• Image of swamp, bayou, and marsh

    Jean Lafitte

    National Historical Park and Preserve Louisiana

French Quarter Visitor Center

Image of men looking at exhibits
The French Quarter Visitor Center is full of maps, images, and interactive exhibits that share the Louisiana delta's history.
 

Shortly after the French founded New Orleans in 1718, engineers drew up a formal city plan for Nouvelle Orleans---the area that we now call the French Quarter. The city quickly expanded beyond those original boundaries to become an important American port. People arrived from all over the world, joining the early inhabitants of the area to create a distinct culture rich in food, music, and tradition.

Jean Lafitte's French Quarter Visitor Center shares the history and traditions of the city and the lower Mississippi River delta through visitor center exhibits and a film. Kids can earn a badge with the Junior Ranger program. The center's bookstore has CDs, videos, collectibles, and books from history to cookbooks to children's stories. Admission is free. Click here for directions and for program listings for specific days.

419 Decatur Street, New Orleans
504-589-2636 ext. 1
Open daily 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Closed December 25 and Mardi Gras (Tuesday, February 12, in 2013). Useful information about public transportation, regulations on pets, etc., is available here.

Regularly scheduled programs:

  • Every day at 9:30 a.m., rangers lead riverfront history walks to the Mississippi River, just over the levee from the visitor center, to share the story of how the city began and grew. 25 free tickets per tour are given out beginning at 9:00 a.m. Walks last about an hour. First-come, first-served; each person wanting a ticket must pick up their own ticket.

Special events and programs:

For more about New Orleans, see

  • Resources for Teachers and Group Leaders Resources for Teachers and Group Leaders

    Field trips, curriculum materials, and more! Read More

  • Law Enforcement Help Line Law Enforcement Help Line

    Call 1-855-289-7412 if you require law enforcement help while visiting Jean Lafitte. Read More

  • Delta Dynamics Delta Dynamics

    Watch animations to discover the delta and learn why Louisiana's coast is disappearing Read More

  • Volunteering at Jean Lafitte Volunteering at Jean Lafitte

    Every day, park volunteers make a difference at Jean Lafitte Read More

Did You Know?

Young armadillos at night.

Nine-banded armadillos always give birth to four identical young, the only mammal known to do so. They can also delay birth for up to two years after fertilization of the egg.