Natchez

Natchez is a historic city near the southwest corner of Mississippi, perched on a high bluff above the Mississippi River approximately 100 miles upriver from New Orleans. Before the Civil War, Natchez was an important and wealthy city — the commercial heart of the cotton trade — and that prosperity gave it the South's grandest collection of antebellum homes. Today, more than a dozen of these mansions are open for tours year-round, and the annual Pilgrimage events open dozens more private homes to the public.

The city's history stretches back to the Natchez Native Americans, who built the massive Emerald Mound — the second largest ceremonial mound in North America — about 10 miles northeast of town. French colonists arrived in the early 18th century, and Natchez changed hands between French, Spanish, British, and American rule before Mississippi statehood. The Natchez Trace, an ancient footpath used by Native Americans and early explorers, begins here and extends 440 miles to Nashville, Tennessee. The Natchez Trace Parkway, administered by the National Park Service, follows this route and offers one of America's most scenic drives.

Natchez enjoys a subtropical climate with hot summers (highs in the 90s°F/32°C) and mild winters (highs in the 50s–60s°F/10–15°C). Spring (March–April) is the premier season, when the Pilgrimage opens private antebellum homes and the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race fills the skies. Fall (September–November) offers another pilgrimage season and pleasant temperatures.

By Plane

By Train

By Car / Road

From I-55/Brookhaven, take U.S. Highway 84 approximately 60 miles west. From I-20/Vicksburg, take U.S. Highway 61 approximately 70 miles south. From I-10/Baton Rouge, Louisiana, take U.S. Highway 61 approximately 90 miles north. From I-49/Alexandria, Louisiana, take LA Highway 28 east to U.S. 84, then east to Natchez. Natchez is the southern terminus of the Natchez Trace Parkway — a relaxing drive with low speed limits and no commercial traffic.

The historic downtown area is walkable and best explored on foot. Walking and driving tour maps are available free at the Natchez Visitors Center. Southern Carriage Tours offer horse-drawn carriage rides through the historic district ($15 adults, $5 children). A car is needed for sites outside downtown, including Emerald Mound and the Natchez Trace Parkway.

• Antebellum Mansions: Natchez is famous for its many antebellum houses open for tours year-round: Auburn, House on Ellicott Hill, Longwood, Magnolia Hall, Melrose, Monmouth, Rosalie, Concord Quarters, Stanton Hall, Briars, Dunleith, and The Towers. Individual house: $10 adults, $8 children. Three-house package: $24 adults, $18 children.

• Longwood (140 Lower Woodville Rd): The largest octagonal house in the United States. Construction began in 1860 and was halted by the Civil War; upper floors remain unfinished. Tours daily.

• Natchez Under-the-Hill: At the end of State St, under the bluff by the Mississippi River. Once a wild frontier town with saloons and gunslingers, now home to a restaurant, saloon, and casino.

• Natchez in Historic Photographs (405 State St, +1 601-442-2581): M-Sa 10AM–4PM. Historic photographs of Natchez from 1870–1913 by Henry Norman. Free, donations accepted.

• Emerald Mound: The second largest ceremonial Indian mound in North America, built by the Natchez Indians. About 10 miles northeast on the Natchez Trace Parkway. Free admission.

• Southern Carriage Tours: Horse-drawn carriage tours through the historic district. Depart from Canal Street Depot. $15 adults, $5 children.

• Old South Winery (65 S Concord Ave, +1 601-445-9924): Produces 12 varieties of muscadine wine. Tours M-Sa 10AM–5PM.

• Great Mississippi River Balloon Race (October): Voted best annual event in Mississippi. Two flights daily, balloon glow Friday night, and live music all weekend.

• Natchez Food & Wine Festival: Four-course meals at antebellum mansions, biscuit bake-off, beer tasting, and bocce ball.

• Angels on the Bluff (November): Guided tours of Natchez City Cemetery with actors in period costumes telling stories of the people buried there.

• Natchez Festival of Music (May): Operas, Broadway musicals, classical concerts, and blues and jazz performances.

• Walking and Driving Tours: Free maps available at the Natchez Visitors Center.

• The Castle Restaurant (84 Homochitto St, +1 601-446-8500): In the carriage house on the grounds of Dunleith Plantation. Excellent food with a great wine list.
• Fat Mama's Tamales (303 S Canal St, +1 601-442-4548): Opened in 1989, serving tamales, chili, Gringo Pie (tamales topped with chili and cheese), nachos, and Cajun boudin.
• Magnolia Grill (49 Silver St, +1 601-446-7670): Dinner with a Mississippi River view. Excellent burgers and sweet potato fries.
• Mammy's Cupboard (555 Hwy 61 N, +1 601-445-8957): About 5 miles south of town. Lunch with sandwiches and homemade desserts. Novelty architecture worth seeing.
• Pearl Street Pasta (+1 601-442-9284): Pearl Street south of Main Street. Very good lunch and dinner items, mostly pasta-based.

• Andrew's Tavern (325 Main St, +1 601-445-0702): A little bar on Main Street with a dart board and juke box.
• Bowie's Rabbit Hole (100 Main St, +1 601-653-0915): A big screen TV and great beer selection in this 1840s cotton warehouse.
• Fat Mama's Tamales (303 S Canal St): Famous "Knock-You-Naked" Margaritas.
• Under-the-Hill Saloon (25 Silver St, +1 601-446-8023): Old-style saloon with a great view of the Mississippi River.
• Smoot's Grocery (319 N Broadway St): Former mom-and-pop store turned Blues lounge with live music and a full bar.

• Budget: Hampton Inn & Suites (627 S Canal St, +1 601-446-6770): Modern rooms near the Visitors Center.
• Mid-range: Devereaux Shields House (709 N Union Street): Historic bed and breakfast with Southern hospitality.
• Upscale: Dunleith Plantation (84 Homochitto St, +1 601-897-6300): Built in 1856, with rooms in the main house, wing, and dairy barn. Rates include a house tour and full Southern breakfast. Monmouth Plantation (1358 John A Quitman Blvd, +1 601-442-5852): Built in 1818, completely restored with 30 rooms and suites. Includes Southern breakfast.

• Darby's Fudge (410 Main St, +1 601-446-9737): Gift shop with the best fudge in town. Many flavors available.

• Vicksburg (70 miles north on US-61, ~1 hour 15 minutes): Vicksburg National Military Park and the 47-day Civil War siege site.
• Natchez Trace Parkway (440 miles to Nashville): One of America's most scenic drives through rolling hills and forests.
• New Orleans, Louisiana (170 miles south on US-61, ~3 hours): French Quarter, world-class dining, and music scene.
• Jackson (100 miles northeast, ~1 hour 45 minutes): State capital with museums and civil rights landmarks.
• St. Francisville, Louisiana (60 miles south across the river): Antebellum plantations and Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site.