Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Designation: National Historical Park and Preserve
Location: Louisiana
📘 Park Overview
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.
🌤 Weather Information
All temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit. Note that relative humidity, especially in summer months, can reach 90%, so temperatures can feel 10-20 degrees hotter than actual temperature. Spring (March, April, May) average high 77, low 61 Summer (June, July, August) average high 89, low 75 Fall (September, October, November) average high 78, low 64 Winter (December, January, February) average high 64, low 48
🚗 Directions
Jean Lafitte's headquarters and the park's French Quarter Visitor Center is located at 419 Decatur St. 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 URL.
Images
Spanish moss and lush vegetation provide glimpses of Louisiana's wild wetlands at Jean Lafitte's Barataria Preserve.
Credit: NPS Photo
Chalmette Battlefield's American rampart and cannons still guard the site of the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.
Credit: NPS Photo
Established during the Civil War, Chalmette National Cemetery's 14,000+ headstones pay tribute to those buried there.
Credit: NPS Photo
Hundreds of years of history and thousands of people from all over the world have created New Orleans' distinctive cultural mix.
Credit: NPS Photo
Bringing skills and traditions from Nova Scotia, the Acadian exiles in Louisiana found a new home and a new name---Cajuns.
Credit: NPS Photo
Acadian (Cajun) music began in cabins and dancehalls and has become famous worldwide.
Credit: NPS Photo
The Music Porch at the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice, LA
Credit: NPS
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Thursday, Feb 19
Cloudy
High: 89.1°F | Low: 68.7°F
Humidity: 80%
Wind: 17.7 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 1.4
Sunrise: 06:36 AM
Sunset: 05:52 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (3%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 72.1°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Friday, Feb 20
Partly Cloudy
High: 83.5°F | Low: 69.6°F
Humidity: 82%
Wind: 15 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 1.5
Sunrise: 06:35 AM
Sunset: 05:53 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (7%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 71.6°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Saturday, Feb 21
Partly Cloudy
High: 81.9°F | Low: 69.4°F
Humidity: 82%
Wind: 20.4 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 1.3
Sunrise: 06:34 AM
Sunset: 05:54 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (14%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 70.2°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Park Alerts
Park Events
Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center - Cercle Francophone
A "French Roundtable" where area French speakers gather and share culture, history, and traditions. All are invited.
Location: Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center 314 St Mary St, Thibodaux, LA 70301
Date: Sep 1, 2024 12:00am to Sep 1, 2024 12:00am
Paid Event
Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center - Music on the Bayou
Every Tuesday (no music on federal holidays), discover the wide range of south Louisiana's music: zydeco, gospel, blues, jazz, Cajun, and more.
Enjoy the great music at these FREE Concerts!
To find out who's playing, call the center at 985-448-1375.
Location: Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center 314 St. Mary St. Thibodaux, LA 70301
Date: Sep 1, 2024 12:00am to Sep 1, 2024 12:00am
Paid Event
Chalmette Battlefield - Battle of New Orleans Talk
Location: Chalmette Battlefield 1 Battlefield Road Chalmette, LA 70043
Date: Oct 1, 2024 12:00am to Dec 31, 2027 12:00am
Paid Event
Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center - Science Fun with a Ranger
Join a park ranger for a children's Science activity at Reading Time!
Note: This event occurs off-site at the Lafourche Parish Public Library.
Location: Lafourche Parish Public Library 705 W 5th St #3154, Thibodaux, LA 70301
Date: Jan 8, 2025 12:00am to Jan 8, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Chalmette Battlefield - Birding at the Battlefield
An introduction to birding during the fall migration season. Let's meet the birds that call Chalmette Battlefield their home! Please bring your own binoculars.
Location: Chalmette Battlefield Visitor Center 1 Battlefield Road Chalmette, LA 70043
Date: Mar 2, 2025 12:00am to Mar 2, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Prairie Acadian Cultural Center - Crafts Club
Join a ranger with your craft in hand to spend time sharing skills and time with other crafty folks!
Handycrafts are a core tradition in south Louisiana. Some crafts are ancient, some are only a little vintage, and some are the newest trend online. Whatever you craft, craft it here!
Limited supplies are available at the center. Please bring your own crafts and supplies to meetings if possible. If not possible, all are welcome regardless.
Date: May 1, 2025 12:00am to Jan 1, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Prairie Acadian Cultural Center - Crafts Club
Join a ranger with your craft in hand to spend time sharing skills and time with other crafty folks!
Handycrafts are a core tradition in south Louisiana. Some crafts are ancient, some are only a little vintage, and some are the newest trend online. Whatever you craft, craft it here!
Limited supplies are available at the center. Please bring your own crafts and supplies to meetings if possible. If not possible, all are welcome regardless.
Date: May 9, 2025 12:00am to Jan 10, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center - Historic Thibodaux Walking Tour
Join a ranger for a stroll through downtown Thibodaux and hear stories of its past.
Location: Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center 314 St. Mary St. Thibodaux, LA 70301
Date: Jun 3, 2025 12:00am to Jun 3, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center - Rangers at the Urban on the Bayou Farmer's Market celebrating Louisiana Heritage
Join a Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center Ranger at the Carrot Patch for the Urban on the Bayou Farmers Market (819 W 1st St, Thibodaux, LA 70301) to learn more about the park, culture, and crafts for you to make!
Please note: This event occurs off-site and not at the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center.
Location: 819 W 1st Street Thibodaux, LA 70301
Date: Aug 9, 2025 12:00am to Aug 9, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Barataria Preserve - Wetlands Walk
Explore wild Louisiana on a guided walk along a boardwalk trail through swamp and marsh.
Recommended items to bring include a water bottle, insect repellant, and good walking shoes.
Location: Meet at the Barataria Preserve Visitor Center
Date: Sep 3, 2025 12:00am to Sep 3, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
419 Decatur St
New Orleans, LA 70130
🏤 Mailing Address:
419 Decatur St
New Orleans, LA 70130
📞 Voice Phone: 5045893882
✉️ Email: jela_interpretation@nps.gov