Kenner, LA

The history of Kenner dates back to the expedition of LaSalle down the Mississippi River in 1682, during which time the area was claimed for France. Over the years, numerous plantations were built in the area, and Kenner — then “Cannes Brulee” — became an agricultural center. However, the establishment of the streetcar system, the addition of an airport, and the building of I-10 over the years all cemented Kenner’s status as a major suburb of New Orleans.

At Rivertown, you can experience the rich history of Kenner and visit a number of museums, including a Planetarium and Mega-Dome. Also at Rivertown one can find the performing arts theater, a venue that hosts incredible plays and musicals year-round. Unsurprisingly, the area also plays host to Kenner’s numerous annual festivals and events, such as the Italian Heritage Festival and Christmas Village.

As expected of a spot so close to the Louisiana shore, two types of cuisine reign supreme in Kenner: seafood and Cajun. However, plenty of other great restaurants are rife for gastronomic exploration, offering up BBQ, Asian, Mexican, and much more. When it comes to nightlife, you will get far more in the way of smoky bars than rocking nightclubs. However, numerous options abound, and you can easily find plenty of specialty bars serving up daiquiris and other drink specials.

When in search of a great bite to eat, you never have to look far. Restaurants in Kenner dot the landscape. At Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar, you can sample an authentic Po Boy topped with your choice of succulent shrimp, tender soft shell crab, or spicy sausage, just to name a few of the options available to you. Or if down home fare happens to be more to your taste, check out Dot’s Diner. The Catfish Orleans comes topped with Crawfish Julie sauce for a slightly sweet, slightly savory, 100 percent New Orleans flavor experience. For an intimate night out with the best Italian fare Kenner has to offer, make sure to stop by Ristorante da Piero. Its chefs craft the pasta in-house, which provides the perfect accompaniment for the rich cream sauce used in dishes like their Gnocchi con Gorgonzola.

A handful of venues host live music on a regular basis, and the locals know to keep their eyes open to see when the hottest local and regional acts are playing in the area. If you’re a music lover, head to Southshore Tavern, and listen to a DJ spin the hottest tunes. Spots like The Tavern on Vets cater to the locals with great food, drink specials, pool tables, darts, and of course televisions to watch the latest UFC fights. The variety of bars and clubs makes it easy to find a favorite.

Most Kenner residents get where they need to go by car, though other options exist. Kenner connects to the Jefferson Transit bus system, which offers transport through the Jefferson Parish area and all the way to New Orleans, making it a convenient spot for those who want to go without a car every so often. However, most will need a car, as the bus line only services the urbanized parts of the parish.

Those in need of a cab should be ready to call ahead of time for taxi service, as you will not be able to hail one. And at the moment, Uber does not offer service to Kenner residents. Free public parking can be found throughout the area. As for accessibility in your car, I-10 runs straight through Kenner, a fact that makes it easy to reach the major interstate system.

Though Kenner generally is not very pedestrian friendly, there are neighborhoods within Kenner that will allow you to run a fair number of daily errands without the use of a car. The main city streets do not boast bike lanes, so cyclists should use caution when riding on the main roads.

Two parks are available in Kenner: Veteran’s Memorial Park and Kenner City Park. Veteran’s Memorial Park appeals to history lovers for its displays of war memorabilia, including a fighter jet and cannons. At Kenner City Park, enjoy the scenic pond and walking trails. Both open to the public for free year-round. Playgrounds for children can be found throughout Kenner. As for pets, though the parks welcome well-behaved dogs, no dedicated dog parks exist in Kenner. A special Memorial Day event is held annually at Veteran’s Memorial Park, and various other events occur at the parks throughout the year. None of the parks happen to be exercise oriented, but plenty of walking and biking trails make it easy to get a workout.

Kenner comes in right around the national average in terms of cost of living, making it a little more expensive to live in than other New Orleans neighborhoods. A trip to New Orleans will require a fare of $2, although a pass can be purchased for $60 for frequent travelers and commuters. The price can range pretty widely for a one-bedroom in the area, though $800 per month can be expected to rent the average apartment. On an evening out, expect to pay about $4 for a pint at the local bar or $2 if you make it during happy hour. As for gas, expect to pay about 11 percent below the national average.

To see the top spot for shopping in Kenner, head to The Esplanade Mall, which features over 100 stores, including some of the biggest retailers around. Shops in the area do not typically cater towards the luxury crowd, though neighboring New Orleans makes it easy to find high-value shopping. Smaller specialty shops and boutiques include Sylvester's Western Wear, which provides you with a one-stop shop for all your boot-scootin' Western apparel needs, from cowboy hats to boots and spurs. Groceries can be found at supermarkets throughout the area, including Albertson's, Save-A-Lot, and Circle M among others. For fresh produce, the Rivertown Farmer's Market opens on the first and third of every month.