The Best Things to Do in Natchitoches, Louisiana: Your Complete Guide
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If you're interested in learning more about Louisiana’s culture and history, all you need to this guide to the best things to do in Natchitoches, Louisiana!
This town of just under 20,000 people is small, but filled with fascinating places and great food that will please the entire family.
Plus, the history of the place is perfect for your next educational family travel destination!
Kids can learn about everything from Native American history to the Civil War and beyond while trying new foods like etoufee and meat pies.
Learn more about the area's past and present on your next visit.
Guest poster Apryl Chapman Thomas from Southern Hospitality Magazine shares her list of favorite Natchitoches attractions, restaurants, and more.
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Updated 4/2022 | Written 10/2105
Before we get into what you need to see in Natchitoches, let’s clear up one thing:
How to Pronounce Natchitoches
Say “Nack-a-tish” or “Nack-a-dish.” The name comes from a local Native American tribe, the Natchitoches—and their name may have come from a word in their language, “nashitosh.”
Over time, the spelling changed to the current “Natchitoches” while the pronunciation remains closer to that original Native American word.
In short, don’t say “Natch-a-toses” (like it looks!), and you’ll be fine.
Much like your pronunciation of Greenwich in London can divide tourist from local (“Gren-ich” from the locals, and “Green-witch” by unknowing tourists), your ability to correctly pronounce Natchitoches will have you feeling like a local in no time!
Why Should You Visit Natchitoches, Louisiana?
It may be the sight of Cane River Lake viewed from picturesque Beau Jardin, fun festivals, rich history or something else that travelers find enchanting about Natchitoches, Louisiana.
Whatever the reason may be, it doesn't take anyone long to realize there is something special about this town.
Throughout the years, Natchitoches has received numerous accolades and recognition, including Oprah Winfrey's proclamation in 2002, naming it the "best little town in the whole U.S.A. "
Natchitoches holds the designation as "the B&B capital of Louisiana," offering well over 30 establishments for discerning travelers.
It was also the setting for the 1989 movie "Steel Magnolias" as well as a few others.
Things to do in Natchitoches, Louisiana
Beau Jardin
Nestled on the side of the Cane River Lake, Beau Jardin is a gorgeous public garden that is perfect for a mid-day rest among all of your other Natchitoches adventures.
It definitely lives up to its name, which mean “beautiful garden” in French.
It’s only steps away from the other sites in the Natchitoches Historic District, and it is a particularly welcome site on a hot summer day.
Stroll the paved paths and listen to the many water features throughout.
At night, the garden is beautifully lit, so you can linger after dinner.
Kids will love watching the waterfalls and exploring all of the different types of flowers. Make your visit educational by bringing a nature journal or sketchbook!
Phone: (318) 352-2746
Address: 760 Front Street, Natchitoches, LA
Hours: open 24 hours a day
Admission: free
Fort St. John Baptiste
The 33-block National Historic Landmark District features more than just Beau Jardin. It has a mix of historic sites, homes and structures perfect for a few days of exploring.
Some of the notable points include Fort St. Jean Baptiste Historic Site, situated on Cane River Lake. Explore a replica of a French fort built near the original fort site.
The original Fort St. Jean Baptiste dated to 1716 and was considered the first permanent European structure built in the Louisiana Territory.
By the 1760s, the fort had fallen into disrepair, and by the start of the 19th century, it was so badly dilapidated that it was abandoned all together.
The replica, which is maintained by the Louisiana State Parks system, was built in 1979 from actual fort plans found in France, and, today, visitors can experience what life would’ve been like in a frontier settlement.
Of all of the state parks near Natchitoches, this one needs to be at the top of your list.
Phone: (318) 357-3101
Address: 155 Rue Jefferson, Natchitoches, LA
Hours: 9 AM-5 PM Wednesday- Sunday (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day)
Admission: $4/person, free for seniors and children under 3
Steel Magnolia House
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The Steel Magnolia House, also known as the Herman Taylor Home, is perhaps the most recognizable home in Natchitoches.
It’s not open to the public as a tourist attraction, but you can still experience the house in other ways.
Featured in the 1989 film, Steel Magnolias, the home is now a bed and breakfast for anyone who wants to experience Southern hospitality.
Film buffs will love the chance to stay in a location that served as an iconic part of a classic movie!
Opt to stay in the pink "Shelby" room, featured in the film or choose one of the other rooms named after the characters.
Phone: (318) 238-2585
Address: 320 Jefferson Street, Natchitoches, LA
Roque House and Gardens
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Located on the riverbank in downtown and adjacent to Beau Jardin is the Roque House.
Built by a freed slave named Yves around the 1800s, it is a prime example of French Creole architecture.
This humble home only has 3 rooms, and kids will be intrigued to discover that the children’s room was located inside the kitchen.
The home dates to around 1803, and went to its second owner after Yves’ death in 1818.
