Travel and Lodging Information
Natchitoches is located about 70 miles south of Shreveport, about 200 miles southeast of Dallas, about 180 miles north of Baton Rouge, about 200 miles southwest of Jackson, Mississippi, and about 250 miles south of Little Rock, Arkansas.
Travel by Air
Natchitoches is accessible by air through either the Alexandria International Airport (AEX), or the Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV). Both airports are about an hour’s drive from Natchitoches. Rental car businesses abound at both airports. Natchitoches does have a small airport for non-commercial flights, if you happen to have access to a private plane!
Anyone needing transportation from or to the airport should email Kristine Coreil. A shuttle can be arranged to the Alexandria and Shreveport airports on Thursday evening and Friday morning, and again on Sunday afternoon.
Travel by Car
From the Airports (Shreveport, Alexandria)
- Take I-49 (south from Shreveport or north from Alexandria).
- Take exit 138 and go east on LA-6.
- This highway turns into University Parkway, and will take you right by the wrought-iron gates of Northwestern State University. Turn right into the university.
- The Fredericks Center for Creative and Performing Arts will be the third building on the right. If you go to the “Y” in the road, you've gone slightly too far.
From the Northwest or Midwest (Dallas, Little Rock)
- Take the most convenient route to Shreveport, Louisiana.
- Take I-49 south to exit 138. Go east on LA-6.
- This highway turns into University Parkway, and will take you right by the wrought-iron gates of Northwestern State University. Turn right into the university.
- The Fredericks Center for Creative and Performing Arts will be the third building on the right. If you go to the “Y” in the road, you've gone slightly too far.
From the East (Jackson, Birmingham, Atlanta)
- Take the most convenient route to Ruston, Louisiana, usually on I-20.
- From I-20, take the US-167 exit.
- Travel south on US-167 for about 1 hour until you get to Winnfield. Turn onto US-84, going west.
- This highway will become LA-6 in Clarence. Take LA-6 west.
- When you get into Natchitoches, you will travel through downtown over some bumpy brick streets. Go through all of this, and turn right onto College Avenue.
- You will see the wrought-iron gates of Northwestern State University on the left. Turn left into the university.
- The Fredericks Center for Creative and Performing Arts will be the third building on the right. If you go to the “Y” in the road, you've gone slightly too far.
From the Southeast (Baton Rouge, Mobile, Tallahassee)
- Take I-10 West over the Mississippi River.
- Once over the river, go approximately 2 miles, and take the exit marked "To US-190".
- There will be a sharp curve to the left in about 2 miles after the exit. This will bring you to US-190. Take US-190 West towards Opelousas.
- Just before Opelousas, take I-49 north towards Alexandria.
- Go through Alexandria, and north for 58 more miles. Take exit 138. Go east on LA-6.
- This highway turns into University Parkway, and will take you right by the wrought-iron gates of Northwestern State University. Turn right into the university.
- The Fredericks Center for Creative and Performing Arts will be the third building on the right. If you go to the “Y” in the road, you've gone slightly too far.
From the Southwest (Houston, southern Texas)
There are no great routes from this direction! If you are close to Dallas, you may want to follow the directions from the northwest. If you are closer to Lufkin, then go to Lufkin, Texas. You'll want to consult a map for this one, as there are several twists and turns in the route.
- From Lufkin, Texas, take TX-103 East. This highway runs into TX-21 East.
- Take TX-21 East into Louisiana, at which point it becomes LA-6. Take LA-6 east to Natchitoches.
- This highway turns into University Parkway, and will take you right by the wrought-iron gates of Northwestern State University. Turn right into the university.
- The Fredericks Center for Creative and Performing Arts will be the third building on the right. If you go to the “Y” in the road, you've gone slightly too far.
Lodging
Natchitoches, Louisiana is famous as a “weekend destination” for tourists throughout the nation. We are especially known for our Southern hospitality and charm! Experience this to the fullest by staying in a bed-and-breakfast! Listed below are the B&B’s and hotels that are within walking distance or a short drive from the NSU campus.
