Y’all Come!
It’s the Song of the South. It’s heaven on earth.
It’s our mission statement
– a warm invitation that promises friendship,
personal comfort,
and safe haven.
Contents
04 Convention & Meeting Facilities
09 Bureau Support 10 Media & Film
11 Off-Site Venues and Accommodations 21 Restaurants and Catering 24 Things to See and Do
27 Outdoor Recreation
31 Annual Festivals and Events 33 Regional Itineraries
36 The Story of Natchez 39 Transportation
Cover photo of the Natchez river view copyright 2005 by Time Path Fine Arts.
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Y a‘ ll Come!
Natchez has a lifestyle all its own, and its easy elegance will rub off on you. Nowhere else will you find this hospitality, this attention, or such personality. Here we have history, scenery, a state-of-the-art convention center; and a walkable downtown offering great cuisine, events, gaming, outdoor recreation, and a breathtaking view of the Mississippi – without the traffic and hullabaloo of the big city.
The best part is we’ ll customize events and tours for your groups, no matter how large or small. And it’s all quite affordable. But don’ t take our word for it. Y’all Come – and see for yourselves.
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Meet Me on the Mississippi.
Whether you're making arrangements for a group of five or five hundred, the Natchez Convention & Visitors Bureau is ready and able to help you make it a resounding success.
At first glance, Natchez might appear to be suspended in time, perfectly preserved, and brimming with history. Closer inspection reveals a vibrant city filled with delectable restaurants, unique shops, and eclectic entertainment. Accommodations are plentiful and meeting spaces range from large multi-purpose locations to unique off-site venues.
With a host of cozy and elegant bed & breakfasts, our city is a dream come true for smaller groups wanting to experience a little more of the quiet side of life. From buses to trolleys to horse-drawn carriages, Natchez has transportation ideally suited to the needs of your event.
For the best after-hours entertainment, you must place riverOur beautiful 38,896 square-foot, state-of-the-art Convention boat gaming, cultural events, and nightlife venues at the top Center, Community Center, and large City Auditorium of your list, along with our fine restaurants. welcome you into the heart of downtown. Attendees will want to bring their spouse or family to share You will be in good hands at any of our hotels, as all of our in the Natchez experience. Come early or extend your stay to tourism partners will ensure your meeting is a great success. immerse yourself in the ambience of historic Natchez.
Top
The professional staff at the Natchez Convention & Visitors Bureau are here to help you create a customized and unique meeting. We’re up-to-date on the latest meeting trends, and can easily facilitate your meeting’s needs, no matter size or nature, to help you execute an unforgettable event. For information on booking a meeting or convention in Natchez, call (800) 647-6724, email info@visitnatchez.org, or go to www.visitnatchez.org.
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ki en utifu Conv ted to ma z e bea ff trails. e h h a t c c t i a w d e e lu 1. N in pi: Vi ong the b taff d s p i s d , with d. s e i n l s s a w i o g e t train M n down ant or ne ight y hile strolli f o M t e r w hea g uld 2. Th e river w omin e. In the g you co c l : th r e e r t w e n n r v i d e o m an z a pleasu ion C of ever yth r t a n e w v e r n ou atch 3. Co g distance eart y: It’s eting in N t i l n the h a i t k i l n i p e s e wa m o r sa se nH our venue e to brow s uther akes y g n i t k f e 4. So ce that m a ur me aking it s ghtful noo n e O i : b t i c m l i a d de ict, m Distr toric town distr shops an s i H . e or 5 down icturesqu ning i e d h t t e p r of urm time. gh ou ate go m i throu your free t n i ral g cultu from sine. o e t s durin o g ho cui min ing: C thern no ga er yone. i s a c 6. Din home Sou ev oat from riverb ething for m down oose reakfasts. o r h F m c : o n e s f a i b c htl has roup ric bed & g 7. Nig , Natchez r u u s s: Yo ls or histo en yo n h o i t event w a e t od hot righ comm ated lways a s 8. Ac iently loc i rice n ith a The p conve or y w : t y s i t i l h i e of ordab a t a st 9. Aff Natchez. s r e f f se zo choo atche or. N : y r flav isto 10. H , Southern e uniqu 4
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Why Natchez? Natchez is a walking city built on an intimate scale, renowned for its Southern hospitality, good times, and natural beauty. Natchez has the facilities, hotels, and attractions you need to make your event extraordinary. Lodging ranges from quaint bed and breakfasts to nationally recognized hotels. When your
meeting adjourns, your adventure truly begins with nightlife, shopping, fine dining, outdoor recreation and the simple joy of exploring a city that Life Magazine named one of the " 100 Places To See in Your Lifetime."
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NATCHEZ CONVENTION CENTER NEW ORLEANS ROOM
1014 sq. ft.
BALCONY
Second Floor
First Floor
BATON ROUGE ROOM
ST. FRANCISVILLE ROOM
BALCONY
975 sq. ft.
975 sq. ft. RESTROOMS
VICKSBURG ROOM
760 sq. ft.
620 sq. ft. GREENVILLE ROOM
BALCONY
CONCORDIA ROOM
760 sq. ft.
MEMPHIS ROOM
760 sq. ft.
ST. LOUIS ROOM
RIVER SUITES PRE-FUNCTION
PRE-FUNCTION
STAIRS
BALCONY
806 sq. ft.
For rates, space and facility usage policies of the Natchez Convention Center, contact the Natchez Convention Center sales staff at (601) 442-5880.
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NATCHEZ CITY AUDITORIUM
MEETING ROOM
PERMANENT SEATING
Auditorium
990
PERMANENT SEATING + Additional Floor Seating 1,120
For rates, space and facility usage policies of the Natchez City Auditorium, contact the Natchez Convention Center sales staff at (601) 442-5880.
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NATCHEZ COMMUNITY CENTER
For rates, space and facility usage policies of the Natchez Community Center, contact the Natchez Convention Center sales staff at (601) 442-5880.
Meeting Rooms
Main Hall 5,776
Square Feet Banquet Seating
260
Reception Style
400
Classroom Seating
210
Trade Show ( 8x8 Booths)
8
Pre-Function 767
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Bureau Support
From event promotion to customized itineraries, the Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau will guide you through every step of the meeting planning process.
