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All 382 New Orleans Attractions »

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

419 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
504-589-2636
Ranked #37 of 152 attractions in New Orleans
4.0 of 5 stars 36 Reviews
Type: Nature/ Wildlife Areas, National Parks
Activities: Viewing wildlife, Canoeing, Kayaking, Hiking
Traveler Description: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is actually several parks combined under one name.  The park has a big mission -- to tell the... more »
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36 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    18
    12
    3
    2
    1
Date Rating
La Mesa, CA
Senior Contributor
33 reviews 33 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 14, 2012

We enjoyed our 90 minute swamp tour! The guide was humorous and also knew the history of the swamp and it's wildlife. We saw many alligators in the swamp or sunning on logs. The guide actually brings out a baby alligator for everyone to hold and take pictures with! More

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See 8 more reviews by Vacationers62 for New Orleans
Greensboro, North Carolina
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 13, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Don't miss out on this gem of a preserve. Everyone there was so helpful and the boardwalk through the swamp is great! There were plenty of gators, snakes, lizards, and birds. A nature lover's dream! More

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Gretna, Louisiana
Senior Contributor
29 reviews 29 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 6, 2012

We come here all the time, mostly to walk on the trails. If you like being outside, then you need to visit. It can get hot in the summers and of course, there are mosquitos. More

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See 17 more reviews by r0sie1977 for New Orleans
Kansas City
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 4, 2012

Went this past weekend out to the Barataria preserve part of this. It happened to be a spring in the swamp weekend. Walked the Coquille trail and the boardwalk along the canal. Lots of rangers around for the event. Saw irises, turtles, lizard, frogs, and 5 gators including an 8 ft. one! And it was FREE. More

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See 6 more reviews by becksKC for New Orleans
Ponca City, Oklahoma
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 2, 2012

Great place to stumble upon! It's not often enough that one steps from a beer-garbage-vomit-reeking street into a NPS site w/ wonderful rangers and gorgeous displays. Also, much better gifts for your kids than the trashy bling at the tourist shops. More

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See 2 more reviews by XcountryDrives O for New Orleans
Ottawa, Canada
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed March 16, 2012

I had done the air boat swamp tour and a couple of days later walked the boardwalk at Barataria. I loved the boat tour, but you get the same feel of the swamp by walking the boardwalk and reading the info plaques. Plus, it's free !!! My recommendation would be to do the Jean Lafitte / Barataria walk, and if... More

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See 3 more reviews by EugeZ for New Orleans
Appleton, Wisconsin, United States
Contributor
19 reviews 19 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 13, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Lots to see and hear in this little visitors' center. Listen to recordings of music and various dialects from the region. More

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See 8 more reviews by Julie H for New Orleans
Santa Barbara, California
Senior Contributor
31 reviews 31 reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed March 5, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

It's a bit of a drive to get down to the park but completely worth your time. I'm pretty sure they offer guided tours as well as boat tours in the area. There are literally miles of trails and bridges made of wood planks that take you throughout all the rivers in the area. We saw tons of wildlife including... More

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See 4 more reviews by MonkeyBoySB for New Orleans
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Top Contributor
190 reviews 190 reviews
Reviews in 72 cities Reviews in 72 cities
66 helpful votes 66 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed February 19, 2012

The free morning tour (9:30 daily) of the French Quarter was a great way to understand some interesting facts about the city. Ranger April was friendly, informative, and interesting. The tour last about an hour and gives you some great vantage points to take pictures. More

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See 31 more reviews by JGallagher28 for New Orleans
Brookline, Massachusetts, United States
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 18, 2012

Great little park down near the lower part of Jefferson parish (take business 90, get off at barataria blvd, go left on barataria blvd and go through all the suburban-ness for a couple of miles till the park is on your left and right). Excellent trails, including a boardwalk out onto a canal/bayou and walks through cypress and palmetto. I... More

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