Things to do in Natchitoches, the Oldest City in Louisiana!

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There are lots of fun things to do and beautiful, historic sights to see in Natchitoches, Louisiana

The other day as I was planning our next anniversary getaway (New Orleans in just a couple weeks!!!) I realized that I never shared our pictures from our Natchitoches visit with you.

Last year, around this time, my husband and I spent our anniversary in the quaint little town of Natchitoches, Louisiana. Established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis as part of French Louisiana, Natchitoches is the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. The community (pronounced nak-ə-təsh or nak-uh-tush) was named after the Natchitoches Indian tribe.

It may be a small town of less than 19,000 but there are loads of fun things to do in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Here are 7 things you must do in Natchitoches, Louisiana:

1. Stay in one of the 27 bed-and-breakfasts. Natchitoches is a town supported largely by tourism (over 1 million visitors a year!). Despite it’s large tourism draw, the city still has a very quaint, homey feel. The bed-and-breakfasts are tasteful and have an air of old time southern hospitality. We stayed in the Sweet Cane Inn bed-and-breakfast.

Sweet Cane Inn Natchitoches Louisiana bed-and-breakfast

We stayed in the Azalea room. The room was beautiful and bright, and though I don’t have a picture of it, I was so impress with the way they had updated the bathroom.

Sweet Cane Inn Azalea Bedroom

2. Take a carriage tour: If you are short on time, or don’t want to walk all over town, a horse-drawn carriage tour can be a fun (and romantic!) way to take in historic Natchitoches.

Natchitoches Carriage Tour

On the tour you’ll see some of the great houses of Louisiana history.  You’ll also see some famous houses like the Steel Magnolia house (from the movie, now a B&B).

Steel Magnolias House in Natchitoches Louisiana

3. Eat at one of the delicious restaurants in historic Natchitoches: We ate at the Pioneer Restaurant & Pub on Washington St. We heard great things about Maglieaux’s on the Cane, but they were closed for a private wedding dinner. For a quick lunch, snack, or dessert I’d highly recommend the Canebreak Cafe on Front Street.

4. Eat a meat pie from Lasyone’s: A few streets back from the main historic area of Natchitoches, Lasyone’s Meat Pie Kitchen & Restaurant can be easy for the casual visitor to miss. Lasyone’s has been open since 1967 and has been serving up their now-famous meat pies since.

5. Visit one of the local historic plantations: There are 3 plantation homes in/around Natchitoches that are open for tours: Melrose Plantation, Oakland Plantation, and Magnolia Plantation (this home is a private residence and not open for tours, but the grounds are). We visited the Melrose Plantation which was just a short drive from historic Natchitoches.

Melrose Plantation Louisiana

The grounds were gorgeous and the buildings (of which there were several) were so well preserved.

Melrose Plantation shop building

We were only in Natchitoches for a little under two days and we packed in as much as we possibly could. There are plenty of other fun things to do in Natchitoches, Louisiana to fill an adventurer’s time. Make sure you check out the Natchitoches Calendar of Events for fun seasonal activities and festivals!

Natchitoches Louisiana Verdant beauty

View to the Cane River.

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About Amy @ Oh So Savvy Mom

Amy is mom to three, wife to one, and a sister and aunt to many. Her family is a former military family now settled in Lehi, Utah. Oh So Savvy Mom began as a way for Amy to share parenting and product advice with others. Just as she has evolved, Oh So Savvy Mom has evolved into a resource for Healthy Living for Families, Food, Parenting, and Family Travel.

Comments

  1. Thanks for the link to Natchitoches.NET Amy! Glad you enjoyed your stay in our beautiful town. Love the photos, and thank you for your family's service to our country!
  2. Looks like a great place to visit! I have never been to Louisiana and it looks very different from the north where I live. I hope to be able to visit sometime.
  3. Oh wow, what stunning photos! Visiting Louisiana for the first time is next on my US travel list - I've always wanted to go to the area, and have bookmarked this for when I do. Looks amazing!
  4. These are beautiful photos!! I have never been to the south but would love to! I love how much character everywhere in the region has.
  5. I am not even going to try to pronounce that...LOL! WHat a gorgeous place, though! I am really just a sucker for anywhere that has a river and a bed and breakfast - carriage rides are a bonus!
  6. I love the charm and style of this place! I can see myself staying there with my husband in the future!
  7. Natalie Brown says
    Oh my goodness, what a lovely city! I love Victorian houses and the South's big plantation houses. Such a beautiful and fun place to spend your anniversary. :)
  8. Looks like you guys had a great time in Natchitoches. I love LA in general but have never been there but it looks like a place I need to visit!
  9. nicole dziedzic says
    Wow such a beautiful place, the outdoors and buildings a fascinating! I would pitch a tent here, I would not even need a room. lol
  10. I use to live in Lafayette, LA many years ago. However, I never visited Natchitoches. I really missed out. I love the architecture of the old homes. Also, the pictures are great.
  11. Looks like fun! I love the historical sites and old buildings. It's really pretty.