New Orleans Louisiana

Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans has long been the largest city in Louisiana, and one of the premier cities in the world.

"The Big Easy" is situated on curves on the Mississippi River, and also called "The Crescent City".

It is the site the French Quarter, Canal Street, and has been the locale of many world-class hotels over the years such as the Roosevelt Hotel, Jung and the Monteleone. Also located downtown is the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints NFL team and the site of several Super Bowls, including the 2013 Super Bowl.

As New Orleans grew, suburbs such as Metairie, Kenner, Gentilly, Harahan, Westwego and others were developed.

Metairie

Metairie, the first surburb of New Orleans, is located on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain, between New Orleans and the City of Kenner.

Located in Jefferson Parish, Metairie has a population of about 450,000 residents.

Jefferson Parish straddles the Mississippi River and includes towns and cities which are governed by their respective local governments, including the cities of Kenner and Harahan on the east bank, Gretna and Westwego on the west bank, and Grand Isle on the Gulf of Mexico.

Metairie is not a city and it has no mayor or local government of its own. As part of Jefferson Parish, Metairie is governed by the Jefferson Parish Council. 

Kenner

Kenner, a surburb of New Orleans, is located on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain, near New Orleans and Metairie.

Kenner is the home of Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY), formerly known as Moisant Field.

Located in Jefferson Parish, Kenner has a population of about 70,000 residents. 

Vintage postcard of the Jung Hotel, Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana "The South's Largest and Finest Hotel"

Kenner was founded in 1855 by Minor Kenner on three former plantations. As New Orleans grew, "surburban" areas like Kenner flourished during the 1930s, as automobiles became a more dominant and affordable means of transportation, and more highways were constructed. Airline Highway, U.S. Highway 61, boomed.

Growth of the Lodging Industry in New Orleans

New Orleans has always been a popular tourist destination, and great structures such as the Jung Hotel, the Roosevelt Hotel, and the Hotel Monteleone have served their guests for decades.

During the 1930s, as automobiles became a more dominant and affordable means of transportation, and more highways were constructed, tourist courts were built, offering the privacy and comfort of a one-room accommodation.

Whether they were called courts, cottages, cabins, or lodges, they offered similar amenities.

Gradually a newer, but similar, concept evolved: the motel, between an auto tourist camp and the traditional downtown hotel. And many adopted the "art deco" theme popular at the time.

Historic Postcards of the New Orleans area

You can also view more New Orleans and Louisiana area tourist courts and motels.