Jefferson Parish
Jefferson Parish is in Louisiana, in the Greater New Orleans region. The parish seat is Gretna, located on the Westbank.
Regions
Locations within Jefferson Parish, like all of the New Orleans metropolitan area, can be conveniently thought of in terms of their relation to the Mississippi River. Locals frequently divide the parish into the Eastbank (on the north-ish side) and the Westbank (on the south-ish side of the river).
Understand
Most of the population of Jefferson Parish are in the communities adjacent to New Orleans and along the Mississippi River. The Parish also includes smaller communities along the bayous and bays stretching south to the Gulf of Mexico.
Other destinations
- Barataria Preserve 6588 Barataria Boulevard, south of Marrero near Crown Point. Part of the Jean Lafitte National Park system. Trails and elevated boardwalks through forest, wetland, bayous, and swamp. One can often see wild alligators in the water under the foot bridges. Especially impressive in the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom. Free. Open 9a-5p every day except for Christmas and Mardi Gras. From New Orleans: Take the Crescent City Connection Bridge across the Mississippi and get on the West Bank Expressway. Exit at Barataria Boulevard, turn south and follow the signs. Tel. 689-3690
Get in
Greater New Orleans' main airport, Armstrong International, is in Kenner.
Interstate 10 runs through the Eastbank.
U.S. Highway 90 runs through the Westbank; for much of the distance it has a limited-access elevated freeway down the center, the "Westbank Expressway".