Entities, programs, and accolades within the Natchitoches Parish area have been publicly recognized for their efforts in heritage tourism, historic preservation and retirement development.

April 2018 Southeast Tourism Society Natchitoches Christmas Festival named 'Top 20 Festival of the Year'

April 2018 Southern Living Magazine "The Best Small Town in Louisiana"

January 2018 Expedia Travel Blog "The Best Places to Travel Each Month in2018"

January 2018 Louisiana Travel Promotion Association - Holiday Trail of Lights "Festival/Event of the Year"

January 2018 New Orleans Magazine "Top State Festival"

December 2017 Where to Retire "8 Tax-Friendly Cities"

December 2017 BusinessInsider.com "The Most Festive Place in Every State"

December 2017 TripstoDiscover.com "10 Best Weekend Getaways in Louisiana"

November 2017 Cheapism.com "50 Christmas Towns in All 50 States"

November 2017 Southern Living "The South's Best Christmas Festivals"

November 2017 Reader's Digest "10 Small Towns with the Most Holiday Spirit"

October 2017 MSN.com " The Most Adorable Small Town in Every US State"

July 2017 Architectural Digest "The 15 Most Beautiful Main Streets Across America"

July 2017 Natchitoches- NSU Folk Festival named a 'Top 20 Event' - Southeast Tourism Society

June 2017 Culture Trip “The 50 Most Beautiful Towns to Visit in Each US State” 

March 2017 Southern Living "The South's Most Charming Streets"

February 2017 Culture Trip “The 10 Most Beautiful Parishes In Louisiana”

February 2017 Culture Trip “10 Most Beautiful Towns and Small Cities in Louisiana, USA”

February 2017 "2016 South's Best Small Towns" - Southern Living

January 2017 Louisiana Travel Promotion Association "Outstanding CVB of 2016 (Budget up to $499,999)"

November 2016 TopValueReviews.net named Natchitoches one of the "Top 30 Most Romantic Small Towns for the Holidays"

August 2016 Cosmopolitan.com names Natchitoches one of the top "40 American Towns You Haven't Heard of but Need to Visit ASAP"

June 2016 MSN.com named Natchitoches "One of the Cutest Towns in the South"

March 2016 "30 Most Beautiful Towns" - Expedia Travel

January 2016 "Top Things to Do in 2016" - 90th Natchitoches Christmas Festival - Redbook Magazine

December 2015 "Small Towns We Love" - Southern Living and "A Creole Christmas" a 6 page spread - Southern Living

July 2015 "50 Most Beautiful Small Towns in America" - Good Housekeeping Magazine

June 2015 "50 Most Beautiful Small Towns in America" - House Beautiful Magazine

May 2015: "Best Southern Small Town" - 10Best Readers’ Choice Award (USA Today and 10Best.com)

July 2014: "Top 8 Best Small Town Getaways in the U.S." - Wall Street Cheat Sheet

June 2014: Natchitoches selected as top retirement destination - “8 Fishing Cities: Great Lures Across the U.S.” - Where to Retire Magazine

April 2014: "Best Historic Attraction in Louisiana" - OfficialBest.com

January 2014: Natchitoches Tri-Centennial Celebration named as the “Bucket List Destination” for Louisiana for the year 2014. - CNN

December 2013: Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & Northwest Louisiana Museum named 'Top Global Architecture' project of 2013. - Azure Magazine

November 2013: YahooTravel.com named Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights #3 in the nation for 'Spectacular Holiday Light Shows '

July 2013: All-America City Finalist - National Civic League

February 2011: "Top 5 Most Romantic Main Streets" - National Trust for Historic Preservation

June 2007: "Ten Bargain Retirement Spots in the United States" - U.S. News & World Report

May 2007: One of Louisiana’s state-certified retirement communities

May 2007: Preserve America Presidential Award for Heritage Tourism - President George W. Bush

Spring 2006: Great American Main Street Award winner - National Trust for Historic Preservation

Spring 2005: "One of the United States’ Dozen Distinctive Destinations" - National Trust for Historic Preservation Spring 2004: Natchitoches area was named as a Preserve America community

Winter 2002: "One of the Eight Great Tax Friendly Towns" - Where To Retire Magazine

Fall 2002: "One of the Top 100 Places to Retire" - Where to Retire Magazine

July 2002: "One of the Twelve Great Road Trips" - National Geographic Traveler

Dec 2001: "One of the Top 100 Places to Retire" - Where to Retire Magazine

June 1998: "One of the Top Six Places to Retire in the United States" - Kiplinger Magazine