Saint Francisville Louisiana: A Staycation

Have you ever done a staycation in your hometown? I joined a group of girlfriends and we decided to do just that in Saint Francisville, Louisiana. I have lived in this historic town for the last 3 years and have yet to take advantage of all the great adventures at my fingertips. Last weekend, I was able to experience some pretty cool places in my hometown!

St. Francisville is a small quaint town, full of charm and character and an abundance of southern hospitality. Located less than 30 miles north of Louisiana’s capitol, Baton Rouge, St. Francisville is the perfect destination to escape the hustle and bustle. It has been coined as Louisiana’s hidden gem by Southern Living and I couldn’t agree more.

Whether you are coming to relax, shop, savor good food, appreciate history, or enjoy the outdoors and breathtaking scenery, Saint Francisville has it all! From 6 plantation homes, to multiple antique shops, bike rentals, hiking trails, and a myriad of good eateries, St. Francisville, Louisiana is definitely a place that you will want to add to the top of your list of places to visit.

All food and accommodations were complimentary. As always, all opinions and reviews are my own. Please see my disclosure for full details.

Saint Francisville Louisiana: A Staycation

I am sharing a recap of the places we visited. You can watch the entire weekend in my Instagram story highlights.

I’d like to extend a great big Thank You to the local businesses who so graciously and generously welcomed us! They made me proud to be a part of this community.

The Magnolia Cafe

Locally known as “The Mag,” the Magnolia Cafe is a 4-generation family-run business. I had the Bluesy Chicken Salad, which is my favorite! Although, the Chicken Magnolia sandwich runs a close second. The Mag sources their produce from the local farmer’s market. Not only will you find great food, but also fun entertainment and a relaxed atmosphere.

They have a beautiful courtyard where you can gather with friends and enjoy good conversations in adirondack chairs around a fire pit and possibly even hear the live music coming from the porch at The Mag.

After lunch, we were able to tour the adorable cottages at 3-V Tourist Courts, which is on the National Record of Historic Places.

Hemingbough

We checked in for our night’s stay at Hemingbough where we were welcomed with chilled champagne and an abundance of live peacocks roaming the grounds. We had 4 rooms in the Guest House and each was uniquely elegant. The beautiful amphitheater overlooks a picturesque lake, which is the perfect backdrop for the dreamiest of weddings. You could spend hours strolling through the beautiful gardens on the ground and admiring the scenery.

The Vintage Hive

I’m going to be a little bias in sharing this one because The Vintage Hive is my store. But the girls wanted to stop and shop, so we made sure to add it to the agenda. The Vintage Hive offers a curated collection of found and new farmhouse decor. The aesthetic is a combination of primitive farmhouse style and cozy cottage. The Vintage Hive is filled with farmhouse primitives, architectural salvage, lighting, unique vintage and antique finds, handmade items, bath and body products, candles, Fusion Mineral Paint products and much more.

The Francis Southern Table & Bar

I actually missed this stop on the agenda due to a family emergency, but I’ve eaten at The Francis Southern Table & Bar more times than I can remember and I can attest to their good food! The rest of the girls were able to get their fill by trying every single appetizer on the menu. Twelve appetizers to be exact. The Francis features a huge patio with a 100 year-old live oak in the center and market lights strung in the branches. You will likely catch some live music on the patio if visiting on a weekend.

The Myrtles Plantation

Known as one of the most haunted homes in America and featured multiple times on A&E’s Ghost Hunters, The Myrtles Plantation is sure to bring some excitement to your trip. The beautiful antebellum plantation is surround by centuries-old live oaks and features a Bed & Breakfast where you may possibly encounter some paranormal activity. One of my Instagram followers informed me that she knew someone who stayed and left in the middle of the night because someone was scratching their sheets. Pique your curiosity and dare to stay where you could possibly encounter a ghostly presence.

Even if you don’t dare to stay the night, it’s still a gorgeous place to visit during daylight hours. There is a beautiful courtyard and a pond with a gazebo in the center of the guests cottages in the back.

Restaurant 1796

After the haunted tour, we had dessert and coffee at Restaurant 1796, which is located on the grounds of The Myrtles Plantation. I had the bread pudding which was out of this world, and I’m not even kidding when I say they served the best french-press coffee I’ve ever had (and I’m a total coffee snob). I’ve heard rave reviews about their dinner and I cannot wait to go back with the hubs for a date night!

The Saint Francisville Inn

We had Sunday Brunch at The Saint Francisville Inn and let me just add that it was the highlight of my weekend! I can’t even find the words to describe how amazing this place is. It is absolutely fabulous in every way! From the stunning decor, to the delectable food and the outstanding service, this space is 5-star excellence in every way! The Inn features 11 luxurious guest rooms and a craft cocktail bar, The Saint. We were even graced with a private “behind the scenes tour” by owners Jim & Brandon.

Our beautiful photos were captured by Clover Creative Agency and JD Silva Photography.

I am only touching on a few of the places we visited in Saint Francisville, Louisiana. There is so much more to see and enjoy in this historic town. For more information and ideas, visit the West Feliciana Office of Tourism or comment below and I’d be happy to share some insight.

I’d love to hear about your Staycation! Or if you’ve visited Saint Francisville, Louisiana, what was your favorite destination? Let me know in the comments below.