Major city · United States
Metairie
Skip as a sightseeing base: stay only if you want free parking and a 15–25 min drive to New Orleans, or use it for one airport night.
Metairie is the largest suburb of New Orleans, in Jefferson Parish, and it is a car suburb: wide commercial strips, malls and chain hotels rather than a walkable old town. Almost nobody comes here for Metairie itself. You come for cheaper rooms with parking, an easy I-10 run into New Orleans, and the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, the long bridge over the lake. Treat it as a base or a stopover, not a destination.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Feb–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity, storms); Mardi Gras week if you want quiet
- Airport
- MSY
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Metairie911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office (non-emergency)504-227-1400
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Metairie, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetySuburban and generally calm, with the usual US big-metro cautions: lock the car, keep valuables out of sight…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 504-227-1400 Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMSY Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (Kenner) (Borders Metairie to the west; about 15–20 min by car to most Metairie hotels…
- Getting aroundBy car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Street or quick mealPo-boy sandwich$10–16
- BeerDraught beer$6–9
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–35
- Budget bedBudget motel or chain hotel room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedBudget motel or chain hotel room, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedBudget motel or chain hotel room, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$140 · High US$260
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MSY Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (Kenner) (Borders Metairie to the west; about 15–20 min by car to most Metairie hotels, longer in rush hour)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Feb
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Apr
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Feb–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Jul (14 rain days), driest Apr (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Metairie: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Mar
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
By car. Metairie is spread along Veterans Memorial Blvd (east–west), Metairie Road and Causeway Blvd (north–south). Bus service exists but is sparse and slow; plan on a rental car, your own car or rideshares. Parking is free or cheap at hotels and malls, which is the main practical reason to sleep here instead of New Orleans.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 15–30 min
I-10 east by car or rideshare
The reason most people sleep in Metairie. French Quarter, Garden District, music and food.
Kenner
goDoor to door: 10–15 min
I-10 west by car
Airport suburb; useful for an early flight.
Jean Lafitte
goDoor to door: 35–50 min
Drive south via Barataria Blvd
Wetlands, boat tours and swamp country.
Grand Isle
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
Drive south on LA-1
Beach and fishing at the end of the road; too far for a comfortable return day.
Avondale
cautionDoor to door: 25–35 min
Drive west on US-90
Mostly industrial; go only for a specific site.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Veterans Memorial Blvd corridor
The main hotel and shopping strip; Lakeside Mall and Clearview Center are here. You need a car or rideshare for everything.
Causeway Blvd / I-10
Closest to the Causeway bridge and the interstate; fastest run into New Orleans and to the airport.
Metairie Road (old Metairie)
Older, leafier strip with small local businesses and restaurants; few hotels, so this is a place to eat, not sleep.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel room1 × 2 nights × US$160 | US$320 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$140 | US$560 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$70 · check | US$70 |
| Rideshare, Metairie to French Quarter, one way1 × US$30 · check | US$30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$102 |
| Trip total≈ US$281 per person per day, bed included | US$1,122 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Po-boy sandwich | $10–16 |
| Plate of Creole seafood | $22–38 |
| Draught beer | $6–9 |
| Rideshare, Metairie to New OrleansHigher at night and during events. | $20–45 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $15–35 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat and humidity from June to September; afternoon thunderstorms are common.
- Hurricane season runs June–November; check forecasts and have a plan if a storm nears.
- Sidewalks are patchy outside the malls and Metairie Road; crossing wide boulevards on foot is unpleasant.
- Rush hour on I-10 between Metairie and New Orleans can double a short drive.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office (non-emergency)
- 504-227-1400
Pocket card
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MetairieMetairie
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Sheriff's Office (non-emergency)504-227-1400
Embassy
No embassies in Metairie; consulates are in New Orleans (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- MSY airport to Metairie hotel, taxi: about $35–45, 15–20 min (check)
- Rideshare, Metairie to French Quarter: $20–45, 15–30 min (check)
- Lake Pontchartrain Causeway toll: a few dollars each way (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- To this address, please — To this address, please
Area code 504, same as New Orleans.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Metairie. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Feb–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity, storms); Mardi Gras week if you want quiet · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MSY: taxi and rideshare bands, last-run times, hotel shuttle list.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Lakeside/Clearview, Metairie Road, Causeway and I-10, the lakefront.
- Place pages with verified hours for the Causeway, Lakeside Mall and Clearview Center.
- Storm and Mardi Gras fixtures so arrival days can go green or be rerouted.