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DAY 3 - NATCHITOCHES: LOUISIANA’S OLDEST CITY, MEAT PIES & CANE RIVER

Drive: Marksville to Natchitoches ~1 hr 15–30 min | Overnight: Natchitoches

MORNING
• Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site - Reconstructed French fort with costumed interpreters; generally Wed–Sun 9–5 with
set tour times. ~60 minutes. lastateparks.com

LUNCH
• Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant - The iconic Natchitoches meat pie (groups welcome; Mon–Sat daytime hours). lasyones.com
AFTERNOON
• Cane River Creole National Historical Park - fSplit your group between Oakland Plantation and Magnolia Plantation
outbuildings. Park typically closed Mon–Tues; guided programs Wed–Sun; Oakland Main House self-guided weekends only
(10am–2pm). Plan for ranger talks + grounds walks (cabins, gin barn, overseer’s house). ~2–2.5 hours total with bus loading.
National Park Service
• Front Street stroll - Shops along Cane River Lake, including Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile (Louisiana’s oldest general
store). ~45 minutes. Kaffie-Frederick

DINNER & EVENING
• Downtown Natchitoches (choose a riverfront spot) and a sunset walk on the brick streets; if visiting in season, the City of Lights
displays run along the riverfront.
If time allows (swap with #3 on Mon/Tue):
• Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & NW LA History Museum (award-winning architecture; Tue–Sat 10–4:30). ~45–60 minutes.
Louisiana State Museum

DAY 4 - VERNON PARISH: COURTHOUSE SQUARE, SMALL-TOWN MUSEUMS
& KISATCHIE Drive: Natchitoches to Leesville (Vernon Parish) ~55–65 min
Depart: Return to Alexandria Int’l (AEX) from Leesville ~1 hr (or continue trip)

MORNING
• Leesville Downtown Historic District & 1910 Vernon Parish Courthouse - Quick guided exterior history talk and photos (Clas-
sical Revival/Beaux-Arts; NRHP-listed). ~30 minutes. Wikipedia
• Museum of West Louisiana (inside the historic KCS Depot) — regional history; check current status (renovation reopening indi-
cated). ~45 minutes. Vernon Parish Louisiana’s Legend Country
LUNCH
• Casual group picks in Leesville (examples with bus-friendly parking): Smokin’ Jo’s BBQ Shack, Toups’ Kajun Kitchen, or Wagon
Master Steakhouse. Tripadvisor

AFTERNOON (nature + industrial history)
• Fullerton Mill & Town Ruins (Kisatchie NF, Vernon Unit) - Short, flat 1.6-mile interpretive loop around the old Gulf Lumber mill
town; great for photos. ~60–75 minutes. Vernon Parish Louisiana’s Legend Country
• Longleaf Vista Recreation Area (Kisatchie NF) - Scenic gazebo overlook and a gentle interpretive loop; restrooms, big paved
parking—ideal for groups. ~45–60 minutes. US Forest Service

DEPARTURE
• Coach to AEX or your next destination.

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