Louisiana Travel Directory

Cane River Lake in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Photo by Lisa D. Smith

 Louisiana: The Southern Terminus of the Jefferson Highway

Welcome to the Louisiana section of the Jefferson Highway, the thrilling final leg of the historic "Palm to Pine" route as it guides travelers toward the international port city of New Orleans. This segment of the highway plunges you into the heart of Cajun and Creole country, where the landscape transitions from rolling piney woods in the north to the iconic bayous and cultural crossroads of the south.

Louisiana offers a truly unique experience, blending deep-rooted French, Spanish, and African American heritage with world-class cuisine, stunning historic architecture, and vibrant music. Use the map (a work in progress) and directory below to plan your journey. You'll find everything from Civil War battlefields and rural farm tours to exceptional dining and cozy lodging as you trace the final steps of this grand auto trail.

Louisiana Travel Directory Map

A work in progress, this Louisiana Travel Directory Map displays the Jefferson Highway corridor within Louisiana, from the Texas border down to New Orleans. Use the interactive pins to locate our featured listings, including Visitor Bureaus, historic lodgings, restaurants, attractions and activities, and other businesses that welcome travelers along the route.   

Attractions & Experiences

Discover the best natural, historical, cultural, and unique experiences to add to your Jefferson Highway journey through Louisiana

American Rose Center (America’s Rose Garden)
A 118-acre garden and the national headquarters of the American Rose Society, billed as the nation’s largest park dedicated to roses.
8877 Jefferson Paige Rd, Shreveport, LA 71119
Tel: (318) 938-5402
Web: rose.org

Mansfield State Historic Site
Preserves the site of the 1864 Civil War Battle of Mansfield with exhibits, living history events and battle reenactments.
15149 Highway 175, Mansfield, LA 71052
Tel: (318) 872-1474
Web: lastateparks.com

The American Cemetery
Considered by many historians to be the oldest cemetery in the Louisiana Purchase, with graves dating to colonial times.
2nd St, Natchitoches, LA 71457

Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site
A reconstructed 18th-century French colonial fort with daily tours and an interactive visitors center.
155 Rue Jefferson, Natchitoches, LA 71457
Tel: 318-357-3101
Web: lastateparks.com

Cane River Creole National Historical Park
A national park with two plantation areas, Oakland and Magnolia, to explore by car or on foot.
1927 Remembrance Way, Natchitoches, LA 71457
Tel: 318-352-0383
Web: nps.gov/cari

Melrose Plantation
A historic house museum covering 200 years of Cane River history, from the Metoyer Creole family to artist Clementine Hunter.
3533 Hwy 119, Melrose, LA 71452
Tel: (318) 379-0055
Web: melroseonthecane.com

Kisatchie National Forest
Louisiana’s only national forest, more than 604,000 acres of piney woods just outside both Natchitoches and Alexandria.
Tel: 318-472-1840
Web: fs.usda.gov/kisatchie

Rapides Cemetery
The oldest of Pineville’s historic cemeteries, on the cliffs above the Red River and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
210 Hatti Street, Pineville, LA 71360

Kent Plantation House
Built in the late 1700s, the oldest surviving building in central Louisiana, with tours and demonstrations of plantation life.
3601 Bayou Rapides Rd, Alexandria, LA 71303
Tel: (318) 487-5998
Web: kenthouse.org

Epps House
Creole plantation home that was partially built by Solomon Northup (12 Years a Slave). Located on the LSU Alexandria campus.
8100 Highway 71 South, Alexandria, LA 71302
Web: explorelouisiana.com

Spring Bayou Wildlife Management Area
More than 12,000 acres of backwater swamp for birding, paddling, fishing and hiking. A Wild Louisiana Stamp or fishing or hunting license is required.
2674 Spring Bayou Rd, Marksville, LA 71351
Web: waterheritage.atchafalaya.org

Solomon Northup Statue
The “Hope Out of Darkness” statue honors Solomon Northup outside the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse, where he won his freedom in 1853.
312 N Main St, Marksville, LA 71351
Tel: (800) 833-4195
Web: travelavoyelles.com

Hypolite Bordelon Home
A Creole-style house built around 1820 by one of Avoyelles Parish’s pioneer families and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
242 Tunica Drive West, Marksville, LA 71351
Tel: ((318) 305-9427
Web: travelavoyelles.com

