Natchez: A Mississippi Gem
Natchez is a small city that is located in Mississippi, in the southern United States. With more than 300 years of history, it is one of the oldest cities in the country.
It is a place full of history, traditions, heritage and welcoming places where you can hang out with good hospitality. Do you want to know this hidden gem of the American South? Then wait no more, let’s go!
See fantastic places in Natchez
What’s to see in Natchez? What is its charm? This city has breathtaking views of the Mississippi River and is home to beautiful historic homes, well-preserved churches, parks, historic trails, a vigorous nightlife, and fine dining. The conjunction of all this results in a simple and incredible place.
The great Mississippi river
The Mississippi River is the second longest in the United States and runs through 10 states. Its main source is in Lake Itasca, in northern Minnesota, to the delta of the Mississippi River in the Gulf of Mexico, through 3730 kilometers.
This powerful river drains all or part of 32 states of the country and 2 provinces of Canada, thanks to its many tributaries. The states it covers are Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. This river is a great protagonist, so if you go, don’t miss out on seeing it.
Historic houses
“Historic houses” and “Natchez” should be synonymous, since it is difficult to imagine that one could exist without the other. The historic houses here are undoubtedly the protagonists: the city has more than 1000 buildings included in the National Register of Historic Places.
In addition to still standing, they are very well preserved and beautiful. Some of the highlights are the Longwood Historic Home, Monmouth Inn, Melrose, Choctaw Hall Historic Home, Magnolia Hall Historic Home, 1835 Oak Hill Inn, The Towers, and the Ellicott Hill House.
Whether for its beauty and history, for having been owned by important people, for being beautiful inns or for other reasons, each one is unique. And the best part is that there are too many to know.
Museums and historical sites
In Natchez, culture and tradition reign supreme, so there are museums and historic sites to choose from. The offer is so varied that in this small city you could spend days exploring these sites.
In itself, Natchez is one of the few American towns to show in depth the life of the Southerners. Learn about the history of the cotton barons, the Natchez slaves, the Civil War soldiers, and the lives of the inhabitants before it, as well as the experiences of the civil rights pioneers and Natchez Indians. Museums, houses and historical monuments will bring you closer to fascinating stories.
Art Galeries
The art galleries in Natchez are characterized by their local artists, who have been greatly influenced by the city itself. Even John James Audubon, a French ornithologist, naturist and painter, was inspired by the natural beauty of this locality. In some of the galleries you can even make your own work of art or buy one.
The natural beauty of Natchez
In addition to the important historical sites, Natchez has truly amazing landscapes. Yes, like those that inspired Audubon. The environment lends itself to biking, cruising the surrounding lakes along the Mississippi River, fishing, hiking the bluffs while watching the sunset, and camping.
Nature is embraced by cypress trees that contribute a lot to the ecosystem. Meanwhile, the sky fills with birds, making it an ideal place for birdwatching .
Music, bars and nightlife
They say the city’s musical history is as big as the Mississippi River itself. In this state, American music was born, and it was quickly understood by the inhabitants, who often offer live music everywhere.
You can learn from the tribal music of the Natchez Indians to the burning of the Rhythm Night Club, which marked the musical history of the city. In addition, it is part of the Gold Record Road that travels through the Triangle of American Music. This place never ceases to amaze across the board.
Another color data has to do with games of chance. The city was at one time well known for freedom in games. You can still enjoy this activity thanks to the Magnolia Bluffs Casino, which is a replica of a 19th century sawmill.
Tours in the city
If you visit Natchez, we undoubtedly recommend taking tours with travel agencies and guides. In this way, you will be able to know the past and present of the city, which has 13 National Historic Monuments and more than 1000 structures in the National Register of Historic Places, which can be seen on a pedestrian circuit in the center.
In addition to pedestrian circuits, there are other alternatives for touring the city, such as buses and horse-drawn carriages. Some of the thematic circuits are about literature, gastronomy, civil rights, ghosts and even treasure hunts. To learn more about this destination and its circuits, you can browse the Natchez Visitor Center.
There is much to see in Natchez
As you have seen, Natchez is a small town, but it has plenty of places to see and things to do! Its historical sites, traditions, landscapes, music, circuits and much more will catch you and make you feel in a unique place.
All of the above makes Natchez, the gem of Mississippi, a truly amazing site. Why not sign it up for the next vacation?
