Located right on the banks of the Mississippi River, Natchez, Mississippi is the perfect city to get off the grid in style. Encompassing the best of the state’s outdoor and dining experiences, Natchez is a town worth more than just a passing glance. Known as the birthplace of Mississippi, Natchez is essentially the heart of the South in one pretty little package.
Here are three ways you can embrace the beauty of Mississippi in Natchez:
Uncover the splendor of the famous Antebellum era
With 1,000 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it would be a shame not to tour one of the many of Antebellum mansions located in the Natchez area. Topping the list of pre-Civil War grandeur are the Longwood and The Towers, both with excellent guided tours showcasing period décor and antiques. If an outdoor adventure is more your style, you can continue your historical lesson at Natchez National Historical Park, where you’ll find opportunities for bird watching, hiking, and a few Antebellum homes along the way.
Try a glass of muscadine wine at Old South Winery
Slightly more tart than a regular grape, muscadine grapes are famous in the South, and, if they’re not being used in pies and jams, they’re being put to better use in wine. Old South Winery boasts the largest selection of muscadine wine anywhere with friendly staff willing to explain the process and varietals. Usually only the locals buy and sell muscadine grape products, so as a cultured “out-of-towner,” be sure to pick up a few of the jellies and wines as souvenirs and gifts for friends and relatives back home.
Discover the beauty of the Mighty Mississippi
No visit to Natchez is complete without a visit to the Mississippi shore. Unlike most cities along the river, Natchez stays true to its roots as a primary port of trade and has absolutely no factories or buildings hiding it’s beauty. The result is a pristine environment for you and your family to sit on the water’s edge with a picnic basket watching the barges and riverboats, as life seems to slow to a crawl. If you have a boat of your own, take it out on the Old River, which is sectioned off from the main waterway and more private than the real thing.