Tunica-Biloxi Museum
The museum’s collection includes the “Tunica Treasure,” European trade goods and artifacts the Tunica buried with their dead between 1731 and 1764.
150 Melacon Rd, Marksville, LA 71351
Tel: (318) 240-6421
Web: tunicabiloxi.org

Tunica-Biloxi Nature Trail
A one-mile, accessible elevated boardwalk loop through bottomland hardwood forest, ending at the tribe’s Cultural and Educational Resources Center, home to the Tunica-Biloxi Museum.
Tunica-Biloxi Reservation, Marksville, LA 71351
Tel: (318) 253-0019

Center of Louisiana (Centre de la Louisiane)
A photo stop that Avoyelles tourism officials say marks the geographic center of Louisiana, with a large metal cutout of the state and a “You are here” marker.
1860 Old River Road, Mansura, LA 71350
Tel: (800) 833-4195
Web: travelavoyelles.com

Adam Ponthieu Grocery Store & Big Bend Post Office
A time capsule of Americana and old Avoyelles from 1900 to 1950, with a gift shop and picnic area, across the street from the Sarto Old Iron Bridge.
8554 LA-451, Moreauville, LA 71355
Tel: (318) 997-2465

Cottonport Museum & Cultural Center
Murals and nostalgic displays explain why cotton was king and showcase Cottonport’s history, heritage and culture.
220 Cottonport Ave, Cottonport, LA 71327
Tel: (318) 876-3517

Bunkie Depot Museum
Historic 1911 train station and railroad museum listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A stop on the historic Jefferson Highway and the Northup Trail.
110 Northwest Main St, Bunkie, LA 71322
Tel: (318) 346-2575

Jefferson Highway Southern Terminus Marker
A small concrete obelisk with a plaque marks the southern end of the Jefferson Highway.
124 St. Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA

The National WWII Museum
Tells the American story of the war that changed the world: why it was fought, how it was won and what it means today.
945 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Tel: 504-528-1944
Web: nationalww2museum.org

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve
Preserves and interprets the natural and cultural resources of Louisiana’s Mississippi River Delta region. It is named after French pirate Jean Lafitte and consists of six separate sites.
French Quarter Visitor Center, 419 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Tel: 504-589-3882
Web: nps.gov/jela

St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
New Orleans’ oldest and most famous city of the dead, entered with a licensed tour guide.
425 Basin St, New Orleans, LA 70112
Web: nolacatholiccemeteries.org

Lodging Destinations

Find the perfect place to stay and plan your Louisiana Jefferson Highway adventure with these lodging destinations.

Couple in the pool at Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, Louisiana

Paragon Casino Resort

A Tunica-Biloxi-owned casino resort with more than 500 rooms and suites, an RV resort and cabins, a spa, an 18-hole golf course and dining. Click here to read more...

Church Street Inn
Enjoy comfortable and modern lodging right in the heart of Natchitoches' beautiful historic district near dining and shops.

Jefferson House Bed & Breakfast
A charming B&B offering historic comfort and warm Southern hospitality near downtown Natchitoches attractions.

Steel Magnolia House
Stay in the famous historic home used as the primary filming location for the movie Steel Magnolias in Natchitoches.


Violet Hill Bed & Breakfast
Experience classic Southern charm at this elegant B&B, providing a historic and comfortable stay in Natchitoches.

 

Hotel Bentley Experience elegance at the historic Hotel Bentley, a beautifully restored landmark offering luxury lodging in downtown Alexandria.

Visitor Information Centers & Tourism  Operations

Plan the Louisiana portion of your Jefferson Highway adventure with these travel and tourism organizations.

DeSoto Parish Tourism Commission

Explore DeSoto Parish's Civil War history, Greek Revival architecture, and piney woods beauty at the junction of the Jefferson Highway. Click here to learn more...

Avoyelles Commission of Tourism

Discover the historic crossroads of Louisiana culture and cuisine in Avoyelles Parish, a key destination on the Jefferson Highway. Click here to learn more...

 

 

Natchitoches Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau

Plan your visit to Natchitoches, the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase, famous for its historic district and unique culture.

Louisiana State Capitol Welcome Center

Free maps, brochures and guided tours at the tallest state capitol in the United States.