Things to do in Natchitoches.

Natchitoches in a small city in Northwest Louisiana. It is also the oldest city in Louisiana and the original French colony in the Louisiana Purchase. There are lots of fun and unique things to do in Natchitoches. From museums, to shopping, a beautiful downtown, thriving food scene, and more. Two colleges call Natchitoches home as well: Northwestern Louisiana State and a branch of Louisiana Tech, the campuses are beautiful! There is something for everyone in Natchitoches and here are some of our favorite things to do in this charming Louisiana town. Just so you know, it’s pronounced “Nack – A -Tish.”

Where to stay.

While there are plenty of hotels to stay at in Natchitoches, I would recommend staying in the historic downtown! There are to hotels that are walkable to the historic downtown. Church Street Inn and Chateau St. Denis are two of those hotels. Both are located in the National Historic Landmark district of downtown Natchitoches. Chateau St. Denis is the largest of the two, but both of them have beautiful courtyards, luxurious guest rooms, and French Quarter style design. There are also many bed and breakfasts to choose from, along with typical hotels. For a unique stay experience, check out The Birdsnest on the Cane.

Things to do in Natchitoches: parks and playgrounds.

Natchitoches is a beautiful city with many places to enjoy some outdoor recreation. There are parks and playgrounds within Natchitoches, including a picturesque riverwalk downtown. Nearby outdoor spaces Grand Ecore and Cane Creole National Historic Park provide many amenities for camping, hiking, fishing, and boating. Some of the parks within the city include:

• Natchitoches City Park
• Highland Park
• Pierson Mallet Park
• Parc Natchitoches

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Museum.

I had no idea there was such an iconic museum in downtown Natchitoches! Not only is this museum home to the sports Hall of Fame for Louisiana, it’s also the regional history museum. This dual museum is part of the Louisiana State Museum System and admission is just $6 and kids are free. The first floor has displays all about the current class of Hall of Fame inductees and they’re incredible. You can also explore the digital database to see the complete listing of all Hall of Fame members. It’s one of the most unique buildings I’ve ever seen and it’s also worth visiting just to take in the unique architecture! The second floor hosts more sports history displays as well as a section devoted to the outdoors and sports.

Louisiana Regional History Museum.

Located on the second floor of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame building, this history museum tells the Indigenous history, the story of French exploration, and how Natchitoches came to be. It’s a very well done display with lots of information. Be sure to leave time to explore all of the second floor and read the displays for a great history lesson.

Fort St. Jean Baptiste Historic State Park.

This historical park is located right on the river in downtown and is a great place to visit. The fort was established in 1714 by Louis Antoine Juchereau de St. Denis when he stopped at a Natchitoches Indigenous village along Red River. He was on a trade mission from Alabama to Mexico. The huts he constructed later became the first European settlement in the area and later the first city in the Louisiana Purchase. The fort has been restored and you can walk around and explore all of the buildings. It’s open Wednesday through Sunday and there are educational materials available in the museum. Admission is $4.

Cane River National Heritage Area.

Natchitoches sits in the heart of the Cane River National Heritage Area. This National Heritage Area aims to preserve the natural and cultural history of the area. There are many learning opportunities, both for nature study and history studies. You’ll find many significant historic sites along the Cane River in downtown Natchitoches, exploring the history of the Cane River Indigenous peoples, Creole history, up to Civil War history and beyond. Learn more about the Cane River National Heritage Area and plan your trip. The Grand Ecore Visitor Center is the perfect place to learn more about the area and it has amazing views, when it isn’t raining.

National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium.

Did you know that there is a national fish hatchery in Natchitoches? It’s on the south side of the city and it’s open to the public. There are 53 pools outside that you’re welcome to walk along during operating hours. You can walk on the levees and it’s an excellent spot for birdwatching. Another neat thing about the fish hatchery is the aquarium. It has fantastic mid century modern vibes and signage, plus some really neat animals. Be sure go say hi to Miss Piggy the alligator snapping turtle. The hatchery is open Monday to Thursday 8 am to 3 pm, but the aquarium is open every day from 8 AM to 3 PM and it’s all free.

Things to do in Natchitoches: coffee shops.

Natchitoches has quite a few fun coffee shops. One of my favorites that I found is right in the historic downtown, called Story Brew Coffee House. It’s a charming shop with a story book theme, complete with a giant dragon to greet you upon arrival. There is lots of cozy seating, games to play, and even a used book section. It’s walkable from the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Museum. Other coffee shops include:

• Cafe DeMon – serving Starbucks coffee on campus.
• Java House Donuts – donuts and coffee.

