Downtown Natchitoches — Attraction in Natchitoches

1st time in 30 years going to this event. It was beautiful and they did an amazing job on the lights. We walked both sides and felt completely safe at 10 pm. We went late so it wouldn't be so crowded. I can't give it 5 stars because we went to one of the vendors to grab a bite to eat and they couldn't take cash so we had to go find a machine and get tickets. We got shrimp on a stick (6 small shrimp) and 1 hamburger (small plain hamburger) and it was $20.00. You put your stuff on your bread if you want it and nothing else comes on it. We sat on a bench down by the water to eat, I opened the shrimp stick that was wrapped in paper and aluminum foil and I ate the first one, which was way overcooked a guy came up and asked if I was the one that had just got the shrimp, I said yes and he proceeds to ask if I found his ring in there it had come off his finger. I immediately put it down because I instantly got nauseated when I realized he didn't have any gloves on or he would not have lost his ring. So there goes that $10.00. Overall the lights are pretty but I will probably never go back, the reason being that we intended on going back the next day but checked out of the hotel (Days Inn) (without a refund) because the room was disgusting and very dirty. The whole experience was just very unsatisfactory. McDonald's was even horrible. Cost us way too much for this getaway than it ever should have. They should do a lot better and have a cleaner and safer place for...

This town has potential but it misses the mark as far as tourism or just about all else. The river front park area went thru some renovation but the town charges to access it during festivals. If you haven't seen fireworks in awhile, this town might be of use to you. The area doesn't support much parking so you will pay $10 to park about a mile away in some unpaved lot. Almost all businesses close at 4PM. Only a few restaurants are open afterwards downtown. The burning question is what to do after you eat. The police are everywhere, so don't let the lay back scenery fool you. They are opportunists and are not shy about being unlawful. The city government leaders are corrupt, and use a whole herd of citizens spie, and even "fake" ordinances to injure; for example, ordinance 10-58(a)(7) disturbing the peace, makes just about everything unlawful, so be careful. A Federal court has since decided otherwise and the city is being sued for it. Its the check-and-balance in our way national...

Our new updated riverfront walk is relaxing with a great length of bricked walkway, plants, birds, the other sites to see; they are now adding more and more to it all the time. There's a really nice waterfall and a bricked stairwell that goes back up to front Street leading to several really great restaurants and shops all along front street. Our little town has a lot to offer especially for a nice weekend out of your area, for a change of scenery!...