Louisiana’s Forgotten Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Park

Lafayette, La (KMDL) - Louisiana has seen its fair share of water parks and amusement parks come and go throughout the years.

There is one amusement park from Louisiana's past that was the talk of the South, but not too many people even remember it these days, even though Elvis Presley once played a show there.

Let's take a look back at the incredible, but now largely forgotten Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Park.

Louisiana's Forgotten Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Park

From 1929 to 1983, New Orleans was home to a beloved landmark that many still remember fondly—Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Park.

Located at the end of Elysian Fields Avenue, this lakeside attraction was Louisiana’s own version of Coney Island, complete with roller coasters, carnival games, live music, classic boardwalk eats, and even a scenic boardwalk along Lake Pontchartrain.

For generations of Louisianians, Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Park was the place to be during the summer.

Families flocked to the park for fun-filled days by the lake, while music lovers came to see legendary performers—including Elvis Presley, who once took the stage there.

Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Park had something for everyone.

You could find your basic hotdogs, hamburgers, and cotton candy, but the park also offered fine dining such as the Bali Hai restaurant.

When it came to games and rides, Pontchartrain Beach had pretty much everything a kid could dream of...bumper cars, roller coasters, a Ferris wheel, a penny arcade, mini golf…you name it, Pontchartrain Beach had it.

I asked my older brother to see if he remembered it, or if he ever went to Pontchartrain Beach Park back when we lived in New Orleans.

He told me he loved that place as a kid, and that the Zephyr roller coaster scared the life out of him.

You can see part of it in the picture below.

Below is a video showing rare footage of Pontchartrain Beach in action.

A very special "Thank You" to John DeMajo for letting us use some of his amazing pictures. You can see many more over at demajo.net.