Lakeview and Lakefront are sections of New Orleans near and along Lake Pontchartrain.

Attractions

 • Lake Pontchartrain is a wide rather shallow fresh water lake. Lake Pontchartrain is roughly oval in shape, about 40 miles wide from east to west, and measures about 25 miles from north to south. The far shore is beyond the horizon, giving it the appearance of an inland sea. The Lake was long a favorite recreation area for New Orleanians. In the 1960s problems with pollution closed the New Orleans shore to swimming. A popular and successful "Save Our Lake" campaign began in the 1980s to eliminate pollution sources running into the lake. Every year since 2000 water quality has far surpassed that needed for safe swimming, and New Orleanians are returning to the water. Much of the shore is a series of parks, known collectively as Lakeshore Park. The Lakeshore Park is a pleasant place to picnic during good weather.
 • Hellenic Cultural Center Robert E. Lee at St. Bernard, by Bayou St. John. Large Greek Orthodox Church and a building complex, puts on the popular Greek Festival each summer.
 • Old Spanish Fort the remains of this colonial era fortification are just across the Bayou and Robert E. Lee Blvd. from the Hellenic Cultural Center. Not much to see; little remains other than ruined piles of brick foundations. May not be worth a special trip this part of town even for fortification buffs, but if you're around here anyway, worth a quick look.
 • Lakefront Airport: 6001 Stars and Stripes Blvd, on the lake shore just east of the Industrial Canal. This was the city's airport back before the arrival of the big jets and the new New Orleans International airport was built out in Kenner, Louisiana. Lakefront Airport still keeps busy with private and company planes. The 1930s vintage main terminal building and the nearby sculpture fountain by Enrique Alfarez are treats for lovers of Art Decco.
 • University of New Orleans Main campus is near the lake end of Elysian Fields Avenue. The UNO Arena ( ) is at a separate location at the lake end of Franklin Avenue. The modern campus has little to see and there is little reason for the visitor to come to the campus except for when special events, exhibitions, or concerts are held here.
 • West End is a park at the end of West End Boulevard, surrounded by famous seafood restaurants and bars. Getting there is a slight trick if you aren't familiar with it. Take West End Boulevard almost to the end: when you see the sea-wall with "WEST END" in big letters on it, don't go straight, instead turn left. After the road parallels the seawall for a while it will bend right and you'll find yourself at West End. If you accidentally go straight, you wind up driving along Lakefront Park, with a nice view of the lake but no restaurants; just turn around and try again.

Dining

This part of the city is most famous for seafood, but offers many other good eating options as well.

Budget

 • Chateau Coffee Cafe 139 Robert E. Lee, in the Robert E. Lee mall, Lakeview, 286-1777. Salads, sandwiches, and wraps.
 • Coffee & Company 800 Harrison Avenue, Lakeview, 488-8946. Sandwiches, pitas, salads, and a variety of dishes, including several good vegetarian options every day.
 • The Dock 1926 West End Park, 284-3625, at West End. Fried seafood, party-hearty oriented entertainment.
 • Jaeger's On The Lake 1928 West End Park, 283-7585. Reasonably priced lobster & seafood.
 • Landry's 789 Harrison, at Memphis, Lakeview. Po-Boys, oysters, seafood.
 • Lovecchio's Deli 872 Harrison Avenue, Lakeview, 482-4616. Po-boys and Italian dishes.
 • Meme's Market 7041 Canal Boulevard at Robert E. Lee Blvd. This neighborhood supermarket has a po-boy counter in back that is very popular with locals. This is the place to get your supplies for a picnic lunch along Lake Pontchartrain.
 • Mr. Franks's Snow-Balls 908 Harrison Avenue is one of the city's best, here since 1955.

Mid-range

 • Barataria 900 Harrison, at Marshal Fouche, Lakeview, tel. 488-7444: Oysters, seafood, filet mignon. Lunch Tuesday through Friday, Dinner Monday through Saturday.
 • Bruning's 1922 West End Park, 288-4521. The favorite West End Seafood place for some 150 years. Those who visited here years ago will note that Bruning's is now about 100 yards away from its former location, which used to be on a wooden building on piers over the lake. Alas, the old building was lost in a hurricane, but the food is still good.
 • China Rose 125 Robert E. Lee Boulevard, in the Robert E. Lee mall near West End Boulevard, Lakefront, tel. 283-2800: Good Chinese, reasonably priced lunch specials.
 • Joe's Crab Shack  The local branch of this seafood restaurant chain is at 8000 Lakeshore Drive.
 • La Cuisine 911 Harrison Avenue, Lakeview. Tel. 486-4887. Fine dining breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
 • Steak Knife 888 Harrison at Marshal Fouche, Lakeview. Tel. 488-8981. Steaks & chops, open for dinner only. Live music Friday and Saturday nights.

Music

 • The Sandbar, in the University Center of the University of New Orleans, off Elesian Fields near Lake Pontchartrain. Sometimes hosts good modern jazz.
 • The Steak Knife 888 Harrison at Marshal Fouche, Lakeview. Tel. 488-8981. Live jazz Friday and Saturday nights; small bands with singers; Harry Connick Senior is a regular performer.

Internet

Lakeview Smith Branch, New Orleans Public Library 6301 Canal Blvd (at Harrison Avenue) Mon. & Wed, 10 am-8 pm; Tues & Thur, 10 am -6 pm; Sat 10 am -5 pm; Sun 1 pm -5 pm.