Meeting and Convention Services
Don't let our intimate size fool you. We offer much more than a list of standard services. Working alongside you to customize a meeting experience that will satisfy your specific goals. We’ve got lots of “outside-the-box” ideas and we welcome the opportunity to brainstorm with you – from the very moment you select Natchez! • Customized Itineraries - Let us help you plan, organize, and negotiate special group packages. We will help you create and distribute custom itineraries for event attendees. • FAM Tours - Take part in a FAM tour and see firsthand what Natchez has to offer. We coordinate FAM tours throughout the year and can work with you one-on-one to customize a site inspection. • Lead Distribution - The CVB is your one-stop-shop for negotiating hotel rates, convention and meeting space rates, and catering services. • Site Inspection - When you want to take a closer look to review your hotel and meeting arrangements, we will be here to help every step of the way. Site inspections are our specialty. • Facility and Contact Information - The NCVB can connect you to the resources you need to create a seamless experience for your clients. • Housing Assistance - The CVB will serve as a central housing bureau for groups that utilize rooms in two or more Natchez hotels. • Event Promotion and Attendance Boosters - NCVB can provide digital images, maps, press releases/press kits, online and printed attendance builder materials, and an online video highlighting Natchez' beauty and charming atmosphere to generate excitement among your meeting guests.
• Convention Microsite - A customized website with your logo, text and links is the perfect way to provide attendees with information about Natchez and your meeting. • Registration Assistance - The NCVB staff can easily arrange for experienced personnel to help you with your registration, name badge service, and local information needs. • Offsite Activities and Spouse Programs - The NCVB is prepared to provide you with examples of customized spouse/ family programs. • Transportation Assistance - Efficient, affordable and easy. From buses to horse-drawn carriages, we will get you where you're going in comfort and style.
Group Tour Services
The NCVB is here to make your job easier. We're the central agency for Natchez information, ideas, and a variety of free literature. Contact our sales department with questions or for assistance with accommodations, restaurants, and tour planning. We'll make sure you get the information and contacts you need to plan a successful and memorable tour. E-mail info@visitnatchez.org, or call (800) 647-6724. Here is a list of things we can help you with: •
Brochures, Maps, and Photos
•
Customized Itineraries
•
Group Tour Planners
•
An Online Video Tour "The Natchez Experience"
•
FAM Tours
•
Housing Assistance
"I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to the Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau for a job well done. From start to finish, each part of our event was a complete success. We have held our event in Natchez on a couple of occasions with record attendance and will be returning in the spring of next year. "
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Angela Weathersby Events and CE Coordinator Mississippi Nurses Association
Media & Film
Media and Film
Although Natchez is a shoo-in for period scripts, the area is also popular with filmmakers for its charming, modern atmosphere. In recent years, Natchez has set the stage for films like: “Ghosts of Mississippi,” directed by Rob Reiner, “The Lady Killers,” by the Cohen brothers, and the CBS series, “The Promised Land” – all of which required modern-day settings. With Mississippi’s incentive package in place, Natchez is an ideal location for nearly any script.
To The Media:
Guidelines for Media:
Every year, more than a doz- • Provide proof of assignment. en international travel writers place Natchez on their • Two-week notice prior to itineraries when executing a your arrival. FAM (familiarization) tour in • Written requests for the South, as do hundreds of services and assistance domestic writers. should include the nature of the assignment, If your assignment is travel, subject interest, and tourism, architecture, or length of stay. people profiles, you’ll do well to ask for a letter of as• Accommodations will be signment to write a story on provided by the NCVB Natchez. There’s certainly based on availability. If the sustainable subject of the writer does not have a commissioned assignthe city’s history to pen, but ment, the individual underneath the many layers property will decide if of this unique locale, there services will be compliare still countless stories to mentary or at a reduced be told. rate. Itinerary Assistance • 24-hour notice for canWe’ll develop an itinercellations or deviations ary tailored each writer’s from planned itineraries specific needs – including is appreciated. accommodations, meals, at- • Tear sheets for any tractions, and interviews. story on Natchez are to Guide Services The bureau can provide a knowledgeable guide to assist the media while in our area.
be provided to the bureau within one month of its appearance in any printed form.
For services within the Natchez area: Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau Attn: Media Department 640 S. Canal Street, Suite C Natchez, MS 39120 Phone: (601) 446-6345 or (800) 647-6724 Fax: (601) 442-0814 Email: info@visitnatchez.org www.visitnatchez.org
For statewide assistance: Mississippi Development Authority/ Division of Tourism Development Post Office Box 849 Jackson, MS 39205 E-mail: tourdiv@mississippi.org Phone: (601) 359-3297 Fax: (601) 359-5757 www.visitmississippi.org
For Filmmakers:
Filmmakers have been shooting on location in Natchez since 1912. Certainly ideal for what Hollywood calls “period” pictures with Confederate soldiers, horses, and hoop-skirts, Natchez has also proven herself worthy to serve as a location for almost any modern-day script.
From initial contact to wrap, filmmakers can expect our assistance in location scouting and research, pre-production help with casting, extras, crew, equipment, and troubleshooting during their entire stay. Natchez can also provide a few below-the-line film production personnel, and offer a nice array of locations to suit a number of script settings. For a complete list of productions/films shot in Natchez, go to: www.visitnatchez.org/film To receive a CD of Natchez, tailored to your location needs and descriptions, or for a copy of Mississippi’s Production Incentives, please call the Natchez Film Commission office at (800) 647-6724 or email info@ visitnatchez.org. v
Digital Photography Should you need images, the bureau maintains a library of digital photos.
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Off-Site Venues and Accommodations Natchez has lodging to suit every group's style and budget, from major brand hotels to quaint bed and breakfasts. You'll find all of our venues and accommodations offer convenience and savings.
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EOLA HOTEL LE GRAND PRE´ BALLROOM/MEETING CAPACITY
MARQUIS 2
ESPLANADE
PROMENADE
MARQUIS 1
Room Exits Opening in Partition Wall
ROOMS
Banquet
Classroom
Reception
Theatre
Square Footage
1740 1269 475 475 3995
For rates and space of the Eola Hotel, contact the sales staff at (601) 445-6000 or (866) 445-3652. For hotel amenities, see page 15.
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NATCHEZ GRAND HOTEL CONFERENCE / MEETING CAPACITY
Conference Room A
Conference Room B
Conference Room C
GRAND BALLR OOM
Rose Room
Carolyn Room
MEETING ROOMS
Grand Ballroom*
SQUARE FEET THEATRE SEATING BANQUET SEATING RECEPTION STYLE CLASSROOM SEATING
2,162
175
165
215
150
972
60
60
90
50
Rose Room
1,190
80
70
100
65
Entire Conference Room*
2,168
170
135
230
130
Conference Room A
828
70
56
75
50
Conference Room B
690
60
48
65
40
Conference Room C
650
50
30
50
32
Carolyn Room
*The Grand Ballroom subdivides into the Carolyn Room and the Rose Room. *The Conference Room subdivides into Conference Rooms A, B, & C.
