18 Incredible Things To Do In Natchitoches, Louisiana

1. Tour The Louisiana Sports Hall Of Fame

Sports and history fans need to visit the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame located in Natchitoches, Louisiana. This branch of the Louisiana State Museum honors not just the athletic accomplishments of the state but also its wealth of cultural history.

The exhibits include memorabilia, interactive displays, and triumph tales of famous Louisiana athletes, from football stars to Olympic champions. It also features sections of Northwest Louisiana's rich heritage with exhibitions showing some local history, native cultures, and more.

2. Discover The Wonders Of Dark Woods Adventure Park

Dark Woods Adventure Park is a perfect place to spend time outdoors, combining thrills with natural beauty. This park features an exciting zip line course, through which visitors can flow through the trees viewing beautiful scenery over the surrounding forest.

There is also a rope course that will be exciting and adventurous; this can also be placed in that category with the overall team-building experience. Dark Woods becomes a haunted experience in the fall, offering visitors the chance to get a great heart-pumping experience around Halloween.

Regardless you're looking for high-energy fun or a nice soothing walk in nature, the adventure park is one of the best Natchitoches Louisiana things to do.

3. Take A Bow For The Minor Basilica Of Immaculate Conception Church

Immaculate Conception Church of Natchitoches is one of the famous sites of interest in this region of Louisiana. Traditionally and structurally however, the church has from the foregoing been a captivating structure, a Minor Basilica, meaning a church that has a special importance in the liturgical and pastoral activities of a given society.

This being the seventh building that serves the parish, it was the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Natchitoches. It exhibits fine Gothic Revival architecture with intricately handcrafted stained-glass windows and elaborate, highly decorative interiors.

It's one of the wonderful things to do in Natchitoches LA for anyone who wants to experience its rich history and beautiful architecture.

4. Celebrate The Holidays At Natchitoches Christmas Festival

Isn't it just great to spend your holiday at the Natchitoches Christmas Festival? This festival is an annual event celebrated on the first weekend of December in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and is indeed a grand holiday affair with wonderful lights, music, and wonderful cheer.

The most fascinating function is the fantastic lighting of over 300,000 lights around Cane River that gives the natural lighting effect. Plus, there will be live performances, holiday parades, and fireworks, shopping at markets for handmade gifts from local craftsmen.

However, tickets to the festival are available through the official page Natchitoches Christmas Festival.

5. Explore The Parc Natchitoches

Parc Natchitoches is a new multi-million-dollar construction by Natchitoches and is a sports park with a lot of recreational activities. It has a 5-plex baseball pavilion, four soccer fields, and beautiful walking trails around a quiet pond.

There are several pieces of playground equipment with covered pavilions for picnics and a dog park, which is coming soon. Whether you're at the game, strolling, or just sack up with family and pets, Parc Natchitoches will serve as a great outdoor getaway for the city's residents and visitors.

6. Visit The Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc.

Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc. is a unique and well-incorporated organization to represents Natchitoches Louisiana's culture, history, and heritage. Their goal is to share the area's beautiful stories authentically and inclusively.

Here, visitors can sail through historic plantations, heritage sites, and lively local cultures that give them a feel for the best traditions that have shaped the area. This heritage area focuses on education and preservation, and it offers much to explore about Louisiana's Cane River, making it one of the best Natchitoches things to do.

7. Admire Masterpieces At Cane River Gallery

For an art lover, you should not miss a chance to visit Cane River Gallery, situated in Natchitoches LA. This little gallery shows local artists, providing a unique fine arts, pottery, jewelry, and more collection.

Whether one is inclined towards contemporary pieces or traditional crafts, there is something of interest to behold. The environment encourages visitors to interact with the art and maybe even meet the artists. It's a great place and one of the amazing things to do Natchitoches for anyone interested in Louisiana's rich cultural creativity.

8. Relax At Onyx Wine & Cigar Lounge

Onyx Wine & Cigar Lounge is a refined establishment located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where you can dance with a live band on several days of the week. The place is trendy and serves great cocktails, wines, and great bourbons for the people to take.

However, cigar aficionados can light up in their exclusive smoking area, separately located from the entrances of non-smokers. At the lounge, food is served straight from the bar for an ideal pairing with your favorite drink.

With 4,200 square feet beautifully remodeled from an old laundromat, Onyx embraces elegant decor with a cozy atmosphere.

9. Spend Time At Arcade Natchitoches

Arcade Natchitoches is the latest family entertainment center within the former Natchitoches Conference Hall on I-49. This is the first center in the state of Louisiana to offer Quibica Flying Ducks Duckpin bowling and a Batbox USA baseball batting simulator for even more excitement.

They also specialize in birthday parties, offering all-inclusive packages that include pizza, drinks, and video game credits. If you want to bowl, practice your battling in the simulator, or enjoy the games, it's the perfect spot for fun and party enjoyment. In general, this is one of the best things to do in Louisiana.

