Chalmette, Louisiana is home to one of the most historic sites in American history. The Chalmette Battlefield was the grounds for the last battle fought during the War of 1812. This town is full of history and has its own side to Louisiana culture that history buffs will enjoy.
With its close proximity to New Orleans, this can also be a good place to take a day trip to the Big Easy and walk through its fabled haunted corridors on a historical walking tour that will give you a different angle of Louisiana’s history. You could also sample some world famous mac and cheese and then take a po boy to go as you sit on the grounds of the battlefield taking in the immense history surrounding you. Chalmette will surely have visitors intrigued and ready for their history lesson in this beautiful terrain with a colorful past. Here are the best things to do in Chalmette:
1. A celebrated battlefield
The Chalmette Battlefield became famous for the battle on January 8 in 1815. This historical landmark is now part of the Jean Lafitte National Parks and Preserves system. Visitors can tour the battlefield and witness the history through guided tours or by planning to attend reenactments of the War of 1812. There is also a National Cemetery that visitors can tour to pay their respect to those who died. With its serene surroundings and immense lessons, The Chalmette Battlefield is definitely a landmark worth exploring.
The Chalmette Battlefield
Address: 8606 W St Bernard Hwy, 70043 Chalmette, LA
Website: Chalmette Battlefield
2. Come tour the amazing architecture of the Beauregard House
After it was renovated by the Parks Services, the Beauregard House which was never used for its original intended purpose as a plantation house has now been turned into a museum and visitor center for the battlefield and cemetery. This beautiful piece of architecture was marveled for its Louisiana plantation-style structure. As you tour the museum and visitor center you can take in the details put into this beautifully restored piece of history.
Beauregard House
Address: 8606 W St Bernard Hwy, 70043 Chalmette, LA
Website: Beauregard House
3. Take a ride on the Creole Queen to visit the landmarks and take in the Louisiana scenery
This historical cruise on the Creole Queen will not be a somber event. With a buffet stocked with famous Cajun cuisines such as gumbo and jambalaya, you won’t be disappointed as you are treated to Louisiana treats with a fascinating lesson in history. This three-hour cruise will leave you feeling satisfied and happy with the option of bottomless drinks for the adults.
Take a ride on the Creole Queen to visit the landmarks and take in the Louisiana scenery
Address: 365 Canal Street, Suite 2350, 70130 New Orleans, LA
Website: Historical River Cruise
4. World famous mac and cheese? Yes, please!
Run by two Italian immigrant families, Rocky and Carlo’s is a famous foodie stop for their Creole cuisine with an Italian twist. With a menu that boasts world famous mac and cheese and out of this world po boy sandwiches, you can easily spend your meal times here and then pack some more to go as you explore the sites around Chalmette. If exploring local food is one of your favorite pastimes, then you won’t want to miss Rocky and Carlo’s Restaurant and Bar while you’re in Chalmette.
Try the world famous mac and cheese at Rocky and Carlo's Restaurant and Bar
Address: 613 W Saint Bernard Hwy, 70043 Chalmette, LA
Facebook page: Rocky and Carlo’s Restaurant and Bar
5. Explore New Orleans with a day trip from Chalmette (from USD 15.0)
A twenty-minute drive will get you to New Orleans where you can spend the day taking a historical walking tour and seeing an environment very different than the one in Chalmette. This historical tour will be unique and different from the one where you celebrate America’s noble past. This tour will take you on a thrilling walk through New Orleans vibrant history of pirates, prostitutes, and ex-convicts.
It will also amuse you with the stories of vampire and ghost sightings documented across the city. The Big Easy has always been famous for its modern day liveliness but it is equally notorious for its colorful past. This tour will not be one you’ll want to miss to give you the full picture of Cajun culture.
New Orleans Historical and Haunted Walking Tour
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Whether you're a history buff or a fan of Creole cuisine, you will have plenty to enjoy in Chalmette
Taking in the serene sights and the heavy history behind the Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery will leave you with a sense of America’s past that you can’t experience in other sites around the country. This location and landmark are unique to this terrain and its proximity to the water that helped seal America’s maritime rights. With the amazing architecture of the Beauregard House, the location for the museum and visitor center, you will want to take some time to just wander the halls of this restored relic and appreciate the work that went into the details to create this Louisiana plantation house.
You can venture to these sights by car or you can relax on a cruise that will provide a Creole lunch and a guided tour aboard the Creole Queen. And if Chalmette isn’t enough history for you, take a historical walking tour through New Orleans for an entirely different type of history that will leave you spooked and amused. Finally, Louisiana wouldn’t be such a famous destination stop without its local cuisine, which is why you should include Rocky and Carlo’s on your itinerary. Enjoying the range of history in and around Chalmette will give you a vacation that you’ll always remember for its exciting history and vibrant culture.
History
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