The best crawfish in Natchitoches.

This crawfish hot spot is one of the best things to do in Natchitoches. You’ll know you’re at The Crawfish Hole when you see the giant, red crawfish on the roof. It’s a delightful hole in the wall type spot with an absolutely fantastic menu of Cajun food and more. I ordered a half pound of crawfish and 2 potatoes and it was perfect for one person. The seating area is unique and the picnic tables have holes leading to garbage cans for easy cracking and clean up. PS – don’t forget the butter for dipping!

Pizza and beer.

Another great spot in Natchitoches is the Flying Heart Brewery. This hot spot has a great patio and live music on the weekends. In warmer months, they also have concerts outdoors on their huge outdoor patio area. They have seasonal drink and food specials, especially around Mardi Gras. A nice note: they have gluten free cauliflower crust for their pizzas! I enjoyed a Moscow Mule and the barbecue chicken, gluten free pizza (with no bacon!). Flying Heart has great seating for larger groups as well.

Historic downtown Natchitoches.

Downtown Natchitoches is a charming historic district that’s filled with cute boutique shops and restaurants. The main streets are right next to the riverwalk and it’s perfect for exploring. There is a little something for everyone but a few that I really enjoyed were: Pied A Terre Giftshop, Oliver’s Creole Cypress Furniture, and Queen of Spades custom hat company.

Kaffie Frederick General Store.

The Kaffie Frederick General Store is the oldest general store in Louisiana! It’s full of old style charm and feels partially like a museum. Many of the original features of the store have been preserved. You can still see the skylights that were installed before the building had electricity, allowing for sunlight to filter down from the roof to the two floors below. It’s a must see stop and one of the most unique things to do in Natchitoches. Plan to spend some time browsing the aisles for gifts, food, home decor, home improvement items and more.

The Red River.

This mighty river flows from the Texas panhandle, east through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and into Louisiana. It is east of Natchitoches and provides many outdoor recreation opportunities. The Natchitoches Recreation Area is on the East bank of the river, just south of Natchitoches. The Red River Waterway website has more information about how to enjoy the river. The Grand Ecore Visitor Center provides the perfect overlook of the Red river.

The Cane River.

The Cane River runs 30 miles in Louisiana and it moves right through the heart of Natchitoches. It has large fountains in the middle of it near downtown. During the winter holidays the river is lit up with all kinds of holiday lights! You can enjoy kayaking along the river by renting boats from Cane River Paddle and Peddle Sports. If you’re looking for something a little more mellow, take a ride on the Cane River Queen River Boat, a paddle style boat that does tours along the downtown river area.

Mardi Gras celebrations.

In Natchitoches, Mardi Gras season runs from the beginning of January until Mardi Gras day. You can enjoy King Cake and Mardi Gras themed goodies at area bakeries, donut shops, and many local restaurants. Flying Heart Brewery even has Mardi Gras themed drinks! The city hosts four parades, including a pet parade! It’s a great place for families to enjoy all that Mardi Gras has to offer, without the crowds!

Christmas in Natchitoches.

Natchitoches is known as the Christmas capital of Louisiana, and it’s known nationally as a Hallmark style getaway during the winter holidays. The Christmas lights along the river are spectacular and fun for all ages. This fun holiday festival runs from mid November until the beginning of January every year.

Other festivals.

Natchitoches is a thriving city with something happening all year long. Christmas and Mardi Gras are two of the largest festivals and celebrations, but there are also St. Patrick’s Day parades, Easter festivals, Zydeco celebrations and more. The Natchitoches community calendar is a great resource for finding out about all of the events.

A day trip itinerary.

It would be impossible to fit an entire Natchitoches visit into one day, but here’s an itinerary for enjoying a full day in this charming Louisiana town.

• Coffee and breakfast at StoryBrew Coffee House.
• Walk around the historic downtown.
• Visit the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
• Stop in at Ft. St. Jean Baptiste State Park.
• Lunch at the Crawfish Hole or Flying Heart Brewery.
• Walk around the fish hatchery and see the aquarium.
• Stop at the Grand Ecore Visitor Center at Cane River National Heritage Area.

Why visit Natchitoches?

This charming city near west central Louisiana is absolutely worth visiting. There are many fun and unique things to do in Natchitoches. It’s the oldest city in Louisiana and it has a rich cultural history. You can experience it all by spending some time downtown, exploring the museums, and stopping at nearby state parks and heritage sites. Plan to spend at least two days enjoying Natchitoches, Louisiana!