My 10 Best Things to Do in St Francisville, LA in 2026

St Francisville is busier and more fun than you’d expect for a town with 2,000 people. It’s only about 30 minutes north of Baton Rouge, and it’s known for its old homes, haunted houses, some great outdoors and for being as authentic as it gets.

The pace is slow and nothing feels rushed. It’s the perfect place to take it easy in Louisiana. If you’re heading this way, these are the best things to do in St Francisville, LA.

Overview About St Francisville, LA

St Francisville is small and easy to get around. The “small” part could be a downside, but it makes planning your trip pretty straightforward.

There’s plenty of nature, a walkable historic area, and a few cosy spots to stay for the night or eat great food. The points below cover the basics before we get into the things to do in St Francisville.

Where is St Francisville?

St Francisville is in West Feliciana Parish, just north of Baton Rouge. It’s only about a 45-minute drive, yet it feels far calmer than the city. The town is located along the Mississippi River, which shaped not only the history but also the plantation routes.

The town is full of authentic, quiet roads and a few state parks close by. It’s a simple location to understand once you arrive, and everything feels close together.

How to Get to St Francisville?

The easiest way to reach St Francisville is by car. There’s no airport or train station in town, so most people fly into Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport or New Orleans and drive from there.

The trip takes under an hour. US-61 is the main highway and the route is very straightforward. Once you get there, parking is free in most places. If you plan to visit plantations or nearby nature areas, having your own car saves a lot of time.

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How Long to Stay in St Francisville?

A couple of days or a weekend is generally enough for visiting St Francisville. You can tour a couple of historic homes, see the older part of town, and spend a few hours on one of the local trails.

Some people stay an extra day to explore more of the outdoors and nearby parks, which offer longer walks and quieter spots.

Where to Stay in St Francisville?

St Francisville makes a great overnight stop on a road trip around Louisiana. Whether you want something fancy, laid-back, or just a clean place to sleep, here are three good picks.

If you’d rather pick your own place to stay, you can browse all the hotels on Booking or Expedia and choose the one that suits you best.

Luxury: Greenwood Plantation B&B Inn (Rated 8.8/10)

Mid-range (my pick!): The Myrtles Plantation (Rated 9.6/10)

Mid-range: The Lodge at The Bluffs (Rated 8.9/10)

Budget: Best Western St. Francisville Hotel (Rated 8.8/10)

Travelling on a budget? Check out budget hotels on Expedia and Booking.com.

10 Best Things to Do in St Francisville, Louisiana

Now that you have an overview about this St Francisville, let’s get stuck in to all the top things to do.

Explore St. Francisville Historic District

The historic district is quite compact, so you can walk around it easily. Many buildings date back to the early 1800s and you’ll pass old churches, small museums, and preserved homes.

You can start at the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum on Ferdinand Street, then walk toward Grace Episcopal Church, one of the oldest in the region. Many homes along Commerce and Royal Streets still follow their 19th-century layouts, and the route is easy to follow without a guide. Most places open mid-morning, so arriving after 10 a.m. works well.

Tour the Myrtles Plantation

The Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville is a historic house but also one of the most well-known “haunted” spots in the South.

It was built in 1796 and has a long history, with stories about mysterious figures seen in windows, haunted mirrors and unexplained sounds at night. You can tour the property during the day (it lasts 45 minutes) or in the evening (about 1 hour) to learn about its architecture and the families who lived there.

The day tour costs $20 per person and the evening one $25, which you can book online. We ended up doing both, and really found this place creepy! There are so many stories here, and a creepy earie sense to the place. Almost everyone there or who has stayed there has a creepy story.

Then, if you dare, you can stay overnight. The rooms are individually furnished in period style, and you don’t have to stay in the haunted house, they have other outbuildings and cabins.

I had a quick tour of the haunted ‘doll room’, where if you pick up Sadistic Sally, you invite her to ‘play with you’. I didn’t fancy sleeping here!

There’s also a fantastic restaurant on-site serving classic Southern dishes, Restaurant 1796. But what I loved about the place is all the community activities they have going on, whether it’s an outdoor BBQ called a cookout, or cinema nights. There’s always lots happening here.

Whether you believe the ghost stories or not, it’s a fascinating place to spend the night. Have a look at their room options below.

