Kenner is the largest incorporated city of Jefferson Parish in Louisiana, bordered by Lake Pontchartrain to the north and the Mississippi River to the south.
Historically referred to as “Cannes Brulee” during the 1700s, it’s said to be the first land in the New Orleans metropolitan area where Europeans set foot.
Kenner was founded in 1855 on the land comprised of three plantations owned by the Kenner family.
Home to the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, you’ll encounter several attractions in the city that are family-friendly, great for outdoor recreation, and exudes rich history and culture.
Have fun while learning as you tour Rivertown, its 12-block historic district along the shores of the Mississippi River and minutes away from downtown New Orleans.
See what’s happening inside Pontchartrain Convention and Civic Center near Lake Pontchartrain, and unwind in the city’s beautiful parks and other indoor attractions.
Enjoy several great restaurants and shops to complete your adventure in the city.
Read more to learn about the best things to do in Kenner, Louisiana.
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Heritage Park is another feature of Rivertown that replicates a village scene of the past and where many of the city’s special events and celebrations occur.
As you take a relaxing walk on the manicured pathways, admire the interesting buildings you’ll come across, like a 1930’s era gas station, a packing shed from the turn of the century, and an ice house.
Don your best outfit and take Instagrammable photos near the beautiful pond and bridge close to the replica of St. Mary’s Church, the first Catholic church in the city.
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In December, feel the spirit of Christmas in Heritage Park on Fourth Street, which hosts Kenner’s Christmas Village.
Enjoy the dazzling light display, entertaining performances, warm music, and special appearance from Santa Claus.
Stay tuned to the city’s website and social media accounts to discover what’s happening in Heritage Park during your visit.
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Embrace the great outdoors of Louisiana by navigating the Mississippi River Trail accessible from Rivertown.
A system of disconnected, paved trails on the levees, the Mississippi River Trail comes by many other local names like New Orleans Levee Top Trail, Levee Bike Path, and Mississippi Levee Trail.
Outdoor lovers usually traverse the segment from Audubon Park in New Orleans to Bonnet Carré Spillway in St. Charles Parish.
There’s a paved trail great for walking and biking atop the levee on Rivertown.
Cycle your way to Audubon Zoo in uptown New Orleans and catch stunning views of the mighty Mississippi River when you hit Colonial Golf & Country Club in Harahan along the trail.
You may also start with a visit to Audubon Zoo and then head towards Rivertown to unwind at La Salle’s Landing.
This scenic route stretches approximately 12 miles long.
If you’re a fan of theatrical performances, Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts delivers an amazing lineup of productions on Minor Street.
Renowned theatre artists Gary Rucker and Kelly Fouchi established the performing arts theater, then known as Theatre 13, in 2009 to promote the art form in New Orleans and cultivate local theatre artists’ talents.
Both are founding members of FourFront Theatre, which has also delivered many successful productions for arts and theater enthusiasts.
Experience the magic of live theater by watching at Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts!
Choose from various shows ranging from musicals to thought-provoking works; there are also performances that tickle children’s imaginations.
Fill your day with creativity at the sight of well-thought set design and colorful costumes of stage actors, and reflect on the character’s journey in the story.
For an “out-of-this-world” experience, don’t miss Kenner Planetarium and MegaDome Cinema while in Rivertown!
This attraction features a 50-foot domed screen and 118 stadium-style seats.
Explore the wonders of the universe by watching presentations related to astronomy and learn more from the knowledgeable staff.
Be fascinated by laser lights and music at the laser light shows at Kenner Planetarium and MegaDome Cinema.
Visit the planetarium and mega dome on Fourth Street for fun and educational activities, especially for the kids!
Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
One of Rivertown’s famous attractions is La Salle’s Landing, which marks the first land in the metropolitan area where Europeans set foot.
You’ll discover it at the end of Williams Boulevard, which meets the levee on the Mississippi River.
In 1682, French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, led an expedition down the waterway and claimed the Louisiana territory in the name of France.
Revisit the past at La Salle’s Landing and look for the flags of 10 different countries under which Kenner lived through.
Stroll on the levee and rest on the benches while watching the marine vessels that sail on the beautiful river.
Marvel at the sculpture representing the first world heavyweight boxing championship fight—“Gypsy” Jem Mace and Tom Allen fought at this site in 1870.
Keep the excitement going at Rivertown Space Science Complex, which gives you a chance to navigate further the world of science.
Rivertown Space Science Complex displays various exhibits on different fields of science that will expand your understanding of the world.
Try your forecasting skills in the interactive weather exhibit with green screen technology, and be like an explorer as you dig dinosaur bones in a tabletop sand pit.
Don’t miss the highlight of Rivertown Space Science Complex, the Space Station exhibit, where you can tour a full-sized prototype of NASA International Space Station.
Experience what it’s like to be an astronaut and know more about space travel and technology!
Tickets can be purchased in the lobby of Kenner Planetarium.
Louisiana is among the largest seafood producers in the United States; thus, you can expect to find here several delectable seafood restaurants.
In Kenner, Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar is one of the local favorites that’s been in service for over 30 years.
Head to the Williams Boulevard restaurant and taste superior-quality seafood sourced from the southeastern Louisiana area.
Satisfy your hunger with Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar’s mouthwatering dishes highlighting the flavors of oysters, shrimps, lobster, and other shellfish and fish.
One of the restaurant’s specialties is the swamp platter with a fried alligator, crawfish tails, frog legs, turtle soup, and more.
Have a bite of a po-boy, a sandwich from the state that comes with seafood, chicken, ham, sausage, or beef at Harbor Seafood & Oyster Bar.
