Discover the roots of jazz at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park.
Located in the heart of the French Quarter, our park offers live performances,
exhibits, and programs that celebrate the legacy of America's unique musical
art form. Immerse yourself in the vibrant history and culture of jazz, a sound
that continues to inspire the world. Join us in preserving and celebrating the
music!

Discover the roots of jazz at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, our park offers live performances, exhibits, and programs that celebrate the legacy of America's unique musical art form. Immerse yourself in the vibrant history and culture of jazz, a sound that continues to inspire the world. Join us in preserving and celebrating the music!

Bird's eye view of the park

New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

In Jean Lafitte's day, silver and gold filled a pirate's treasure chest, but
today's treasures are people, places, and memories. Discover New Orleans’ rich
cultural mix. Learn Cajun traditions from people who live them. Watch an
alligator bask on a bayou’s bank. Walk in the footsteps of the men who fought
at 1815’s Battle of New Orleans. Follow the link to discover the treasure of
Jean Lafitte.

In Jean Lafitte's day, silver and gold filled a pirate's treasure chest, but today's treasures are people, places, and memories. Discover New Orleans’ rich cultural mix. Learn Cajun traditions from people who live them. Watch an alligator bask on a bayou’s bank. Walk in the footsteps of the men who fought at 1815’s Battle of New Orleans. Follow the link to discover the treasure of Jean Lafitte.

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1990, contains a
variety of wildlife habitats, including patches of bottomland hardwood forest;
freshwater, brackish and estuarine tidal marshes; lagoons; canals; and natural
bayous. The refuge derives its name from the Bayou Sauvage waterway,
pronounced “Bye-you So vage” which means “Wild Bayou.” The Bayou Sauvage
waterway was once the primary east/west route into and out of the City of New
Orleans.

An important stopover along the Mississippi Flyway, these diverse habitats
support approximately 340 bird species throughout the year. The American
alligator is a common sight at the refuge. Most of the refuge is located
inside hurricane protection levees built to protect New Orleans from storm
surge and flooding. Because the levees interrupt the natural water flow, a
network of pumps and flap gates regulates seasonal water levels. Water is
managed to support the summer growth of emergent grasses and provide waterfowl
with winter food and sheltering areas. Rainfall is the main source of water
for these freshwater marshes. Water levels fluctuate with seasons, rainfall,
and water management practices.

It is with respect that we acknowledge that the refuge is on the ancestral
lands of the Tchefuncte culture whose villages were here hundreds of years
B.C.E. and later the "Chapitoulas," or ‘river people’ as they called
themselves, and the Choctaw tribe who came in diaspora.

Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1990, contains a variety of wildlife habitats, including patches of bottomland hardwood forest; freshwater, brackish and estuarine tidal marshes; lagoons; canals; and natural bayous. The refuge derives its name from the Bayou Sauvage waterway, pronounced “Bye-you So vage” which means “Wild Bayou.” The Bayou Sauvage waterway was once the primary east/west route into and out of the City of New Orleans.An important stopover along the Mississippi Flyway, these diverse habitats support approximately 340 bird species throughout the year. The American alligator is a common sight at the refuge. Most of the refuge is located inside hurricane protection levees built to protect New Orleans from storm surge and flooding. Because the levees interrupt the natural water flow, a network of pumps and flap gates regulates seasonal water levels. Water is managed to support the summer growth of emergent grasses and provide waterfowl with winter food and sheltering areas. Rainfall is the main source of water for these freshwater marshes. Water levels fluctuate with seasons, rainfall, and water management practices. It is with respect that we acknowledge that the refuge is on the ancestral lands of the Tchefuncte culture whose villages were here hundreds of years B.C.E. and later the "Chapitoulas," or ‘river people’ as they called themselves, and the Choctaw tribe who came in diaspora.

Rail at Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge

New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

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Nearby Parks

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge