The Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve includes six separate sites. Together they highlight the people and environment of Louisiana's lower Mississippi River delta. The park's sites are found throughout south Louisiana - from the cities and towns to the bayous and the prairies. See the big picture above; information about each site is below.
Here are quick links to:
There are three park sites in and near the city of New Orleans.
- French Quarter Visitor Center - 419 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA 70130; 504-589-3882. Information about the French Quarter Visitor Center.
- Please note: This visitor center is also the home of the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park.
- Exhibits here tell the story of the city and surrounding communities as a cultural crossroads for over 300 years. The visitor center hosts ranger talks and live musical performances. Visitors experience one of America's most important musical genres. Learn about the roots of jazz music in the distinctive culture of New Orleans. Explore its continuing influence on music worldwide.
- Chalmette Battlefield and Chalmette National Cemetery - 1 Battlefield Rd, Chalmette, LA 70043; 504-281-0510. Information about the Chalmette Battlefield.
- Chalmette Battlefield is 6 miles downriver from the French Quarter visitor center. It is about a 20-minute drive from the French Quarter to the Chalmette Battlefield.
- Chalmette Battlefield is 145 acres of land forming the core of the scene of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans. Also located on the former battlefield, Chalmette National Cemetery, was established in 1864. This cemetery serves as the final resting place for more than 15,000 service members from every major U.S. conflict between the War of 1812 and Vietnam. The Battlefield was the former home to the Fazendeville community. Long before the Battle, the land was initially used and occupied by many different Native American Tribes.
- Barataria Preserve - 6588 Barataria Boulevard, Marrero, LA 70072; 504-689-3690. Information about the Barataria Preserve including trail maps. If you use a GPS system, use the visitor center address, not just the name Barataria Preserve. Be sure to doublecheck the map since not all systems find the visitor center correctly.
- Barataria Preserve is 18 miles from the French Quarter visitor center and on the other side of the Mississippi River. It is about a 40-minute drive from the French Quarter to the Barataria Preserve.
- The Barataria Preserve is comprised of over 26,000 acres of Louisiana wetlands, that include bottomland hardwood forest, cypress swamp, freshwater and intermediate marshes, bayous, and canals. The boardwalks and walking trails allow visitors to observe alligators, snakes, native plants, and over 200 species of birds.
There are three more park sites in Acadian (south-central Louisiana):
- Acadian Cultural Center - 501 Fisher Road, Lafayette, LA 70508; 337-232-0789. Information about the Acadian Cultural Center.
- The Acadian Cultural Center is 140 miles west of the French Quarter visitor center. It is about a 2 1/2-hour drive from the French Quarter to the Acadian Cultural Center in Lafayette.
- The Acadian Cultural Center is about 45 miles southeast of the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice. It is about a 1-hour drive from the Center in Lafayette to the Center in Eunice.
- The Acadian Cultural Center is about 100 miles northwest of the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center in Thibodaux. It is about a 1 3/4-hour drive from the Center in Lafayette to the Center in Thibodaux.
- The Acadian Cultural Center in Lafayette presents the history of the Acadian (Cajun) people. They were exiled from Canada and settled in South Luisiana's prairies, bayous, and marshes. It offers a museum, park film on the history of the Acadian people, art exhibits, music, and cultural folklife programs.
- Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center - 314 St. Mary Street, Thibodaux, LA 70301; 985-448-1375. Information about the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center.
- The Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center is 60 miles southwest of the French Quarter visitor center. It is about a 1 1/4-hour drive from the French Quarter to the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center in Thibodaux.
- The Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center is about 100 miles southeast of the Acadian Cultural Center in Lafayette. It is about a 1 3/4-hour drive from the Center in Thibodaux to the Center in Thibodaux.
- The Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center is about 145 miles southeast of the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice. It is about a 2 1/2-hour drive from the Center in Thibodaux to the Center in Eunice.
- The Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center is nestled in the culturally rich and diverse bayou area of Thibodaux, Louisiana. It allows visitors to experience the cultural gumbo of South Louisiana. The visitor center offers museum exhibits and programs on history and cultures of Louisiana's bayou country. Experience the culture at weekly concerts by local musicians. Take a bayou boat tour. Join a Cajun French language workshops. Explore Thibodaux with a ranger-led history walk. Come and live for a moment the "Cajun Bayou" way.
- Prairie Acadian Cultural Center - 250 W. Park Avenue, Eunice, LA 70535; 337-457-8499. Information about the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center.
- The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center is about 160 miles west of the French Quarter visitor center. It is about a 2 3/4-hour drive from the French Quarter to the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice.
- The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center is about 45 miles northeast of the Acadian Cultural Center in Lafayette. It is about a 1-hour drive from the Center in Eunice to the Center in Lafayette.
- The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center is about 145 miles northeast of the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center in Thibodaux. It is about a 2 1/2-hour drive from the Center in Eunice to the Center in Thibodaux.
- The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice focuses on prairie lifeways and the unique blend of Cajun, Creole, and cowboy cultures. Stories are told through museum exhibits, music, dancing, and craft and cooking demonstrations.
Headquarters for the whole Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve:
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