Natchez, MS Road Trips

Visitor's Center is on the Natchez side of the bridge over the Mississippi River a couple minutes by car from the center of the old part of town. Free maps and visitor information, in addition to historical exhibitions and souvenirs for sale. Natchez Under-the-Hill is, as the name suggests, under the bluff by the Mississippi River at the end of State St. It used to be a rootin' tootin', wild-wild-west kind of place complete with saloons and gunslinging. Floods washed much of it away, but there is still a restaurant, an old-timey saloon, and a casino left. Natchez Pilgrimage, ☏ +1 601-446-6631. Private homes are opened to the public for tours for 5 weeks during March and April and again for 2 weeks in September and October. Historic Natchez Pageant (Historic Natchez Tableaux). Also known as the "Historic Natchez Tableaux", this annual event is presented by over 200 local performers in elaborate costumes, recreating the romanticized eras of old while illustrating the town's history from its founding all the way to the modern era. The Tableaux was founded jointly by the Natchez Garden Club and the Pilgrimage Garden Club, but in 2017/2018, the groups split and now offer separate events during Spring Pilgrimage. The Tableaux is held Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings during the Spring Pilgrimage season. Tickets are available online or at the Natchez Visitors Center. Antebellum Houses. Natchez is famous for its many antebellum houses that are open to the public for tours.

Walking tours and driving tours. The Natchez Visitors' Center gives free maps and pamphlets for doing driving or walking tours of the sights of the historic old section of town. Southern Carriage Tours - Enjoy the luxury and charm of a horse-drawn carriage tour through the streets of Natchez' historic district to see some of the finest and most significant landmarks in antebellum Natchez. Tours depart from the Canal Street Depot. Tickets are also available at the Natchez Visitors Center. $15 for adults, $5 for children. The tour guides also point out restaurants and hotels. Old South Winery, 65 S Concord Ave, ☏ +1 601-445-9924. Old South Winery produces 12 varieties of muscadine wine. The wines come in red, rose, and white varieties of varying sweetness. The winery is open for tours M-Sa 10AM-5PM. Emerald Mound. The second largest ceremonial Indian mound in North America, Emerald Mound was built by the Natchez Indians. Emerald Mound is about 10 miles northeast of Natchez. Take the Natchez Trace Parkway to Route 553 and follow signs to the site. Open daily, free admission. Great Mississippi River Balloon Race (Natchez Balloon Festival). Voted the best annual event in Mississippi by readers of Mississippi Magazine. The Balloon Race happens every year on the third weekend of October. Two flights take place each day, in addition to a "balloon glow" Friday night and great musical acts all weekend. The actual festival takes place on the grounds of Rosalie Mansion, and you can catch a great view of the balloons from many places around town.

The Castle Restaurant, 84 Homochitto St, ☏ +1 601-446-8500. The Castle Restaurant is in the carriage house on the grounds of Dunleith Plantation. Excellent food with a great wine list to compliment. Fat Mama's Tamales, 303 S Canal St, ☏ +1 601-442-4548. Opened in 1989, Fat Mama's has become a local favorite, serving tamales, chili, Gringo Pie (tamales topped with chili and cheese), nachos, and Cajun boudin. Magnolia Grill, 49 Silver St, ☏ +1 601-446-7670. Enjoy dinner with a great view of the Mississippi River from their glassed-in porch under the hill. Excellent burgers and sweet potato french fries are favorites on their menu. Mammy's Cupboard, 555 Hwy 61 N (about 5 miles south of town on Hwy 61), ☏ +1 601-445-8957. Another local favorite. Open for lunch and serving delicious sandwiches and homemade desserts. The novelty architecture alone is worth going for a look. Pearl Street Pasta, ☏ +1 601 442-9284. Pearl Street south of Main Street. Very good lunch & dinner items (mostly pasta based as the name suggests).

Andrew's Tavern, 325 Main St, ☏ +1 601-445-0702. A little bar on Main Street with a dart board and a juke box. Bowie's Rabbit Hole, 100 Main St, ☏ +1 601 653-0915. A big screen TV and great beer selection make this 1840s cotton warehouse a great place to relax. Fat Mama's Tamales, 303 S Canal St, ☏ +1 601-442-4548. Anyone in Natchez will tell you that Fat Mama's "Knock-You-Naked" Margaritas are the best around. Don't forget to stop in this funky little restaurant. Under-the-Hill Saloon, 25 Silver St, ☏ +1 601-446-8023. An old-style saloon located under-the-hill with a great view of the Mississippi River. Smoot's Grocery, 319 N. Broadway St. This former "mom-and pop" store has been turned into a popular Blues lounge and live music venue, with a full bar. Many local musicians have gigs here. Great place to get a beer and listen to some tunes. (updated Apr 2018)

1 Dunleith Plantation, 84 Homochitto St, ☏ +1 601-897-6300. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. Dunleith was built in 1856 after the original house on the site, Routhland, was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. Dunleith has rooms in the main house, wing, and dairy barn. . Rates include a tour of the house and a full Southern breakfast at The Castle Restaurant. (updated Dec 2021) 2 Monmouth Plantation, 1358 John A Quitman Blvd, ☏ +1 601-442-5852, toll-free: +1-800-828-4531, [email protected]. Monmouth was built in 1818, and has been completely restored to its original grandeur. It has 30 rooms and suites in the mansion and eight outbuildings. Rooms include a Southern breakfast. (updated Dec 2021) Hampton Inn & Suites, 627 S Canal St, ☏ +1 601-446-6770. Opened in 2007, Hampton Inn & Suites is near the south end of Canal Street across from the Natchez Visitors Center. 3 Devereaux Shields House, 709 N Union Street, ☏ +1 601-304-5378, [email protected]. Beautiful bed and breakfast. Cable TV/DVD, free Wi-Fi, and private baths. Full breakfast included. Pet friendly rooms available. $129-199. 4 Magnolia Bluffs Casino-Hotel, 7 Roth Hill Rd, ☏ +1 601-235-0045 (casino), +1 601-861-4600 (hotel). (updated Jul 2020) 5 Natchez Grand Hotel, 111 Broadway Street (directly across from the Natchez Convention Center), ☏ +1 601-446-9994, toll-free: +1 866-488-0898. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. A smoke-free environment hotel. A mandatory $11.95 value-added package will be assessed nightly on all hotel rooms.

From I-55/Brookhaven, MS - take U.S. Highway 84 approximately 60 miles west to Natchez. From I-20/Vicksburg, MS - take U.S. Highway 61 approximately 70 miles south to Natchez. From I-10/Baton Rouge, LA - take U.S. Highway 61 approximately 90 miles north to Natchez. From I-49/Alexandria, LA - take LA Highway 28 approximately 35 miles east to U.S. Highway 84. Take U.S. Highway 84 approximately 40 miles east to Natchez. Natchez Trace Parkway - Natchez is the southern terminus of the Natchez Trace Parkway, a parkway administered by the National Park Service. The Parkway follows the old Natchez trace from Natchez to Nashville. The trace began as a footpath used by Native Americans and early explorers to travel across the region. It was later improved by the U.S. government in the early part of the 19th century. A combination of low speed limits and no commercial traffic make for a very relaxing and enjoyable drive.