Spring Shopping Trip

NATCHITOCHES - There is plenty of contemporary fun to be had in Louisiana’s oldest city. Just as it has for generations, Natchitoches, (pronounced Nack-a-tish) sits on the banks of Cane River Lake and welcomes visitors from across the region and beyond. Today, this multifaceted destination offers good times and unique experiences for those looking for a spot to get away with friends and explore.

Known for its Southern hospitality and Louisiana culture, visitors not only come to experience that history but also to enjoy a diverse collection of activities. For outdoor adventure, visit the Cane River and explore by kayak, hydro bike or paddleboard. Cane River Paddle & Pedal Sports (Downtown Riverbank Beauport Station offers rentals.) For a more relaxing river excursion, a trip on the Cane River Queen is a popular outing, with daily cruise schedules starting in March.

On land, the beautifully-landscaped riverfront is pedestrian friendly and filled with seasonal flowers and welcoming spaces. Just steps from the riverfront, there’s the fascinating Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum.

“Steel Magnolias,” John Wayne’s “The Horse Soldiers,” “The Man in the Moon,” starring Reese Witherspoon, and “The Year Without Santa Claus,” starring John Goodman, are just some of the movies filmed here and featured on the Natchitoches Film Trail.

Unique shopping opportunities line the historic downtown streets. Local retailers and artists offer a variety of goods, from furniture and art to fashion and hardware. Kaffie-Fredericks General Mercantile is the oldest general store in Louisiana, opened in 1863 and an attraction in itself.

StoryBrew Coffee

Café is the perfect spot to rest and relax with a specialty coffee in a welcoming atmosphere. Just down the street, the Pioneer Restaurant & Pub is a traditional spot to chill with the locals and try one of the more than 19 draft beers on tap. For craft beer, a new local favorite is Flying Heart Brewing & Pub. In addition to their own signature brews, the brewery serves up signature cocktails and mouthwatering “bar food” favorites.

No trip is complete without enjoying the wonderful cuisine of Natchitoches. Lasyone’s Meat Pie Kitchen is said to be home to the legendary Natchitoches Meat Pie. The recipes have been handed down through generations and illustrate the family’s deep Southern roots. And Cane River Commissary is a unique dining experience in the Cane River down river from Natchitoches. The restaurant, in an old commissary building, offers Creole favorites and is loved for its monthly first Saturday Zydeco Brunch. Maglieux’s Riverfront Restaurant is a downtown favorite with offerings that blend the family’s Italian traditions and Louisiana’s Creole favorites. Mariner’s sits on beautiful Sibley Lake and features one of the most breathtaking sunsets in Louisiana. The menu features seafood specialties along with casual favorites in an outstanding setting.

To begin planning your getaway, visit https://www. natchitoches. com/

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ATOKA /PRNewswire-PRWeb/

-- Country music superstar Reba

McEntire is excited to announce the grand opening of her new restaurant, Reba’s Place, located in the heart of downtown Atoka. Reba’s Place is a 15,000-square-foot combination restaurant, bar, live music venue, and retail store.

In partnership with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and The City of Atoka, Reba’s Place was constructed in an old Masonic Temple. It features two stories of dining space that open to a central stage which will regularly host live music performances. The menu includes scratch made classic southern food alongside favorites from Nashville, New Orleans, and Mexico. The main floor also showcases a restored antique bar and offers a broad range of beer, wine, and spirits crafted into signature cocktails. The aesthetics of the venue are heavily influenced by Reba’s western heritage and include a curated collection of memorabilia from Reba’s personal archives that will regularly change.

“Music and the fans helped build this place and get it all together. And that’s what a restaurant is all about, where people can come in, visit and eat,” said Reba McEntire. “Reba’s Place is a joint venture with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and they are the best partner. It’s exciting to work with people who have a passion for this town and for creating jobs, tourism, and new opportunities in southeastern Oklahoma, in the community where I grew up.”

Reba’s Place is located at 319 East Court Street, Atoka, Oklahoma. The restaurant will be open seven days a week, with hours of operation from 11am to 9pm. For more information, visit http:// www.rebasplace.com.