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New Orleans, Louisiana
Fall 2021 (3 Days)
Welcome back to 3WishesTravel Blog! We are exploring domestic locations throughout the United States and the territories this year. This post will focus on the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park outside of New Orleans, Louisiana.
Also, check out our overview of New Orleans history and the best places to visit. We will follow this post with a focused post on the best places to taste New Orlean' extensive food culture, and the Jewish History of New Orleans, so remember to like us on Facebook and follow @3WishesTravel on Instagram for updates! Now let's fly to New Orleans! 🧞♀️💜✈️
Table of Contents
Bayou of New Orleans 🐊
The Barataria Preserve of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park is located about 30 minutes south of New Orleans. This area of the swamp was featured in Disney's The Princess and the Frog film. The beauty of the swamp, its alligators, and the maze of water passages are breathtaking. The Bayou is a deeply important place for the local inhabitants and must be treated with the utmost respect when visiting.
History of the Bayou 📜
I had the honor of visiting the Barataria Preserve of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, about 30 minutes south of New Orleans. I went on a tour with a local Cajun guide who offered visitors the opportunity to learn about the swamp, its culture, and the ecosystem. This portion of the Bayou is part of 23,000 acres of wetlands, forests, bayous, swamps, and marshes. There are hikes around the bayou, fan boat trips, and more.
The Bayou has been a center of culture and life since native American tribes settled the area thousands of years ago including the Houma, Chitimacha, and more. In the 1700s, French colonists began using the area as a harbor and extracting lumber.
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is named after the famous French pirate who was active in the area through the beginning of the 1800s. The maze-like rivers and thick vegetation made the Bayou the perfect hideout for pirates. The location in the Gulf of Mexico allowed for easy access from the Caribbean, a hotspot for pirate activity. The War of 1812 saw Andrew Jackson ask the Lafitte brothers for help defending the City of New Orleans because of their knowledge of the Bayou.
The mid 18th century brought a new group to the Bayou, the Acadians, or more commonly known, the Cajuns. First a part of a French-speaking community called Acadia in present-day Canada, the Cajuns were exiled by the British. France still had a colony in La Louisiane, and the Cajuns settled in New Orleans. Much of the Cajun people decided to head into the swamps to build their own self-governed community.
Throughout the19th century, Cajun Bayou culture grew and the community began producing high-quality seafood. Happy with their more isolated lifestyle, Cajun communities have continued to live in the Bayou until today. The tour guide on my swap tour was a native Cajun Bayou resident.
Over the 19th and 20th centuries, the Bayou has continued to develop as a home of Cajun culture, and a tourist destination. Careful preservation has taken place to ensure the long-term viability of the area. Swamplands are often changing delicate ecosystems, and as tourists, we are guests of the Bayou. It is of the utmost importance to respect the Bayou and its inhabitants and leave no trace of your visit.
Air Boat ⛵
Due to the shallow nature of the Bayou, Airboats are ideal for getting around. Their engine and fan propellant sit above the waterline making it easy to navigate very shallow waters. Airboats are commonly used in the Louisiana Bayou, as well as other low-lying areas like the Florida Everglades and Mekong River in SE Asia. They are a favorite of Bayou tour companies, including Gray Line New Orleans the operator of my tour!
Civilians and their Airboats were fundamental in Katrina rescue operations saving thousands. The "Cajun Navy" is a group of volunteer boat owners that deployed after major storms Katrina, Harvey, Irma, and Ida. These heroes have saved tens of thousands of people, supplied food and water, rebuilt homes, and more since their founding in 2005.
Shrimp Fishing Boats 🚤
Shrimp is a popular Louisiana catch and many local Bayou residents use boats like these to catch them. The long arms of the boat reach down into the water and, hopefully, bring shrimp back up with them. Many boats like these can be seen sitting in their home's docks along the Bayou.
Alligators in the Bayou 🐊
There are more than 3 million alligators in the Louisiana Bayous. Conservation is extremely important for these animals and their ecosystems to ensure their continued survival. Remember to enjoy alligators from a distance and respect their space. Alligators hatch from eggs at around 8 inches long and grow to 9-13 feet long. Many Swamp Tours offer experiences seeing alligators in their natural habitat.
Hurricane Effects🌀
Jean Lafitte Bayou and other wetlands have been heavily affected by hurricanes and climate change. Coastal erosion, loss of fisheries, and flooding have all caused problems for the residents. Recently, Hurricane Ida damaged the wetlands which are still recovering. Careful environmental management and respect for the land are needed to help the community recover. Please consider donating to Ida recovery with the Bayou Community Foundation.
I hope this helps you create your own New Orleans adventure. More to come as we continue writing our NOLA experiences! Check back daily for updates and stay tuned for our Traveling Jewish: NOLA post and I hope this helps you create your own New Orleans adventure. More to come as we continue writing our NOLA experiences! Check back daily for updates and stay tuned for our Traveling Jewish: NOLA post and Cousine of New Orleans post!
All pictures were taken by me. Follow our Instagram @3WishesTravel for more, including live updates for my future trips and guest trips! We are headed to Italy in Feb 2022!
If you are thinking about your own visit to NOLA, contact us and we will plan your entire trip for you! Subscribe below for an alert when our upcoming posts in new locations are published! If you have any New Orleans recommendations, feel free to comment below! I would love to hear them :)
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