Gretna, Louisiana
Gretna is a city of 17,389 people in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, founded in 1836.
Why visit Gretna
Townapedia lists 70 museums and landmarks, 19 parks and trails, 64 places to eat, 14 places to stay and 8 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include AMC Westbank Palace 16, French Opera House, 1010 Common and Adolph Meyer School.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 92°F; January lows average 45°F.
Weather in Gretna
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Gretna
Gretna is the second-largest city in, and parish seat of, Jefferson Parish in the U.S. state of Louisiana. Gretna lies on the west bank of the Mississippi River, just east and across the river from uptown New Orleans. It is part of the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner metropolitan statistical area. The population was 17,814 at the 2020 U.S. census.
From the Wikipedia article Gretna, Louisiana (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do8
French Opera House
Cinema and theater · 3.4 mi
Former theater in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Joy Theater
Cinema and theater · 3.4 mi
Theater, music venue and former movie theater in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre
Cinema and theater · 3.3 mi
Community theatre in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts
Cinema and theater · 3.8 mi
Theater in New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans University
School · 3.8 mi
Historically black college (1869–1935)
Théâtre de la Rue Saint Pierre
Cinema and theater · 2.9 mi
Former theater in New Orleans, Louisiana
Museums and landmarks70
1010 Common
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.3 mi
United States historic place
Adolph Meyer School
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.5 mi
United States historic place
Aldrich–Genella House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.5 mi
Historic house in New Orleans, Louisiana
Algiers Point
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.1 mi
Human settlement in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
Anshe Sfard
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.4 mi
Synagogue in the Garden District neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana
Bank of Louisiana
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.3 mi
Bank building in Louisiana, United States of America
Beauregard-Keyes House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.5 mi
House in Louisiana, United States of America
Bullitt-Longenecker House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.9 mi
Historic house in New Orleans, United States
Caesars Superdome
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.3 mi
Domed stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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Charity Hospital
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.5 mi
Former hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Confederate Memorial Hall
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.6 mi
War museum in New Orleans, Louisiana
Congo Square
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.6 mi
Square in New Orleans, Louisiana USA
58 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds19
Aquarium of the Americas
Park · 2.8 mi
Zoo aquarium in New Orleans, USA
Audubon Insectarium
Park · 2.8 mi
Insectarium in Louisiana, United States
Brechtel Park
Park · 2.1 mi
Park in Louisiana, United States of America, United States of America
Louis Armstrong Park
Park · 3.7 mi
Park in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
7 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes64
Gris-Gris
Restaurant · Seafood, Regional · 2.0 mi
1900 Magazine Street
Fr-Sa 11:00-21:00; Mo 11:00-21:00; Tu off; We-Th 11:00-21:00
IHOP
Restaurant · Breakfast, Pancake · 1.5 mi
1719 Manhattan Boulevard, Harvey
Mo-Th,Su 06:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 00:00-24:00
Papi's
Restaurant · Mexican, Donut, Coffee Shop · 1.8 mi
857 Terry Parkway, Terrytown
Mo-Sa 10:00-23:00; Su 10:00-22:00
Royal Roastery
Cafe · Coffee Shop, Dessert, Middle Eastern · 1.8 mi
1180 Terry Parkway, Terrytown
Mo-Su 07:00-24:00
Mana Bakery and Cafeteria
Cafe · Regional, Bakery · 0.9 mi
412 Wright Avenue, Terrytown
Mo-Sa 07:00-21:30
Tân Định
Restaurant · Vietnamese
1705 Lafayette Street, Gretna
We-Fr 09:30-21:00; Sa-Su 09:00-21:00; Mo 09:30-21:00
Lily's Cafe
Restaurant · Vietnamese · 2.0 mi
1813 Magazine Street
Mo-Sa 11:00-21:00
52 more on the map.
History
According to the history published by the city, Gretna's history can be traced to a plantation established by Jean-Charles de Pradel by 1750 (when the plantation house, Monplaisir, was built). By 1813, the plantation had passed into the hands of one François Bernoudy. John McDonogh (also spelled John McDonough), then a resident of New Orleans, bought the establishment, moved into the house and founded a settlement in 1815, that would be named McDonoghville. He subdivided the rest of the former plantation into regular city lots and 30-arpent farming strips. McDonoghville thus became the first subdivision in Jefferson Parish. McDonough either leased or sold these properties to white laborers or free people of color.
Gretna was settled in 1836, originally as Mechanikham, growing with a station on the Mississippi River for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, Texas and Pacific Railway, and Southern Pacific Railroad, with a ferry across the River to New Orleans. The famous food and spice company Zatarain's, founded in 1889 in New Orleans, has been located in Gretna since 1963. Gretna was incorporated in 1913, absorbing the section of McDonogh within the Jefferson Parish boundaries. In the 1940 census, Gretna had a population of 10,879.
