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.
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.
Named for the legendary pirate who once made his hideaway here, the town of Jean Lafitte is a waterway refuge rich in Louisiana culture. You can explore the bayou country, dance to Cajun music or stay overnight at one of the many inns that overlooks the marshes of the breathtaking Bayou Barataria Basin. A thriving fishing village since the 1700's, the Barataria region is still the point of departure for fishermen and their trawling nets filled with shrimp, crab and oysters. You, too, can experience some of the best fishing in Louisiana, whether by boat, private charter or atop Lafitte's public fishing pier. Lafitte is an excellent way to be immersed in the beauty and mystique of Louisiana wildlife.
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