10. Learn New At Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery

Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery is a wonderful place for fish conservation and research. It is a warm water station of the Service, which spawns, hatches, and rears various species of fish, turtles, and mussels.

These young creatures are raised to an age and size that gives them the maximum chance of survival in the wild and contributes to the Service's overall mission of restoring and recovering species.

Hence, it is a great place to see the wonders in nature and learn a little more about how lives are being saved through the ecosystem.

11. Honor The American Cemetery

The American Cemetery in Natchitoches is an outstanding historical area that has been recognized as one of the oldest cemeteries in the Louisiana Purchase. It serves as a resting place for gloriously serene collective fragments of individuals who lived as far back as colonial times.

As you walk about the American Cemetery, you'll find crumbling tombstones that would unravel the story of a region filled with rich history. It is a special scenario where one can experience a connection with the past and appreciate the sustaining legacy of the ancestors.

12. Take A Trip To The Grand Ecore Visitor Center

Natchitoches, Louisiana's Grand Ecore Visitor Center strives to combine its history, geology, and culture. It is located in the small community of Grand Ecore, which is a mere four miles north of Natchitoches. This visitor center was built out of 80 feet of bluff space over the Red River, providing mesmerizing views.

These will include educational exhibits on water resources, regional representation of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, geology, paleontology, and Native American heritage. The place is ideal for gaining an experience of adventure through the natural beauty and rich history of the area, all in a grand setting.

13. Uncover The Heritage Of Cane River Creole National Historical Park

Natchitoches holds an area of 63 acres along Cane River Lake as Cane River Creole National Historical Park, showing the preserved Oakland and Magnolia Plantations.

Visitors can experience the cultural landscapes, historic buildings, and interpretive exhibits that resurrect stories of those who lived there and worked in this park. The park is open with guided tours, self-exploration, and seasonal events in the park.

It has thus become an enriching experience toward understanding Creole heritage and its integral richness in the history of Louisiana and the United States.

14. Browse Kaffie-Frederick Inc.

The historic downtown Natchitoches, Louisiana has a lovely spot just waiting to be seen. It is a must on the list of things to do in Louisiana for all the history buffs and shoppers. This is known as the oldest General Store in all of Louisiana where you can travel back in time.

Inside, you can find an eclectic array of hardware and cookware along with gifts and even classic toys like Radio Flyers. The store is much more charming, with the operation of its original freight elevator and that cash register installed in 1910 for every sale.

It is not just a place to shop; it is also a delightful journey back in time with Kaffie-Frederick!

15. Embark On A Visit To Prudhomme-Rouquier House

The Prudhomme-Rouquier House excels as a wonderfully striking illustration of architectural history from the mid-1800s. The house is historic and offers free tours on the third Sunday of every month from 1-3 P.M., during which visitors can view the gorgeous within and the interesting story behind it.

Besides, visitors can also savor the iconic architecture and gather more information about the real history of the neighborhood. An historic home of this caliber is a must-see for any interested in the past and architecture. Hence, if you wonder what to do in Natchitoches you can head towards this amazing museum.

16. Take In The Creativity At The Natchitoches Art Guild-Gallery

The Natchitoches Art Guild Gallery situated in the middle of Natchitoches, Louisiana is one of the places that art lovers can visit. The guild is a non-profit organization that helps show this art in this beautiful community, as well as, supporting up the artists.

The gallery also shows some interesting artwork, including paintings, sculptures, photography, and crafts created by local artists. Here, visitors will see rotating exhibits, find special treasures to purchase, or just come for the vibrant local culture.

Overall, inspirational aesthetics and cultural enrichment are blended perfectly here, making it a delightful place to experience the arts.

17. Enjoy A Day At Gator Country LA Alligator Park

Gator Country LA Alligator Park is situated in Natchitoches, LA, USA, and is one of the family entertainment centers. The park is a lively hands-on alligator and reptile park and children can touch baby alligators, turtles, and many other animals on the farm.

In addition, the live feeding shows, guided tours, handling of animals and taking photographs, thrilling excitement, and great experience of a lifetime for children and adults are waiting in the park.

Louisiana's unique wildlife is protected in a fun and engaging setting, the ideal escape to nature with the family.

18. Stop By Beau Jardin, Natchitoches Riverbank

Beau Jardin in Natchitoches, Louisiana is a lovely pond and garden area located along the riverbank in the downtown area.

Owned by the City of Natchitoches, this lovely area features park-like grounds, ornate waterfalls, a walking trail, and plenty of green areas for that break between sightseeing or for the perfect wedding photos.

An outdoor wedding chapel, Beau Jardin comprises all the elements for a serene but lovely ceremony: natural beauty combined with romanticism. Its location along the Cane River makes it more appealing because it entices visitors to enjoy some peace surrounded by nearby attractions on the riverbank.