//
City in Mississippi, United States
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Infrogmation at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
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 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.
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.
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.
A wonderful collection of historic photographs of Natchez people and places. The photographs were taken between 1870 and 1913 by Henry Norman.
Natchez CVB
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Opera Festival
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.
The Castle Restaurant is in the carriage house on the grounds of Dunleith Plantation. Excellent food with a great wine list to compliment.
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.
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.
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 south of Main Street. Very good lunch & dinner items (mostly pasta based as the name suggests).
A little bar on Main Street with a dart board and a juke box.
A big screen TV and great beer selection make this 1840s cotton warehouse a great place to relax.
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.
An old-style saloon located under-the-hill with a great view of the Mississippi River.
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.
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.
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.
Opened in 2007, Hampton Inn & Suites is near the south end of Canal Street across from the Natchez Visitors Center.
Beautiful bed and breakfast. Cable TV/DVD, free Wi-Fi, and private baths. Full breakfast included. Pet friendly rooms available.
A smoke-free environment hotel. A mandatory $11.95 value-added package will be assessed nightly on all hotel rooms.
Hotel Vue features an onsite lounge and restaurant, full Southern breakfast, exercise room and complimentary Wi-Fi and parking.
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.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Alexandria · Regional · AEX
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Natchez and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.