Group Rate Hotel
A special group rate is available at the Ramada Inn of Natchitoches. The nightly rate is $45 plus tax for a room with double beds or a king-sized bed. Ask for the “Southeast Horn Workshop” conference rate when reserving your room. Rooms are limited and must be reserved by February 1, 2006.
- Ramada Inn
- 7624 Hwy 1 Byp
- 318-357-8281
- Includes full service restaurant, bar, and swimming pool
- Three miles from campus
Bed-and-Breakfasts
- Abigail’s Cottage
- 322 2nd Street
- 318-352-6621
- 800-489-6621
- William & Mary Ackel House
- 146 Jefferson Street
- 318-352-3748
- Amulet Alley Guest House
- 131 Rue Amulet
- 318-238-2380
- At Home on the River Guest House
- 402 Williams Avenue
- 318-214-0099
- 866-870-7635
- The Blessed House
- 318 Nelken Street
- 318-356-9977
- 866-253-7347
- Breazeale House
- 926 Washington Street
- 318-352-5630
- 800-352-5631
- Casa Rio
- 1326 Williams Avenue
- 318-356-5698
- Chaplin House Bed & Breakfast
- 434 2nd Street
- 318-352-2324
- Chez des Amís
- 910 Washington Street
- 318-352-2647
- Cloutier Townhouse
- 416 Jefferson Street
- 318-352-5242
- 877-699-8471
- Fleur de Lis Bed & Breakfast Inn
- 336 2nd Street
- 318-352-6621
- 800-489-6621
- The French Quarters
- 104 Rue Poete
- 318-352-3123
- The Good House on Bayou Amulet
- 314 Rue Poete
- 318-352-9206
- 800-441-8343
- Green Gables and Camellia Cottage
- 201 Pine Street
- 318-352-5580
- Jefferson House Bed & Breakfast
- 229 Jefferson Street
- 318-352-3951
- 800-342-3957
- Judge Porter House
- 321 2nd Street
- 318-352-9206
- 800-441-8343
- Laureate House
- 225 Rue Poete
- 318-352-8672
- Levy-East House
- 358 Jefferson Street
- 318-352-0662
- 800-840-0662
- Log Cabin Guest House on Cane River
- 614 Williams Avenue
- 318-357-0520
- La Maison de Rivière
- 459 Jefferson Street
- 318-352-5885
- Maison Louisiane
- 332 Jefferson Street
- 318-352-1900
- 800-264-8991
- Miss Ethel’s Place
- 223 Jefferson Street
- 318-357-8355
- The Parsonage
- 307 Percy Street
- 318-214-9607
- Pierson River House
- 630 Williams Avenue
- 318-352-5756
- 800-342-3957
- Petit Tarn
- 612 Williams Avenue
- 318-352-5242
- 877-699-8471
- The Queen Anne Bed & Breakfast
- 125 Pine Street
- 318-352-9206
- 800-441-8343
- Rusca House
- 124 Rue Poete
- 318-356-7118
- Samuel Guy House
- 309 Pine Street
- 318-527-1036
- 800-264-8991
- Steel Magnolia House
- 320 Jefferson Street
- 318-238-2585
- Tante Huppé Inn
- 424 Jefferson Street
- 318-352-5342
- 800-482-4276
- The ‘T’ House
- 869 Washington Street
- 318-352-0859
- Wheelwright Inn Bed & Breakfast House
- 216 College Avenue
- 318-356-9175
Hotels
- Church Street Inn
- 120 Church Street
- 318-238-8888
- Downtown near shops and restaurants
- Days Inn
- 1000 College Avenue
- 318-352-4426
- Walking distance to campus
- Comfort Inn
- 5362 University Parkway
- 318-352-7500
- Near Interstate 49
- Hampton Inn
- 5300 University Parkway
- 318-354-0010
- Near Interstate 49
- Best Western
- 5135 University Parkway
- 318-352-6655
- Near Interstate 49
- Econo Lodge
- 5335 University Parkway
- 318-214-0700
- Near Interstate 49
- Holiday Inn Express
- 5131 University Parkway
- 318-354-9911
- Near Interstate 49