Perched on the shores of the Mississippi River, Natchez is one of Mississippi’s most vibrant and diverse communities, popular with partygoers, outdoorsy explorers and history buffs. Many of the best places to stay in Natchez are striking Greek Revival mansions, most of which were originally built as private homes. Book a room at a cosy B&B or an opulent boutique hotel, with appealing options catering to a range of tastes and budgets.
Natchez has a buzzing evening scene with live music, bustling bars and weekend parties spilling out onto the street. It’s a great destination for a relaxed weekend with friends, or for an epic cycling trip. The 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway, popular as a travel route in the 1800s, is now a beautiful route for a cycle or scenic drive. The Mississippi River is also good for kayaking, there are walking and hiking routes along the riverbanks, and some excellent birdwatching.
Admire St Mary Basilica, the oldest-operating Catholic building in the state, and marvel at the quirky architecture of the Auburn Mansion. The city brims with hundreds of historic homes and heritage landmarks: no visit to Natchez is complete without taking the time to consider the sobering southern history of plantations and enslavement. Guided tours of Melrose Estate are impactful and informative, whilst the unfinished Longwood House and the Windsor Ruins, both dating back to the Civil War era, are also thought-provoking. William Johnson House, the home of a freed slave who became a diarist and community barber, is excellent.
Delve even further into the region’s history at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, set on a 128-acre site, and at Emerald Mound, the site of the second-largest pre-Columbian earthworks in the country. This is also a brilliant spot for a walk or a tranquil picnic by the creek.
Whether you’re eager to dance the night away to cracking live music, to feast on delicious southern fare after days of cycling, or to unravel Mississippi’s tumultuous past, this is the place to do it. Expect a lively, fun-loving feel and a warm welcome at the best places to stay in Natchez.