Plaquemines Parish

The East Bank is on the same side of the river as most of New Orleans and as Chalmette. It is less populated than Plaquemines' West Bank. Highway 39 follows the River down the Eastbank; it connects to St. Bernard Highway (46) in St. Bernard Parish.

Note that the gas station at Scarsdale, at the intersection of 39 & 3137 across from the ferry to Belle Chasse, is the last chance for gas going down river on this bank.

A number of small communities line the road. A few old plantation houses dot the route, of more modest size than the grand mansions up river; some are immaculately restored, others in states of ruin.

At the town of Phoenix the road splits. Highway 15 runs by the River and 39 continues parallel further back. 15 is the slower more scenic route.

Near the end of the road is Pointe à la Hache, still officially the Parish Seat, but as of Spring 2012 little is there other than the ruins of the old Courthouse and an open convenience store/sandwich shop. A ferry boat crosses the river here to West Pointe à la Hache, the furthest south vehicle crossing of the Mississippi River.

Louisiana Highway 23 follows the bends of the Mississippi River down the Westbank. Running down the river north to south:

• Belle Chasse is the population and business center of the Parish, just down river from the Algiers section of New Orleans. Also home to a Naval Air Station. The only community in the Parish that might be considered a city.
• Myrtle Grove has a marina and a few restaurants and bars.
• Woodland Plantation Old plantation house (featured on 19th century engravings and the labels of bottles of "Southern Comfort" liquor) is now a bed & breakfast. Those not staying the night can take a look around the historic grounds and have a drink at "Spirits Hall", an old church building renovated for secular use.
• West Pointe à la Hache Ferry across the Mississippi River.
• Port Sulphur has a number of open businesses (full grocery, hardware, bank etc) otherwise still rare below Belle Chasse.
• Empire
• Buras was a "ground zero" for the devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005. A cafe and a couple small businesses in the area are open as of early 2010.
• Fort Jackson historic brick fort was site of an important battle in the American Civil War.
• Boothville town has the area's open school and heliport.
• Venice a small fishing town with roughly 500 inhabitants. It is at the end of Highway 23 along the west bank of the Mississippi River. As the last place down the river delta reachable by land, Venice is nick-named the end of the world. Venice has long been famous for the rich fishing in the area, both commercial and recreational. It also serves the offshore oil rig industry. The town has a couple of restaurants, specializing in fresh seafood, and a couple of small motels and marina cabins are for rent in its vicinity.