Louisiana Destinations ... Travel Across the Bayou State


Travel Guide for Natchitoches and Cane River Country

Natchitoches Location

Situated about half-way between Alexandria and Shreveport on the banks of beautiful Cane River is Natchitoches, the home of Northwestern State University.

The parish seat of Natchitoches Parish, the City of Natchitoches was incorporated on February 5, 1819, making it the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. The parish is considered part of the Ark-La-Tex Region.

Within easy driving distance are communities such as Cloutierville, Many, Coushatta, Melrose, Montgomery, Chopin, Campti, and Winnfield.

 

Visiting Natchitoches in Louisiana: attractions, things to do, events and Christmas Parades and Lights


2024 Christmas Festival of the Lights

Natchitoches has long been known for its famous Christmas Festival of Lights along the river. We've attended this exciting event over the years, and have fond memories of the parades and fireworks.

Since 1927, Natchitoches is home to one of the oldest community-based holiday celebrations in the country. Starting as a one-day festival, the Natchitoches Christmas Festival has evolved into a six-week long Christmas Season. The Christmas Season begins on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and concludes on January the 6th, the Epiphany.

Over 300,000+ Christmas lights and 100 plus riverbank set pieces are lit around the city and river.

All events take place in the Landmark Historic District along the Cane River Lake.

The 98th annual Natchitoches event will be held from November 23, 2024 to January 6, 2025.

Detailed schedule and information from the official website of the Festival of the Lights

Other North Louisiana areas also celebrate the Christmas season as well, including Monroe-West Monroe, Minden, Ruston, Shreveport - Bossier City, Logansport and Alexandria ... for more information, visit the website of Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights.

Natchitoches Louisiana Christmas Festival of the Lights Fireworks at the  Natchitoches Louisiana Christmas Festival of the Lights

 

More Natchitoches Attractions

Tourism is a large, vibrant industry in this area, with the Natchitoches downtown historic district, nearby hunting & fishing, bed & breakfast homes, annual tour of historic homes, and more to see and do.

  • The Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District is a vibrant community. From museums and historic sites to live music and unique cuisine, this 33-square block located in Downtown Natchitoches has something for every visitor to enjoy. 

    Street scene in downtown Natchitoches, Louisiana
    Historic downtown Natchitoches (photo by the Louisiana Destinations staff)
    Overlooking the scenic Cane River Lake, the Landmark District encompasses restaurants, shops, arts & crafts, book stores, art galleries, historic homes and more.  The district is home to annual festivals, music and cultural events. Tours are available - walking tours, horse and buggy or trolley tours. 
  • In late August of each year is the Cane River Zydeco Festival & Poker Run, while the Jazz and R&B Festival occurs in April.
  • The Meat Pie Festival is held downtown in September in Natchitoches ... "The Meat Pie Capital of Louisiana”
  • Lasyone's Meat Pie Restaurant - operating since 1967, the restaurant is an authentic soulful Creole Cuisine experience. Famous for their meat pies, this family-owned and operated restaurant boasts many unique dishes you will always enjoy. Located at 622 Second Street.
  • Toledo Bend Reservoir is directly west of Natchitoches; this massive 185,000 acre lake is a project of the States of Texas and Louisiana, and has both recreational and power generation benefits. Boating, fishing, skiing, camping, RV resorts and motels are all available on the shores of the reservoir.
  • Established in 1863, Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile is Louisiana's oldest general store. Located in downtown Natchitoches, Kaffie-Frederick features everything people remember from the "good old days". The vintage vibe and history of the store is on display with classic toys and cookware, while offering a range of modern hardware products, gifts and more.

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum

More than a half-century after inducting its first class of sports legends, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame is realizing its fondest dreams and greatest aspirations: construction of a permanent facility.

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum opened in Natchitoches during the summer of 2013.

This beautiful 27,500-square foot structure is located downtown, at 800 Front Street in the National Historic District of Natchitoches. Phone 318.357.2492

Official website of Sports Hall of Fame

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame


Visiting Natchitoches Video ... from Louisiana Travel


More about Natchitches: Map, resources, Northwestern State University


Northwestern State University (NSU)

Northwestern State University (NSU)
Main Gate, Northwestern State University (photo by the Louisiana Destinations staff)

Northwestern State University (NSU) in Natchitoches was founded in 1884 as the Louisiana State Normal School to train teachers.

It was the first school in Louisiana to offer degree programs in nursing and business education.

Today, it has an enrollment of over 9,000 students at its main campus in Natchitoches, nursing school in Shreveport, branch campus in Leesville/Fort Polk, and campus in Alexandria.

The highly respected Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, a state supported residential high school for sophomores, juniors and seniors, is located on the NSU campus.

More Natchitoches Area Information & Resources

City of Natchitoches

Natchitoches Chamber of Commerce

Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Natchitoches Parish Top 10 Things to Do - LouisianaTravel.com

Cane River National Heritage Area & Trail

 

Map of Natchitoches Louisiana


Scenes Around Natchitoches

Shown below are a few images of the present in Natchitoches ...

Downtown Natchitoches, Louisiana ... a shopping and dining mecca!

Downtown Natchitoches, Louisiana ... a shopping and dining mecca!

One of many bed & breakfast properties in Natchitoches, Louisiana

One of many bed & breakfast properties in Natchitoches, Louisiana

Steel Magnolias B&B, Natchitoches, Louisiana

Steel Magnolias B&B, Natchitoches, Louisiana

Cane River National Heritage Trail

Located in the Natchitoches, Louisiana area

Cane River National Heritage Trail

Images of the Past from Natchitoches from the Louisiana Postcard Collection

Natchitoches Christmas Festival

Natchitoches Christmas Festival

Highway bridge over Cane River Lake

Natchitoches, Louisiana

Highway bridge over Cane River Lake

Scene on Cane River Lake

Natchitoches, Louisiana

Scene on Cane River Lake

Nakatosh Hotel

Natchitoches, Louisiana

Nakatosh Hotel

Caldwell Hall, Louisiana State Normal College (later renamed Northwestern State University)

Natchitoches, Louisiana

Caldwell Hall, Louisiana State Normal College (later renamed Northwestern State University)

New Boys' Gymnasium

Louisiana State Normal College

Natchitoches, Louisiana

Louisiana State Normal College

Student Center Building, Northwestern State College

Natchitoches, Louisiana

Student Center Building, Northwestern State College

Natchitoches Parish Court House

Natchitoches, Louisiana

Natchitoches Parish Court House in Louisiana

Red River Bridge and View at Grand Ecore

Near Natchitoches, Louisiana

Red River Bridge and View at Grand Ecore, Louisiana

 

Popular Travel Destinations and Attractions in North & Central Louisiana
Visit Alexandria ... in the Heart of Louisiana Visit Toledo Bend Reservoir, south of Shreveport, near Many and Leesville Visit Ruston in North Central Louisiana
Visit Monroe and West Monroe in northeast Louisiana Visit Shreveport and Bossier City in the Ark-La-Tex Explore Louisiana State Parks ... locations, websites and photos

 

More Louisiana Travel Information
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Explore the Acadiana Region and Cajun Country in South Louisiana Explore Louisiana museums, from New Orleans in the south, to Shreveport in the north Louisiana food, chefs and culinary traditions
Tour the towering Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge Take a boat tour of the many swamps all across Louisiana Maps of the state of Louisiana, maps of large cities, lowlands, and more