Natchitoches Named The South’s Best Small Town in Louisiana by Southern Living

For the second year in a row, Natchitoches was voted The South’s Best Small Town in Every State for Louisiana by Southern Living Magazine! This accolade, for the Oldest Permanent Settlement in the State of Louisiana, is a tremendous honor.

The 33-block Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District boasts numerous restaurants, shopping outlets, hotels, and sightseeing opportunities which are just a stone’s throw from the beautiful Cane River Lake that flows through the heart of the downtown district. The Landmark District features the brick paved thoroughfare known as Front Street that lines the riverfront, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Museum and Northwest Louisiana History Museum, and the world renown Lasyone's Meat Pie Restaurant known for their famous meatpies and Cane River Cream Pie dessert. 

The Chateau Saint Denis Hotel, also located in the heart of the Historic Landmark District, offers 87 luxurious rooms, open yet comfortable lobby with double sided fireplaces, New Orleans French Quarter style courtyard and our very own “Lounge 1714” offering a cozy atmosphere to unwind at the end of the day. The Chateau Saint Denis is the only hotel in Natchitoches, and one of just a couple in the State of Louisiana, that is a recognized member of the Southern Living Hotel Collection. The Collection is an exclusive, curated network of hotels, inns and resorts across the South that embody the essence of Southern hospitality and charm.

For those that want to venture further from the downtown district, Oakland Plantation offers the most complete representation of a working plantation which was acquired by the National Park Service and is staffed by Park Rangers on a daily basis. Melrose Plantation also offers tours of the grounds and outbuildings. Guided tours are also available that offer access to some of the most treasured works from one of the South's premier primitive artists, Clemtine Hunter.

Natchitoches offers activities and sightseeing opportunities year-round. From Spring festivals such as Blooming on the Bricks to the annual Jazz Festival to the fall and winter festivals such as the world-famous Natchitoches Festival of Lights that offers 45 nights of Christmas lights featuring fireworks and entertainment on most weekends, Natchitoches is sure to be the source of many great memories.

Below is a link that offers the full list of Southern Living award winners.

https://www.southernliving.com/souths-best/small-towns-southern-states?slide=584663#584663