Complete your dining experience with a sip of their nautical-themed specialty drinks and relish a dessert for your sweet tooth.
Located on Williams Boulevard, AMF All Star Lanes is a go-to place for game entertainment.
Get some bowling action with your family and friends at AMF All Star Lanes, which encompasses 64 bowling lanes with modern equipment and amenities.
Buy food and drinks for snacks while having a blast on the bowling lanes.
You’ll likewise find a pro shop for bowling gear and equipment.
Play old-school classics and state-of-the-art video games in the arcade, or show off your trick shots in billiards and pool.
AMF All Star Lanes also has a sports bar where you can enjoy drinks and watch a game on its HD televisions.
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A short walk from Pontchartrain Convention and Civic Center stands Treasure Chest Casino with riverboat-styling features.
Step inside, and you’ll get a mix of vibes from Las Vegas, the Caribbean, Mardi Gras, and of course, New Orleans.
Experience 24,000 square feet of casino action along Lake Pontchartrain at Treasure Chest Casino on Williams Boulevard.
Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Look for your favorite slot machines and try your hand at its many table games like blackjack, mini-baccarat, roulette, craps, and card poker.
See if you are lucky in sports by betting with FanDuel Sportsbook, featuring a large video wall with more than 20 screens and a sports ticker.
In case you get hungry, Cafe Pontchartrain lets you order New Orleans favorites and eat in a casual setting.
Lake Pontchartrain is Louisiana’s largest inland body of water, encompassing 630 square miles.
Contrary to its name, it’s an estuary connected to the Gulf of Mexico, serving as home to several wildlife animals.
Discover picturesque views of Lake Pontchartrain by traversing Pontchartrain Lakefront Trail that hugs its southern shore.
Enjoy a gentle breeze as you trek on the paved trail sprawling from the west edge of Kenner to Bucktown.
Discover Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, the longest bridge over water that opened in 1956 and connects New Orleans to the North Shore communities.
Enjoy relaxation outdoors via Pontchartrain Lakefront Trail.
On the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, you’ll find the multi-purpose Pontchartrain Convention and Civic Center loaded with several events year-round.
Open since 1991, it encompasses 46,000 square feet of continuous space, meeting rooms, and halls.
You may catch big conventions, trade shows, entertaining performances, family-friendly shows, festive celebrations, sporting events, and more!
Some of the family shows presented here are the Jerusalem Shrine Circus and Discover the Dinosaur Unleashed, as well as concerts headlined by music legends.
Visit Pontchartrain Convention & Civic Center near Treasure Chest Casino and Hilton Garden Inn.
If you love beach volleyball, check out Coconut Beach Volleyball Complex, the largest sand volleyball complex in the United States.
It’s been welcoming sand volleyball in the New Orleans region since it was established in 1988.
Now it’s in Kenner on Coconut Beach Court, just minutes away from downtown New Orleans, boasting 20 courts and 100,000 square feet of outdoor man-made beach.
It also hosts leagues, tournaments, and events.
Get together with friends and play or cheer players in a beach volleyball game at Coconut Beach Volleyball Complex.
Hang out and chill at Coconut Beach Bar and Grill, which serves a variety of appetizers and snacks, burgers, salads, chicken sandwiches, tacos, and desserts.
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Also on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain is a 30-acre park for recreational activities on land and water.
Laketown is a nice place to spend a laidback afternoon, providing picnic shelters, play equipment, a fishier pier, and a boat launch to park-goers.
Pack your favorite snacks and drinks for an outdoor feast, and let the kids run around the playground.
Release your mind from stress as you stroll or ride a bike on the paved trail winding through the park.
Launch a boat and explore the waters of Lake Pontchartrain.
Aim for your best catch at the fishing pier while immersing in the breathtaking lakefront views at Laketown.
Laketown is open 24 hours on Williams Boulevard.
Kenner Seafood is a restaurant, market, and catering establishment specializing in Creole cooking and New Orleans delicacies.
You can dine here or find something to cook at home and heat and serve to your family and peers.
Kenner Seafood has an extensive menu that will satisfy your cravings—seafood, poultry, pasta, and meat dishes are available.
Whet your appetite with savory soups and side dishes, and dig into its Creole specialties such as jambalaya, stuffed artichokes, and seafood gumbo.
If you have room for more, taste one of its New Orleans-style po-boy sandwiches.
Enjoy your meal at Kenner Seafood along Loyola Drive.
Veteran’s Park is not your ordinary park as it takes you back in time with its outdoor museum, courtesy of Kenner Naval Museum Commission.
Take a closer look at a fighter jet, an attack jet, and two cannons displayed at the park.
You can also inspect a restored 1941 Dodge Army staff car and a war monument.
With its unique features, Veteran’s Park on Williams Boulevard is where the city holds Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day Memorial ceremonies.
Aside from exhibiting military memorabilia, the park also gives a glimpse into local history.
Reminisce the memories of Pontchartrain Beach, an amusement park from the 1920s to 1980s, with displays of a Bali Hai-style shelter and part of the Zephyr roller coaster.
As a large, bustling city in the state of Louisiana, there’s an array of activities to do in Kenner, whether you’re searching for outdoor recreation, educational experience, or entertainment.
There’s the historic district of Rivertown dotted with excellent attractions where you can travel back in time and hop on a one-of-a-kind adventure in the world of science.
Kenner also manages magnificent parks, providing recreational opportunities to families and different groups.
For entertainment and games, Pontchartrain Convention and Civic Center and Treasure Chest Casino are exciting spots that await.
Of course, there are must-visit dining spots to savor top-quality, fresh seafood in Louisiana.
Plan your next vacation with this list of the best things to do in Kenner, Louisiana!
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