Kenner is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the greater New Orleans area.This culturally rich city is located in Jefferson Parish--a subdivision of New Orleans. Kenner spans from Lake Pontchartrain to the Mississippi river and is only a fifteen minute ride from downtown New Orleans. Wide streets, big yards, and newer homes makes Kenner ideal for families or anyone who prefers a quieter, suburban setting.
Geographic Boundaries
Kenner is located on the west side of the New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner metro area, in Jefferson Parish. Its northern boundary is Lake Pontchartrain, to the south is the Mississippi River, the unincorporated areas of Metairie and River Ridge are to the east, and St. Charles Parish is to the west. Zip codes for Kenner include 70062 and 70065.
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History of Kenner
This area was originally inhabited by the Tchoupitoulas Indians. It was actually the first place the Europeans came to settle in the 1600s. In 1855, a man named Minor Kenner settled the city by purchasing a large piece of land that contained several plantations. Kenner had a railroad line in the 1800s and later, a streetcar line ran from Williams Boulevard to Rampart Street in New Orleans to from 1915-1931.Though this streetcar served the people who lived there, it also functioned to transport produce from Kenner to New Orleans’ French Market.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, known as Moisant Airport at the time, was built in Kenner in 1940. While there was some expansion in this area, much of it remained fairly swampy until the late 1950s when developers drained it to begin building homes and ten years later, the I-10. As the city grew, a convention center and major hospital, Kenner Regional Hospital, rounded out the services offered here.
When Hurricane Katrina came in 2005, Kenner was not seriously impacted. However, there was a large influx of construction workers who made Kenner their home base as they worked in the surrounding areas. Most of these people were Hispanic or Latin American and for those who stayed, many made Kenner their home. Today, Kenner has the largest Hispanic/Latin population in the greater New Orleans area.
Architecture Then and Now
Overall, the architecture of Kenner skews toward more contemporary homes compared to other neighborhoods in New Orleans. Primarily developed in the fifties, Kenner homes are brick ranch style and some neighborhoods have track housing that was popular in the 1960s. As is typical with a suburb, the lots in Kenner are large, which means big front and back yards and space between houses. Near Lake Pontchartrain, there are grander two and three stories homes, many of which afford a view of the beautiful lake.
Kenner’s architecture has remained the same over time, with people making updates to homes but largely leaving the structure intact. Multi-family homes and apartment complexes sprung up in the eighties and nineties, giving a wider range of options for residents. The ratio of homeowners and renters is about 50/50 in Kenner.
Features of the Neighborhood
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
If you live in Kenner, you’re a hop, skip, and jump from the newly renovated Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Eleven miles from Downtown New Orleans, this airport has 35 gates and is the primary airport for the city. This international airport currently has 16 airlines and serves 56 nonstop destinations worldwide.
Pontchartrain Convention and Civic Center
The Pontchartrain Convention and Civic Center is a 4600 seat multi-purpose arena that hosts concerts and local sporting events. Its 46,080 square feet of space is used for conventions and trade shows as well. On any given day, you might find a bead and gem show, the AKC Lagniappe Classic Dog Show, or New Orleans Comic Con.
Rivertown
Located a stone’s throw from the Mississippi River, Kenner’s Rivertown is a historic and cultural center. This 16-block historic district includes the Kenner Planetarium, Megadome Cinema, Rivertown Space Science Complex, the Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts, the Castle Theater, and LaSalle's Landing. There’s always something fun going on in Rivertown, and much of the activities are tailored to families. The Rivertown Theater offers an exciting season of plays that everyone can enjoy.
Treasure Chest Casino
The Treasure Chest Casino is a festive riverboat casino that offers 24,000 square feet of games. It is docked on the lakefront in Kenner. With lots of slots and blackjack and roulette tables, the Treasure Chest Casino has enough games to spend an evening here and hopefully hit it big. Local bands play regularly and in addition to the casino’s two restaurants, they’re known for having delicious boiled crawfish in the spring.
Shops
Kenner has a mix of shops ranging from large chain stores like Walmart and Target to smaller, more specialized stores. The Esplanade Outlet Mall contains several budget-friendly retail stores as well as a food court. Here are a handful of shopping options in Kenner:
Restaurants
Kenner is one of the best neighborhoods to find ethnic cuisine in New Orleans. Host to many small cafes and restaurants, Kenner offers everything from pupusas to tacos, kebabs to sushi. And because it’s flanked by water, you can be sure to find some delicious seafood here as well. Some of these restaurants are small and relatively unknown, making them the best-kept secrets of this city. Here are some Kenner restaurants:
Schools
While Kenner has a handful of middle and high schools, like Bonnabel Magnet Academy High School, it is best known for its ample offering of elementary schools. Schools include a range of public, magnet, charter, private, and parochial:
To do
There are many outdoor spaces in Kenner including either levee (by the lake or the river) to several small parks scattered throughout town. If you feel like taking your chances on the slot machines at the Treasure Chest Casino or playing a round of golf at the Chateau Golf and Country Club, Kenner has you covered there too. Some of the other things to do include:
Explore Kenner
Kenner is the ideal neighborhood if you are looking for a place where your family can ride bikes or if you’d enjoy walking your dog on the levee. Away from the bustle of the city but still close enough to drive in for work or a Saints game, you’ll find a quiet, safe environment here. If you’re interested in buying, renting, or selling a home in Kenner, our team can help you find exactly what you’re looking for and are ready to start looking with you today.