From the History section of Gretna, Louisiana on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay14
Americas Best Value Inn-New Orleans/Gretna
Motel and hotel · 0.6 mi
1411 Claire Avenue, Gretna
New Orleans/Harvey Extended Stay Hotel
Motel and hotel · 1.0 mi
1101 Manhattan Boulevard, Harvey
Churches and places of worship71
Saint Alphonsus Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 1.9 mi
Union Bethel A.M.E. Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 3.0 mi
Infant Jesus of Prague Catholic Church
Church · Roman Catholic · 1.3 mi
700 Maple Street, Harvey
Shopping24
Gas and EV charging8
Schools, colleges and libraries82
Alice M Harte Elementary Charter School
School · 3.2 mi
5300 Berkley Dr., New Orleans
Booker T. Washington High School
School · 3.5 mi
1201 South Roman St., New Orleans
Dr. Martin Luther King Charter School For Sci Tech
School · 4.5 mi
1617 Fats Domino Ave., New Orleans
Dwight D. Eisenhower Charter School
School · 3.2 mi
3700 Tall Pines Dr., New Orleans
Healthcare1
Map of Gretna
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 63°F | 45°F | 5.8 in | 0.0 in |
| Feb | 66°F | 49°F | 4.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Mar | 73°F | 54°F | 5.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Apr | 78°F | 61°F | 5.2 in | 0.0 in |
| May | 85°F | 68°F | 4.7 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 90°F | 74°F | 6.9 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 92°F | 76°F | 7.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 92°F | 76°F | 6.8 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 89°F | 73°F | 6.8 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 81°F | 63°F | 3.7 in | 0.0 in |
| Nov | 72°F | 53°F | 4.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Dec | 65°F | 48°F | 5.4 in | 0.0 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Terrytown 3S (1 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Jefferson Parish has had 40 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.
- 2026-01-24: Severe Winter Storm (Winter Storm)
- 2024-09-16: Hurricane Francine (Hurricane)
- 2024-09-10: Tropical Storm Francine (Hurricane)
- 2023-09-27: Seawater Intrusion (Other)
- 2021-09-13: Tropical Storm Nicholas (Coastal Storm)
- 2021-08-29: Hurricane Ida (Hurricane)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
New Orleans Lakefront Airport (NEW) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 9 miles away.
- Harvey 2 mi southwest, about 3 min by car
- Belle Chasse 5 mi southeast, about 7 min by car
- Estelle 5 mi southwest, about 9 min by car
- Chalmette 6 mi northeast, about 9 min by car
- Metairie 10 mi northwest, about 15 min by car
- New Orleans 12 mi northeast, about 19 min by car
- Destrehan 19 mi west, about 30 min by car
- Covington 40 mi north, about 1 h by car
- Bayou Blue 42 mi southwest, about 1 h by car
- Bayou Cane 46 mi southwest, about 1 h 15 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Gretna CH 1, Nutriawood, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Gretna LA 23 90, Dr. Warner, CC BY 2.0
- Louisiana - Gretna - LeRuth's (a FANTASTIC Restaurant) - Denise Dotsey & Me - October 1973, Barbara Spengler, CC BY 2.0
- Hook and Ladder Cemetary, Gretna Louisiana August 2008 - 1, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Hook and Ladder Cemetary, Gretna Louisiana August 2008 - 2, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Radishes - Gretna Louisiana Farmer's Market November 2008, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Homemade Salsas - Gretna Louisiana Farmer's Market November 2008, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Homemade breads - Gretna Louisiana Farmer's Market November 2008, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Turnips - Gretna Louisiana Farmer's Market November 2008, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Gretna Visitor's Center, Gretna, Louisiana, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Huey P Long Avenue 2, Gretna, Louisiana, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Gretna CH 8, Nutriawood, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Gretna City Hall, Gretna Louisiana 2008, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Gretna CH 10, Nutriawood, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Gretna CH 11, Nutriawood, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Gretna Louisiana Bellevue Park Feb 2008, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Gretna CH 3, Nutriawood, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2008 Gretna Heritage Festival - 2919935594, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Irene Sage 2 - Gretna Louisiana Heritage Festival 2008, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Montgomery Gentry - Gretna Louisiana Heritage Festival 2008, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- 2008 Gretna Heritage Festival Pink Art Woman, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Mardi Gras indians - Gretna Heritage Festival Louisiana October 2008, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Games - 2008 Gretna Heritage Festival, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Bonerama - Gretna Louisiana Heritage Festival 2008, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Bonerama Gretna Heritage 2008 Fest Closeup, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- 2008 Gretna Heritage Festival - 2914254993, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Gretna Louisiana Ferry Terminal 2008, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Waylon Thibodeaux - Gretna Louisiana Heritage Festival 2008, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- 2008 Gretna Heritage Festival - 2919088523, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Bonerama at Gretna Heritage Fest, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- New Wave Brass Band - Gretna Louisiana Heritage Festival 2008, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Algiers Brass Band 3- Gretna Louisiana Heritage Festival 2008, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Algiers Brass Band 2 - Gretna Louisiana Heritage Festival 2008, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Algiers Brass Band - Gretna Louisiana Heritage Festival 2008, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Irene Sage - Gretna Louisiana Heritage Festival 2008, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- 2008 Gretna Heritage Festival - 2919934926, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- 2008 Gretna Heritage Festival - 2919935218, nola.agent, CC BY 2.0
- Charity1, Infrogmation, CC BY 2.5
- MV Cape Kennedy & MV Cape Knox at the US Army Supply Base in New Orleans 2, Upstateherd, CC BY-SA 3.0
- CableHouseLGD30Jan2008, Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY-SA 3.0
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