For rates and space of the Natchez Grand Hotel, contact the sales staff at (601) 446-9994 or (866) 488-0898. For hotel amenities, see page 15.
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VUE HOTEL CONFERENCE / BALLROOM CAPACITY Magnolia Room
Azalea Room
MEETING ROOMS
SQUARE FEET
Camelia Room
THEATRE SEATING BANQUET SEATING RECEPTION STYLE CLASSROOM SEATING
Entire Space
3,215
275
220
300
198
Magnolia Room
1,915
175
120
200
126
Azalea Room
650
50
50
50
36
Camelia Room
650
50
50
50
36
For rates and space of the VUE Hotel, contact the sales staff at (888) 9464727 or (601) 442-9976. For hotel amenities, see page 15.
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Best Western River Inn
60 $
• • •
• •
Eola Hotel
131 $$
•
•
• P,C •
The Guest House
16 $$$
• • • • C • • •
86 $$
• • •
• •
P,C •
Isle of Capri Casino Hotel 141 $$
• • •
• •
C • • • •
Natchez Grand Hotel
119 $$
• • •
• •
• C
VUE Hotel & Restaurant
94 $$
• •
• • •
10 Grand Soleil Boulevard (601) 442-1906 (800) 937-8376 www.bestwestern.com
110 North Pearl Street (601) 445-6000 (866) 445-3652 www.natchezeola.com
•
Meeting Space
Handicap Accessible
Restaurant
Refrigerator
Microwave
Hair dryer
Iron & Board
Coffee Maker
Pets / Children
Jacuzzi Suites
Swimming Pool
Fitness Center
Business Center
Breakfast Included
Internet Access
Price Range
HOTELS
Number of Rooms
Accommodations
C • • • • • • •
•
• • • •
•
• • • •
201 North Pearl Street (601) 442-8848 www.natchezguesthouse.com
Hampton Inn & Suites 627 South Canal Street (601) 446-6770 (800) HAMPTON www.hamptoninn1.hilton.com/ en_US/hp/index.do
645 South Canal Street (601) 445-0605 (800) 722-5825 www.natchez.isleofcapricasino.com
111 Broadway Street (601) 446-9994 (800) 488-0898 www.natchezgrandhotel.com
130 John R. Junkin Drive (601) 442-9976 (888) 946-4727 www.grandsoleilnatchez.com
Price Code: $ = under $99
$$ = $100 - $149
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•
$$$ = $150 - $249
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• • • •
• •
• •
C • • •
•
$$$$ = $250 and up
• •
•
•
•
•
•
• • • •
121 $
• •
Deluxe Inn
35 $
P,C • •
Excellent Inn & Suites
65 $
• • •
P,C • • • •
•
Quality Inn
50 $
• •
•
Red Carpet Inn
80 $
• • •
Travel Inn
37 $
• • P,C • •
•
3 $$
1835 Wilkins Townhouse
2 $$$ • •
• • C
1888 Wensel House
4 $$ • •
A Sunset View Cottages
8 $$$ •
•
206 Washington Street (601) 445-8577 (888) 775-8577 www.1888wenselhouse.com
26 Cemetery Road (601) 870-2840 www.asunsetview.com
Price Code: $ = under $99 $$ = $100 - $149 * Properties with corporate meeting space
•
$$$ = $150 - $249
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•
• C
Cards Accepted
Laundry Facilities
300 North Commerce Street (601) 442-9935 www.wilkinstownhouse.com
• •
409 South Rankin Street (601) 446-2500 (601) 445-8641 www.historicoakhill.com
• • •
Pets / Children
1835 Oak Hill Inn
P,C • • • • •
Private Bath
BED & BREAKFASTS
Handicap Accessible
271-A D’Evereaux Drive, Highway 61 North (601) 446-8799 (800) 224-8704
• •
• • •
Riverfront
271 D’Evereaux Drive, Highway 61 North (601) 442-3686 (800) 251-1962
• C • •
Swimming Pool
337 D’Evereux Drive, U.S. 61 North (601) 446--5500 (877) 424-6423 www.qualityinn.com
• P,C •
Historic Home
Highway 61 South (601) 442-1691
Internet Access
218 John R. Junkin Drive (601) 442-0221
Price Range
109 Highway 61 South (601) 445-8291 (800) 325-2525 www.daysinnNatchez.com
Number of Rooms
Days Inn
Meeting Space
Handicap Accessible
•
Restaurant
Microwave
• •
Refrigerator
Hairdryer
Iron & Board
Coffee Maker
Pets / Children
Jacuzzi Suites
Swimming Pool
Fitness Center
Business Center
Breakfast Included
Internet Access
Price Range
Number of Rooms
MOTELS
•
• P,C •
•
•
$$$$ = $250 and up
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Another Padre’s Inn
1 $$
19 Homochitto Street (601) 446-5963 (601) 807-3617 www.anotherpadresinn.com
J.N. Stone House Musicale B&B
3 $$
804 Washington Street (601) 445-7466 www.josephstonehouse.com
Bisland House
404 South Commerce Street (601) 304-5806 www.bislandhouse.com
• •
• •
3 $$
•
• •
Brandon Hall*
8 $$ • •
The Briars Bed & Breakfast* 31 Irving Lane (601) 653-0017 www.thebriarsbb.com
Cards Accepted
Laundry Facilities
Pets / Children
Private Bath
3 $$
Riverfront
• •
•
C •
•
•
•
•
•
11 $$$ • • • • • • C
•
•
5 $$$ • • •
•
205 Clifton Avenue (601) 304-1002 (800) 211-6420 www.blufftopnatchez.com
The Burn
• •
• •
Bluff Top
Mile Marker 8.5 on Natchez Trace Parkway (601) 304-1040 www.brandonhallplantation.com
Handicap Accessible
Swimming Pool
