Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve
Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve
The park is located in south east Louisiana
The Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is a unique blending of history, cultural events and outdoor adventures. Your family vacation will include learning the culture of the many peoples that make up the area of New Orleans mingled with hiking and canoeing excursions in the preserve area. Check below for great Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve information.
Uniqueness
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve was established to preserve significant examples of the rich natural and cultural resources of Louisiana’s Mississippi Delta region.
The park seeks to illustrate the influence of environment and history on the development of a unique regional culture.
The park consists of six physically separate sites and a park headquarters located in southeastern Louisiana. The sites in Lafayette, Thibodaux, and Eunice interpret the Acadian culture of the area. The Barataria Preserve (in Marrero) interprets the natural and cultural history of the uplands, swamps, and marshlands of the region. Six miles southeast of New Orleans is the Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery, site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans and the final resting place for soldiers from the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, and Vietnam. At 419 Decatur Street in the historic French Quarter is the park’s visitor center for New Orleans. This center interprets the history of New Orleans and the diverse cultures of Louisiana’s Mississippi Delta region. The Park Headquarters is located in New Orleans.
Acadian Cultural Center is open daily 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed December 25 and Mardi Gras. Barataria Preserve Visitor Center is open daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chalmette Battlefield is open Mon. thru Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and their visitor center hours are,9am-4:30pm Fri-Sun. French Quarter Visitor Center is open daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and free walking tours of the French Quarter are available. Prairie Acadian Cultural Center is open Tuesday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Closed Sundays, Mondays, and December 25. Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center is open daily Monday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Friday through Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All of these are closed December 25 and Mardi Gras. Visitation is high most of the year; lowest visitation in January, September, and December. All visitor centers and several trails in the Barataria Preserve are accessible. The park receives close to 600,000 visitors a year.
The Acadian Cultural Center interprets cultural resources related to the Acadian people, who were relocated from Nova Scotia, Canada, to the Mississippi Delta region during 1765-1785, as well as other cultures of the region. It provides a variety of ways to interact with and understand traditional and contemporary Acadian culture, plus other peoples of the area. It is located at 501 Fisher Road, Lafayette. Call (337) 232-0789 for further information. The Cajun Way; Echoes of Acadia, is a 40-minute film; shown hourly from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center depicts the heritage of the Prairie Acadians, shaped by the regions lush grasslands, ideal for raising crops and grazing cattle. Artifacts, exhibits and live demonstrations portray aspects of this unique culture. It is located at 250 West Park Avenue, Eunice. Call (337) 457-7700 for further information. Every Saturday, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Liberty Theatre Performance: A live radio broadcast of Cajun music, stories, anecdotes, etc. in ‘Cajun French’.
Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center is located along Bayou Lafourche. Artifacts and exhibits depict a variety of cultures linked closely with the rich swamps, marshes, and coastal waters of this region. Bayou tours in traditional Louisiana wooden boat are given on Sundays and Mondays (to Madewood Plantation; includes home tour and lunch) and Saturdays (E.D. White Historic Site). It is located at 314 St. Mary Street, Thibodaux. Call (985) 448-1375 for further information.
Barataria Preserve encompasses approximately 20,000 acres of hardwood forest, cypress swamp and fresh water marsh. Nine miles of boardwalk or hard-surfaced trails and over 20 miles of waterways allow exploration by canoeing or hiking and offer excellent views of the wetlands. Call to make reservations for the following: Saturday morning canoeing treks, bird watching walks, moonlight canoe treks, night walks, and children’s programs. The visitor center exhibits highlight the natural history and culture of the area. It is located on the West Bank from New Orleans near Marrero on LA Highway 45, 17 miles south of New Orleans near Crown Point at 6588 Barataria Boulevard, Marrero. Call (504) 589-2330 ext. 1 for more information. The park movie: “Jambalaya: A Delta Almanac” is shown daily 9:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. This park is featured in a lesson plan created by Teaching with Historic Places, a program of the National Park Service that helps teachers and students understand how parks and other historic places embody America’s historical experiences and cultural expressions.
Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery preserves the site of the January 8, 1815, Battle of New Orleans, a decisive American victory over the British at the end of the War of 1812. Facilities include a tour road, visitor center and the Malus-Beauregard House (c.1833). Adjacent to the Battlefield is the Chalmette National Cemetery. It is located on St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette. Call 504-589-2636 ext. 1 for further information. There are living history demonstrations that interpret military and civilian life during the Battle of New Orleans.
French Quarter Visitor Center is where the history and cultural diversity of Louisiana’s Mississippi Delta region are presented in an overview of the region. Interactive musical exhibits located in the Laura Hudson Visitor Center include music of lower Louisiana. Listen to Brass Bands, Folk, Rhythm and Blues, as well as Jazz. French Quarter Tour: 25 person limit, first-come, first-served. Passes, limited to one per person, must be picked up in person on day of the tour. 90 minutes in length. One mile of walking is involved. It is located at 419 Decatur Street in the French Quarter. Call (504) 589-2636 for further information.
There are Ranger-guided Interpretive Programs like the History of New Orleans walking tour. This tour through the French Quarter involves one mile of walking and provides an overview of the historical events and the ethnic and cultural diversity that have combined to create present-day New Orleans, unique among American cities. Relive the history of New Orleans from its humble beginnings as a small outpost of French rule in the North American wilderness. There is a 25-person limit, first-come, first-served. Passes are limited to one per person and must be picked up in person on the day of the tour. The Program du Jour is a 30-45 minute program where you can hear topics ranging from the Mississippi River to local history to the language of New Orleans.
Summers are generally hot and humid with occasional rain. Winters are mild. Sunscreen is recommended for outdoor activities and insect repellent for natural areas, as well as long sleeved shirts and long pants. Wear appropriate shoes for the activity.
There are no fees for this park. They do take donations, however.
Cane River Creole National Historical Park is 263 miles away and the city of New Orleans is there with all of it’s unique attractions.
Major airlines serve New Orleans. Limited commuter airline service is available to Lafayette, Louisiana.
To drive to the park area, take I-10 to Lafayette and New Orleans or LA Highway 90 to Lafayette, Thibodaux, and New Orleans. Taxi and limited bus service in New Orleans and Lafayette, Louisiana.
Approximate Mileage from the following major cities to Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve:
By Car:
Mobile, AL – 158.99 miles
Baton Rouge, LA – 93.73 miles
Lafayette LA – 148.69 miles
New Orleans, LA – 18.44 miles
Jackson, MS – 200.39 miles
Houston, TX – 361.31 miles
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, 419 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA 70130-1035
Headquarters Recorded Message (504)589-3882
Visitor Information (504)589-2133
By Fax 504-589-3851
