Welcome to Natchitoches!
Here you will find what you will need for your trip to the 'Ship!
Natchitoches, while being the oldest city in Louisiana - yes older than New Orleans, offers many things to do and see while you are in town for the big game. From Christmas lights to museums, you can stay busy while you are in town.
Need a place to stay?
In an effort to help you find the available rooms, the Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau has a list of availability that can be accessed by calling (800) 259-1714. You can find the full list of hotel properties HERE. The properties with current availability, as of Monday, Dec. 21, 12:00 p.m. are listed HERE.
Need a place to eat?
Try one of our many locally owned and operated restaurants that are open and ready to serve you! While our restaurants are open to limited interior dining, they also offer takeout service and several have patio/deck seating as well. Our recommendation is to call your restaurant of choice ahead of time to determine the best option for your dining experience and make reservations if you can. A list of restaurants with contact information can be found HERE.
Things to do while you are in town:
From museums and activities to shopping and dining, you will find there are many ways to stay busy before or after the games. Check out our list of things to do for details and admission costs.
• The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum will be open throughout the Prep Classic Dec. 27-30 daily from 10:00 a.m. -4:30 p.m. (last ticket sold at 4 p.m.). Guests who mention they are in town for the Prep Classic receive $1 off admission. Admission before the discount is applied is $6 for adults, $5 for students, seniors, and military, with children 6 and under admitted free. State pandemic guidelines limit capacity to 250 people and no groups larger than 8 family members. Masking is required.
• The Natchitoches Christmas festivities will be open and operating nightly with 300,000 lights andmore than 100 lighted set pieces along Cane River Lake. Food vendors will be open as well for all of your festival favorite items.
• The Cane River Creole National Historical Park, both the Oakland Plantation unit and the Magnolia Complex unit, will be open daily from 9:00 a.m. -3:30 p.m. for self-guided tours. Oakland offers a grounds tour at 9:00 a.m. and Magnolia Complex offers a grounds tour at 2:30 p.m.
• Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile, Louisiana's oldest general store, is open Monday-Saturday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. for shopping fun and little history too!
• Christmas in the Park, a walk-through lighted park with 250,000 lights, will be open Sunday, Dec. 27 through Tuesday, Dec. 29, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
• Natchitoches Alligator Park - Gator Country - will be open Saturday, Dec. 26 through Thursday, Dec. 31.
• Shopping and dining in the Landmark Historic District.
You can also plan your visit to Natchitoches, using the Go Natchitoches app from your Apple or Google Play store. And make sure to share your Natchitoches visit with us by tagging us in your photos using #GoNatchitoches.
FAQ:
When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets will be available to the public on-line only beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 20 at NSUtickets.com. Tickets will only be sold on a game by game basis.
The NSU Ticket office will be open for questions via phone through December 21 (318-357-4268). However, ALL ticket sales to the LHSAA Football Championships will be done strictly online at NSUtickets.com. Once you purchases your ticket(s), you will be given the option to choose a Print-At-Home Ticket or a Mobile Ticket.
What are the different seating sections?
• Turpin Stadium is divided into three sections: General Admission West Side Lower, General Admission West Side Upper Deck, General Admission East Side.
• Turpin Stadium also has three VIP Suites that can be rented per game. To learn more about suite rentals, visit https://nsudemons.com/sports/2020/12/11/LHSAA%20Prep%20Classic%20Suite%20Rental.aspx.
Can I bring any bag into the stadium?
• No, NSU has a clear bag policy. Read the details of the policy here: https://nsudemons.com/sports/2018/10/8/bag-policy.aspx.
What are the COVID-19 protocols?
• Turpin Stadium will be limited to 25 percent capacity (about 4,000).
• Masks are required for entry into the stadium and should be worn at all times, except when eating and drinking.
• Social distance yourself from fans not in your immediate party.
• Extra sanitary measures including hand sanitizer stations, frequent cleaning of restrooms and seating areas, and in-between games cleaning protocols are in place.
How do I get to the Stadium and where do I park?
Check out the campus map: https://nsulamap.hostexp.com/#!UMAP_2012020264089.
Fans are encouraged to park in any Lot marked as "FREE PARKING" on the map, including LotsB, D, F and G. Lots A,C, and H will be limited to credentialed staff, media and officials. Lot E will be utilized for Team Buses only. Handicap parking is also located in Lots A,B, and C and is accessible only to those with a state-issued handicap hang tag or license plate. You can find a map of parking HERE.
Can I bring my RV?
RV Spots outside Turpin Stadium are available at $100 per day or $250 for the whole classic. We have 110 volt spots and a limited number of 220 volts spots to support your set up needs. Contact Mike Jacklich at 318-357-4268 or jacklichm@nsula.edu to reserve your spot.
Natchitoches has 11 RV Parks and Campgrounds. To find the complete list click HERE.
Want to know more about Stadium information and what to expect on game day?
Get more info on the Game Day Info page HERE. If you have more questions, you can email Dr. Haley Blount for information - blounth@nsula.edu.