The 12 Best Things to Do in Natchez, Mississippi

As the Southern cotton economy expanded on the back of slave labor in the early 1800s, towns emerged to transport the cotton on the Mississippi River. New Orleans, Memphis, Vicksburg, and Natchez are the four most famous of these towns.

Located high on the bluffs of the Mississippi River, Natchez, Mississippi, was established by French colonists in 1716. The defensible strategic location ensured that it would become a pivotal center for trade.

In the middle of the 19th century, the city attracted Southern planters, who built mansions to show off their vast wealth from the cotton and sugarcane trade. Natchez was where planters came to escape the heat and isolation of the plantations. It was the Hamptons of the South, the place where the rich relaxed and socialized.

I never heard of Natchez until a few weeks before I visited. While in Nashville, I met some local guys at a bar. Fascinated by my road trip plans, they gave me all the information they could on their home state of Mississippi. I mentioned my desire to see antebellum homes.

“That’s Natchez. If you want antebellum homes, Natchez is the place to be,” they agreed.

So, I drove to Natchez, with its dozens of pre-Civil War antebellum homes. As a former history teacher who specialized in pre–Civil War America, I have a significant interest in this part of the country. I’m fascinated by the hypocrisy and duality of pre–Civil War Southern society.

On the one hand, it was genteel, polite, and formal. On the other, it was brutally racist. Southern egalitarian views of chivalry, equality, and honor extended only to a small segment of society and they found no hypocrisy in owning slaves, whom they brutalized to no end.

(Note: Reams of essays and books have delved into Southern culture. If you’re looking to learn more, check out Ken Burns’s The Civil War and The Fall of the House of Dixie: The Civil War and the Social Revolution That Transformed the South.)

Today, Natchez remains a beautiful city and many of the historic homes are still here. Secession sentiment never ran high here and the city quickly surrendered to the Union Army in 1862. Therefore, none of the destruction that took place in other cities occurred here.

These days, Natchez trades in tourism instead of cotton. Visitors to the historic homes, surrounding Natchez Traces, and gambling on the riverboats sustain the tiny town.

But the old homes are the biggest draw.

By today’s standards, they are average suburban homes. You wouldn’t stop and think “Wow, that is a mansion!” But for the period, these homes were an ornate testament to the planters’ great wealth, with high ceilings, intricate wallpaper designs, and multiple stories. They were filled with fine china, exotic carpets, and expensive furniture.

There are over 20 homes in Natchez. I didn’t get to see them all, as many are private residencies. But I saw a lot and the following are my favorite historic homes to visit in Natchez:
 

Longwood

This was one of the most interesting of all the homes. It had stunning grounds and an incredible design featuring a huge onion-shaped dome. It’s the largest octagonal house in the United States and entirely unique.

Construction began in 1859, however, the owner died before most of the house was completed, leaving the entire upper floor unfinished. The Civil War stopped the rest of the construction (to this day, only a handful of the rooms are finished)

Today, it’s one of Natchez’s most popular homes and you’re able to tour the home and read about its history. Be sure to wander the grounds, too. They’re beautiful!

Open daily from 9am-3pm with tours every 30 minutes. Admission is $25 USD.
 

Rosalie Mansion

I found this mansion to have the most beautiful interior of the handful of antebellum homes I visited. Built in 1823, its design was so popular that it inspired many other homeowners in the region to mimic its Greek Revival style.

The mansion was built for a wealthy cotton broker. In 1863, after the Battle of Vicksburg, General Grant commandeered the home to use as his headquarters. General Gresham, who commanded Union troops in the region after Grant, continued to use the mansion as his headquarters for the duration of the war. There are all kinds of historic artifacts and furniture inside from the 19th century too.

Today, the mansion is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and is an official U.S. National Historic Landmark.

Open year-round with daily tours beginning at 9am. The last tour begins at 4pm and tours take around 45-60 minutes. Admission is $20 USD.
 

Stanton Hall

Stanton Hall and its grounds take up an entire city block. It had the prettiest grounds of all the homes I visited too. Built in the 1850s (for the paltry sum of $83,000 USD), the home is a replica of the original owner’s former home in Ireland. Nicknamed Belfast, the interior is incredibly elaborate, featuring Italian marble and glass chandeliers.

In 1890, the estate became home to Stanton College for Young Ladies. In 1940, it began its transition to a historic home and museum and is one the U.S. National Register of Historic Places as well as the U.S. National Historic Landmark list and the list of Mississippi Landmarks.

Open daily. Tours begin at 9am and last 45-60 minutes. The last tour begins at 3pm. Admission is $25 USD.
 

