Is Natchitoches Alexandria-Pineville Worth the Drive from Dallas?? (New Orleans, Baton Rouge: prices, vs.)

[fallguy]

Hi-
Is Natchitoches & Alexandria-Pineville Worth the Drive from Dallas??

I've never been to those cities. I've been to New Orleans once (2002), they gotta fix it again!!, Shreveport-Bossier 3 X (twice in 2006 & once earlier this month) & Monroe once (earlier this month).

I'm going to Lake Charles and possibly Baton Rouge as soon as I can.
I've not been to those two cities either.

Thanks,
fallguy

[laorbust61]

If you're a culture and history buff, it is probably worth the drive. Natchitoches has the Christmas Festival people from all over the world attend, and Rapides parish has the Pecan festival and Tamale festival. And there are historic tours you can take that cover Natchitoches and Cane River.

[fallguy]

Howdy-
Thank you for your reply.

I *am* in fact the biggest history buff around!!

Even tho returning to Louisiana after my upcoming 5th visit (Lake Charles/Lafayette/Baton Rouge Mar. or Apr. 2008), is a *very* long shot, I may someday see Natchitoches & Alexandria/Pineville if a) I get super-rich or b) gas prices go down or c) both a & b.

There's about an even split btw. folks I know who have been to all 3 cities of Natchitoches/Alexandria/Pineville & really like them vs. folks who have been to all 3 & really can't stand them.

Someday, I do want some Natchitoches Meat Pies from the famous Natchitoches Meat Pie Kitchen, tho, that I learned about from people who like Natchitoches & their Meat Pies.

[laorbust61]

Originally Posted by fallguy

Howdy-
Thank you for your reply.

I *am* in fact the biggest history buff around!!

Even tho returning to Louisiana after my upcoming 5th visit (Lake Charles/Lafayette/Baton Rouge Mar. or Apr. 2008), is a *very* long shot, I may someday see Natchitoches & Alexandria/Pineville if a) I get super-rich or b) gas prices go down or c) both a & b.

There's about an even split btw. folks I know who have been to all 3 cities of Natchitoches/Alexandria/Pineville & really like them vs. folks who have been to all 3 & really can't stand them.

Someday, I do want some Natchitoches Meat Pies from the famous Natchitoches Meat Pie Kitchen, tho, that I learned about from people who like Natchitoches & their Meat Pies.

I think Lasyone's Meat Pie Kitchen in Natchitoches, will ship to you. They might even have a website. The Cajun and the Creole food are both excellent in Natchitoches Parish.

[Big1]

First of all the Pecan Festival is Grant Parish Colfax and the Tamale Festival is in Sabine I think in Zwolle. I do not feel Alexndri/Pineville has much to offer for families. Natchitoches has more. Though expensive I enjoyed the alligator farm in Natchitoches

[Big1]

Originally Posted by fallguy

Howdy-
Thank you for your reply.

I *am* in fact the biggest history buff around!!

Even tho returning to Louisiana after my upcoming 5th visit (Lake Charles/Lafayette/Baton Rouge Mar. or Apr. 2008), is a *very* long shot, I may someday see Natchitoches & Alexandria/Pineville if a) I get super-rich or b) gas prices go down or c) both a & b.

There's about an even split btw. folks I know who have been to all 3 cities of Natchitoches/Alexandria/Pineville & really like them vs. folks who have been to all 3 & really can't stand them.

Someday, I do want some Natchitoches Meat Pies from the famous Natchitoches Meat Pie Kitchen, tho, that I learned about from people who like Natchitoches & their Meat Pies.

You can get meat pies at any quickstop conveinence store already cooked in La. Or find them in a grocery store frozen.

[Rmaf623]

Alexandria-Pineville does have some choices. Alexandria has the Kent House, which is a French colonial plantation home. Downtown Alexandria was wiped out by Union forces during the Civil War, destroying much of the town's antebellum history. Pineville, across the river, has Fort Buhlow and Fort Randolph, which served as fortifications during the Civil War. Both of these forts are not heavily developed. The adjacent Buhlow Lake provides water recreation. There is a miniature golf-course and go-kart tracks located on the shore of the lake. There is also the Alexandria Zoological Park, which is a popular attraction for families. There are also a couple of museums around the area such as the Alexandria Museum of Art, and the Louisiana History Museum. The main festival that occurs in Alexandria is Mardi Gras.

[fallguy]

Thank you to all respondents.

On the way to Lake Charles, Lafayette, & Baton Rouge, I'll do my best to score some ready-cooked convenience store meat pies :0

[WendyW.]

When you leave Lake Charles, headed towards Lafayette. There will be a little town right off I-10 called Iowa. (We pronounce it Iway). There is a store named Cajun Kwik Mart. You can stop in there for some boudin balls, pistolettes and meat pies.

There are other places just as good of course but I had to give a little advertisement to our little town. ;-)

There's some really good eating in all three towns you plan to visit. Do a little research and decide where you want to go and get the directions ahead of time. It saves alot of time and aggravation not having to make those decisions spur of the moment.

[fallguy]

Thanks WendyW. I'm already mapping out where we're going to eat.
I'm going with my buddy John who knows Louisiana
(he has family in Ruston, Lake Charles & Longville). He's the guy I went to Monroe with almost a month ago (2.9.08).

Talk to you soon!!

fallguy