Historic Home
Internet Access
Price Range
Number of Rooms
BED & BREAKFASTS
•
•
C
712 North Union Street (601) 442-1344 (800) 654-8859 www.theburnbnb.com
Casa España
713 North Union Street (601) 427-0335 www.spanishnatchez.com
2 $$
The Cotton Warehouse*
100 Main Street, Corner of Main and Broadway above Bowie’s Tavern (601) 446-8500 (800) 433-2445 www.dunleith.com
• • •
6 $$$ • •
• •
• • • •
•
Devereaux Shields House
6 $$
• •
• P,C • •
The Dr’s Inn
3 $$ • •
•
Dunleith*
26 $$$ • • •
709 North Union Street (601) 304-5378 (888) 304-5378 www.dshieldsusa.com
•
•
507 Washington Street (601) 442-3561 www.natchezpilgrimage.com
• • C
•
•
84 Homochitto Street (601) 446-8500 (800) 433-2445 www.dunleith.com
The Elms
3 $$$ • •
P
801 Washington Street (601) 445-5979 www.theelms-natchez.com
Price Code: $ = under $99 $$ = $100 - $149 * Properties with corporate meeting space 1. 8 0 0. 6 47. 672 4 • w w w.v i sit n at c he z .or g
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$$$$ = $250 and up
•
The Governor Holmes House
1 $$ • •
•
P
•
•
Greenlea
1 $$ • •
•
C
Hope Farm
4 $$ •
•
•
C
Le Jardin
1 $$ •
•
•
•
C
207 South Wall Street (601) 446-6631 (800) 647-6742 www.natchezpilgrimage.com
211 South Wall Street (601) 446-7053 (601) 807-5637 www.greenleanatchez.com
147 Homochitto Street (601)445-4848 (800) 647-6742 www.natchezpilgrimage.com
20 Newman Road (601) 442-8045 www.lejardinnatchez.com
Linden
Price Range
6 $$ • •
1 Linden Place (601) 445-5472 (800) 2-LINDEN www.lindenbandb.com
Cards Accepted
• P,C •
Laundry Facilities
Swimming Pool
Pets / Children
Handicap Accessible
Private Bath
Historic Home
•
6 Glenfield Lane (601) 442-1002 www.glenfieldplantation.com
Riverfront
Internet Access
4 $$ •
Number of Rooms
Glenfield
BED & BREAKFASTS
•
Magnolia Cottage
1 $$ • •
Magnolia Vale Guest Cottages
2 $$$ • • • • • • •
Marcia’s Cottages
17 $$$ •
35 Homochitto Street (601) 807-5260 www.magnoliacottagebandb.com
29 Learned’s Mill Road (601) 445-8875 (601) 807-9140 www.magnolia–vale.com
(601) 442-1100 (601) 334-0928 (877) 224-1103 www.marciascottages.com
• C •
•
Mark Twain Guesthouse 3 $ • •
• P • •
Monmouth Historic Inn*
30 $$$ • •
•
• C
14 $$$ • •
•
•
•
•
•
25 Silver Street (601) 446-8023 www.underthehillsaloon.com
36 Melrose Avenue (601) 442-5852 (800) 828-4531 www.monmouthhistoricinn.com
Natchez Manor*
600 Franklin Street (601) 442-4441 www.natchezmanor.com
Pleasant Hill
4 $$ • •
•
310 South Pearl Street (601) 442-7674 (866) 442-7674 www.natchezbedandbreakfast.com
Price Code: $ = under $99 $$ = $100 - $149 * Properties with corporate meeting space 18
$$$ = $150 - $249
$$$$ = $250 and up
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Rising Sun
2 $$ • •
303 North Pearl Street (601) 870-3159 (601) 442-2120 www.risingsunnatchezms.com
River Edge Guest Suites
3
$$$
•
•
• •
• C
Cards Accepted
Laundry Facilities
Pets / Children
Private Bath
Riverfront
Swimming Pool
Handicap Accessible
Historic Home
Internet Access
Price Range
Number of Rooms
BED & BREAKFASTS
•
•
•
41 Silver Street (601) 870-1237
Riverside
3 $$$
•
• •
211 Clifton Avenue (601) 446-5730
The Towers
2 $$$ • •
• •
801 Myrtle Avenue (601) 446-6890 www.thetowersofnatchez.com
Twin Oaks
6 $$ • •
Weymouth Hall
3 $$ • • • • • P,C • •
White Turpin House
3 $$$ • • • C • •
71 Homochitto Street (601) 445-0338 (888) 846-6556 www.twinoaksnatchez.com
1 Cemetery Road (601) 445-2304 www.weymouthhall.com
608 Jefferson Street (318) 452-8356 www.whiteturpinhouse.com
Price Code: $ = under $99 $$ = $100 - $149 * Properties with corporate meeting space
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$$$ = $150 - $249
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• • •
$$$$ = $250 and up
Cards Accepted
Boat Launches
Picnic Sites
Swimming Pool
Laundry Facilities
Primitive Sites
Bathhouse
Electricity
Cabins
Spaces
CAMPSITES & RV PARKS
Natchez State Park
4 • • • • • • • •
Plantation Park
37 • • • • • • • •
Riverview RV Park
193 • • • • • • • •
230-B Wickcliff Road (601) 442-2658 www.mdwfp.com
1 Frederick Road, Highway 61 South (601) 442-5222
100 Riverview Parkway, Vidalia, Louisiana (866) 336-1402 (318) 336-1400 www.riverviewrvpark.com
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Restaurants and Catering Dining in Natchez will make you feel like you have died and gone to heaven! Attendees will be raving about Natchez' own brand of southern
cuisine. Many restaurants also accommodate groups who want to meet and eat. One thing is for certain - you won't leave Natchez hungry.
