What to do and see in Natchitoches, Louisiana (LA): The Best Budget-friendly Things to do

January 23, 2022 Kelli Reichel

Natchitoches (/ˈnækətəʃ/ NAK-ə-təsh; French: Les Natchitoches) is a small city and the parish seat of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States. Established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis as part of French Louisiana, the community was named after the indigenous Natchitoches people.
Restaurants in Natchitoches

1. Cane River National Heritage Trail

Natchitoches, LA 71458 +1 318-356-5555 http://www.canerivernha.org/
Excellent
70%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 152 reviews

Cane River National Heritage Trail

Cane River National Heritage Area in northwestern Louisiana is a largely rural, agricultural landscape known for its historic plantations, its distinctive Creole architecture, and its multi-cultural legacy. Historically this region lay at the intersection of French and Spanish realms in the New World. Today it is home to a unique blend of cultures, including American Indian, French, Spanish, African, and Creole. The central corridor of the heritage area begins just south of Natchitoches, the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase, and extends along both sides of Cane River Lake for approximately 35 miles. The heritage area includes Cane River Creole National Historical Park, seven National Historic Landmarks, three State Historic Sites, and many other historic plantations, homes, and churches. What is a National Heritage Area? A National Heritage Area is a place recognized by the United States Congress for its unique contribution to the American experience. In a national heritage area, natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally distinctive landscape arising from patterns of human activity shaped by geography. These patterns make national heritage areas representative of the national experience through the physical features that remain and the traditions that have evolved in the areas. Continued use of the national heritage areas by people whose traditions helped to shape the landscapes enhances their significance. The Cane River National Heritage Area is one of forty-nine National Heritage Areas recognized by Congress for their significant contributions to the American experience. In partnership with the National Park Service, CRNHA, Inc. celebrates the nationally significant history of the Cane River region, preserving it for the benefit of current and future generations.

Reviewed By VIEQUESBEACHBUM - Sugar Land, United States

This was a great day trip heading from Natchitoches south along the Cain river. We visited the national park which was a great couple of hours and then traveled south to other plantation estates, Magnolia and Melrose. Pay attention to the signs as Hwy 119 is washed out just on the North side of Magnolia plantation ( For a very long time) so you must travel down Hwy 1 to pick up 119 in Derry. Worth the visit

2. Fort St. Jean Baptiste

155 S Jefferson St, Natchitoches, LA 71457-3360 +1 318-357-3101 [email protected] http://www.crt.state.la.us/louisiana-state-parks/historic-sites/fort-st-jean-baptiste-state-historic-site/index
Excellent
60%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 167 reviews

Fort St. Jean Baptiste

Reviewed By TMcCarthy51

We were there on a dreary Sunday and elected for the guided tour, which included a covered golf cart. Felicia our tour guide was amazing! She really knows her history. I highly recommend taking the guided tour with her. Very interesting history there.

3. Historic District Shopping

Front Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457 http://www.natchitoches.net/attractions/historic-district
Excellent
55%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 356 reviews

Historic District Shopping

Reviewed By SEBJLB - Covington, United States

Walking up and down Front Street gives you plenty of choices for things to look for and definitely during Christmas you can probably finish up your shopping. Hello Dolly was my favorite!

4. Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile Store

758 Front St, Natchitoches, LA 71457-4680 +1 318-352-2525 http://www.oldhardwarestore.com/our-story.php
Excellent
73%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 512 reviews

Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile Store

I have many Great Interior Pictures of this Actual General Store that Dates Back to 1863. Located on Scenic Cobble Stone Street with Red River Just across the Road. So many great pictures that is operational and filled with Old and New Merchandise. Old Cash Register over 147 years old. Listed with a National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of Interior. A Place all of America "Must See'"

Reviewed By Shellene - Nacogdoches, United States

We love to stop by this Mercantile store everytime we visit Natchitoches, LA and peruse all the unique items they carry. It is a very large store that carries alittle of everything that you could need. I love the children's toys.....they have the old toys that you remember from your childhood days. I bought several Christmas gifts here.

5. Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum

800 Front St, Natchitoches, LA 71457-4758 +1 318-357-2492 [email protected] http://www.louisianastatemuseum.org/
Excellent
50%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 78 reviews

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum

Developed and operated by the Louisiana State Museum system in partnership with the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and the City of Natchitoches, the 27,500-square-foot museum complex provides a permanent home for the Sports Hall of Fame and its collection of portraits and memorabilia celebrating the achievements of more than 300 Louisiana athletes, coaches and other sports figures. Located on the second floor, the Northwest Louisiana History Museum explores the evolution of unique cultural traditions from early native-American civilizations to the present. The building itself, designed by Trahan Architects of New Orleans, evokes the region’s rivers and plowed fields with sinuous molded stone interiors and earth-colored exterior sheathing.

Reviewed By rosalieb627

Learned a lot about sports I did not know. Very well laid out. Very informational. Enjoyed seeing old time items also.

6. Grand Ecore Visitor Center

106 Tauzin Island Rd J. Bennett Johnston Waterway, Natchitoches, LA 71457-7282 +1 318-354-8770 http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Grand-Ecore-Visitor-Center/
Excellent
57%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 21 reviews

Grand Ecore Visitor Center

Reviewed By TweetyLover - Richardson, United States

Great views of the Red River. Fabulous museum for such an off the beaten track location - almost too much information to be processed in one visit. Appropriate for children as well as adults. Free.

7. Natchitoches Alligator Park

380 Old Bayou Pierre Rd, Natchitoches, LA 71457-7545 +1 877-354-7001 [email protected] http://www.alligatorpark.net/
Excellent
36%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
5%
Terrible
11%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 116 reviews

Natchitoches Alligator Park

Reviewed By murphle374 - Kentucky, United States

First let me say I am a kid at heart, and I LOVE animals...so obviously we had to visit the alligator park as soon as possible after moving to Louisiana! Word of warning- its not a clean place by any means, so bring hand sanitizer! They have hand-sani stations throughout the park but some of them were out. I don't count the cleanliness issue against our experience though, there are animals everywhere so to me it was par for the course. The alligator ponds were awesome, there are walkways on either side of them so you will get a chance to get up close (safe distance of course) to the gators. The gator areas are secured with multiple layers of fencing, and there were multiple families with small children running around so very family-friendly. The feeding show was the highlight, you sit in bleachers and a loudspeaker comes on and narrates the whole thing in a Louisiana accent, very cute. Watching those giant gators jump up and grab the steaks was awesome! It lasted maybe 15 minutes. Other areas include a baby goat pen, adult goat pen, deer pen, emus, raccoons, ducks .. hopefully im not forgetting anything. There were a lot of animals! You can feed all of them, either by buying a baggie of animal food at the gift shop or you can buy animal food from the little machines located throughout the park for 25 cents. There were also aquariums with box turtles, a snapping turtle, baby alligators, and snakes. You can also pay $8 to hold an alligator and have your picture taken. We had a great time and spent an hour and a half there. We will most definitely be bringing family here when they visit!

8. National Fish Hatchery & Aquarium

615 South Dr, Natchitoches, LA 71457-3056 +1 318-352-5324 http://www.fws.gov/natchitoches/
Excellent
42%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
29%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 24 reviews

National Fish Hatchery & Aquarium

Reviewed By Zien28 - Houston, United States

This is a great place to stop if you are visiting Natchitoches in the summer with kids. It is one room, free, and air conditioned. It is a great way to entertain the kids while learning about local fish and the role of the hatchery.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.