Weekend Getaways – Belmont Hotel: Oh, the stories this grand ’ole structure can share Pages 28-31

An upstairs room at the Belmont Hotel offers a massage parlor for guests. Every room inside the hotel has a story to tell.

The hotel also fills up around the holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, along with family reunion events associated with holidays such as Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

Coker takes great pride in welcoming guests to her hometown, where the Belmont Hotel is one of the oldest hotels in the country which has remained in continuous operation.

“We don’t know if we are the oldest to have remained the longest in operation,” noted Coker. “We are not sure.”

“But we do know we are one of the oldest at 97 years of continued service and still counting,” she added.

Since opening in 1924 as the first stop across the street from the railroad depot, Coker hopes to continue building memories inside the historic walls of the hotel, whether it be bicyclists on the trace, Tiffin Motorhomes enthusiasts, area family reunions or visitors looking for a new weekend getaway experience.

“The Belmont Hotel is a very special place,” noted the proud owner and innkeeper. “It was built on special memories.”

Coker smiled and looked around the hotel parlor as the place were memories were built along life’s journey.

“It’s a little hidden gem in the foothills of Northeast Mississippi,” she said.

Directions: Belmont in southern Tishomingo County is about 50 miles from Corinth and drive time is a little under an hour. Take U.S. 72 east to Iuka, then Mississippi 25 south to Belmont. Look for the hotel on Main Street just a block from the highway.

Rates and availability:

Rates are $75 to $100 a night depending upon the room or suite. Reservations are recommended, especially for weekends. Due to bicyclist traffic, the hotel remains booked in the spring and fall. Holiday weekends are also in high demand. Call 662-454-7948 to make a reservation.

Hiking trails at Tishomingo State Park are just a short drive for guests staying at the Belmont Hotel. The Natchez Trace Parkway is just six miles from Belmont with views like this at Freedom Hills Overlook.

Short hikes can be experienced at places like Freedom Hills Overlook on the Natchez Trace Parkway. This trail is steep, yet paved with benches to stop and rest.

Area attractions: Experience nearby Bay Springs Lake for fishing, nearby Tishomingo State Park for hiking and nearby Natchez Trace Parkway for a nice drive. Nice stops on the trace for a short hike include Freedom Hills Overlook and Dogwood Valley. There are Indian mounds at Beer Creek Mound and Pharr Mounds. The Bear Creek stop has a nice picnic area, while scenic springs can be seen at Cave Spring and Buzzard Roost. All stops are a short drive from Belmont.

The Dixie Queen’s Double Vance Cheese Burger is named after the cafe’s founder. Many customers order the Vance with a side of onion rings.

Where to eat: Costa Mexican Bar and Grill is just across the street from the hotel and offers excellent Mexican fare, along with adult drinks and beer. Ask about the eight customer favorites, including the Costa Steak.

There are two great breakfast places, including the Ole Country Store on the highway south of town for carry-out orders and the legendary Sparks Restaurant, known as Sparks Drive-In by the locals. Sparks entire menu is beloved by a faithful following. An iconic lunch and dinner spot on the highway not far from the hotel is the Belmont Dixie Queen, known for burgers, pork barbecue and ribs, wings, sandwiches and fresh homemade desserts. Check out the Double Vance Cheese Burger, named as a tribute to cafe founder Vance Criedille, with a side order of onion rings. Nestled at a 4-way stop just 25 feet from the busy highway, sit and watch Tiffin Motorhomes roll through town, wave at local traffic and purchase any of the “Home Sweet Home” decor hanging on the wall because all of the art is for sale. If “Mom” has made it, get a slice of lemon ice box pie. Please note the Queen is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Seasonal treat: During warmer months, the Cardinal Shack is just a block away from the hotel and worth a walk for snow cones and ice cream.

Things to do: Want to walk off the calories from the Double Vance and rings? Nearby C.C. Shook City Park has a nice paved walking trail while Blue Springs Park has a large playground and excellent tennis courts.

Shopping: Natalie Coker said there are many unique places to shop in Belmont for visitors who are looking for a new experience. Her recommendations include Ruby Mae’s, Wild Flowers, Square Pharmacy, Petals & Pearls, TMI, Wood Sales, M&W Sales and Inspirations for Women.

Worth Noting: A marker in Shook Park mays homage to Belmont’s famous native son, Mac McAnally, a noted country music songwriter, guitar player, singer and producer. He was named Country Music Association Musician of the Year for a record 10 names and is a guitarist for Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band.

For more information:

Follow Historic Belmont Hotel on Facebook. Information is available at natcheztracetravel. com/belmonthotel, call 662279-1035 or e-mail thebelmont historichotel@gmail.com. The hotel has no website.

Belmont Dixie Queen customers (from left) Beth McNutt of Tishomingo, Linda Adams of Belmont and Angie Pendergraph of Red Bay, Ala. enjoy lunch at their favorite lunch spot.