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Restaurants and Catering LOCAL FLAVOR The Carriage House* 1818 At Monmouth Historic Inn 36 Melrose Avenue (601) 442-5852 Bellemont Shake Shop 175 Highway 61 South (601) 445-4581
At Stanton Hall Downtown 401 High Street (601) 445-5151
The Castle Restaurant & Pub* At Dunleith 84 Homochitto Street (800) 433-2445 (601) 446-8500
Big Momma’s Barbeque* 230 John R. Junkin Drive Cock of the Walk* (601) 445-0227 Downtown Biscuits & Blues 200 North Broadway Street (601) 446-8920 Downtown 315 Main Street Cotton Alley Café (601) 446-9922 Downtown 208 Main Street BoBo’s Seafood Buffet 25 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive (601) 442-7452 (601) 304-5802 Dexter's Seafood & Steaks Bowie’s Tavern 175 Hwy. 61 South Downtown (601) 446-9518 100 Main Street (601) 446-9922 E&T’s Barbecue Heaven* Breaud’s Seafood & Steaks Tracetown Mall Downtown 55 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive 511 Main Street (601) 304-2300 (601) 445-8502 El Potro* The Buffet 105 Northgate, Suite A Aboard the Isle of Capri (601) 446-8828 Casino Fat Mama’s Tamales 70 Silver Street Downtown (800) 722-5825 303 South Canal Street (601) 442-4548 Café LaSalle* At the Eola Hotel The Fish House Downtown 414 Highway 61 North 110 North Pearl Street (601) 442-2955 (601) 445-6000 Jughead’s Fish Fry* 105 John R. Junkin Drive (601) 445-8999
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Julep’s Restaurant* At the Eola Hotel Downtown 110 North Pearl Street (601) 445-6000 La Fiesta Grande 288 John R. Junkin Drive (601) 445-0720 La Fiesta Grande II 339 D’Evereux Drive (601) 442-2333 Lil’ Dagos’ Café* 29 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive (601) 304-2221 Magnolia Grill At Natchez-Under-the-Hill 49 Silver Street (601) 446-7670 Malt Shop 4 Homochitto Street (601) 445-4843 Mammy’s Cupboard 555 Highway 61 South (601) 445-8957 Natchez Coffee Company Downtown 509 Franklin Street (601) 304-1415 Paisano’s Italian Grotto Downtown 406 Franklin Street (601) 442-7771 Pearl Street Pasta* Downtown 105 South Pearl Street (601) 442-9284 Pig Out Inn Barbecue* Downtown 116 South Canal Street (601) 442-8050
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Planet Thailand Downtown 116 North Commerce Street (601) 442-4220
McDonald’s - Walmart Walmart Supercenter 314 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive (601) 446-7015
The Wok Natchez Mall 350 John R. Junkin Drive (601) 446-9467
Slick Rick’s Cafe* Downtown 109 North Pearl Street (601) 445-9900
Papa John's Pizza 113 Hwy 61 South 601.445.8500
Highlighted restaurants offer private/group meeting space.
Pizza Hut - North 227 D’Evereux Drive (601) 442-2221
* These restaurants also
Soda Pops Natchez Mall 352 John R. Junkin Drive (601) 304-0000 South China 495 John R. Junkin Drive (601) 442-8548 Taste of Chicago 301 Martin Luther King, Jr. Street (601) 442-1322 The Pavilion* At The Briars 31 Irving Lane (601) 653-0017 Uptown Grocery* 531 South Canal Street (601) 445-9111
FAST & FRIENDLY Burger King - North 421 Highway 61 North (601) 446-5008 Burger King - South At Trace Town Mall 55 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive (601) 442-6711 Dairy Queen/Brazier 245 John R. Junkin Drive (601) 442-3200 Domino’s Pizza 97 Northgate Road (601) 445-6006
Vue Hotel and Restaurant Kentucky Fried Chicken 130 John R. Junkin Drive 24 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive (601) 442-9976 (601) 442-0992 K Café 710 Highway 61 North (601) 446-7364 McDonald’s - North 515 Highway 61 North (601) 442-1118 McDonald’s - South Trace Town Mall 55 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive (601) 442-4787
Pizza Hut South Highway 61 South (601) 446-8421 Popeye’s Famous Fried Chicken & Biscuits Magnolia Mall 261 D’Evereux Drive (601) 445-9482 Ruby Tuesday’s Trace Town Mall 55 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive (601) 445-4463 Shoney’s 26 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive (601) 442-3761 Sonic Drive-In 294 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive (601) 446-8351 Subway 500 John R. Junkin Drive (601) 442-5679 Subway - North 347 D’Evereux Dr., 601.446.9948 Taco Bell 34 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive (601) 445-7494 Taco Casa Natchez Mall 350 John R. Junkin Drive (601) 446-6046
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cater. Check our web site for a complete list of Natchez caterers at www.visitnatchez.org v
Things to See and Do
There‘s always a season and a reason to visit Natchez. Whether you like to bike or kayak, scout for birds or antiques, or visit historic houses and sites, there’s something here for everyone.
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Things to See and Do Natchez Visitor Center
The Natchez Visitor Center is your first stop for information, accommodations, and tour and event tickets. You’ll find all the assistance you need from our professional staff who are here to help you plan your time in our fair city.
Historic Houses Open Year Round Auburn 400 Duncan Avenue (601) 442-5981
For a brief historical overview, scan the interactive displays inside the Visitor Center, and listen to an exciting oral history. Be sure to watch "The Natchez Story," an educational 20-minute film.
Dunleith 84 Homochitto Street (601) 446-8500
Here's a list of services, departments, and amenities you'll find at the Visitor Center:
The House on Ellicott Hill 211 N. Canal Street (601) 443-90665
• Mississippi Welcome Center • Hotel and Bed and Breakfast Reservations • Natchez Pilgrimage Tours • Visitor Planning Assistance • Natchez National Historical Park Service Information • Tour Services Information • Interactive Natchez Exhibits • WiFi • Motorcoach Parking & Lift Station • Restrooms & Vending • Visitor Parking • ADA-accessible The Natchez Logo Gift Shop features unique Southern gift items. The Eastern National Bookstore offers local and regional books and other souvenirs. Note: Administrative Offices of the Natchez Convention & Visitors Bureau are located inside the Visitor Center. Call (601) 446-6345 or (800) 647-6724. For general information, email info@visitnatchez.org.
Historic Charm
Longwood 140 Lower Woodville Road (601) 442-5193 Magnolia Hall 215 South Pearl Street (601) 442-6672 Melrose 1 Melrose-Montebello Parkway (601) 446-5790 Monmouth Historic Inn 36 Melrose Avenue (601) 442-5852 Rosalie D.A. Biglane off Canal Street (601) 445-4555 Stanton Hall 401 High Street (601) 442-6282
Natchez boasts the largest collection of antebellum houses in the entire South, along with other historic attractions, many of which are open year-round.
The Towers 801 Myrtle Avenue (601) 446-6890
Carriage Ride
Linden 1 Linden Place (601) 446-6631
Take a slow and easy horse-drawn carriage tour of the historic downtown area with its vintage architecture and charming streets – a great way to quickly learn about Natchez' history, important sites, and local eateries. Carriage tour tickets can be purchased at the Visitor Center. Carriage rides begin at the corner of Canal and State Streets.
