Jefferson Parish , Louisiana
Jefferson Parish , the Gateway to New Orleans begins on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain and ends sixty miles later on the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. The Jefferson Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau website offers complete and up to date travel information including accommodations, restaurants, attractions, and special events. The website also contains information on area weather, maps and other helpful travel aids for what ever you need for an exciting experience.
Named for the onetime president of the Illinois Central Railroad, James Harahan, Harahan and the adjacent communities of Elmwood, Jefferson and River Ridge are pleasant regions nestled at the bend of the Mississippi River. Although primarily residential, these areas contain a large shopping center, restaurants, industrial and office parks. The AMC Palace Theater in Elmwood is ranked #7 nationally! These areas are also home to world-renowned Ochsner Foundation Clinic and Hospital, Jefferson Parish's headquarters and the newly established University of New Orleans' Nims Center's Film Studio.
The name Gretna, immortalized by a popular play from the last century, recalls Gretna Green, Scotland - a haven for young couples who wish to elope. Gretna captures this romantic history by offering Valentine's Day weddings at its Gretna Green Blacksmith Shop. Gretna welcomed German immigrants to the West Bank and their story, along with the earlier migration into southeast Louisiana, is magnificently told in the German American Cultural Center. Gretna was also an important railroad center. In the city's historic area, one can find the oldest Firehouse in America - the David Crockett Fire Company #1, complete with a museum and a blacksmith shop that recall the area's nineteenth century heyday. Gretna's historic area is home to several charming shops and restaurants, as well as the Jefferson Parish courthouse and other public, historical buildings. |
