Going back to your roots on a Mississippi road trip

Natchez, Mississippi

Natchez was born in 1716, making it the oldest town on the Mississippi River that sits 200 feet above the river with amazing views stretching 30 miles.

The town changed hands several times – first French, then British, then Spanish, before becoming American. Before the Civil War, rich plantation owners built fancy houses here to show off their cotton and sugar money

Today, people come to see the historic buildings, learn about local culture, and enjoy the beauty of the legendary river.

Millionaire’s Row Before the Civil War

Before the Civil War, Natchez had more millionaires per person than anywhere else in America.

These rich folks made their money from cotton. They built impressive homes on the high bluffs above the Mississippi, filling them with furniture from Europe, fancy carpets, and detailed woodwork.

The houses often had multiple floors, tall ceilings, and intricate wallpaper. Unlike many Southern towns, Natchez didn’t strongly support secession and quickly surrendered to Union forces in 1862.

Inspiration for “Gone With the Wind”

Movie fans might recognize Linden mansion’s front door, it was copied for Tara’s entrance in “Gone With the Wind.”

This real-life connection shows how Natchez’s genuine Southern architecture shaped what we see in films. Many houses here look similar to the grand homes in the movie, including Rosalie Mansion, Stanton Hall, Magnolia Hall, and Longwood.

Stanton Hall takes up an entire city block and stands five stories tall. Frederick Stanton (the original builder) brought mirrors from France, special lighting from Philadelphia, and marble fireplaces from New York to create this Greek Revival home.

An Unusual Heritage Blend

Natchez has an incredibly mixed heritage shaped by Native American, French, British, Spanish, and African influences at its main museum.

The Natchez tribe built impressive ceremonial mounds at the Grand Village and nearby Emerald Mound, the second-largest pre-European site in the United States.

While slavery was common here before the Civil War, Natchez also had the largest community of free Black people in Mississippi.

William Johnson, freed from slavery at age 11, became a successful Natchez barber and property owner who kept a detailed diary from 1835 until 1851.

Stroll the Historic Downtown District

You can easily walk around Natchez’s historic downtown, where you’ll find beautifully preserved buildings from different periods.

The compact layout makes exploring on foot both pleasant and practical. The town proudly describes itself as “a walkable, vibrant, and beautiful historic city, where preservation and progress go hand in hand.”

Downtown has seen new life recently thanks to young locals who left town and came back with fresh ideas to revitalize the area. You’ll discover cute shops, art galleries, restaurants, and cafés in restored historic buildings.

Live music often plays in local restaurants, and the state’s oldest community theater regularly puts on shows worth checking out.

Tour Majestic Longwood

Among all Natchez’s historic houses, Longwood stands out as truly one-of-a-kind. It’s not your typical Southern mansion. This unusual eight-sided home topped with a large dome looks unlike anything else in town.

Construction started in 1860 for cotton planter Haller Nutt, who wanted an amazing Oriental-style villa with 32 rooms across six floors.

When the Civil War began in 1861, the Northern workers dropped their tools and headed home, leaving only the outside and basement finished.

Nutt and his family moved into the basement while the upper floors stayed unfinished – and they remain that way today, creating a fascinating time capsule.

Visit St. Mary Basilica

St. Mary Basilica, built starting in 1842, is both a stunning church and the oldest Catholic building still used in Mississippi.

Its beautiful Gothic design with tall spires and colorful stained glass makes it worth a visit even if you’re not religious. The church was originally built as the Cathedral for the new Diocese of Natchez and has some of the finest Gothic revival architecture.

Now considered the central landmark in town, St. Mary welcomes visitors to enjoy its colorful, peaceful interior with detailed craftsmanship throughout.

Explore Melrose Estate

Melrose is part of Natchez National Historical Park and ranks among the best-preserved plantations in the South. What makes it special is its more complete approach to history.

The Greek Revival mansion itself contains beautiful period furniture, much of it original to the home. Unlike some historic homes, Melrose includes a significant slavery exhibit that acknowledges the people whose forced labor built these grand houses.

Take in Bluff Park Views

Bluff Park gives you one of the best views in Natchez, with stunning panoramas of the Mississippi River and perfect sunset spots.

Many locals recommend making this your first stop in town. Visitors consistently name this peaceful green space as one of their favorite Natchez experiences.

You’ll find well-kept walking and biking trails along the waterfront, comfortable benches, and informative signs explaining Natchez’s relationship with the river.

On clear days, you can see not just the river but also the bridge connecting Natchez to Louisiana. Follow the Natchez Bluff Trail and watch the sun go down over the water.

Natchez Trace Parkway

The historic Natchez Trace Parkway follows an ancient travel route stretching 444 miles from Natchez to Nashville, Tennessee.

This scenic drive lets you travel through centuries of American history, its history dating back to 1733, busiest between 1800-1820 when flatboat crews would sail downstream to Natchez and then walk or ride horses back home along the Trace.

Today, this beautiful road is recognized as an All-American Road because of its historical and scenic importance. Just 12 miles north of Natchez, stop at Emerald Mound, the second-largest pre-European site in the United States.

Visit the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians

Sophisticated civilizations existed here long before Europeans arrived. The Grand Village preserves this legacy of the Natchez tribe between 1682 and 1730.

Now a National Historic Landmark, the 128-acre site includes two ceremonial mounds that have been carefully restored: the Great Sun’s Mound and the Temple Mound.

A sacred eternal fire once burned in the Temple’s inner room, symbolizing the sun from which the royal Natchez family claimed to descend.

You can visit the museum with artifacts from the site, see a reconstructed Natchez house, walk nature trails, and use the picnic area.

Sample Southern Cuisine

Natchez offers great Southern food with hints of Cajun flavor from nearby Louisiana. The local food scene has something for every taste and budget.

Try The Camp Restaurant for Southern-Cajun fusion dishes, including popular burgers topped with crispy fried onions. Stanton Hall’s Carriage House Restaurant serves famous Sunday brunches that attract both locals and tourists.

You can even take cooking classes with local chefs to learn how to make regional favorites like shrimp and grits or homemade biscuits.

Planning Your Visit to Natchez

Natchez National Historical Park sites are open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, though the main Visitor Center is closed for renovations as of early 2025.

Plan accordingly when scheduling your trip.

For help planning tours, contact Natchez Pilgrimage Tours at 601-653-0919. Their office is at 211 Main Street, open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

To save money, visit between March and May when hotel prices are lowest (but watch for Spring Pilgrimage events that might affect availability).

Before arriving, get the official Natchez Visitor Guide by mail through the Visit Natchez website or download the digital version.

For places to stay, consider historic B&Bs like Magnolia Cottage with its Southern breakfasts, or budget-friendly options like Hotel Vue (rooms from $72) with river views.