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William Johnson House 210 State Street (601) 445-5345
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Historic Places Of Worship
Historic Parks
Emerald Mound Exit MS-553N to Emerald Mound Road at Natchez Trace milepost 10.3
Clearmount Baptist Church 114 Cemetery Road
First Presbyterian Church Forks of the Road 405 State Street Liberty Road at St. Catherine Street and D'Evereux Drive Holy Family (601) 442-7049 Catholic Church 16 Orange Avenue Grand Village of the Natchez Indians Jefferson Street United 400 Jefferson Davis Blvd. Methodist Church (601) 446-6502 511 Jefferson Street Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church 1782 Pine Ridge Road
Historic Jefferson College US Highway 61 N. in Washington, MS (601) 442-2901
Rose Hill Baptist Church 607 1/2 Madison Street St. John’s Church 323 North Martin Luther King Jr., Street St. Mary Basilica 107 North Union Street Temple B’Nai Israel 213 South Commerce Street Trinity Episcopal Church 305 South Commerce Street Washington Methodist Church 8 miles north of Natchez on Hwy. 61 Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church 228 North Martin Luther King, Jr. Street
Cemeteries
Historic Natchez City Cemetery 2 Cemetery Road (601) 445-5051 Natchez National Cemetery 41 Cemetery Road (601) 445-4981
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Natchez National Historical Park • Melrose 1 Melrose-Montebello Pkwy. (601) 446-5790 • The William Johnson House 212 State Street (601) 445-5345 • National Park Headquarters 640 South Canal Street (601) 442-7047
Museums
Plantation Tours
Frogmore Plantation 11054 Highway 84 Frogmore, LA 318-757-2453/318-757-3333
Winery
Old South Winery 65 South Concord Avenue (601) 445-9924
Shopping
From antiques to boutiques, Natchez has something for everyone on your shopping list - including you. The downtown is brimming with shops, galleries and vintage stores.
Nightlife
On Friday and Saturday nights get ready to snap your fingers and shake your bootie with the music scene at the Under-the-Hill Saloon. There’s always live music at Bowie’s Tavern, Doc Big Love’s, Natchez Manor, and Bobby J’s. Karaoke to your heart’s content at Bowie’s Tavern on Wednesday nights and Doc Big Love’s on Thursday nights. It’s loads of fun.
Casino Gaming
African American History Museum 301 Main Street (601) 445-0728
The thrill of casino gaming is alive and well in Natchez, and can be found down on the river - just like it was back in the days of the Natchez Trace.
Natchez in Historic Photographs 405 State Street (601) 442-2581
Isle of Capri Casino 70 Silver Street (601) 445-0605
Delta Music Museum Ferriday, LA 318-757-9999
Magnolia Bluff Casino Roth Hill Opening December 2012
Rhythm Nightclub Memorial Museum 5 St. Catherine Street (601)597-0557 (601) 442-6597
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Outdoor Recreation
Great Outdoors With its unspoiled views of the Mississippi, its clean air, miles and miles of woodlands, fresh waterways, and abundant wildlife, Natchez is a world-renowned destination for sports people and eco-tourists.
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Outdoor Recreation
Great Outdoors The Homochitto National Forest
Historic Jefferson College Hwy 61 North, Washington, MS (601) 442-2901 Buildings are open Monday - Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Grounds are open from sunup to sundown daily. drp
The Homochitto National Forest is home to both leisurely and challenging bike trails. The forest offers trails for everyone and is well known in the world of cycling.
dprtyN Natchez State Park 230-B Wickcliff Road (601) 442-2658 Natchez State Park offers water sports and excellent fishing, boasting the state’s record large-mouth bass. Ten cabins, a picnic area, and a nature trail are available. There are 50 sites for RV camping and eight primitive sites. prtyN Duncan Park 57 Duncan Park Road Clubhouse (601) 442-5955 Tennis Courts (601) 442-1584 Located in the heart of Natchez, Duncan Park offers biking and running trails with a lovely 18-hole golf course and 8 tennis courts. drp4
Old River Vidalia, LA Old River is a popular fishing spot. If you truly appreciate raw, natural beauty, and have hopes of spotting one of the many large alligators that reside there, then boating on Old River is right up your alley. Ndy
Grand Village of the Natchez Indians 400 Jefferson Davis Boulevard (601) 442-6502 This 128-acre site includes a nature trail great for wildlife observation, birding and photography, a reconstructed Natchez Indian house and three ceremonial mounds The museum features a "touch table" for children and a gift shop. Hours are Monday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Sunday 1:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. dr
. Camping N Fishing d Birding
Hunting
Giles Island (877) 944-5374 www.gilesisland.com Located on the Mississippi River, this 9,400 acre commercial hunting facility offers trophy whitetail deer hunting, turkey hunting, alligator hunting, fishing, trap shooting, group events and corporate retreats. dN
Lake Concordia Ferriday, LA Lake Concordia is approximately 15 miles from Natchez and is an oxbow lake that was once part of the Mississippi River, surrounded by ghostly cypress trees draped with Spanish moss. y3Nd
r Hiking/Walking p Biking 4Golf 28
Tennis
3 Kayaking/Canoeing 1 Boating
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Walking Tours
Stop by the Natchez Visitor Center to find all the information, insider tips and directions you need for these architecturally and historically significant tours. • Grand Houses Tour • African American Heritage Tour • Cemetery Tour • Seasonal guided walking tours of the downtown historic district • The Natchez Trails - Museum of Streets
Lake St. John Ferriday, Louisiana (318) 757-4303 Lake St. John is another oxbow product of the Mississippi. Its 2,100 acres are lined with moss-covered cypress, endless amounts of wildlife, and the sunsets on the lake are fantastic. Public access is available at three launch sites on the lake’s south side. Spokane Resort Boat Rental is located on the highway as you arrive at Lake St. John. The resort has pontoon boats for rent. d31N. Beau Pré Country Club 40 Club Drive (601) 442-8181 Beau Pré Country Club is a semi-private facility that includes one soft surface and three hard surface tennis courts, swimming pool, pro shop, bar & grill, and a championship golf course designed by Mike Young.4 Natchez Trace Parkway 800) 305-7417 www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm The Natchez Trace Parkway is a designated biking route extending 444 miles from Natchez to Nashville, Tennessee. A federal parkway operated by the National Park Service, the Trace offers not only scenic beauty, but many historic markers to lead the visitor through some of the earliest history of the old Southwest Territory. Stop in at the Natchez Visitor Center for a map, or contact info@visitnatchez.org to have one mailed to you. d1Nr.d Natchez Bike Shop 180 Seargent Prentiss Drive (601) 445-4186 Bike sales, service and rentals. p Stan's Rock & Roll Shop 55 Seargent Prentiss Drive (601) 445-9762 Bike sales and rentals. p Everyday Adventure 334 Main Street (601) 392-3079 or (601) 334-6729 Bike and kayak rentals. Guided bike and kayak tours. p3
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Outdoor Recreation
St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge Highway 61 South Sibley, Mississippi (601) 442-6696 www.fws.gov/saintcatherinecreek/ A hiking trail is available for observing wildlife. Fishing is permitted in four lakes during designated dates. Motor vehicles are restricted to public roads and designated parking areas. Camping, open fires and overnight parking are prohibited. Refuge hours are sunrise to sunset. Refuge headquarters are open from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. Closed on federal holidays. Permit required for hunting and fishing. dpry3N
Outdoor Recreation
The Natchez Trails The Natchez Trails will lead you through Natchez' history where you will enjoy the architectural treasures of one of the most historically intact towns in the United States. Interpretive panels placed along the trails detail the people, places, and events that influenced the history of our river town.
