Winnsboro

Few American cities can boast the sort of patriotism that is on display in Winnsboro. Its Patriot Square lives up to the name, with more stars and stripes in the wind than you’re likely to see anywhere else. A clean, quiet and friendly town, it may be the closest thing to Mayberry you’ll find in Louisiana. Winnsboro was founded on cotton, and it remains an agriculturally-based community to this day. But it’s not all about the fields. In April, the biggest event on the social calendar, and one of the biggest events in north Louisiana, the Franklin Parish Catfish Festival hits town and 4,000 to 5,000 lbs of catfish gets cooked, giving you an idea of the importance of that whiskered fish. The immediate natural surroundings offer both great fishing and fertile hunting grounds. And Winnsboro itself supplies a generous collection of public parks, perfect for a lazy afternoon picnic.