10 Things to Do in Natchitoches Parish
Explore Natchitoches Parish, the land of Cane River, teeming with history and beauty around every corner.
Natchitoches Parish is one of the oldest cities in Louisiana, and history teems from every corner. From the National Historic District to the must-taste meat pies, you'll love to stop and take in the beauty of Natchitoches. Experience the city's top attractions with this guide of 10 must-experience things to do in Natchitoches Parish.
1. Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile
In the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase, you’ll also find one of its most historic and beloved stores. The Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile was established in 1863 during the height of the Civil War. It’s been run by the same family for three generations and retains a nostalgic charm you won’t find at big-box stores. You'll also find a little bit of everything, from souvenirs to toys to hard-to-find items.
2. Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant
The meat pie is synonymous with central Louisiana cuisine, and Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant is the place to get them. Lasyone’s is an old-school diner located in downtown Natchitoches within short walking distance from the Cane River Lake waterfront park. The menu includes traditional soul-food dishes and Creole standouts such as crawfish étouffée, gumbo and red beans and rice. The main attraction at Lasyone’s, however, is the meat pie, made with beef and pork, and fried golden brown to perfection. Enjoy them at the restaurant, and be sure to take a to-go order for later — you’ll be thankful you did.
3. Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District
One of the first things you’ll notice when arriving in downtown Natchitoches is the historic architecture. There’s a lot of it, too — the Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District is comprised of 33 blocks of historical buildings dating back to the late 1700s. When walking or biking these streets, you’ll see a wide range of architectural styles that tell of the city’s culture. Classic Queen Anne-style mansions, Art Deco commercial buildings and French Creole homes make up this fascinating collection of buildings that help give Natchitoches its undeniable charm.
4. Natchitoches Christmas Festival
The world-famous Natchitoches Christmas Festival lights up the town with more than 300,000 lights throughout the downtown district and Cane River Lake. Natchitoches's 90-plus-year-old holiday festival is celebrated over six weeks and includes everything from visits with Santa, historic home tours and carriage rides to parades, fireworks displays and more. Go shopping downtown for the perfect presents, eat delicious food like the signature meat pies and enjoy live entertainment. It's a holiday extravaganza you must experience. Natchitoches is one of seven stops along the Holiday Trail of Lights.
5. Oakland, Magnolia and Melrose Plantations
Oakland and Magnolia plantations are part of Cane River Creole National Historical Park, a 63-acre preservation area that showcases the lives of Creole people from over 150 years ago. Oakland Plantation, known as the most complete Creole plantation in the South, is a time capsule containing fragments of country life from the 18th and 19th centuries. There are 17 outbuildings at Oakland, where everything from food preparation to carpentry was done. Magnolia Plantation tells another side of plantation life and the heavy toll taken on the area during the Civil War. Take a tour of one or both of these National Park Service-run sites for a glimpse into Creole life and culture.
Want more plantation history? Then don't miss the 200-plus-year-old Melrose Plantation, a National Historic Landmark that was also a 20th-century artist retreat, and is on the African American Heritage Trail. You will be able to view a collection of work by world-famous African American folk artist Clementine Hunter, including her popular African House Murals.
6. Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
Terry Bradshaw, Hal Sutton and Karl Malone are just a few of the 300-plus names of local heroes you’ll find on the walls of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. This state-of-the-art museum, whose Modernist, space age-like architecture alone is worth a visit, takes visitors on a journey through some of the proudest moments in Louisiana sports history. Interactive videos, touch-screen displays and sports memorabilia will get you into the game — in spirit, anyway.
7. Steel Magnolias Film Tour
The 1989 Hollywood movie Steel Magnolias was more than a box-office hit. It elevated Natchitoches’ already considerable status as one of the South’s most charming small towns. On the Steel Magnolias Film Tour, sharp-eyed viewers will recognize more than a dozen filming locations, including the Lemee House and the Cane River Lake behind the historic Roque House.
8. Natchitoches Bike Trails
Feeling active? Then take a ride. The out-and-back Caroline Dormon Trail winds through the gorgeous Kisatchie National Forest. Once the thrill of off-roading is gone, take time to walk through the Briarwood Nature Preserve, home to the late naturalist Caroline Dormon’s Bay Garden. Or consider the Sandstone Multi-Use Trail, where picturesque piney woods and breathtaking panoramic views pave the way for an incredible 31-mile ride.
9. Saline Bayou Paddle Trail
See Natchitoches Parish’s wild side from the comfort of a kayak or canoe. The Saline Bayou Paddle Trail is part of the Louisiana Paddle Trails network, offering awe-inspiring views and a huge array of plant and animal life. Approximately 21 miles of Saline Bayou has been designated a National Wild and Scenic River, with cypress-hardwood forests that are home to pileated woodpeckers, otters and many other little-seen creatures.
10. Los Adaes State Historic Site & Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site
Los Adaes is a fascinating hidden gem of Louisiana’s historical attractions. It also happens to be the former capital of Texas. Today known as Los Adaes State Historic Site, this was once a fort that protected Spanish settlers from French and Native American invaders, and was the seat of Texas government for 44 years. See historic structures and artifacts from life on the frontier when you visit this Robeline attraction, which offers freed admission.
After exploring Los Adaes, head to Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site next to Cane River Lake. This replica fort, built a few hundred yards from the original fort site, is based upon original blueprints and extensive archival research. Building materials were obtained locally, and many 18th-century building techniques were used in the replication. The original fort was established around 1716, when Sieur Charles Claude Dutisné was sent to Natchitoches with a small company of colonial troops to build and garrison an outpost that would prevent the Spanish forces in the province of Texas from advancing across the border of French Louisiane. This strategic outpost was named Fort St. Jean Baptiste des Natchitoches.
Start planning your trip today and discover even more activities, restaurants, places to stay and events by visiting Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Looking for more Louisiana adventures?
Learn more about Natchitoches on Main Street
Plan a weekend getaway in Natchitoches Parish
Explore the Cane River National Heritage Area