Kenner Louisiana

Kenner Louisiana is located to the northwest of New Orleans and just west of the suburb of Metairie. It is wedged between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, and the Louis Armstrong International Airport is located within its limits. One of the Kenner attractions is the airport itself, which is only twelve miles (a 15- to 30-minute drive) from the French Quarter. There are numerous deluxe Kenner hotels around the airport that provide easy access to New Orleans, but are inexpensive when compared to the luxury hotels in the city. You'll even find camping areas that cater to both tents and recreational vehicles here, which is a good way to save money if you're enjoying family vacations on a budget.

The proximity to Lake Pontchartrain also provides things to do in Kenner that include excellent fishing, a number of golf courses, and a cycling and jogging path along the lakeshore. Also on the lake here is the Pontchartrain Center, a convention center and sports venue with more than 70,000 square feet of space. More than 400 special events are held in this state of the art center throughout the year.

The city was founded in 1855, when the land that is now Kenner Louisiana consisted of three riverside sugar plantations. At the time much of what was north of today's airport was swampland that bordered the lake, and there are still rich swamps and bayous just to the west. These are great for guided fishing and wildlife tours that search for unique native species like alligators and a plethora of birdlife. In the early part of the twentieth century, streetcars connected this rural area to Canal Street in New Orleans. Much of the swampland between the airport and the lake was drained, filled, and developed, helping fuel the rapid growth of this suburb.

There are plenty of other Kenner attractions to enjoy. One of the Lake Pontchartrain casinos (the Treasure Chest Casino) is here, located in a classic paddlewheel steamboat. There are several interesting museums, including the Mardi Gras Museum that chronicles the history of one of the world's most famous carnivals.

Other things to do in Kenner include visiting the area of Rivertown, which is located on the river along Williams Boulevard just south of the airport. This is a sixteen-block area that is part of the Kenner Louisiana history, concentrated around what was the new town's Main Street. Here are a number of good dining spots, art galleries, and great boutiques. More excellent shopping is available at the Esplanade Mall just north of the airport.

Other Kenner attractions in Rivertown are the Kenner Planetarium and dome cinema and the Space Science Museum. Things to do in Kenner that will keep the children on family vacations occupied for hours include visiting the Louisiana Toy Train Museum (also in Rivertown). Here is an extensive collection of toy trains and working models, as well as a half scale locomotive, caboose, and circus car. The little ones will delight in the diner car, where make believe meals can be ordered and served.