What can you do with one day to visit Natchez, Mississippi? See how we packed in a full day of activities while visiting this quaint historic town!
The Most Important Meal of the Day
Start the day with fresh doughnuts and coffee from The Donut Shop. The staff were very friendly, and the doughnuts were excellent (the maple bacon and the maple glazed peanut butter were family faves)! We also heard from some of the locals that they have awesome burgers at lunchtime.
Visit Natchez National Historical Park
Start at the Natchez Visitor Center for itinerary ideas, ticket information, exhibits, and gift shop. There was also a National Park Services stamp and cancellation station located within the gift shop. Fort Rosalie and Melrose Estate are sites located within the National Historical Park.
Fort Rosalie has little remaining from the original fort and structures, but does offer picnicking on the grounds as well as exhibits explaining the historical significance of the fort and settlement in Natchez.
Melrose Estate is a short drive from the visitor center. Guided tours of the house are offered with ticket purchase or you can take a self-guided tour of the estate grounds and other structures on the property at no cost. We visited in early spring where the trees and flowers were just starting to bloom; it was a beautiful day!
Lunch at Biscuits and Blues
Biscuits and Blues is a casual restaurant located in a historic building on Main Street. After a 6-month trip out west, we were looking forward to local southern fare and sweet tea! We enjoyed fried catfish, oyster po’boy, and ‘mini muffalettos’. All were fabulous! We also highly recommend the Natchez Beignet for dessert; it was filled with vanilla ice cream and covered in pecan-praline sauce, yum!
Downtown Natchez Historic Homes
Drive through Natchez to see beautiful antebellum mansions and historic homes located throughout the town. You can even purchase tickets to tour museum homes (such as Rosalie, Stanton Hall, Auburn, and Longwood) as well as many select private homes.
Natchez Walking Trails
Finish the day walking along one of many walking trails (Natchez Trail or Natchez Bluff Walking Trail) or head across the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge to Vidalia, Louisiana to enjoy Vidalia Landing and Riverview Park and trail on the Mississippi River. We were staying nearby and took advantage of walking this paved trail while watching the barges and tugboats traveling up and down the river and enjoying views of the bridge.
Check out our other favorite destinations we have been to on our journey!