The Natchez Nature Trail crosses the base of Bluff Park. Walkers may enter the trail from stairs on the south and the north end. Cyclists may only enter the trail from the center point off of Roth Hill Road. rp
On the Bluff Trail, you will see the panoramic view of the Mississippi River, like that seen by Natchez Indians before the 1700s. On the North and South trails, you can walk the sidewalks of the streets laid out by the Spanish before 1800 and see the grand homes of cotton planters, the modest quarters of enslaved peoples, and the bustling post-Civil-War retail district. The St. Catherine Street Trail will take you through some surprising aspects of Natchez history out to the Forks of the Road slave market site.
Historical Bluff Trail (.78 miles)
Historical South Trail (1.64 miles)
Historical North Trail (1.35 miles)
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Nature Trail (.43 miles)
St. Catherine Street Trail (.85 miles)
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Annual Festivals and Events Natchez is a destination for all seasons. From Spring's first buds to the twinkling lights of the holidays, Natchez' charms are sure to intoxicate.
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Annual Festivals and Events JANUARY
H Mardi Gras Celebrations
FEBRUARY
APRIL
JUNE
H Natchez Spring Pilgrimage H Natchez Juneteenth H Historic Natchez Tableaux
H Mardi Gras Celebrations
H Natchez Little Theatre's Southern Exposure
H Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration
H Southern Road To Freedom
MARCH
H Songs of the South
H St. Patrick's Day Celebration H Natchez Spring Pilgrimage H Historic Natchez Tableaux H Southern Road to Freedom H Pow-Wow at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians
JULY
H Natchez Bluff Blues Festival H Serenade in the Cemetery H Symphony of Home and Gardens Tour
MAY
H Natchez Festival of Music H Soul Survivor Music Festival H Ferriday Songfest
OCTOBER
H Natchez Fall Pilgrimage H Amos Polk’s Voices Of Hope
H Blessing of the Flotilla and Fireworks on Lake St. John
H Phatwater Kayak Race
H 4th of July Celebrations Fireworks on the Bluff
H Woodville Deer & Wildlife Festival
H Natchez Food and Wine Festival
AUGUST
H Great Mississippi River Balloon Race
NOVEMBER
H Pilgrimage Garden Club's Annual Antiques Forum
H Natchez Food and Wine Festival
H Angels on the Bluff Cemetery Tour
H Bowie Knife Show
H Christmas in Natchez
SEPTEMBER H Jim Bowie Festival H Bark in the Park
H Black & Blue Civil War Reenactment
DECEMBER
H Frogmore Cotton Picking H Christmas in Natchez & Ginning H Victorian Christmas Luncheon H Delta Music Festival H Library Tour of Homes H Natchez Little Theatre's A Natchez Christmas Carol H Natchez Festival of Music’s Christmas Concert H Children’s Victorian Christmas For a complete listing of Natchez events, go to www.visitnatchez.org or www.visitnatchez.mobi. v
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Itineraries Itineraries
Regional Itineraries Adding to Natchez' allure are the enticements of her nearby neighbors. Travel professionals and tour operators alike will find inspiration and ease in planning an unforgettable experience for groups of all sizes.
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Itineraries
Regional Itineraries The Natchez Trace Tour
Natchez to Port Gibson, Mississippi: 44 Miles Make Emerald Mound your first stop along the Trace. A National Historic Landmark, Emerald Mound is the ceremonial grounds of an ancient Indian tribe. Next you’ll want to take a rambling drive through the historic Church Hill Community – home of the beautiful Springfield Plantation. Continuing on up the Parkway you’ll come to Mount Locust, which dates back to 1780. From here, we suggest you head on up the Trace to Lorman, then turn left on Highway 553 to Alcorn State University, the first land-grant college for African Americans in the United States. Continue until you see the Windsor Ruins. The Windsor Ruins are the remains of the largest antebellum Greek Revival mansion built in Mississippi. Continue on Highway 553 to the Shaifer House, where you can practically hear the echoes of the opening shots fired in the infamous Battle of Port Gibson, back in 1863. Next you’ll encounter the graceful historic homes and churches of Port Gibson that managed to survive the war after General Grant stated that the town was “too beautiful to burn.” Travel a few miles north to visit the Grand Gulf Military Park, a 400-acre landmark with two forts, Civil War battle site, and museum with exhibits. Return to Port Gibson to drive down beautiful Church Street, where you’ll find a stunning parade of remarkable historic homes and marvelous old churches. While in Port Gibson, you’ll not want to miss the No Easy Journey exhibit, a collection of photographs and objects from the Civil Rights Movement. After this, take a stop at the Cultural Crossroads, a quilters’ workshop and colorful gallery of award-winning quilts. On your way back to Natchez via Highway 61 South, be sure to make a stop at the Old Country Store, just south of Port Gibson, for some of the best Southern fried chicken you’ve ever tasted.
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Natchez to Vicksburg, Mississippi: 72 Miles On Highway 61, drive about 72 miles north to the Vicksburg Battlefield Museum to learn all about the Vicksburg campaign and the 47-day siege. The museum is also home to one of the largest collections of Civil War battleship replicas in the country. Be sure to view the film, "The Vanishing Glory," about the siege and fall of Vicksburg. Afterwards, head on over to the Old Courthouse Museum. This 1800s courthouse is packed with Civil War and antebellum artifacts. At some point during your trip, be sure to stop and treat yourself to genuine Southern cuisine at one of the many fine restaurants in Vicksburg’s downtown area. Then make your way out to the Vicksburg National Military Park. The park features two museums, a film, a 16-mile tour road with over 1,300 monuments, the Union gunboat USS Cairo, and a national cemetery. It’s an extraordinary park that you will not want to miss.
