Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

Spanish moss and lush vegetation provide glimpses of Louisiana's wild wetlands at Jean Lafitte's Barataria Preserve.

An oak tree arches over a cannon-guarded rampart with historic house and American flag in background

Chalmette Battlefield's American rampart and cannons still guard the site of the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.

Setting sun lights up cemetery headstones

Established during the Civil War, Chalmette National Cemetery's 14,000+ headstones pay tribute to those buried there.

Visitor center exhibit titled "Crossroads of Cultures"

Hundreds of years of history and thousands of people from all over the world have created New Orleans' distinctive cultural mix.

Model of an early Acadian home sits in a glass case

Bringing skills and traditions from Nova Scotia, the Acadian exiles in Louisiana found a new home and a new name---Cajuns.

Exhibit case full of musical instruments

Acadian (Cajun) music began in cabins and dancehalls and has become famous worldwide.

guitar sits on a dimly lit porch styled stage

The Music Porch at the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice, LA

Photos: National Park Service

About Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

In Jean Lafitte's day, silver and gold filled a pirate's treasure chest, but today's treasures are people, places, and memories. Discover New Orleans’ rich cultural mix. Learn Cajun traditions from people who live them. Watch an alligator bask on a bayou’s bank. Walk in the footsteps of the men who fought at 1815’s Battle of New Orleans. Follow the link to discover the treasure of Jean Lafitte.

Quick Facts

State Louisiana

Designation National Historical Park and Preserve

State Code LA

Weather All of the temperatures listed are in degrees Fahrenheit. Note that relative humidity, especially in summer months, can reach 90%, so temperatures can feel 10-20 degrees hotter than the actual…

Location & Map

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is located in Louisiana.

Get Directions

Operating Hours

Each of Jean Lafitte's six sites is open year-round. See the specific site(s) you want to visit for operating hours and days information.

Wednesday All Day

Monday All Day

Thursday All Day

Sunday All Day

Tuesday All Day

Friday All Day

Saturday All Day

Activities

Arts and Culture Craft Demonstrations Cultural Demonstrations Live Music Fishing Freshwater Fishing Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Hands-On Citizen Science Arts and Crafts Hunting and Gathering Hunting Living History Historic Weapons Demonstration First Person Interpretation Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store Gift Shop and Souvenirs

Getting There

Jean Lafitte's headquarters and the park's French Quarter Visitor Center are located at 419 Decatur Street in New Orleans. There are five other park sites scattered throughout south Louisiana. For information on all of the park sites and visitor centers, see the Directions Details link.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 419 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA, 70130

Phone 504-589-3882

Email jela_interpretation@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

Architecture and Building African American Heritage Arts Photography Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite National Cemetery Colonization and Settlement Enslavement Immigration Maritime Piracy and Privateering Migrations Military Infantry and Militia Artillery US Army US Navy US Marines US Coast Guard Indigenous and Native Warrior Battlefields Monuments and Memorials Music Presidents Reconstruction Schools and Education Urban America Wars and Conflicts War of 1812 Civil War Animals Alligators or Crocodiles Birds Fish Climate Change Forests and Woodlands Deciduous Forests Grasslands Prairies Scenic Views Trails Wetlands Marshes Swamps

Things To Do

Become a Jean Lafitte B.A.R.K. Ranger

Hey dog! Do you want to explore parts of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve with your leash-holding companions?…

Visit the Park Store

Looking for the perfect souvenir? Visit the Park Store! There's one at each of the park's six sites.

Relax in Our Courtyard

Soak in history by taking a break.

Discover Native Plants in Our Courtyard

Come discover yet another reason why the Louisiana delta is such a unique place, by visiting our urban collection of…

Chalmette National Cemetery Audio Tour

This tour of the Chalmette National Cemetery shares a few of the thousands of stories of the men and women…

Ask a Ranger: French Quarter

Curious about the French Quarter or New Orleans history? Ask a Ranger!

Visitor Centers

Acadian Cultural Center

Permanent and special exhibits, an award-winning film, ranger talks, and programs share the history, customs, language, and contemporary culture of the Acadians who became Louisiana's…

Hours: The Acadian Cultural Center is temporarily closed due to air conditioning issues.

Barataria Preserve

With more than 26,000 acres of wild Louisiana wetlands, the Barataria Preserve's hardwood forest, swamp, bayous, and marsh offer trails, picnic areas, fishing, hunting (in…

Hours: The Visitor Center and most trails in the Preserve are closed to accommodate demolition and construction. The Twin Canals parking lot, trail, and canoe launch will remain open for visitor access.

Chalmette Battlefield and Chalmette National Cemetery

Site of the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, Chalmette Battlefield contains a reconstructed American rampart, an 1830s house, 100-foot-high Chalmette Monument, and outdoor exhibits…

Hours: Chalmette Battlefield is open is open every day, including federal holidays. Chalmette Battlefield’s Visitor Center is open every day except select federal holidays. Vehicular gates are open 9:00 am-4:30 pm. The site is open to pedestrians year-round sunrise to sunset. Chalmette National Cemetery is open every day, including federal holidays. Vehicular gates are open from 9:00 am-4:30 pm, including federal holidays. It is open to pedestrians year-round from sunrise to sunset.

French Quarter Visitor Center

Visitor center exhibits and a film share the history and traditions of the lower Mississippi River delta and of New Orleans, home to one of…

Hours: The French Quarter Visitor Center is open year-round; it is closed on federal holidays and Mardi Gras. Closures for Mardi Gras are determined annually based on site accessibility and safety for visitors and employees. Announcements will be posted accordingly.

Prairie Acadian Cultural Center

The Acadian exiles from Canada's Nova Scotia who settled Louisiana's prairies developed a distinctive cultural mix of Cajun, Creole, and cowboy. The Prairie Acadian Cultural…

Hours: The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center is open year-round; it is closed on federal holidays. Closures for Mardi Gras are determined annually based on site accessibility and safety for visitors and employees. Announcements will be posted accordingly.

Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center

The Acadians who made their home along Louisiana’s bayous created a unique Cajun culture shaped by life on the water. The center shares their stories…

Hours: The Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center is open year-round; it is closed on federal holidays and Mardi Gras. Closures for Mardi Gras are determined annually based on site accessibility and safety for visitors and employees. Announcements will be posted accordingly.

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