Located in Mississippi, Natchez might be considered among the quaint vacation destinations.
The main attraction of this small city is its buildings.
The first and last things you will see are many lavish households that dot the city.
Having been built in the Antebellum period, all of them have a tinge of royalty in their structure.
The town is historic and pedestrian-friendly, too.
So, what are you waiting for?
Here are the best things to do in Natchez, Mississippi:
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Being a National Historic Landmark, Auburn Museum & Historic Home is one of Natchez’ top tourist attractions.
Natchez is a place of history.
No matter where you look, you will be greeted with the sight of beautiful buildings and historical stories.
Most of the buildings were built in the antebellum era.
So, the designs can be pretty attractive, alluring, and similar.
The two floors of the home are incredibly well planned, with the wings being equidistant.
There is also an entrance in front of the house built in the Greek style of architecture.
There are still a lot of antique pieces of furniture that decorate the house.
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Popularly known as the Belfast House of Natchez, Stanton Hall is a spot you should not miss out on during your vacation.
There are very few antebellum-style houses in the US as large as this one.
The lavish structure speaks significantly of the good times it has seen.
It served as a prestigious all-girls school back in the 1900s.
But it was eventually shut down, and now you can see the restored property.
Opt for an inside tour, and see how well the house has been maintained to date.
After you are done with the tour, do not forget to grab a bite at the well-renowned Carriage House Restaurant.
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Natchez National Historic Park is one of the most incredible places to get to know the city’s culture.
Dive back into the town’s history to get to know it better.
Fort Rosalie, the Melrose Estate, and the William Johnson House make for the park’s main constituents.
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Tourists recommend spending at least a morning here in the park as there is a lot to learn, see, and enjoy.
The three complexes come from different periods.
Fort Rosalie was a French product, the William Johnson house belonged to a barber of the African-American community, and the Melrose Estate was owned by a successful lawyer and planter.
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Natchez’s ancient route, which ran from Natchez to Nashville, also known as the Old Natchez Trace, is one of the top attractions in the city.
The trail goes on for almost 444 miles.
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The Natchez Trace Parkway grew along this path.
The road was used in the 1800s, and it was one of the most crowded and busy roads of that time.
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There are many historical spots along and around the road.
Do not miss out on the Emerald Mound while you are here.
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When you are in the Natchez Trace Parkway, do not miss out on the Emerald Mound Site.
Emerald Mound is one of the top sights in Natchez Trace Parkway.
This is believed to be one of the most ancient places of tourist attraction in Natchez.
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Some people think that this is not merely a mound and that the earliest settlers of Natchez built it for ceremonial purposes.
Having made its name among the National Historic Landmarks, the Emerald Mound should not be missed at any cost.
Some people believe that this mound dates back to as early as 1250 AD, while others believe it was probably built in the 1600s.
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Nicknamed Nutt’s Folly, Longwood is another famous building in Natchez.
Constructed in the second half of the 19th century, this house is one of Natchez’s very best.
You won’t get the chance to see such a lavish red brick house like this one very often.
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A lot of interior design and decoration could never be completed as the construction of the house collided with the beginning of the Civil War.
There are even some rumors that the house owner still haunts some parts of the house as he still regrets that the house remained unfinished.
He pays a visit to the floors that could not be completed due to the war.
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Nicknamed Our Lady on the Bluff, Rosalie Mansion is situated in a beautiful location.
If you want some astounding views of the lovely Mississippi River, we recommend you to pay a visit to this stunning historic mansion.
Not only is the estate dyed in a red hue, but it also has eye-catching embellishments.
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Built during the 1800s, the house has seen a lot of history, and it has lived through a lot to tell some of the best stories.
Presently, the building houses a museum.
The mansion is registered under the National Register of Historic Places in Natchez.
The quaint green grounds around the mansion are great for leisurely walks.
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Biscuits & Blues is one of the prettiest places to satisfy your cravings.
New places mean new food, and you must check out the best place when you are on vacation.
The same applies in the case of Natchez.
There are a lot of lovely places to try out in Natchez, but this particular restaurant stands out, with cute interiors and an excellent menu.
You can call Biscuits & Blues a diner, but the owners like to call it a tavern.
Some of the best comfort food like fried chicken, waffles, pancakes, and other homemade goodies are served here.
You can also sip on a lot of local drinks along with your food.
Natchez is a city that is very attached and closely associated with its history.
If you are a history buff and want to look at how wonderful Natchez’s stories can be, you could always take on a history tour.
The tour usually lasts for an entire day.
You get a fantastic group led by an expert, who walks around and tells you all the tales of the city.
Apart from history tours that are offered by many guides, you could also book a cycle tour.
This is one of the most popular ways to explore Natchez.
Rent a bicycle and cycle to all the main spots of the city.
