress at Ross both located in the Village Aurora Shopping Center with Winn-Dixie. For meat, sandwich and deli fixings, hit Jeanfreau Grocery Mart on Paris Road. Make sure to sample the chicken salad.

Vibrant clothing boutiques can be found in the Warehouse District and French Quarter Districts of New Orleans. Hemline, a high-end boutique in the French Quarter, carries the latest fashions from clothing lines such as Nanette Lepore, Tracy Reese and Amanda Uprichard.

The Gretna Farmer’s Market located in Gretna supplies fresh produce to those seeking goods from local farmers, year-round in an open-air space.