The city of Natchitoches, located on the banks of the Cane River Lake, comes twinkling to life with over 300,000 strung Christmas lights, more than 100 large riverbank set pieces, fireworks most Saturdays in December, and enough Southern hospitality to last the entire Christmas season. Each year, the lights get turned on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and this year the spectacle is planned for November 23 lasting through early January. (Be sure to check their website ChristmasFestival.com to verify schedules.)
The downtown National Landmark Historic District encompasses blocks of historic homes, churches, museums, historic sites, restaurants, a hotel, bed & breakfasts, and several unique gift shops. Another special treat in the District is the night-time tours of the area by trolley or horse-drawn carriage. The tours stroll through the Historic District and pass many of the Steel Magnolias film sites including The Steel Magnolia House Bed and Breakfast. Built in the 1830’s along the beautiful Cane River in Natchitoches, the house is rich in history and culture. From the unique architecture to its involvement in the Civil War, this home is a piece of Southern history and is primarily known as the home of Drum and M’Lynn Eatenton for the on-site filming of the movie.
Other interesting areas along Front Street, the brick-lined street that runs parallel to the riverbank, include Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile, the oldest general store in Louisiana, and The Rocking Horse Toy Store. Walking into each store is like walking into another realm. Kaffie-Frederick offers cast-iron skillets, old-timey toys, Natchitoches souvenirs, and a Christmas Store upstairs, a Christmas gem hidden in the second level of a hardware store. The Christmas store is nothing but Christmas decorations and ornaments. The Rocking Horse is a locally owned and operated toy store – truly a child’s dream store. Whether little Sally or Tommy wants a stuffed animal, wooden train set, zoo animals, or a dollhouse, parents can find almost any Christmas wish in this wonderland of toys.
And of course, who can go to Louisiana without thinking of wonderful food? Within an eight block downtown area, there are 10 locally owned and extremely delicious restaurants. Our favorites include The Landing located on Front Street. Our crew had two favorites: the Duck & Grits, which featured marinated medallions of duck breast served on jalapeño and gouda grits, and the Crabcake Hurricane, which served crabcakes stacked with grilled shrimp on hollandaise topped with lump crabmeat.
Dating back to colonial days, Natchitoches is also famous for their meat pies, and none more so than Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant. Listed by Jane and Michael Stern as “One of the 500 Things to Eat Before its too Late,” a local resident confides to us that, “what makes them so special is their pastry. It’s flaky and a family trademarked secret. They are there at the crack of dawn every day. They are still hand closed with a fork, so every one is different. They don’t look perfect, they look homemade…they taste perfect.” Our group braved the crowds to get them, and our source was correct. They do taste perfect!
Located on Church Street, Merci Beaucoup promises an original classic Cajun and American menu. The menu items we heard the most about were the Cajun Potato and the bread pudding. The Cajun Potato is a stuffed potato topped with crawfish étouffée and a jumbo fried shrimp, served with a garden salad and hot French bread. This restaurant is also one of my mom’s favorite places to enjoy bread pudding–their own recipe served warm with a butter vanilla sauce, whipped cream and nutmeg ensures you’ll be counting the days until your return visit.
If history is your cup of tea, you will thoroughly enjoy the Cane River National Heritage Area, which is known for historic Creole-style plantations and structures, as well as its beautiful drive along the Cane River. Within the heritage area, both Oakland Plantation and 18 acres of Magnolia Plantation outbuildings are located. Oakland has 17 of its original outbuildings still remaining and is a National Bicentennial Farm, one of only two such farms west of the Mississippi River.
During our trip, we also visited Melrose Plantation. Melrose became a hub of art and education and was a haven for artists and writers after 1884. It has beautiful grounds. Some unique features, such as the Yucca House, make it worth a visit.
Natchitoches, Louisiana offers the perfect Christmas destination for any family looking to get away from home, but still enjoy the Christmas season. A visitor once said, “If you do not catch the Christmas spirit in Natchitoches, then you are not going to catch it.” We have to agree.
Truvy said, “Smile! It increases your face value.” We guarantee a visit to Natchitoches gives you plenty to smile about!
Begin planning a family Christmas trip to historic Natchitoches today by requesting a tour guide and Christmas Festival brochure. To request information, please call (800) 259-1714 or visit Natchitoches.net online. Up-to-date Christmas Festival information can be found online at ChristmasFestival.com.