Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve – New Orleans, LA

New Orleans is known for a lot of things, but it wasn’t until my family took a day trip to the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park in New Orleans that I learned that one of those things is pirates!

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park is a collection of a few different park locations in the New Orleans area that explore the history of the privateer and smuggler, Jean Lafitte. 

National Historical Parks are a little different from most national parks because instead of focusing on the area’s natural beauty, the focus is on its historical importance. In this case, that historical importance is the outsized impact that Jean Lafitte had on New Orleans and the surrounding areas during his lifetime. 

Where is it?

Who Was Jean Lafitte?

So, who was this Jean Lafitte? For all of his importance to New Orleans history, there’s actually a lot about him that we just don’t know. 

For instance, we aren’t really sure where he was born, nor when. Neither are we completely sure where he died. But what we do know is that his actions as a pirate and heroic actions during the war of 1812 made him into a larger-than-life figure in the history of the United States. 

Jean Lafitte and his brother Pierre Lafitte operated as smugglers in the Gulf of Mexico in the years leading up to the war of 1812. This was a time period when the US was starting to tighten many of its rules on imports from other countries, signaling an end to the “Golden Age of Piracy.” However, this did not dissuade the Lafitte brothers. 

Instead, Jean built up a pirate stronghold on Barataria, a hidden island in Louisiana’s bayous. There, they could bring their contraband into the States unimpeded. Pierre used his blacksmith’s shop in the city as a front for their operations. It was an effective setup, which gained the brother’s wealth and notoriety. But eventually, it also brought them the attention of the United States government. 

In September of 1814, the United States raided Jean Lafitte’s stronghold in Barataria, and captured 8 of the ships from his fleet, though Lafitte himself escaped. Cut off from his resources, and without his secret island home, Lafitte offered the use of his men in the Battle of New Orleans in exchange for a full pardon of the Barataria pirates. Andrew Jackson agreed. 

Lafitte’s pirates battled bravely and earned their pardons with the defeat of the British forces. 

From then on, Lafitte’s life begins to fade back into the fog of time. We know that he set up another smuggler’s camp near Galveston, Texas, but it was soon lost in a hurricane. From there he went south, to Mexico, where some believe he died. Others think he returned to the States once more where he lived out his life under an alias. It’s possible that we’ll never know for sure.

Why Should I visit?

The Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is a wonderful place to visit for nature lovers and history buffs alike. It is a single park spread over three different locations, all attached to the mysterious figure of Jean Lafitte. 

French Quarter Visitor Center

I would suggest beginning at the Visitor’s center located in the heart of New Orlean’s French Quarter. It’s not a location that will take a lot of time, but it is definitely worth a visit. 

There is a small museum on-site that does a great job of explaining who Jean Lafitte was, and why his connection to the New Orleans area is so strong. There’s an activities room, as well, where different community events can be held. On the day we visited, there was a drum circle that ended up being one of my favorite things that my family did in New Orleans. We were able to join in on some of the drums, and learn a lot about how different African drums are made and played. 

Also, be sure to grab the National Park’s Junior Ranger booklets for your kids so they can earn their Junior Ranger badges.

Chalmette Battlefield

The Chalmette Battlefield was the site of the Battle of New Orleans, which took place after the treaty to end the War of 1812 was signed, but before it had been officially ratified. It was during this conflict, on January 8, 1815, that Lafitte’s men earned their pardon from the US government. 

If you’re interested in learning more about the Battle of New Orleans and what it meant for the American people of that time, I suggest checking out the 2021 Virtual Battle of New Orleans hosted by the National Parks Service!

Barataria Preserve

Apart from the obvious historical value of being the bayou where Jean Lafitte built his pirate stronghold, the Barataria Preserve includes over 26,000 acres of Louisiana wetlands to explore! Wetlands are absolutely essential to maintaining the ecosystem, and the Barataria Preserve is a great way to see these vital landscapes up close. 

The area is brimming with biodiversity, including many plant and animal species that are uncommon elsewhere in the States. If you are interested in exploring on your own, there are numerous different walking trails through the park, and a cell phone tour is available if you’re interested in learning more about the swamp’s special ecosystem. 

If you’re more interested in having a guide, there is a Wetlands Walk guided by a park ranger every Wednesday through Sunday at 10:00 am. The trails for the walk change often, so every time it can be a slightly different adventure!

My family loves getting out into nature, and there’s a ton to see, but definitely remember to pack the bug spray! 

Whether you’ve been planning a trip to New Orleans for a while, or you just happen to be passing through, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve makes for a great stop on the trip. Each part of the park is filled with amazing history, mysterious adventure, and lots of new things to discover.