Madame Aubert Roque was the second owner, and lived there until the 1940s, when it briefly became a storage facility.
Fun fact: William Spratling, a Southern writer and one-time roommate of William Faulkner, wrote an essay called “Cane River Portraits” that appeared in the April 1928 volume of Scribner’s Magazine.
The second owner of Roque House, Madame Aubert-Roque features prominently there:
Madame Aubert lived rather humbly in a small house of mud and half-timber which was built in the 18th century by some of her French forebears…In front of bit of provincial France, an old fashioned garden, variously colorful, lay within the confines of a lichen-covered and battered fence of split palings…Here was Madame Aubert-Roque in person, detached from the rush of life, and still completely concerned with things o f the soil that we have almost forgotten existed.
Today, the house can be viewed from the outside by anyone strolling near the river. Currently, no visitors are allowed inside.
Address: 760 Front Street, Natchitoches, LA
Downtown Natchitoches Shopping
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The shops in downtown Natchitoches along Front Street include Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile, the state's oldest general store.
The general store has a fascinating history—the original owners started the business in 1863, which was right in the middle of the Civil War.
To make things even more difficult, the Kaffie Brothers were recent immigrants from Prussia who didn’t speak much English.
Their commitment to their new lives in American paid off, and the family eventually sold the business to Titus Frederick in the 1950s.
Today, Titus’ family still owns the Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile.
Find the perfect souvenir in one of the many gift shops along this stretch, then stop in at StoryBrew Coffee for a quick pick-me-up for the adults and a pastries for the kids!
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
Also located within the historic district is the relatively new Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum, which are housed in the same building.
The architecture of the building pays tribute to the area's rich culture while still remaining modern: you can see echoes of the romantic upper porches and louvered shutters of the historic homes in the bold exterior.
This inventive building was named the world's top architectural project in 2013 by Azure magazine, so walk by to take a photo even if you don’t go in.
The Sports Hall of Fame highlights the many athletes who have called Louisiana home. Learn more about them as well as view jerseys, memorabilia and artifacts.
Shaquille O'Neal, Audrey Patterson, and Archie Manning are all inductees, and Patterson's jersey from the 1948 Olympics is on display.
New Orleans Saints' fans will love the commemorative football from the 2010 Super Bowl signed by all players.
Phone: (318) 357-2492
Address: 800 Front St, Natchitoches, LA
Hours: 10 AM-4:30 PM Tuesday-Saturday
Admission: $6/adults, $5/students, military and seniors, 5 and under free (admission for Sports Hall of Fame and History Museum, below)
Northwest Louisiana History Museum
The Northwest Louisiana History Museum provides an overview of the history, people and traditions that have made an impact on this part of Louisiana.
As you walk through, you'll learn how the diverse French, Creole, native, and Spanish people all contributed to create the unique culture that is modern day Louisiana.
This museum is a great way to introduce or reinforce the history you’ll see elsewhere on your visit to Natchitoches.
Ask about the free on-site scavenger hunts for a fun and educational way to explore the museum as a family.
Phone: (318) 357-2492
Address: 800 Front St, Natchitoches, LA
Hours: 10 AM-4:30 PM Tuesday-Saturday
Admission: $6/adults, $5/students, military and seniors, 5 and under free (admission for Sports Hall of Fame and History Museum, above)
Melrose Plantation
Photo courtesy of Southern Traveler Magazine
If you're interested in learning more about the history of Natchitoches Parish (and, I'm guessing that if you're a reader of this blog, you probably do!), you'll want to tour a few plantations within the area and learn more about the Creole culture.
Start at Melrose Plantation, which is unique in its ownership: it was constructed completely by the descendants of freed slaves and served as the home for the Metoyer family for decades.
The matriarch of the Metoyer family was Marie Therese Coincoin, a freed slave who built her own wealth by trapping and selling local game, making her own medicines, and planting tobacco.
One of her sons, Louis Metoyer, planned and built the sprawling property.
It's an important stop on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail.
Phone: (318) 379-0055
Address: 3533 LA-119, Melrose, LA
Hours: 10 AM-4 PM Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday)
Admission: self-guided grounds tour $10/adult, $5 children 6-12; house and grounds tour $15/adults, $13/seniors and military, $5/children 6-12
Explore other plantations in Louisiana with my handy guide here!
Cane River Creole National Park
Oakland Plantation and Magnolia Plantation Complex are both a part of Cane River Creole National Park , which provides insight into the daily lives of all the residents during the antebellum period.
Both sites have hiking, historical learning opportunities, and more!
The main house and 27 outbuildings of Oakland Plantation are of particular interest to pre-war historians since they have been so well preserved.
Guided tours of Oakland Plantation are available at 9 AM Wednesday-Sunday.
Self-guided tours are available between 10 AM and 2 PM on the weekend.
While visiting Magnolia Plantation, pay attention to the slave cabin area, which would've been the heart of the African American community before the Civil War.
