In the Heart of Louisiana, Alexandria/Pineville Delivers

Settled as it is at the confluence of several major highways including I-49, many visitors’ first experience of Alexandria/Pineville might be as a stop-over on the way to someplace else. But hold on a minute, because this distinctly beautiful, culturally rich area has all the trappings of a bonafide destination in its own right. Settled smack-dab in the center of the state, Alexandria/Pineville is a not-very-far drive from wherever you might be coming from—making it ideal for a quick weekend or a day-trip. So don’t make the mistake of simply passing through. Stop! Stay! Explore! You'll be glad you did.

A Destination for History Lovers 

Immerse yourself in the distinctive history of Central Louisiana’s early settlements by visiting Kent Plantation House, one of the oldest still-standing structures in Louisiana. The circa 1796 home is a unique example of French Colonial architecture, preserved on a compound that replicates a homestead of a successful Creole plantation of the colonial era—including a carriage house, slave cabins, a milk house, a blacksmith shop, and a sugar mill. Tours, which take place Monday–Saturday, include demonstrations of period household tasks including open-hearth cooking, candle making, and more. 

Delve into the lives of early settlers during a visit to the area’s oldest burial grounds at Rapides Cemetery on the banks of the Red River, where a fort was established in 1770 called Post du Rapide. The fort was eventually settled, expanded, and incorporated into the city now known as Pineville. You’ll find the second oldest cemetery in Rapides Parish attached to the Mount Olivet Chapel on the banks of the Rapides Bayou. The burial ground dates to at least 1824, and the circa-1857 Carpenter Gothic-style church is the oldest structure in Pineville. Walk the grounds to find the names of early pioneers and prominent political figures, including the conservationist Henry Hardtner and Louisiana governor Overton Moore. Complete your cemetery tours at the Alexandria National Cemetery, established in 1867 as the resting place for Union Civil War soldiers who died in Louisiana and Eastern Texas. Later, remains of 3800 veterans buried at the abandoned Brownsville National Cemetery were brought here too, representing casualties of the Mexican-American War, Civil War, and the 1885-86 yellow fever epidemic. 

Civil War buffs should also include the site of Forts Randolph & Buhlow in Pineville on their itineraries. These earthen forts were constructed by enslaved individuals from nearby plantations under command of the Confederate army, and completed in March 1865, just months before the Confederate army surrendered. No battles were ever fought there. The site also includes Bailey’s Dam—an engineering feat by Union Colonel Joseph Bailey, which allowed the Union fleet to escape below the rapids on the Red River during their retreat after the Battle of Mansfield. The Visitor’s Center provides educational exhibits on the Civil War activities of this area, including the Union’s infamous Red River Campaign. There is also an open field which frequently hosts Civil War re-enactments. 

Finally, you can’t talk about history in Central Louisiana without mentioning the Louisiana Maneuvers. Explore this fascinating chapter of World War II history at the Louisiana Maneuvers & Military Museum at the Training Center Pineville, the largest National Guard post in Louisiana. The museum includes an impressive collection of artifacts from most of America’s wars, with an emphasis on the massive training operation hosted on these grounds in preparation for World War II. 

A Destination for Art Lovers 

In addition to Central Louisiana’s lively local art scene, this spring you can see Picassos in Alexandria. The Alexandria Museum of Art, opened in 1977 by the Central Louisiana Art Association, is one of the state’s premier fine art venues, presenting rotating exhibits from its permanent collections as well as traveling exhibits from artists around the world. On exhibit through June is the Timothy Collins Collection of etchings, lithographs, and linocuts by the Spanish painter, sculptor, and printmaker Pablo Picasso, titled A Graphic Journey: Prints by Picasso. 

Then, find your way to the heart of the local art landscape with a stop at River Oaks Square Arts Center. You’ll find it downtown in the circa-1899 Queen Anne Revival home known as the “Bolton Home”. The Center, founded in 1984, promotes local contemporary artists through three galleries of exhibits, and hosts over thirty-five area artists in residence in studios. 

A Destination for Explorers

Alexandria/Pineville is the ultimate launch point into Louisiana’s only national forest, Kisatchie. The 600,000-acre longleaf pine forest is a recreational haven, and in the Evangeline Unit accessible from Alexandria, visitors have access to some of the best of it: from bicycling and fishing, to hiking and horseback riding. Take a boat out to Kincaid or Valentine Lake (be sure to bring a fishing pole). Or embark on one of the area’s many hiking trails, including the world-famous Wild Azalea National Recreation Trail—a 23.9 mile moderate level trail that traverses pine hills and hardwood bottoms, which is also open to mountain biking. March and April are prime time to view the flush of native azalea blooms for which the trail is named. 

Mark Your Calendars

If you’re aiming to time your visit to Central Louisiana just right, make note of some of the region’s best loved events. Coming up May 2–4 is the annual River Fete—three days of live music in downtown Alexandria, bolstered by a vibrant art market, beer garden, classic cars, and more. It culminates in the annual Dragon Boat Races—a community tradition that stems from a 2500-year-old Chinese sport. Participating teams race distinctive dragon boats across Buhlow Lake, paddling in unison to a drumbeat pounded out by an onboard drummer. 

Later in the year, come back downtown in late November/early December for Winter Fete, a free family-friendly celebration of the holiday season featuring an outdoor skating rink, stilt walkers, fire breathers, live music, an Ugly Sweater 5K, and carriage rides. Of course there is a Christmas parade, and fireworks to top it off. 

Keep up with the latest events happening in Alexandria/Pineville at alexandriapinevillela.com.