Visit Audubon State Historic Site

Another great thing to do in St Francisville is the Audubon State Historic Site. It includes Oakley House, the 1800s home where John James Audubon completed several bird studies in 1821.

The house is furnished with period pieces, and guided tours run on a set schedule, usually every hour from late morning to mid-afternoon. The grounds stretch over 100 acres, and there are shaded trails that lead you through forested sections and the kitchen garden.

Interpretive panels explain how the plantation worked and how Audubon spent his months here.

It opens daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and the entry fee is only $6, so you really don’t have reasons not to visit while in St Francisville.

Hike Port Hudson State Historic Site

Port Hudson is a great place to mix nature and Civil War history. It’s only about 15 minutes’ drive form St Francisville, so that’s an interesting trip out of town for a few hours.

There are different trails you can hike here, from short one-mile loops to longer routes that follow earthworks used during the 1863 siege.

The paths are marked clearly, and you’ll pass artillery positions, trench lines, and several overlooks. A big part of the fortifications’ site is on private property though, so you can only see the remains on the trail and the museum itself.

The visitor centre opens at 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM and includes a small museum with original artefacts and a short film. The entrance tickets cost only $6 per person.

Expect uneven ground in a few places, but all in all the routes are manageable.

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Discover Rosedown Plantation

Rosedown Plantation covers more than 25 acres, with formal gardens, live-oak all over, and one of the best-preserved plantation houses in Louisiana.

The house dates to 1835, and guides explain daily life, the layout of the estate, and documented stories of the people who lived and worked there. Tours cost $12 per person run throughout the day and last 2-3 hours. Please do set aside some extra time to explore on your own.

The gardens follow the original 19th-century design, so allow time to walk the longer pathways behind the house. Parking is next to the visitor centre so you can come straight from St Francisville and park your rental car.

If you’re in the mood, you can also take a walk around West Feliciana Parish Sports Park, which is a nice way to spend a couple of hours.

Take a Swamp Tour at the Atchafalaya Basin

The Atchafalaya Basin is about one hour from St Francisville. This is a great activity for half a day. It’s one of the largest wetlands in the country. You’ll glide past cypress trees, spot turtles, and maybe notice a gator in the water (the guides know where they hide).

You can book this tour online, which is the most convenient way and it lasts about 2 hours, it’s a fantastic way to spend an afternoon (or morning), and you’ll be blown away by the beauty of the cypress trees.

Tours leave from different places but the popular ones depart from Plaquemine (right outside Baton Rouge) or New Orleans. Those last about two hours. The best part is the local guides who share stories about Cajun traditions and old fishing life around here.

Take a Walk at Mary Ann Brown Preserve

A quick drive from town leads you to one of the quietest places in the parish. I’m talking about Mary Ann Brown Nature Preserve. The preserve has a loop trail and it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete.

It’s an easy walk, even after light rain. There are benches near the pond, and the area stays fairly empty on weekdays. The preserve is open daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and there’s no entry fee so that’s one of the free things to do in St Francisville.

Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge

Reaching Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge takes a bit more planning, especially after heavy rain (the refuge has unpaved roads and low-lying sections that flood quickly), but the payoff is a landscape you won’t find near Baton Rouge.

The area protects bottomland hardwood forest and the famous bald cypress, famous for being the 6th largest tree of its kind in the USA.

It’s rich habitat for migratory birds, wintering waterfowl, and aquatic wildlife thanks to the forest’s ridges, swales and regular river flooding.

Have a Drink at Bayou Sara Brewery

Only a few minutes from the historic district, the brewery gives you a chance to try small-batch beers made on site. And it’s newly opened!

You can order a flight to sample together with their cheese fries and pulled chicken sandwich. That’s a winning combination you’ll appreciate for sure.

Weekends tend to be livelier, while weekday afternoons are usually quiet enough to chat with the staff about their beer. There’s indoor seating, shaded outdoor tables, and also bar snacks if you want something light before dinner.

Whilst you’re there grab an ice-cream next door at Away Down South (believe me when I say this ice-cream was incredible!). And why not ask around for the speakeasy, inside the pizza place (that’s all I’m saying).

Take a Day Trip to Baton Rouge

You’ll probably pass by Baton Rouge when coming to St Francisville from New Orleans. I’ve been twice, and it’s an amazing place just 45 minutes away.

