# Natchez

Natchez is a city near the southwest corner of the U.S. state of Mississippi. This historic town is perched on a high bluff above the Mississippi River 100 miles upriver from New Orleans. It was an important, wealthy city before the Civil War. That history gave it the South's grandest collection of antebellum homes.

## Get in

* 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.

## See

* 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. Houses that are open for tours year round include Auburn, House on Ellicott Hill, Longwood, Magnolia Hall, Melrose, Monmouth, Rosalie, Concord Quarters, Stanton Hall, Briars, Dunleith, and The Towers. Tickets are available through the website or at the Natchez Visitors Center. Individual house - $10 for adults, $8 for children. Three house package - $24 for adults, $18 for children.
* 31.536667-91.4047221 Longwood, 140 Lower Woodville Rd. Longwood is probably the most famous of the antebellum mansions in Natchez. It is the largest octagonal (eight-sided) house in the United States. Construction of Longwood was started in 1860. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, all of the workers (who were from Pennsylvania) returned to the north, leaving the house unfinished. Dr. Haller Nutt, the owner of the house, finished out the basement (6000 sq feet) for his family to live in. Dr. Nutt died of pneumonia in 1864 without ever having finished the house, and the upper floors of the house remain unfinished to this day. The house was donated to the Pilgrimage Garden Club in the 1970s and is on tour daily.
* Natchez in Historic Photographs, 405 State St, ☏ +1 601-442-2581. M-Sa 10AM-4PM. A wonderful collection of historic photographs of Natchez people and places. The photographs were taken between 1870 and 1913 by Henry Norman. Free, donations accepted.
* Natchez Convention & Visitors Bureau (Natchez CVB), 640 S. Canal Street, toll-free: +1-800-647-6724. The Natchez Visitor Center is at the head of the Mississippi River Bridge, where Highway 84 meets Louisiana. Find brochures, maps, guides, attraction information, tour and event tickets and more.

## Do

* 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.

### Seasonal events

* 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. Make your reservations for a room early as this is a very busy weekend in Natchez.
* Natchez Food & Wine Festival. Enjoy a weekend of good food and good drink in Natchez. Guest chefs of regional and national renown prepare four-course meals Saturday evening at several antebellum mansions around Natchez. Other events include a biscuit bake-off, beer tasting, bocce ball tournament, and brunch on Sunday to wrap up the weekend. Make reservations for Saturday evening early as seating is limited.
* Angels on the Bluff. Each year, usually the first weekend in November, the Natchez City Cemetery offers guided tours. Guides direct groups from grave to grave where local actors, dressed in period costumes, tell stories about the lives and/or deaths of various people buried here. The times and dates vary from year to year, so be sure to check the website or call the Natchez Visitors Center.
* Natchez Festival of Music (Natchez Opera Festival), Natchez Performing Arts Center at Margaret Martin, 64 Homochitto Street, natchezfestivalofmusicinfo@gmail.com. Every Tuesday through Saturday evening during the month of May, Natchez is host to a wide range of musical events featuring the rich musical history of Mississippi and world-class singers that come specifically for this event. The Natchez Festival of Music hosts a wide slate of shows spanning from operas, operettas, Broadway musicals, classical concerts and recitals to the more contemporary fare of Blues, Jazz, and more. Admission pricing varies by event, though there is usually one free event per season. Performances and concerts are held at the Natchez Performing Arts Center and other local Natchez venues such as Bowie's Tavern, Smoot's Grocery, the antebellum mansions and stately churches of the region, and other local historical sites. (updated Apr 2018)

## Buy

* Darby's Fudge, 410 Main St, ☏ +1 601-446-9737. This gift shop on Main Street has everything you could want and the best fudge around. Don't forget to stop in and get a pound. Many flavors available.

## Eat

* 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).

## Drink

* 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)

## Sleep

* 31.547778-91.4008331 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)
* 31.5533-91.38682 Monmouth Plantation, 1358 John A Quitman Blvd, ☏ +1 601-442-5852, toll-free: +1-800-828-4531, luxury@monmouthhistoricinn.com. 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.
* 31.564495-91.3958963 Devereaux Shields House, 709 N Union Street, ☏ +1 601-304-5378, comfort@dshieldsusa.com. Beautiful bed and breakfast. Cable TV/DVD, free Wi-Fi, and private baths. Full breakfast included. Pet friendly rooms available. $129-199.
* 31.5657-91.40514 Magnolia Bluffs Casino-Hotel, 7 Roth Hill Rd, ☏ +1 601-235-0045 (casino), +1 601-861-4600 (hotel). (updated Jul 2020)
* 31.562471-91.4077555 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. (updated Dec 2020)
* 31.55393-91.413946 Hotel Vue, 130 John R Junkin Dr, ☏ +1 601 442 9976, toll-free: +1 888 946 4727. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Hotel Vue features an onsite lounge and restaurant, full Southern breakfast, exercise room and complimentary Wi-Fi and parking. (updated Dec 2020)

## Go next

* Oxford
* Biloxi
* New Orleans
* Baton Rouge
* Port Gibson
* Vicksburg
* Natchitoches