Natchez for the Holidays
The historic river town goes all out this time of year
Historic Natchez on a dramatic bluff overlooking the Mississippi River makes for the perfect weekend getaway. Stroll down oak-draped streets with antebellum homes and historic buildings and churches, dine at restaurants overlooking the river, learn its extensive history at the city’s museums or take a ride up the Natchez Trace sporting autumnal colors.
This time of year, Natchez lights up for the holidays, creating a magical destination. And the town is only a short drive for most Louisiana residents being located less than two hours north of Baton Rouge and directly across the river from Ferriday, Louisiana.
Day One
Morning – Learn the region’s history with a visit to the Grand Village, a 128-acre site containing three prehistoric mounds. Here visitors learn of early Native American life through a reconstructed Natchez tribal house and the park’s museum. In town, Fort Rosalie and the Natchez National Historical Park explains French settlement on the river’s dramatic bluff that began in 1716.
Afternoon – After lunch at Biscuits and Blues, which serves up Southern dishes and live music in the evenings, take a tour with one of the city’s historians and storytellers working to foster a deeper understanding of Natchez’s history. One preservationist is Roscoe Barnes III, tourism manager at Visit Natchez, whose article “The Civil Rights Movement in Natchez, Mississippi” has become a piece now used by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History as an official lesson plan for educators. Or Lance Harris, an advocate for Native American history. For a list of tours, visit visitnatchez.org/plan/tours.
Sitting on 40 well-manicured acres, Dunleith is an 1856 historic inn and is listed as a National Historic Landmark
If visiting in December, take time to explore the European Christmas Shopping Village, open Dec. 5-20 along the Natchez Bluff. This festive European-style market features local vendors and seasonal snacks. First, grab a Christmas in Natchez Passport at the Postal Shoppe and gather stamps from vendors, then return it completed for a holiday gift. Village Hours are 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays.
Evening – Enjoy dinner at Magnolia Grill at Natchez Under the Hill, a section of town located right on the river beneath the city bluff. It was here in the 1800s that steamboats docked and visitors flush with cash would enjoy food and drink, sometimes a bit of rowdy pleasure. Today’s visitors may rather relish steaks and seafood instead, while watching the sun set over the river in a blaze of glory.
Delicious coffee at Natchez Coffee Company
Day Two
Morning – After breakfast at Natchez Coffee Company, a favorite among locals, explore the town’s 13 National Historic Landmarks and more than 1,000 structures on the National Register of Historic Places. Bike or stroll the riverside, peruse the many boutiques, art galleries and antique shops, and explore museums such as the William Johnson House where a free Black man ran a barbershop and wrote about life in the pre-Civil War days.
Afternoon – You’ll need a car to explore the Natchez Trace, which begins its 444-mile stretch toward Nashville just outside of Natchez. At the southern end of this historic highway maintained by the National Park Service are historic homes and plantations, Native American mounds and hiking trails, some of which follow the original trail that dates back 10,000 years.
The “Proud to Take a Stand” monument honors those Natchez-Adams County citizens incarcerated in 1965 for standing up for voting rights.
Evening – Fall brings a host of events to Natchez with the most popular being the candlelit Angels on the Bluff cemetery tour Nov. 6-8. Visitors will hear from costumed reenactors of those buried inside the historic Natchez City Cemetery, dating from 1822.
By the end of November, it’s holiday time! Natchez has been dubbed the “Christmas Capital of the South” and visitors may enjoy special events such as the Annual Lighting of the Tree Nov. 29, with performances and family activities, and the Christmas Parade on Dec. 6.
Don’t Forget
In the spirit of the season, Natchez Brewing Company serves up a variety of craft beer at 207 High St., but the large taproom also offers artisan pizza, outdoor seating for those balmy fall days and fun activities for all ages.