You can tour the Old State Capitol, walk the riverfront, or spend a few hours at the LSU Rural Life Museum, which opens daily and has over two dozen historic buildings.

It’s easy to find parking around the downtown area, especially before lunch. Talking about lunch, do yourself a favour and check out the Perkins Overpass District!

If you leave early, you can return to St. Francisville before sunset and still have time for a quiet evening.

And last but not least, before going, make sure to read my full guide about Baton Rouge here.

MUST-READ: The Best Things to Do in Baton Rouge, LA

Tips for Travelling to St Francisville, LA

Last but not least, here are some more elements that you’ll want to know when travelling to St Francisville, such as visiting from New Orleans, where to eat, the coffee shops, and more.

Can You Visit St Francisville as a Day Trip from New Orleans?

Yes, you absolutely can. It’s about a 1-hour 20-minute drive, so it’s not a crazy haul. You leave in the morning, spend a few hours checking out the town, get lunch, and you’re back in New Orleans before dinner.

It works well if you don’t want to book a hotel. Just don’t rush it too much. While the town’s small, you’ll enjoy it more if you relax a bit.

Where to Eat in St Francisville?

There are plenty of spots around town where you can grab something good without overthinking it. BBQ places, Southern comfort food, and wood-fired dishes, everything is tasty. Nothing fancy, just solid places where you sit down and enjoy a meal.

• The Francis Smokehouse: Great if you’re into BBQ. Big portions, solid smoked meat, and the kind of place where you leave full and with a big smile on your face. Try the boudin balls and the briskey sandwich!

• The Francis Southern Table: Classic Southern food done well. Expect fried stuff, comfort dishes, and flavours that feel familiar right away. The oysters and crawfish are to die for.
• Restaurant 1796: Wood-fired dishes with a cleaner, modern feel, and it’s located at The Myrtles. A bit pricier, but the food’s worth it if you want something nicer. Consider their fried chicken Milanese and bread pudding, or look out for their cookouts!
• Que Pasa: a fun and lively Mexican spot with hearty food and fantastic margaritas!

• The Saint Restaurant & Bar: Nice spot for a relaxed meal and a drink. Good for unwinding after a day out, and the food feels a bit more on the polished side (and their menu is pricier than other spots).

• Magnolia Cafe: Fun, easy-going place with live music sometimes. The food’s casual and it works for almost any time of day. Try the French Dip Po’ Boy and the Magnolia House Salad.

Coffee Shops in St Francisville

If you’re after a caffeine fix or a delicious treat, you’re covered. A couple of small coffee spots around town serve good brews and light bites. The easy vibe fits St Francisville perfectly as well. Great for mornings before you start roaming around.

• Basel’s Market: Great weekday stop for quick pastries, sandwiches, and drinks. Busy in the mornings, fast service, and they have a cute gift shop. Just remember, they’re closed on weekends.
• Elta Coffee: Simple, solid coffee with a clean setup. Great for a morning pick-me-up or a quick stop while exploring. You’ll love their cookie-dough latte! Located at the Myrtles!
• The Birdman Coffeehouse & Eatery: Good coffee, quick bites, and a cosy vibe. Easy stop in the morning before heading out to see the town.

Best Time to Visit St Francisville

Most people go in spring or autumn because the weather feels a lot nicer. Summer gets hot and sticky, and winter can be a bit dull.

April, May, October, and early November usually hit the sweet spot. You get warm days, cooler evenings, and you can walk around. If you want the town at its prettiest, spring usually wins.

Free Things to Do in St Francisville

You can kill a good few hours in St Francisville without spending a dollar. Walk around the historic district and check out the old houses. Head to the cemetery on the hill. It’s quiet and weirdly relaxing.

Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge is also close if you want a quick nature break. And honestly, just wandering around the city centre can be fun on its own. The place has that slow, easy rhythm that makes you forget you’re doing anything “for free” at all.

Final Thoughts

St Francisville isn’t a place you rush through. It’s calm, easy to handle, and it’s all about little moments that stick with you. Once you sort out the basics (where to eat, what to see, and how to get around) the whole trip feels unique.

I hope this St Francisville travel guide helped you plan your trip and as always feel free to comment here below if there’s any point I’ve missed! You’ll also find a lot of St Francisville in the video below, enjoy! 🙂