Stop by to have a light brunch, and do not forget to take your coffee with you.
With the Mississippi River around, there are plenty of kayaking options, too.
You can even sign up for a kayaking trip to enjoy the water’s limitless beauty.
It is time to turn back some pages in the history book and look at 1200 AD Natchez!
The Grand Village of the Natchez is an exciting tourist and historical spot that takes you back to some of the city’s most remarkable historical tales.
The spot extends across 128.1 acres, offering some of the best attractions.
These are the earliest settlements in the city.
The indigenous people, who belonged to the Plaquemine culture, lived here till the 18th century.
Learn more about the culture and the tribe from the spot itself.
Are you someone who has a habit of drinking some warm coffee first thing every morning?
Don’t worry; you are going to find a lot of caffeine addicts like yourself here.
This lovely cafe will indeed get in your good books from the very first time you pay a visit.
Steampunk Coffee Roasters serves some of the best freshly brewed black coffee, which will wake you up from your morning slumber completely.
Even if you are a cappuccino or a latte person, do not worry, because they are pretty well known for their different varieties.
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The Magnolia Hall mansion is something you must see while in Natchez.
This is one of the most beautiful architectural structures that have been revived in the town.
Built during an era that had not yet known the Civil War, Magnolia Hall is an exquisite piece of art.
Thomas Henderson, a wealthy businessman, dreamt about this house, and his dreams became a reality in 1858.
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Such a grand villa right in the heart of downtown Natchez is indeed an indication of how wealthy this gentleman was.
The interior will give you an idea about his extraordinary and rich taste as well.
The building still has some art pieces, antiques, and mannequins that once adorned the entire house.
Such beauty is scarce.
The original Towers of Natchez took more than three different time periods to build during the United States’ colonial western expansion in the 1790s.
It is these rebuilt structures, along with some original components of the still-standing 18th-century 2-story structure, with a West Indies Style architecture, that makes up The Towers of Natchez.
Here, you can still find peg-style crafting and bargeboard details that were widely used on boats that migrated to the port of Natchez from the fur trade during colonial times.
Due to a fire on the second floor of the north tower in the 1920s, the upper “tower rooms” of this grand estate had to be removed.
But now, this majestic historical landmark was recently upgraded with high-quality renovations from the ground up, including a painstaking restoration of the original noted tower rooms.
The Forks of the Road site, located in modern-day Natchez, Mississippi, was once one of Southern United States’ largest slave markets.
Back in 1833 until 1863, tens of thousands of slaves were sold at this market and traded across state lines to be used as labor on cotton plantations.
In the fall of 1863, Natchez 12th Wisconsin Infantry members assisted in tearing down the remainder of the slave pens.
Today, at Forks of the Road, you’ll find exhibits that aren’t only about the general subject matter of slavery; they tell you the history behind why Natchez prospered so much during the nation’s slave-trade era.
The real chains cast in concrete at the Forks of the Road site are heavy and meant to make people reflect on the tragedy of slavery and human exploitation.
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The Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture is a collection of artifacts that sheds light on the experiences of African Americans.
It’s a tribute to the various contributions made by the people of African origin and descent, particularly in the southern states.
The museum opened its doors in 1991 by an organization called NAPAC (the Natchez Association for the Preservation of African American Culture), which explores the black history, heritage, and culture in nineteenth-century Mississippi.
Built around 1904 on where the old United States Post Office used to stand, this museum is part of the historic Natchez, Mississippi, building with exhibits occupying ten thousand square feet of space.
You’ll enjoy a rare combination of educational and social opportunities at the Natchez Museum-African American Culture.
The museum highlights the history of Natchez, which dates all the way back to 1716, when it was first incorporated as a city.
They also include artwork, pictures, manuscripts, artifacts, and books.
The collections display slavery and post-civil war battles between the confederacy and union forces, WWII and other 20th Century conflicts, and the struggle for civil rights in more recent times.
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Port Gibson is one of the most beautiful yet quaint locations close to Natchez.
The shopping and the eating scenes here are worth being explored.
You can get your hands on lots of good food and different cuisines in this small city.
A lot of luxurious restaurants along with affordable diners are located here.
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The city is sparsely populated.
The beauty is evident in its beautiful roads and gorgeous architecture.
The houses are designed beautifully with a hint of ancient architectural patterns in them.
When you are in town, Windsor Mansion is a must-visit or at least what’s left of it, and snap some beautiful pictures for your socials.
Having its name enlisted in the National Register of Historic Places, Port Gibson is a place that should not be missed.
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Natchez, Mississippi, is well-known for its Southern charm.
Some of the most breathtaking and luxurious mansions in all of Natchez can be found on a scenic drive along its streets.
Take this list with you next time you visit Natchez so that you don’t miss out on some of the best art galleries, delicious local food, and extraordinary architecture!
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