New Orleans is full of an exciting and rich history just waiting to be uncovered by guests. One of the most prolific figures in the early history of the city was Jean Lafitte. Lafitte was born in France but later traveled to New Orleans in search of a new life. Like many new immigrants to America, Lafitte was ambitious, however, unlike many immigrants, Lafitte quickly turned to crime to make a living. Lafitte became a pirate and with his brother, established a very successful smuggling operation in Louisiana and amassed a very large crew to grow his fortune. Lafitte’s criminal empire was not to last because of the United States Navy. They eventually forced Lafitte into surrender. Lafitte was not to be deterred by the loss of his crew and began to appeal his case. He eventually was given a pardon by the United States government during the War of 1812 and played a pivotal role in the American defense of New Orleans during the last battle of the War of 1812. Lafitte’s legacy lives on in Louisiana today with numerous visitors coming from all around the world to get in touch with the area’s exciting history and local wildlife.

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park is located just seventeen miles away from downtown New Orleans and has numerous different activities available for guests to explore. One of the most popular is the Chalmette Battlefield. Guests can follow in the footsteps of soldiers and around the monuments to learn about the American defense of the city from invading British troops during the last battle of the War of 1812. Another popular activity is the French Quarter Visitor Center, where guests can learn about the first European settlers to the area and learn about the changing history of the city over the centuries. Perhaps the most popular activity for visitors is exploring the Barataria Preserve, an area of swamp and wetlands that is home to numerous local wildlife species including alligators.

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park is one of the most popular locations in the world for those looking to explore and learn about swamps. The pristine wilderness has numerous local tours available for guests wanting to explore them in a fun and safe way. Jean Lafitte Swamp Tours takes guests on a swamp boat through pristine bayous and swamplands. The local Cajan guide will inform guests all about the local legends of the area and all about local wildlife. The tour is approximately two hours along and includes hotel pickup and dropoff. Another popular tour available is the airboat tour, which is offered by the same company and runs for approximately the same time. This tour takes guests into bayous that can only be seen by airboat. Attendees for Continuing Education Company’s CME Conference in New Orleans should check out this thrilling airboat ride. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park is one of Louisiana's most visited National Parks and is a true treasure for anyone interested in exploring history or nature.

Upcoming CME Conferences & Online Learning

Want to attend a live CME conference in a beautiful locale or complete an online course from the comforts of home? At Continuing Education Company, we provide you with options to make your medical continuing education fun, engaging, and relevant. Check out our conference calendar to view the dates and locations of upcoming conferences as well as the online learning courses and live streaming that are currently available. And, for a limited period of time, take advantage of our Special Offer! Attend one of our LIVE conferences in person and you will receive a FREE online 15 credit CME course from CME365™.