Stop #1 - Historic District Tour
100 Rue Beauport – Downtown Natchitoches. Walking tours given by Cane River National Heritage Area available Tuesday - Saturday, call for tour times 318.352.8072. Time req: 45min - 1 hour.
On your own Steel Magnolia filming sites, Northwestern State University and other historic sites.
Stop #2 - Louisiana’s Sports Hall Of Fame – Regional History Museum
800 Front Street – Developed and operated by the Louisiana State Museum system in partnership with the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and the City of Natchitoches, the 27,500-square-foot museum complex provides a permanent home for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and its collection of portraits and memorabilia celebrating the achievements of more than 300 Louisiana athletes, coaches and other sports figures.
The Northwest Louisiana History Museum explores the evolution of unique cultural traditions from early native-American civilizations to the present. The building itself, designed by Trahan Architects of New Orleans, evokes the region’s rivers and plowed fields with sinuous molded stone interiors and earth colored exterior sheathing.Admission. Group rates for 20+. Tim req: 90 min.
http://www.crt.state.la.us/museum/properties/LSMbr.aspx
Stop #3 - Bishop Martin Museum
605 Second Street – Located in the Basilica of the the Immaculate Conception Gift Shop (318) 352-3422. Museum is the repository for early town records dating from 1724 and church artifacts, including a silver bell dated 1836. Time req: 30 min.
Stop #4 - Church Of Immaculate Conception
605 Second Street - (318) 352-3422. Built c. 1850s. Fittings and furnishings imported from France, original to building. Spiral staircase is significant in that it has no center support. Time req: 30 min.
Stop #5) Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile
758 Front Street – Step back into a 19th century general store and experience the charm of yesteryear. Open M-Sa 7-5. Closed major holidays. Time req: 45 min.
Stop #6 - Spiral Staircase
Behind Prudhomme Building – 701 Front Street. The staircase dates to the 1850s.
Stop #7 - National Historic Landmark District
- 33 blocks of restaurants, shops, antique shops, arts & crafts, book stores, art galleries, historic homes, and more. Time req: 2-3 hours
Stop #8 - Walk Of Honor
145 Rue St. Denis Street – Marble fleur de lis set in the sidewalk. Honors stars from the movies, as well as others who have made significant contributions to Natchitoches through sports, entertainment, the arts and cultural activities. Time req: 15 min
Stop #9 - Lemee House
310 Jefferson St. (318) 379-0055. Natchitoches' first restoration. Listen to the story of the secret hiding place. View the lovely garden and fountain in back used as a filming site for the movie Steel Magnolias. Admission. Groups by appointment. Time req: 30 min.
