BRIAN JARREAU
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, look no further than Natchitoches for a romantic weekend away (though you don’t need to wait for Cupid’s bow to strike to visit this historic haven).
Your sojourn starts off with a scenic stroll through the heart of the Natchitoches Historic District. The 33-block area within the downtown district was designated a National Historic Landmark, and it includes the only known two-story building constructed entirely of bousillage, a mixture of mud, Spanish moss and deer hair, the Prudhomme-Rouquier House. If you’d prefer to skip the sweat and ride around in true style, you can even tour the historic district via horse-drawn carriage.
All that walking (or riding) is sure to build up a hearty appetite; luckily, you’re only a stone’s throw away from Merci Beaucoup Restaurant, a favorite downtown spot among lunching locals as the place “to see and be seen.” The menu features Cajun and American fare, with standout signature dishes like Natchitoches’ famous meat pies, the Cajun potato (stuffed and topped with crawfish etouffee, plus a jumbo fried shrimp), and homemade gumbo.
See Natchitoches from the water and spend the afternoon aboard the Cane River Queen as it drifts along Cane River Lake with Captain Paul at the helm. Even better, all riverboat tours are BYOB, because what’s a cruise without a little day drinking? Once you’ve safely returned to land, it’s time for dinner with a view (and some fine wine, too). Watch the sunset over Sibley Lake from a waterfront table at Mariner's Restaurant, whose surf-n-turf centric menu offers a foodie's fantasy—items like the BBQ shrimp and jalapeño cheese grits, duck fat reduced collard greens, and lamb pops (!) with a raspberry chipotle glaze. Or, you and your date can opt to dine on the deck at Maglieaux's Riverfront Restaurant along Cane River Lake, where the eatery has served its Cajun and Italian family recipes since 2013.
When you’re ready to retire at last, look no further for a cozy home away from home than one of Natchitoches’ B&B’s. From Creole cottages to riverside cabins to country estates, the city has more than two dozen where you can lay your head. What are you waiting for? To start planning your renewing romantic getaway in the historic heart of the Bayou State, head to natchitoches.com.
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