Jean Lafitte
The Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is comprised of six parks. Each park is really worth a visit as they are all unique and showcase treasures of southern Louisiana. Truly each one could stand on its own as a park. We only visited four of the six parks, but we have a ton to share about our experiences.
National Park Service website: http://www.nps.gov/jela/
Chalmette Battlefield
We visited Chalmette Battlefield first; this was not our favorite in the group, but it still had a lot of information. The highlight for Janet, who is not into battlefields, was seeing crawfish mud holes for the first time. The park is currently undergoing renovations due to Katrina. The site is where the famous “Battle of New Orleans” was fought during the war of 1812. While some believe the battle was fought after the war was over, the treaty was signed but had not been ratified by Congress yet. A small technicality I agree. Also on the site stands the Malus-Beauregard House, built in the 1830. It is a wonderful example of French-Louisiana architecture.
National Park Service website: http://www.nps.gov/jela/chalmette-battlefield.htm
Barataria Preserve
This was our favorite out of the four we visited. This park highlights Louisiana’s wetlands. Janet had never really been inside a swamp before, and the trails right outside of the visitor center lead you straight into a swamp. We were able to experience cypress knees, alligators and snakes in this park’s 20,000 acres. Of course, we did not trek through all of them. Check out our pictures below to see our surprise encounter with an alligator.
National Park Service website: http://www.nps.gov/jela/barataria-preserve.htm
Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center
After a day of rest and visiting family in Larose, LA, we decided to visit more National Parks. The first on our list for the day was the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center. I am a little ashamed to say I have never been here, as I lived in Thibodaux for a few years and I passed by it dozens of times. This park follows the lives of the Acadians, or Cajuns, on their journey and struggles to find a home for themselves. A large number of them settled in the bayous of southern Louisiana. My great, great grandfather was one of them, so this story is dear to my heart. I was excited and happy to be able to share this wonderful culture with my wife.
National Park Service website: http://www.nps.gov/jela/wetlands-acadian-cultural-center.htm
French Quarter Visitor Center
This was the last of the group that we visited on this trip to Louisiana. This location is the headquarters for the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. It sits in the heart of the city of New Orleans. This center has several displays and films on the heritage of southern Louisiana and the founding of the city of New Orleans, which sprawled out from this area. A added benefit or curse (it is very hard to find a parking spot) depending on who you ask is that this site is in the French Quarter, a very popular tourist attraction for all visitors of New Orleans. If you are in the French Quarter be sure to stop by the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. It is only a few blocks away.
National Park Service website: http://www.nps.gov/jela/french-quarter-site.htm
