French Quarter Visitor Center

Exhibits in the French Quarter Visitor Center highlight south Louisiana culture, nature, history, and (of course) food.

 

WHAT'S HAPPENING:

History talk - 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Join a ranger or park volunteer to discover New Orleans' history and culture. No talk on federal holidays or on Mardi Gras when the visitor center is closed. Free.

Louisiana October Archaeology Month special exhibit "Poverty Point Unearthed" - Poverty Point National Monument is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Louisiana that preserves the work of ancient engineers and laborers from over 3500 years ago. Its complex earthworks demonstrate great technical skill and artifacts from the site point to a far-flung trading network. Artifacts on loan from the State of Louisiana Division of Archaeology share its story in a special exhibit. Free. On view through October.

Plants of the Colombian Exchange - Louisiana master gardener Anna Timmerman takes a look at our global gardens and dinner plates. The Columbian exchange is a name for the movement of plants, animals, culture, people, diseases, and ideas between the Americas and the rest of the world after Christopher Columbus landed on this side of the world. From tomatoes and potatoes to sugar and spices, the exchange was an important movement in human history, gardening, and cuisine. Free. 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 2.

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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 park store has CDs, videos, collectibles, and books from history to cookbooks to children's stories. Admission is free. Follow these links for the park's calendar of events, exhibits, and programs; for directions and transportation options; and for accessibility information. Note that there is no parking available at the French Quarter Visitor Center but that there are several pay-to-park lots available within easy walking distance.

419 Decatur Street, New Orleans
504-589-3882 ext. 221
Open Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Closed on federal holidays and Mardi Gras. Links to useful information like maps, public transportation, pets, permits for special uses, etc., are available on the basic information page.

Special programs by reservation:

• Field trips for schools and other groups by reservation.

For more about New Orleans, see

• guide to historic homes and museums in the French Quarter
• New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

 

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