Where the Mississippi River Ends
The southern-most point of Highway 71 is about 5 miles West of Krotz Springs. It's a scenic town situated on the Atchafalaya River. Heading east from town is an impressive high bridge, but if you decide to cross it to see what's on the other side be prepared to drive about 10 miles before there is an opportunity to turn around. One highlight of the town is Billy's Boudin. It's famous for homemade Boudin and Cracklins, which are favorite local dishes.
Lecompte, Lousiana
Trading posts were established along the railroad lines prior to the Civil War. The Bayou Boeuff Valley needed a way to transport crops to the market. The first such landing area was built in about 1840 in the village of Lecompte. Lecompte was the name of a famous race horse. The landing was renamed as Smith's Landing who was an engineer that was instrumental in developing the railroad shipping line. The remains of Smith's Landing can be found at 1710 Hardy Street in Lecompte. |
Bunkie, Louisiana
The southern-most leg of Highway 71 boasts not only bayous but also acres and acres of sugar cane fields. The railroad helped the establishment of many towns along the highway including picturesque towns like Bunkie where an impressive railroad depot that has been preserved and is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places. |
Kent Plantation House
3601 Bayou Rapides Road, Alexandria, Louisiana 71303 (318) 487-5998 Conveniently located in the center of the state is the city of Alexandria. It is a popular location for business conferences due to its location and multiple lodging and meeting facilities. Tourists should be sure to visit the Kent House. This plantation style estate was the only mansion that was left unmolested by the Union Soldiers. The house and estate has been restored and other buildings have been moved onto the land providing educational guided tours. |
Britton's Donuts
3150 North McArthur Dr Alexandria, Louisiana 71303 (318) 704-5241 If you're in Alexandria in the morning, be sure to stop in to Britton's Donuts. They have much more than donuts, but the bacon topped glazed donuts are the best! |
Gone Wild Safari
805 Hooper Rd. Pineville, Louisiana 71360 (318) 787-6902 Not far north of Alexandria is the small town of Pineville. It's easy to drive right past the turnoff to Hooper Road but it is a spot you will want to include in your trip. That's the home of Gone Wild Safari. It may not be Africa, but it's close with over 150 animals roaming and running free outside your safari wagon. The best part is this trip doesn't require a passport! |
Bossier, Louisiana
710 Benton Road Bossier City, Louisiana 71111 (318) 746-0252 Motorcyclists will enjoy the highway and the surrounding scenery particularly north from Alexandria. The landscape changes from Sugar Cane fields to cotton fields near Bossier which is a few miles south of Shreveport. |
Shreveport, Louisiana
As most larger cities, many of the interesting places to see can be found by checking in with the local Visitor's Bureau. Shreveport-Bossie combines their vacation guide and can be viewed at shreveport-bossier.org. They include the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet. Their website shreveportmetroballet.org has a list of upcoming performances. |
Krotz Springs
Charles Krotz, from Ohio moved to this area to drill an oil well. At 2,400 feet he hit an artisian well instead of oil. Turning lemons to lemonade, Krotz started bottling the water touted the area as "the coming Health Resort of the South." He claimed his water was good for many ailments, including stomach, kidney and bowel trouble and indigestion. He claimed it would cure rheumatism, dissolve gall stones and was even a cure for malaria." True or not, it was what the area needed to start a town. When the railroad and a bridge over the Atchafalaya River was built, the future of the town was assured. |
Alexandria, Louisiana
One way to see many of the sites in Alexandria is to hop on the History Trolley and take a 2 hour tour. They can accommodate group tours and field trips as well as individuals. Call ahead at 318-487-8556 or visit online. |
Lea's Lunchroom
1810 Highway 71 S Lecompte, Louisiana 71346 (318) 776-5178 Established in 1928 in Lecompte, Louisiana Lea’s has been a traditional place to stop not only for Louisiana residents but for visitors from all over the world. Lea’s has been featured on numerous TV shows (including the Johnny Carson Show) and in magazines, newspapers and tour guides throughout the United States to the delight of old customers and for the discovery of new customers. In March 2001, the Louisiana Legislature proclaimed Lecompte the Pie Capitol of Louisiana. Lea’s went from making two pies a week in 1928 to almost 65,000 pies a year which includes our pecan pie mail-outs. |
Natchitoches No Man's Land
780 Front St Natchitoches, LA 71457 (800) 259-1714 Natchitoches was the first permanent settlement in Louisiana, and was a vital part of the trade within No Man's Land when no king or country claimed the neutral strip between the United States and Spanish territories. Natchitoches was founded by a French Canadian, Louis Antoine Juchereau de St.Denis, in 1714 while he was en route to Mexico from Mobile, Alabama, on a trade mission. When he reached the village of the Natchitoches Indians on the Red River, he had two huts constructed within the village and left a small detachment there to guard the stores and trade with the inhabitants. This became the first permanent European settlement in the territory later known as the Louisiana Purchase. |
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Louisiana Golf Courses
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