If you thought New Orleans was the only Bayou beaut filled with European flair, you’d be mistaken!
The timeless streets of Louisiana’s oldest city are illuminated by its very own vibrant “French Quarter”, with its color-wheel facades, wrought-iron balconies, and old-timey inns for a glimpse into the past.
With less hustle and bustle and a calmer atmosphere void of thumping nightclubs and impromptu jazz performances, this quaint town of 17,000 has all the charm of New Orleans’ most popular district without the headaches.
Enjoy scrumptious Cajun cuisine, comfortable stays, and picturesque streets all packed into a tight squeeze without the Bourbon Street chaos or safety concerns, as New Orleans is ranked #6 in the latest report of the ‘Most Dangerous Places in the U.S’.
You can swap the city grind for small-town charm in Natchitoches, an affordable escape with a name that’s harder to spell than it is to pronounce (“nack-a-tish”).
The City ‘Where History Lives’
Natchitoches’ slogan is ‘Where History Lives,’ and it fits the bill.
Established in 1714 (beating New Orleans by four years), it is Louisiana’s oldest city.
The original ‘French Quarter’, founded by French explorer Louis Juchereau de St. Denis, is right here.
There may be no such thing as a time machine (yet), but visiting Natchcitoches is as close as it gets for Louisiana.
Visitors can peruse the Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District for free, so make your camera roll has plenty of space to snap all the French and Spanish Creole architecture.
While it’s easy to compare this historic town to Europe, it’s truly a down-sized New Orleans a dupe in terms of what many tourists come to experience: stunning architecture, savory Creole cuisine, and yes, even Mardi Gras!
Except in Natchitoches, things don’t tend to get too out of hand; they are more of a cultural delight than an all-night rager.
More seasonably relevant, however, is the town’s nearly century-old Christmas Festival taking place now through January 6th.
To deep dive into Natchotoches fascinating timeline, the most informative experience may be the Northwest Louisiana History Museum, touching on Native American history to modern times.
Ultimately, you’ll want to venture away from the French flair to the Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, a flawless replica of the 1716 French fort and drawing rave reviews, where one patron said, ‘All I can say is wow! Highly worth the stop. Only $4 per person and worth every penny.’
Step Back in Time: Enjoy A Nice Stay At A Historic Inn
Despite the temptation of posting selfies from a 5-star resort in a “pics or didn’t happen” world, there’s nothing wrong with stepping back in time to enjoy a nice stay in an old-timey inn.
Just because there’s no swim-up bar or plush robes and slippers doesn’t mean you won’t have an unforgettable trip.
In fact, in today’s information age, you can enjoy the irony of something old being something new. Dotted through town are a variety of historic inns and bed and breakfasts, all receiving positive accolades.
These 5 historic inns/bed and breakfasts are postcard-worthy and hold impressive Google ratings of 4.6 and up:
- Sweet Cane Inn
- Judge Porter House Bed & Breakfast
- Andrew Morris House Bed & Breakfast
- Queen Anne Bed & Breakfast
- Church Street Inn
You could also test your fate at the (allegedly) haunted Chateau Saint Denis Hotel, a conveniently located downtown boutique hotel.
But many bed and breakfasts are set in revamped century-old homes, providing a comfy stay and a unique, historical experience with or without spooky ghost stories.
Fun fact: The popular movie Steel Magnolias was filmed in Natchitoches. You can stay at the Steel Magnolia House, where many of the iconic scenes were filmed.
Phenomenal Cajun Cuisine (Including An Overlooked Local Favorite!)
We all know New Orleans is the mecca for Louisiana cuisine, but don’t sleep on the food scene here.
You can delight your tastebuds with many, if not all, the same famous dishes, but there’s one local favorite that doesn’t get enough hype.
Despite being closer to Texas’ mainland than the Gulf coast, seafood here is still phenomenal, but it’s meat pies that locals and visitors rave about.
Known for their flaky crust and savory filling, you can’t have enough of these handheld treats. Check out Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant for this local delicacy consisting of beef and pork.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
