Natchitoches
Around Natchitoches
Photo: amanderson2 · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Louisiana · 35k people
Natchitoches
Locals say Cane River Country · “City of Lights”
The original Louisiana
Northwestern State PurplePiney Woods Green
Welcome to Cane River Country! Here you'll find a historic downtown that feels like a step back in time, a river that runs through everything, and food that'll make you want to stay. Whether you're a newcomer or just passing through, we're glad you're here.
Clubs for Natchitoches
No clubs for Natchitoches yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Natchitoches. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Natchitoches. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Natchitoches Historic District A National Historic Landmark with 18th-century architecture and the oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase.
- Cane River Lake A 35-mile lake that winds through town, popular for boating and fishing.
- Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Modern museum honoring the state's athletes and sports history.
- Melrose Plantation Historic plantation with Creole architecture and a rich cultural past.
- Cane River Creole National Historical Park Two historic plantations along the Cane River, managed by the National Park Service.
- Natchitoches Parish Courthouse Striking 1930s courthouse in the center of the historic district.
- Outdoors Fish on Cane River Lake
- Outdoors Walk the Cane River Lake trail
- With kids Explore the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
- With kids Stroll the Natchitoches Historic District
- Evenings Live music at the Natchitoches Events Center
- Evenings Bars on Front Street
- Locals love Meat pie diners
- Locals love Cane River waterfront
Through the year
- Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival September Celebrates the local meat pie with vendors, live music, and contests.
- Natchitoches Jazz Festival April Free jazz concerts along the riverfront and in the historic district.
- Natchitoches Christmas Festival December Famous holiday lights, fireworks, and a downtown parade.
- Zwolle Tamale Fiesta October A celebration of local tamales with a parade, food booths, and live bands.
- Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival July Showcases folk music, crafts, and storytelling from the region.
Natchitoches has a humid subtropical climate with long, hot summers and short, mild winters. The best times to be outside are spring and fall, when the heat breaks and the riverfront is lively. Best: Spring (March–May) and fall (October–November) are ideal, with mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “Nack-a-tish”
- How locals pronounce Natchitoches (Nack-a-tish).
- “Lagniappe”
- A little something extra, like a free dessert or a bonus.
- “Fais-do-do”
- A dance party, especially with Cajun music.
- “The Cane”
- The river that runs through town, often called 'the Cane'.
Getaways
- Alexandria, LA Larger city with the Alexandria Zoo and shopping.
- Shreveport, LA Casinos, the Shreveport Aquarium, and a lively arts scene.
- Nacogdoches, TX Oldest town in Texas, with historic sites and a college vibe.
- Natchez, MS Antebellum homes and the Mississippi River bluff.
Local flavour
Teams
- Northwestern State Demons NCAA Division I
Eat and drink
- Natchitoches meat pie A fried pastry filled with ground beef, pork, and spices; the city's signature dish.
- Boudin Cajun sausage of pork, rice, and seasonings, popular across central Louisiana.
- Crawfish étouffée Rich stew over rice, a Creole staple found in local diners.
Where people go
- Historic District The oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase, with antebellum homes and brick streets.
- Cane River A scenic waterway lined with Spanish moss and plantation sites.
- Meat pie diners Family-run spots serving the iconic meat pies, often with a side of gumbo.
- Fort Polk A major U.S. Army installation near Leesville, bringing a military presence.
Heritage and traditions
Natchitoches, the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase, is proud of its deep Cane River Creole heritage, its historic French and Spanish colonial roots, and its iconic meat pies and tamales that draw visitors from across the South.
This time of year in Natchitoches
- Zwolle Tamale Fiesta October Fall celebration of the local tamale tradition.
- Cane River Zydeco Festival October Showcases local Creole and zydeco music along the river.
Say it like a local: “Cher” — Dear, term of endearment.
Festivals
- Cane River Zydeco Festival October Showcases local Creole and zydeco music along the river.
- Natchitoches Film Festival July Celebrates the town's movie history, including the filming of Steel Magnolias.
Landmarks with a story
- Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site Reconstructed 18th-century French fort marking the 1714 founding.
- St. Augustine Church Historic Catholic church built by free people of color in the Isle Brevelle community.
- African House at Melrose Plantation Unique building adorned with murals by folk artist Clementine Hunter.
Food traditions
- Zwolle Tamales Spicy beef tamales served with chili, reflecting the town's Mexican and Southern heritage.
- Crawfish boils Springtime crawfish boils with corn and potatoes are a social staple.
- Cane River gumbo A rich Creole gumbo made with local sausage and seafood.
- Pecan pralines Sweet pralines made from local pecans, a Cane River treat.
Music and arts
- Cane River Creole music Traditional Creole and zydeco music with French and African influences.
- Folk art Clementine Hunter's paintings and the tradition of self-taught artists.
- Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival Annual gathering celebrating regional folk music and crafts.
A little history
- Founded by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis, the oldest permanent European settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. 1714
- Cane River Creole community of free people of color flourished, leaving a unique cultural legacy. 1800s
- The movie Steel Magnolias was filmed in Natchitoches, boosting its fame. 1989
- Mexican railroad workers introduced tamale-making to Zwolle, creating a local specialty. Early 1900s
Rivalries
- Northwestern State vs. Louisiana Tech In-state college football rivalry, especially in the old Southland Conference days.
- Northwestern State vs. McNeese State Southland Conference clash that always draws a crowd.
- Game day Friday night lights
- Game day NSU Demons tailgating
- Outdoors Fishing on Cane River Lake
- Outdoors Hiking in Kisatchie National Forest
- With kids Christmas lights
- With kids Meat pie picnics
People speak with a Southern drawl influenced by Creole and Cajun French, and the town's name is pronounced 'Nack-a-tish'.
Only here
- The oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase.
- Cane River Lake, a 35-mile oxbow lake that winds through the historic district.
- The Natchitoches meat pie, a local icon.
- Zwolle's unique spicy tamales, a blend of Mexican and Southern flavors.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce 'Natchitoches' as 'Nack-a-tish'.
- Try a Natchitoches meat pie from a local diner.
- Visit the historic district and Cane River Lake.
- Be ready for hot, humid summers.
- Don't miss the Christmas Festival in December.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Nearby
Every areaWinnfieldLouisianaWhere the pines whisper and the crawfish boilAlexandriaLouisianaWhere the piney woods meet the bayouLeesvilleLouisianaWhere the pines meet the water.RustonLouisianaWhere the pines meet the peaches, and Saturdays are for football.MindenLouisianaPiney woods, warm smiles, and Southern comfort.DeRidderLouisianaLocal rooms for Beauregard Parish.Shreveport–Bossier CityLouisianaRed River hospitality and piney woods charm.MonroeLouisianaWhere the Ouachita flows and the welcome is warm
Natchitoches, LA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.