Information courtesy of National Park Service
The 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.
There is no fee information available for this park. Area Map – Chalmette Battlefield Map
VISITOR CENTERS
Acadian Cultural Center, Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center: activities reflect the culture of the Acadians who settled in southwest Louisiana.
Acadian Cultural Center – Open daily, except December 25 and Mardi Gras. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone: (337)232-0789
Location: 501 Fisher Road, Lafayette, Louisiana.
Closures: December 25 and Mardi Gras.
Special Programs: The Cajun Way: Echoes of Acadia, a 40-minute film; shown hourly from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Atchafalaya Revisited, a 15-minute film; shown after each Cajun Way showing. Bayou Tours in traditional Louisiana wooden boat. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Call 337-233-4077 for times, prices, and reservations.
Exhibits: Interprets the story of the Acadian people, who were relocated from Nova Scotia, Canada, to the Misssissippi Delta region during 1765-1785, their history, customs, language, and contemporary culture.
Barataria Preserve. Call to make reservations for the following: Saturday morning canoe treks, birdwatching walks, moonlight canoe treks, night walks, and children’s programs.
The Barataria Preserve of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve will celebrate spring in the swamp with Wild Iris Weekends, Saturdays and Sundays March 26 through April 17. Thousands of wildflowers, including giant blue irises and spider lilies, bloom in the preserve each spring.
Wild Iris Weekend activities include ranger-guided canoe treks and birdwatching walks and special activities for “junior rangers.†Wildflower walks on the Bayou Coquille Trail are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday. Staff and volunteer experts will be on the trails to answer questions about wildflowers, snakes, alligators, birds, and local history. During full moons, rangers will lead night walks and moonlight canoe treks. All programs are free and open to the public; some require reservations or canoe rentals.
Barataria Preserve – Open daily , except December 25 and Mardi Gras. 9:00 – 5:00 p.m
Phone: (504)-589-2330 ext 10
Location: 17 miles south of New Orleans near Crown Point at 6588 Barataria Boulevard (LA Highway 45),Marrero.
Closures: Christmas Day and Mardi Gras.
Special Programs: Call to make reservations for the following: Saturday morning canoe treks, sunset walks, and moonlight canoe treks. The park movie:”Jambalaya: A Delta Almanac” is shown daily 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Ranger guided walk –10:00 a.m. daily.
Exhibits: Visitor Center exhibits highlight the natural history and lifeways of the area.
Available Facilities: Walking trails, waterways for canoeing, picnic areas, and 20,000 acres of wetlands, hardwood forest, swamp, and marsh. Parking lots are open 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Enviromental Education Center programs available for grades K-12 require reservations. To schedule call 504-689-7611. ext 12.
Chalmette Battlefield. Battle of New Orleans Talks; daily, 11:15 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. Group tours by reservation.
Chalmette Battlefield Visitor Center – Open daily, except December 25 and Mardi Gras. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone: (504)-281-0510
Location: 8606 St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette.
Closures: Closed December 25 and Mardi Gras..
Special Programs: Battle of New Orleans Talks: daily, 11:15 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. Group tours by reservations.
Exhibits: Exhibits depict the Battle of New Orleans, a decisive American victory over the British at the end of the War of 1812.
Available Facilities: Tour road, visitor center,and the Malus-Beauregard House(ca. 1833). Adajacent to the battlefield is the Chalmette National Cemetery.
French Quarter Visitor Center. Walking Tour: 9:30 a.m. First-come, first-served. Passes limited to one per person, must be picked up in person on day of tour. One mile of walking. Program du Jour-Daily 11:30 a.m. 30 – 45 minute programs on topics ranging from the Mississippi River to local history to the language of New Orleans. Schedules available each week at visitor center.
French Quarter Visitor Center – Open daily except for December 25 and Mardi Gras. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone: (504)-589-2636 ext 1.
Location: located in the French Quarter at 419 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA 70130-1035
Closures: Closed December 25 and Mardi Gras.
Special Programs: 9:30 a.m. 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. Program du Jour-Daily 11:30 a.m. 30 – 45 minute programs on topics ranging from the Mississippi River to local history to the language of New Orleans. Schedules available each week at visitor center.
Exhibits: Exhibits depict the history, natural resources, and cultural diversity of Louisiana’s Mississippi Delta region.
Prairie Acadian Cultural Center – Open Tuesday through Friday. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Open Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Phone: (337) 457-7700
Location:250 West Park Avenue, Eunice, Louisiana.
Closures: Closed December 25.
Special Programs: 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’. Saturdays 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Cajun music, dancing, and cooking demonstrations.
Exhibits: Interprets the culture of the Acadians who settled prairies of southwest Louisiana.
Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center – Open Tuesday through Thursday. 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Open Friday through Sunday. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Open Monday. 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Phone: (985)-448-1375
Location: 314 St. Mary Street, Thibodaux, Louisiana.
Closures: Closed December 25, and Mardi Gras.
Special Programs: Ranger talks upon request. Music Programs: Mondays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Cajun Jam Session: Viens Passe’, Un Bon Temps!(Come and have a Good Time!) Films: available upon request. Bayou tours in traditional Louisiana wooden boat on Sundays and Mondays (to Madewood Plantation; includes home tour and lunch) and Saturdays (E.D. White Historic Site). Call for times, prices, and reservations.
Exhibits: Artifacts and exhibits depict a variety of cultures linked closely with the rich swamps, marshes, and coastal waters of this region.
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