Melrose Mansion

Built in the 1840s, this 15,000-square-foot mansion represents the peak of Greek Revival design. Designed by a local lawyer and landowner, the original furniture of the home is still in use today, having been passed down through the centuries with each successive sale of the house. Most of the furniture dates to the pre-Civil War era.

In the 1970s, the mansion was used for elaborate parties and events before being turned into a museum and historic site. Like many of the antebellum homes here, it’s on both the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and the U.S. National Historic Landmark list. The house and grounds are now managed by the national park service.

The park is open daily, but the house is only open Wednesday-Sunday from 9am-4pm. Admission is $11 USD.
 

Other Things to See and Do in Natchez

In addition to the antebellum homes, there are a few other things to see and do in Natchez. Here are my suggestions for the best things to do in Natchez:

1. The Natchez Pilgrimage
During the Natchez Pilgrimage in the spring, all of the private historical homes open up to the public. The costumed guides (some of which are descendants of the original owners) explain the history of the home, their family, and the region. It’s the city’s biggest annual event and there are some 20 homes on display.

2. Ghost Tours
In a town with so much tumultuous history, including wars and oppressive slavery, it’s no wonder that there are all kinds of eerie and unsettling tales to be found in Natchez. If you’re a fan of the paranormal (or just want to do something unique), try taking a ghost tour. Natchez Ghost Tour offers ghost tours every night for $25 USD. You’ll hear all about Natchez’s haunting and spooky tales and get to see a side of the city most tourists miss.

3. Magnolia Bluffs Casino
This casino is located on the Mississippi River in the town’s old mill. The mill opened in 1828 and operated until 1962, eventually being bought and turned into a casino. It’s small and a bit outdated, but they have plenty of slot machines and a few table games, and the views over the river are picturesque.

4. St. Mary’s Basilica
This church was built in 1842 and took over forty years to complete. While the exterior is a little plain, the elaborate interior is beautiful, with colorful stained glass, statues, and a spacious vaulted ceiling. The original organ from 1882 is still in use as well. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places (the federal government’s official list of places deemed worthy of preservation).

5. The Emerald Mound
This sacred hill just looks like a flat, grassy pentagon. However, it was once a well-appointed holy site. Constructed sometime between the 13th and 17th centuries, it was an elevated place of worship for the Plaquemine Native Americans. The mound itself covers eight acres. Ceremonial stone structures used to sit on top of the mound, which is 65 feet tall, though it is empty today. All kinds of animal bones have been found nearby, leading researchers to believe it was the site of religious or sacred activity. The mound is open to the public free of charge from 8am-5pm daily.

6. The King’s Tavern
Visit the King’s Tavern, which was built in 1769 and is the oldest building in the city (and, according to legend, the most haunted). After the Revolutionary War, it was used as an inn and tavern, as well as where the town’s mail was delivered. Until the development of the steamboat, the tavern relied on both coach drivers and outlaws who stopped by in between trips. When the invention of the steamboat made travel in the region safer, business dwindled and it was eventually sold.

The restaurant is now closed, but you can still check out the building, and rumor has it that the new owners plan to offer mixology classes in the future.

7. Natchez Trace Parkway
Enjoy the great outdoors by planning an adventure along this historic path in Natchez. The road has been used for centuries by Native Americans, settlers, and soldiers. It’s the perfect place to escape into nature during your trip and take in epic scenery like forests and waterfalls. The area is popular for biking, hiking, fishing, and camping. If you’re only in the area for a short time, make sure to at least save a few hours for a scenic drive.

8. Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture
This museum opened in 1991 and highlights information about African American history in the Southern United States. The museum, managed by the Natchez Association for the Preservation of Afro-American Culture, seeks to showcase the cultural heritage and contributions of African Americans from the 1700s to the modern day.

Open Monday-Friday from 10am-4:30pm and Saturdays from 10am-2pm. Admission is free.

For a map of the area and suggested sites to include on your self-guided tour around town, check out this free tour from Visit Natchez.

***

Natchez is beautiful and elegant. I loved strolling around the streets, marveling at the beautiful homes, and sitting in the park as the sun set over the Mississippi. It was the highlight of my trip to the state.

One downside to the city is that it’s expensive. There are very few Airbnb options and private rooms cost at least $100 USD per night. For a budget hotel, you’re looking at at least $80 USD per night. (Of course, if you want to splurge you can also stay in some of the historic homes here, as many have been converted into B&Bs. But expect to spend at least $155-190 USD per night for those.)

But, while accommodation is expensive, food and drinks are relatively cheap so you can balance it all out.

Natchez may not be a budget travel destination, but if you are looking to learn about American history, see beautiful homes, and visit a destination off the beaten path for most travelers (visitors here tend to be from the surrounding region), visit Natchez. You won’t be disappointed.