Location: Natchez
Top Things to do in Natchez
What to do and see in Natchez, Mississippi (MS): The Best Things to do
Natchez, the oldest settlement on the Mississippi River, has more antebellum houses than any other place in the United States. Many of these historic homes are open for tours. The friendly local people welcome visitors to their historic city with warm Southern charm. Tour the homes, the Grand Village of the Natchez and the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture. Festivals and celebrations occur often throughout the year. For gamblers, the riverboat gaming experience is a fun and fascinating change from ordinary casinos. Active visitors will enjoy great golf, tennis, hiking, biking and fishing.
Restaurants in Natchez
1. St. Mary Basilica
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 453 reviews
Recognized as an architectural masterpiece among Catholic churches in the south, it is the spiritual home of a vibrant St. Mary Catholic community today. The construction of this place of worship was begun in 1842 as the Cathedral of the newly established Diocese of Natchez. The St. Mary congregation takes pride in the basilica's colorful and prayerful setting, and welcomes visitors from near and distant places. The city of Natchez, on the Mississippi River and the birthplace of Mississippi, is a tourist destination because of its historic ante-bellum homes. St. Mary Basilica, also ante-bellum, is the city's central landmark.
Reviewed By stephaniemW5432WT
On a recent trip with our 11 year old grandson, we stopped in and where so amazed at the beauty of this old church. The grounds are beautiful also. Pictures do not do it justice.
2. Choctaw Hall
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By WILLIAMS482
Natchez is a nice small town. Very quite. A buddy and I were riding our bikes on the Natchez Trace Parkway, and stayed one night at Choctaw Hall. It was a great place to stay! The best thing about our stay was the tour of the mansion by David Garner. He knew the history, was very interesting to listen to, and very funny. It was a great stay and I highly recommend for anyone. I plan to stay again someday.
3. Melrose
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 514 reviews
Part of Natchez National Historical Park, Melrose is an antebellum plantation that features a slavery exhibit.
Reviewed By trevmat1 - Montgomery, United States
Standing elegant in beautiful surrounds, with extensive original furnishings throughout its rooms and many outbuildings intact and in very good repair, the Melrose estate is a great example of a lifestyle entirely dependent on slavery. It is empty now, a silent testament... until you reach the slave quarters. Here there are voices to be heard, voices of faith and endurance, voices of paternalism and condescension. The National Parks Service earns a big tick here.
4. Bluff Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 233 reviews
A perfect place to rest and relax as you gaze across the waters of the mighty Mississippi.
Reviewed By 909victorw
Overlooking the Mississippi River in Natchez, MS. is Bluff Park. In the park, you are able to get a spectacular view of the Mississippi River and Louisiana on the far side. The walkway also has historical markers of which one is the marker for the beginning of the Natchez Trace Parkway. The park is clean and well maintained. Suggest a visit to get a great view of the river while in Natchez.
5. Historic Natchez Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 523 reviews
Reviewed By JoeBickham - Covington, United States
Our Host Doug and Don loaned us a audio CD that told us the story from all the grave markers of each person or family buried here...very fascinating history
6. Longwood
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,559 reviews
Construction on this architectural gem, the largest octagonal house in the U.S., began in 1860, but was interrupted by the onset of war. A National Historic Landmark, the still-unfinished mansion is an enduring symbol of the impact of the Civil War.
Reviewed By PadreGirl - Eureka, United States
We'd been to Natchez before, but never visited Longwood. It's amazing. Only the "basement" level was originally finished due to the coming Civil War. The workers basically left tools and supplies and returned home leaving the huge home unfinished. The tour starts on the basement level where you see how the family lived and then you are able to go upstairs to see the building in progress. The craftsmanship and what they were able to do with hand tools was shocking. The family story was quite interesting as well. There's a nice walk to the family cemetery too. The area is beautiful.
7. Rosalie Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 746 reviews
Home of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a unique collection of children's dolls and toys made from cloth and porcelain.
Reviewed By travellingchatte
Very nice antebellum mansion with great original furnishings, clothes and toys.Also the view of the Mississippi River from the terrace is very nice. I highly recommend visiting it.
8. Stanton Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 842 reviews
N 1858, Frederick Stanton built the home of his dreams for his family on his new property - an entire city block of Natchez, Mississippi. The city block cost about $1,550. The house cost over $83,000 before it was even furnished. Carrera Marble, mahogany doors 2 1/2 inches thick, candeliers from France, and Italian statuary appointed the interior. Huge Corinthian columns and granite steps adorned the facade. Stanton came to America with his brothers in 1815. He made a fortune as a cotton broker, then as owner of more than 16,000 acres of cotton plantations. Ironically, he lived only one month after his dream home was finished. ...Now inside view of the Carriage House Restaurant Stanton Hall housed a college for young ladies for a short time, then fell into dissarray to some extent before the Pilgrimage Garden Club renewed the antebellum mansion to much of its former glory. It stands today, filled with original and like antique furnishings as Frederick originally created it, a showcase for the world to see. Daily tours are given of the home, and during Spring and Fall Pilgrimages hostesses dress in antebellum costume to greet the throngs of visitors. After the tour, many stop to have lunch at the adjacent Carriage House Restaurant, which is nationally famous for its fine Southern cuisine. Stanton Hall is listed as an official National Historic Landmark.
Reviewed By leiismimi - Denton, United States
This place is really beautifully furnished! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and made the tour a lot of fun! Really like taking a step back in history!
9. Natchez Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 813 reviews
Reviewed By RoseDhu - Bluffton, United States
The Natchez Visitor’s Center is worth the stop ... great history about the area...alone very helpful staff. The 20minute film was interesting too.
10. William Johnson House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 186 reviews
Reviewed By AncientTimes
This home belonged to a freed Black Man who became a very successful businessman. His history is eye opening and provides a glimpse of his life and interactions in Natchez before the Civil War
