Jefferson, just a beat away from downtown New Orleans, invites you to experience a world of winding nature trails, an array of tantalizing restaurants and fantastic shopping where you will uncover museums, theaters, historic districts and more.  Jefferson Parish sprawls the Mighty Mississippi to encompass diverse cultures from coastal Grand Isle to metropolitan New Orleans.

Jefferson is home to one of Louisiana’s largest national historic districts, downtown Gretna.  Here you will find the nation’s oldest fire station housing the Louisiana Fire Museum, the German-American Cultural Center, the Gretna Green Blacksmith Shop and much more.  Gretna is also home of the Jefferson Memorial Arch (c.1923), dedicated to those that were lost in the battles of the War Between the States, the Spanish American War, and World War I & II. 

Rivertown is a sixteen block historic district along the bank of the Mississippi River in the city of Kenner.  This quaint locale includes the Mardi Gras Museum, the Children’s Castle, Cannes Brulee Native American Village, the Louis J. Roussel Jr. Planetarium & MegaDome Cinema, the Louisiana Toy Train Museum and more.  Treat yourself to boutique shopping, fine dining and don’t miss the view of the Mississippi from LaSalle’s Landing. 

Westwego’s historic district offers a captivating look into the area documenting the major events of this charming city.  You will step back in time at the Westwego Historical Museum. This museum houses an early twentieth-century hardware store and living quarters with period furnishings.  Take a ride on the wild side by delving into the swamps of our bayous. You’ll find entertainment at Teatro Wego Dinner Theatre, where guests can dine and enjoy a performance by the Jefferson Performing Arts Society.  The Westwego Farmers & Fisheries Market offers an open market featuring fresh local produce, seafood, an outdoor amphitheater and arts and crafts. 

 Experience Sportsman’s Paradise in Jefferson as you tap into your adventurous side.  Overnight in Bayou Segnette State Park in a waterfront cabin or utilize the RV and primitive camping sites.  Grand Isle State Park features sandy beaches along the Gulf of Mexico.  Grand Isle is the unofficial capital of summer fishing rodeos where there is something for everyone and you are sure to pass a good time.  The Barataria Preserve of the Jean Lafitte National Park offers winding nature trails, canoeing and various hunting seasons.  In Lafitte, fish with the best aboard a charter boat.

Jefferson is home to over 150 festivals each year.  Our festivals are a celebration of our rich culture where you’ll find festivals of oysters, gumbo, pecans, the Cypress Swamp and everything in between.   Family Gras, Jefferson’s newest festival, is the celebration of carnival with a little lagniappe.  Experience the pageantry of carnival parades, live concerts by national and local artists and costuming. 

Experience Jefferson and let us give you a whole new meaning to what you know as New Orleans.  Jefferson, so close…and yet a world away.

For more information visit www.experiencejefferson.com or call us toll-free 877-572-7474.