Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve - Facilities

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve by National Parks Service

VISITOR CENTERS

Acadian Cultural Center

Open

Open daily, except December 25 and Mardi Gras. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Location

501 Fisher Road, Lafayette, Louisiana.

Closures

December 25 and Mardi Gras.

Special Programs

The Cajun Way: Echoes of Acadia, a 40-minute film; shown hourly from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Atchafalaya Revisited, a 15-minute film; shown after each Cajun Way showing. Bayou Tours in traditional Louisiana wooden boat. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Call 337-233-4077 for times, prices, and reservations.

Exhibits

Interprets the story of the Acadian people, who were relocated from Nova Scotia, Canada, to the Misssissippi Delta region during 1765-1785, their history, customs, language, and contemporary culture.

Barataria Preserve

Open

Open daily 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Location

17 miles south of New Orleans near Crown Point at 6588 Barataria Boulevard (LA Highway 45),Marrero.

Closures

Christmas Day and Mardi Gras.

Special Programs

Call to make reservations for the following: Saturday morning canoe treks, sunset walks, and moonlight canoe treks. The park movie:"Jambalaya: A Delta Almanac" is shown daily 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Ranger guided walk --10:00 a.m. daily.

Exhibits

Visitor Center exhibits highlight the natural history and lifeways of the area.

Available Facilities

Walking trails, waterways for canoeing, picnic areas, and 20,000 acres of wetlands, hardwood forest, swamp, and marsh. Parking lots are open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Enviromental Education Center programs available for grades K-12 require reservations. To schedule call 504-689-7611. ext 12.

Chalmette Battlefield Visitor Center

Open

Grounds and public restrooms are open Mondays-Thursdays 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and Fridays-Sundays 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Visitor center open Fridays-Sundays 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Closed December 25 and Mardi Gras.

Location

8606 St. Bernard Highway in Chalmette.

French Quarter Visitor Center

Open

Open daily 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Closed December 25 and Mardi Gras.

Location

located in the French Quarter at 419 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA 70130-1035

Closures

Closed December 25 and Mardi Gras.

Special Programs

10:30 a.m. French Quarter Tour: 25 person limit, first-come, first-served. Passes, limited to one per person, must be picked up in person on day of the tour. 90 minutes in length. One mile of walking. Program du Jour-Daily 11:30 a.m. 30 - 45 minute programs on topics ranging from the Mississippi River to local history to the language of New Orleans. Schedules available each week at visitor center.

Exhibits

Exhibits depict the history, natural resources, and cultural diversity of Louisiana's Mississippi Delta region.

Prairie Acadian Cultural Center

Open

Open Tuesday through Friday. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Open Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Location

250 West Park Avenue, Eunice, Louisiana.

Closures

Closed December 25.

Special Programs

Every Saturday, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Liberty Theatre Performance: A live radio broadcast of Cajun music, stories, anecdotes, etc. in "Cajun French'. Saturdays 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Cajun music, dancing, and cooking demonstrations.

Exhibits

Interprets the culture of the Acadians who settled prairies of southwest Louisiana.

Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center

Open

Open Monday-Tuesday 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Wednesday-Thursday 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., and Friday-Saturday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Location

314 St. Mary Street, Thibodaux, Louisiana.

Closures

Closed December 25, and Mardi Gras.

Special Programs

Ranger talks upon request. Music Programs: Mondays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Cajun Jam Session: Viens Passe', Un Bon Temps!(Come and have a Good Time!) Films: available upon request. Bayou tours in traditional Louisiana wooden boat on Sundays and Mondays (to Madewood Plantation; includes home tour and lunch) and Saturdays (E.D. White Historic Site). Call for times, prices, and reservations.

Exhibits

Artifacts and exhibits depict a variety of cultures linked closely with the rich swamps, marshes, and coastal waters of this region.