French Quarter Visitor Center at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

LOCATION

419 Decatur Street

The French Quarter Visitor Center at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is located in downtown New Orleans. There is limited street parking at the Visitor Center, but there are multiple pay-to-park lots nearby ($50+).

Limited street parking in front of the French Quarter Visitor Center, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

OPERATING HOURS

The French Quarter Visitor Center is typically open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Keep in mind that times can always change, so be sure to check the National Park Service’s official Operating Hours and Seasons web page for the current schedule.

AMENITIES

• Ranger-staffed information desk where you can ask questions and pick up a park brochure
• Souvenir and bookstore
• Park film
• Exhibit area
• Restrooms

Information desk and souvenir store inside the French Quarter Visitor Center at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

PARK FILM

The 7-minute film Mississippi in Motion plays on demand—just push the button underneath the screen. It documents life on the Mississippi River, focusing on the river’s important role in the economy. Historical photos and jazz music help tell the story. The film is suitable for all ages.

Visitors watch the park film at the French Quarter Visitor Center, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

EXHIBIT AREA

Exhibit area inside the French Quarter Visitor Center, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

The French Quarter Visitor Center brings to life the history and traditions of the lower Mississippi River Delta, home to one of America’s most distinctive cultural mixes. Exhibits cover a variety of topics, one being the area’s unique cuisine. Dishes such as gumbo and jambalaya use local seafood and spices combined with outside influences like a French roux. Food is an integral part of the Delta, and the area has many festivals that emphasize traditional foods such as King Cake that is served during the Mardi Gras celebrations.

Exhibit on the local cuisine at the French Quarter Visitor Center, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

Music is a huge part of the culture in New Orleans. The area is known for its distinct styles of jazz, big bands, and rhythm and blues. One such example is zydeco, a music genre that combines Cajun music with funk, blues, rap, and reggae. It relies heavily on saxophones, accordions, and rubboards. An exhibit in the middle of the room displays multiple musical instruments surrounded by interactive screens and listening devices that allow visitors to hear the different types of music.

Exhibit on music genres at the French Quarter Visitor Center, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

The mix of different cultures also created a way of speaking that is unique to the area. Another interactive listening exhibit allows visitors to hear the proper dialect and pronunciation, along with definitions and descriptions of commonly used words in the Delta region.

Interactive dialect exhibit at the French Quarter Visitor Center, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

Visitor listens to the pronunciation of Atchafalyaya words at the interactive dialect exhibit in the French Quarter Visitor Center, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

Also unique to the area is the way properties were divided along the Mississippi River. The swamp made farming the land difficult, and the only tillable ground occurred on the natural levees at the riverfront. Therefore, lots tended to be long and narrow, allowing owners access to the river and its waters for farming at one end of their property (sugarcane and rice were common crops) and the ability to lumber, hunt, and fish in the back swamps.

Exhibit on using the resources of the Mississippi River at the French Quarter Visitor Center, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

A touchscreen map lets visitors zoom in on different locations and learn more about the local historic sites that are not necessarily part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. The map provides a satellite view of the area along with a few historical details on the left side of the screen.

Interactive touchscreen map at the French Quarter Visitor Center, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

SCHEDULING YOUR TIME

Allow 30 to 60 minutes for your visit to the French Quarter Visitor Center at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. This gives you enough time to check out the exhibit area, watch the film, and talk with a Ranger about what there is to see and do at the park.

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