Westbank - Gretna, LA Area Guide

Much of the land in Westbank and in many other places in Louisiana was owned by one man, John McDonogh. McDonogh held sway as one of the world's largest private landowners until his death in 1850. His home, once located on the river south of Algiers Point, no longer exists, due to the land being washed away over time. His grave, however, still exists in the McDonogh Cemetery in Gretna.

New Orleans is a hub for museums of all shapes and sizes. Visit Mardi Gras museums, history museums, art museums and religious museums, all located near the Westbank area. Visit the Gretna Farmers Market when the regular monthly Arts Walk is in session. Here, local artists set up exhibits weekly to showcase their work to the public.

Residents from the Westbank area head to the Gretna neighborhood for a wide variety of cuisines. Choose from Vietnamese, Southern, Indian, Mexican and new American, as well as Cajun and Creole.

After visiting the Gretna Farmers Market on a Saturday, walk directly across the street to Common Grounds Coffeehouse & Cafe for steaming hot breakfasts served until 2 p.m. For generous portions of Indian food, head over to Saffron Nola for a huge plate of chicken tikka masala. Sample tuna chimichurri, tamarind shrimp and other delicacies from the seasonal, ever-changing menu.

Head down to O'Brien's Grille for a crawfish boil with risotto, or try the eggplant and spinach served with crispy oysters and blue cheese. Residents declare this place has the best food in New Orleans. Try unique dishes such as the rabbit and sweet potato-stuffed gnocchi, the oysters O'Neal or the stuffed gulf shrimp. Savor the spices and flavors of this American-style New Orleans cuisine in a fine restaurant that caters to customers who have food allergies or special needs.

At night, locals head to the Naughty Knight Lounge in Gretna for inexpensive beer. On Saturdays, visit the Roaring 20's for dancing and tunes played on the jukebox.

Traveling in and around Westbank couldn’t be easier, New Orleans Public Transit Authority providing bus rides for $1.25 to anywhere you want to go in New Orleans. By car, Highways 90 and 61 will connect you with Interstate 310, 610 or 10, routes linking you throughout Louisiana.

The Algiers Ferry runs across the river to downtown New Orleans every day of the week. Cab companies with available cabs are plentiful — rides costing as little as $14 to the airport if you are open to carpooling with other passengers.

Westbank Cyclery, a shop in the neighborhood, caters to commuters who bike to work. Bicycling is popular in New Orleans, with a website devoted to riding in the Big Easy providing workshops, group rides and information on how to further improve the streets for more cyclists.

Jefferson Parish contains The Louis Armstrong International Airport, making flying to international and domestic locations a cinch. Residents can walk to local amenities, such as the Gretna Farmers Market and Art Walk.

Take your canine to on-leash dog parks available in Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Metairie or Algiers or to the NOLA City Bark for off-leash romping, available to those who buy a permit.

New Orleans City Park has 1,300 acres of land and is one of the nation’s oldest urban parks. It holds the world’s largest stand of mature live oaks. The 6th largest and the 7th most visited park in the United States, New Orleans City Park contains art throughout its sprawling green open area. Biking, jogging and walking paths are available to all who visit. Take your kids for a ride on one of the flying horses of the 100-year-old antique wooden carousel. For the active, utilize the free outdoor exercise equipment. Practice your serve on one of 26 tennis courts or hit the links on City Park’s new 18-hole golf course.

New Orleans is famous for a slew of annual events, including the famous Mardi Gras, taking place in the beginning part of year. The best time to partake in this festival is the weekend before it, when the entire city celebrates with colorful parades and festive celebrations.

Don't miss the New Orleans Heritage & Jazz Festival, an annual celebration of the music and culture of New Orleans. This 10-day festival takes place on a gargantuan plot of land filled with visiting bands playing music from genres of all styles from all over the world.

Cost of living averages that of living anywhere else in New Orleans. The standard fare for a one-way trip on a bus or streetcar is $1.25. Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment comes in at around $665. Gas prices in this area of New Orleans run 8 percent lower than the national average. Beer at a downtown pub will cost you anywhere from $5 to $9 for a 16-ounce draft fresh from the bar.

Oakwood Center in Gretna features department stores such as Dillard's, Sears and J.C. Penney, along with a food court and an Italian restaurant.

Head to the Irish Channel, The Warehouse District, The Lower Garden District or Touro for your boutique shopping needs. The Lili Vintage Boutique, a must-visit for hat fanatics, also sells used and new clothing in top-fashion styles. Kawaii NOLA sells Japanese-brand Hello Kitty-themed clothing and accessories from its storefront on East Riverside. Cute and unique accessories and figurines line the inside of this adorable hole-in-the-wall boutique shop.

Pick up your groceries at Ideal Market in Terrytown or Rouses in Gretna. Manhattan Food Store, located in Harvey, sells fresh deli treats locals rave about, including the pork chop sandwich on toast. Get your freshly grown vegetables and fruit, including tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, eggplant and satsumas, from Louisiana farmers at the tri-weekly Gretna Louisiana Farmers Market.