Note: Magnolia Plantation is still a private residence, but visitors are welcome to walk the grounds and trails.
The National Park offers kids the chance to be a Junior Ranger, a free program that we love!
There are also free family programs held throughout the year, so ask at the visitors center if one will be held while you’re visiting.
Oakland Plantation address: 4386 Highway 494 Natchez, LA
Magnolia Plantation address: 5549 Highway 119, Derry, LA
Admission to both: free
American Cemetery
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Delve deeply into the history of Natchitoches at the American Cemetery, which was founded just a few years after the area was first settled.
It’s most likely the resting place of Natchitoches' founder, Louis Juchereau de St. Denis, though we'll never know as there are no surviving headstones from the earliest days of the cemetery.
You might also recognize this area from the movie Steel Magnolias.
Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights
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Celebrate the holiday season with Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights, the oldest holiday celebration in the state.
For 90 years, the downtown area and the riverbank have taken on a glow for 45 nights each year. In addition to the 300,000 lights and animations that are lit at dusk, guests are also treated to fireworks and special shopping hours.
While you're busy shopping and basking in the beautiful lights, sample of the local fare like gumbo or gator on a stick!
It was named one of the top 20 festivals in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society in 2016, and Yahoo Travel named it the nation's 3rd best holiday celebration.
If you're visiting during the holiday season, this is at the top of what to do in Natchitoches.
The Natchitoches Christmas Festival is a part of the Holiday Trail of Lights, a collection of Christmas related events in northern Louisiana. If you've got time, you can also explore holiday fun in Alexandria, Monroe, and Shreveport.
2022 dates: November 19-January 6
The Best Restaurants in Natchitoches
Like every Louisiana destination, Natchitoches doesn't disappoint when it comes to food, so come hungry!
PIN ME!
From meat pies from Lasyone's to étouffée, you'll have plenty of options for dinner, drinks, and snacks after touring around.
You can’t go wrong with any of these favorite restaurants in Natchitoches.
Maglieaux's on the Cane
Boasts a beautiful riverfront location, Maglieaux’s serves up dips, homemade dressings, big salads, and seafood-based Louisiana favorites like shrimp po’ boys and étouffée.
Ask for a table on the deck out back for the best views and a welcome breeze on a nice day.
Phone: (318) 354-7767
Address: 805 Washington Street, Natchitoches, LA
Hours: 11 AM-2 PM and 5 PM to 8 PM Monday, Wednesday, Thursday; 11 AM- 2 PM and 5PM–9PM Friday and Saturday; 11 AM- 3 PM, 5 PM–9 PM Sunday (closed Tuesday)
Merci Beaucoup
Merci Beaucoup a casual dining spot with Cajun options like mini crawfish pies and stuffed potatoes with etouffee.
The restaurant is housed in an adorable building just steps from the stores of Front Street.
Phone: (318) 352-6634
Address: 127 Church Street, Natchitoches, LA
Hours: 10:30 AM-3 PM daily
Mariner's Restaurant
Located off Highway 1 on Sibley Lake, Mariner’s Restaurant in Natchitoches offers up fresh seafood and traditional Southern dishes with global influence.
The location can’t be beat as you’ll have beautiful lake views while you dine.
There’s also a great kids menu which has mini versions of favorite foods including mini meat pies and fried catfish.
Phone: 318-228-8056
Address: 5948 Highway 1 Bypass, Natchitoches, LA
Hours: 4:30 PM-10 PM Monday-Saturday, 10 AM-3 PM Sunday brunch
Lasyone's Meat Pies
Offering soul food with a Louisiana twist, Lasyone’s serves stuffed meat pockets in a family friendly atmosphere.
You’ll also want to get a basket of Jazzy fries to share with the table to start off, then dig into po’boys, gumbo, and seafood.
Phone: (318) 352-3353
Address: 622 2nd Street, Natchitoches, LA
Hours: 7 AM-2 PM Monday-Wednesday, 7 AM-3 PM Thursday-Saturday (closed Sunday)
French Market Express
If you want to try some classic Louisiana food, but need to get to your next sightseeing adventures, try French Market Express.
Here you can purchase grab and go options like pies, cookies, and po' boys.
It might look like a regular convenience store from the outside, but you can get great fresh food, purchase a bottle of wine, and more!
The Louisiana Yam cake is also sold fresh here daily.
Phone: 318-357-9002
Address: 5109 University Parkway, Natchitoches, LA
Hours: open 24 hours daily
Directions to Natchitoches LA
From Shreveport, Natchitoches conveniently located off I-49. The drive from Shreveport to Natchitoches will take about an hour.
From New Orleans, take I-10 West through Baton Rouge until you reach Lafayette, then pick up Interstate 49 North. By car, the trip from New Orleans to Natchitoches takes about 4 hours.
Which of these things would you like to do in Natchitoches, Louisiana? What would you add to this list
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