Near The Texas Border Is Louisiana's Charming City With Antique Shops, Cajun Food, And A Walkable Downtown

New Orleans is popular for its annual Mardi Gras festival and related festivities, but there are plenty of other lesser-known Louisiana towns with good eats and the vibes to match. About 20 miles east of the Texas border sits the city of DeRidder. Popular for its many antique shops, Cajun food diners, and historic downtown district, the small town with a population of just about 9,500 people is a spot worth adding to your list when considering traveling to the southern U.S. state.

While it's never a bad time for cultural immersion, planning around seasonal changes for the optimal time to take a trip to DeRidder could be helpful. Temperatures in the South can climb to sweltering levels during the summertime; highs can skyrocket over 90 degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity. Be wary of visiting from June through September if you're sensitive to heat. That said, the best time of year to visit DeRidder is spring (late February through early May) or fall (October through November). Both timeframes offer comfortable weather, but during the latter season, travelers can also experience local events like the autumnal Beauregard Parish Fair.

If traveling by plane, a few airlines serve Lake Charles Regional (LCH), just 60 miles south, but your best bet is Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), about 170 miles away. Incidentally, if you need a snack before the drive, IAH was rated one of the best airports for dining. DeRidder can be reached via major highways such as U.S. 171 and U.S. 190. If you're adding the town on as part of a Louisiana road trip after hitting the best things to do in New Orleans, it's about a four-hour drive from the Big Easy.

DeRidder offers a selection of antique stores, flea markets, and thrift shops, making it an ideal place to come across your next decades-old collectible. Sift through assortments of trinkets and odds and ends to discover treasures at shops like Back Home Collection, Big Stick Low Bow Antique Mall, Treasure City Market, or 171 Junk Drawer. Meanwhile, Vintage Girl and Hooks Big D Corral in downtown DeRidder offer vintage clothing, accessories, home decor, and a selection of Western wear like cowboy boots, hats, and jewelry.

Like Lafayette, another town known for Cajun culture, DeRidder's dining options vary from Southern to Cajun and Creole. Cecil's Cajun Kitchen, on West First Street, is known for its alligator bites, boudin balls, and gumbo, though its shrimp and grits and beignets are also menu highlights, according to visitors. "It has a genuinely warm, family-oriented vibe that makes you feel right at home the moment you walk in," a Google Maps reviewer raved of the hotspot serving "authentic, flavorful Cajun dishes." Meanwhile, just up the road (about a 3-minute drive) is seafood eatery Steamboat Bill's. Serving étouffée, Cajun oysters, fried seafood, po-boys, and more, the restaurant — located next door to Beauregard Parish Fair Grounds — has reportedly been satisfying appetites with its Southern comfort food since its inception in the 1980s.

And if you feel absolutely inclined to bring some local flavor back home with you, local DeRidder vendor K & K Market is a must-visit for packaged items like seasonings, spices, meats, and more. "I was home visiting for the weekend, and I always stop in K & K to see what Cajun specialty I can bring back to Texas," one Yelp reviewer noted, adding that the store offers "great service and great finds." Located on Mahlon Street in DeRidder, the grocery shop has operated here for over 20 years.

DeRidder's downtown area, referred to as the DeRidder Commercial Historic District, features preserved architecture dating back to the early 1900s, so it's a particularly interesting location for history buffs. Known as a hub of Southwest Louisiana heritage, where culture, history, and art lovers alike can find a wealth of interesting things to explore, its walkable downtown area comprises about three blocks centered around Washington, Second, Stewart, and Port Streets, making it convenient to tour by foot. The city also offers a self-guided DeRidder Main Street Program walking tour, helping visitors discover local storefronts, antique shops, and early-1900s brick buildings.

There's plenty of landmarks to hit while strolling around downtown DeRidder, such as the Gothic-style Beauregard Parish Jail ("Louisiana's most haunted historic jail"), the parish courthouse, and the War Memorial Civic Center. For art lovers, the non-profit RealArt DeRidder gallery showcases local and regional art and hosts community events and workshops. Don't skip the Beauregard Museum, located inside the 1926 Kansas City Southern train depot. The free-to-enter repository is home to a large collection of historical photos, handmade items, Native American arrowheads and pottery, vintage artifacts, and other memorabilia from around the parish.

Throughout the year, there's no shortage of excitement to experience in downtown DeRidder. There are major festivals held in the historic area, like the Pumpkin Rockin' Fun Fest, which takes over Flag Plaza every October, and the Miracle on Washington Street Christmas Festival for a sprinkle of holiday magic. Then, as the seasons change and the weather starts to warm, the annual springtime Louisiana Doll Festival, typically held in April, presents lots of opportunities for crafting and artisan shopping from local community makers.