NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)- A centennial celebration is happening, from the giant redwoods of California to Maine’s Acadia National Park — and all the battlefields, historic sites and treasured parks that lie in-between. The first National Park, Yellowstone, was designated in 1871, nearly a half century before the National Park Service was established. There are 413 places across the country where you can find the signature arrowhead-shaped sign.
1. There’s FREE admission to all 413 national parks from August 25-28, 2016.
Go to any national park for free during the next few days! In honor of the birthday, admission fees are waived this weekend at parks across the country.
Donations are always welcome, but good news for New Orleanians: There is no admission fee at any of the six sites that make up Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve. If you don’t know where all six sites are, watch our Travel Girl’s video story above!
2. #FindYourPark hashtag has people sharing snapshots.
Snap a photo, and share it!
The birthday celebration is a 24-hour party with no end in sight, thanks to social media! Whenever you visit a National Park site, post your best photos, with the hashtag #FindYourPark. Another popular hashtag making the internet rounds is #RangersPointingAtThings.
You can stay in the loop by signing up for NPS e-mails at www.nps.gov — and that’s also where you can research any park you like.
3. In New Orleans, our music gets its own National Park.
Get jazzed up at a free local performance.
New Orleans’ Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve has six different sites to explore, including the Vieux Carre. The Big Easy also is home to the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park.
To experience something unique, check out one of the live educational performances that happen most days of the week at either the Old U.S. Mint or the French Market location at 916 N. Peters Street.
Check out the schedule here.