Receptive Tour Operator
Conveniently located inside the Natchez Visitor Center, Natchez Pilgrimage Tours (NPT) has been coordinating tours of Natchez for over 75 years. NPT offers a one-call booking service for groups, which includes: • Unique, Customized Itineraries • Musical Entertainment and Special Events • House Tours • Garden Tours • Cemetery Tours • Living History Tours • Special Dining Experiences • Accommodations •Step-on Guides • Foreign Language Guides
Call (601) 446-6631 or (800) 647-6742 for general information or email visit@natchezpilgrimage.com. For tour In Vicksburg there are also numerous antebellum properties information, email tours@natchezpilgrimage.com. and beautiful homes to tour. v
The Woodville and St. Francisville Tour
Natchez to Woodville, Mississippi: 37 Miles Woodville to St. Francisville, Louisiana: 24 Miles It’s quite worth your while to motor down Highway 61 South to visit the quaint Town Square of Woodville, Mississippi, and to tour the beautiful plantation homes of charming St. Francisville, Louisiana. When you get to Woodville, investigate the Old Courthouse. You’ll find many lovely antiques at the Main Street Market, and you can grab a tasty bite to eat at the Market Café. Before you leave the square, step into the Wilkinson County Museum to learn more about the expansive history of the county. Rosemont Plantation, childhood home of Jefferson Davis,
can be found just three miles down Highway 24 East. It’s a short drive from there to the spectacular Clark Creek Falls Area where you’ll get a taste of the outdoors, with its woodland hiking trails and waterfalls. Back on Highway 61 South, it’s only a few more miles to St. Francisville, Louisiana where you can visit the Historic District with its charming shops and Historical Society Museum; and enjoy delicious Southern cuisine in one of several great restaurants. The Town of St. Francisville offers many beautiful plantation homes, including lovely Rosedown, a National Historic Landmark. You’ll also want to stop at the famous Angola Prison to visit the fascinating and historic Prison Museum.
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Itineraries Itineraries
The Vicksburg Tour
Natchez History
The Story of Natchez
Although each town in America has its history, few are as dramatic, culturally significant, and well-preserved as that of Natchez, the birthplace of the state of Mississippi.
The first recorded residents, the Natchez Indians, occupied the area now known as Natchez for many centuries. A sun-worshipping tribe, the Natchez built multiple mounds and an extensive village, including the magnificent Emerald Mound, a National Historic Landmark. The Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, also a National Historic Landmark, served as a center for ceremonial activities and the home of their Chief. The Natchez occupied the Grand Village from approximately 1200 A.D. until the French forced them out of the area around 1730. Spain, France, and Great Britain all left their mark on the Natchez region. In the late 1600s, French expeditions traveling down the Mississippi began making contacts with the Natchez, beginning in 1682 with the La Salle Expedition. They met
members of the Natchez along the banks of the river, and soon French traders and soldiers began to stop and trade with the tribe. In 1698, Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville established an alliance with the Natchez Indians, and Natchez became a center for trade and commerce. In 1716, the French founded Fort Rosalie atop the Natchez bluff to protect their trading post. The French colony continued growing throughout the 1720s as relationships between the French and the Natchez became strained, leading to several conflicts. The presence of English agents in the area led to an internal divide in the Natchez nation. With war raging in Europe between France and Britain, both fought for Native American allies. When The Great Sun, Chief of the Natchez and a key French ally, died in 1728, the pro-English faction of the tribe took control. The Natchez then revolted against the French in late 1729, killing hundreds of French men, women, and children at Fort Rosalie. Over the next few years, the French retaliated, and by 1732 they had killed a great number of the Natchez, capturing many more, while sending the remaining Indians out of their homeland. They effectively ended the Natchez nation. The Natchez district remained in French control until England defeated France in the Seven Years' War, known in America as the French and Indian War. After their defeat, France ceded all of their territory east of the Mississippi River, except New Orleans, to Great Britain, thus making Natchez a part of the British Empire. The Natchez population continued an upward trend for several years and the British eventually created the Natchez district as a subdivision of British West Florida. After defeat in the Revolutionary War, British ceded control of the territory to the United States in the 1783 Treaty of Paris. However, the Treaty of Paris did not solve the divide between the United States and Spanish Florida, with Natchez at the focal point of the dispute. Spain occupied Natchez beginning in 1779, and maintained control for the next twelve years. The Spanish were responsible for planning the layout of the present town of Natchez in the 1790s. Low taxes and generous land grants attracted many new settlers to the region, and the Natchez district continued to grow and prosper. The number of African slaves increased to an estimated 2,400 by the mid-1790s. By the late 1790s, Natchez had become a cosmopolitan area known for its characters and culture. It had become an international town, with inhabitants from all of the various countries that had controlled the district: French, British, Spanish, and Americans, as well. American Indians still walked the streets of Natchez. In 1797, President George Washington sent Andrew Ellicott to negotiate a withdrawal of the Spanish. He raised an American
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Natchez History
flag on what is today the House on Ellicott’s Hill. The Spanish withdrew on March 30, 1798, and one week later the United States Congress established the Mississippi Territory. Famous Natchez-Under-the-Hill became the starting point for the Natchez Trace, a 444-mile road, nicknamed "The Devil’s Backbone," linking Natchez to Nashville, Tennessee. In 1802, Jefferson College was chartered as the first institution of higher learning in Mississippi. In 1803, the Mississippi Territory incorporated the town of Natchez, and in 1817, Mississippi became the 20th state admitted to the Union, with Natchez acting as the first state capital. Though the city of Jackson became Mississippi's capitol in 1822, Natchez remained the cultural and economic center of the state. Throughout the first half of the 1800s, Natchez remained the economic engine of the state, continuing expansion of the cotton industry and the bustling Natchez port. Steamboats were a major source of transportation, with the first steamboat departing Natchez with a bale of cotton en route to New Orleans in 1812. During the era of the cotton boom, slave traders operated the Forks of the Road slave market, the second largest in the Deep South. Natchez also maintained the largest population of free people of color in Mississippi. Natchez survived the Civil War, and its beauty and majesty remained largely intact. Adams County voted against secession, but more than 1,000 Natchez men joined the Confederate forces. More than twice as many enslaved men in the area escaped to freedom and service with the Union forces. Following the war, the economy of Natchez bounced back quickly due to its position on the Mississippi River and the addition of new industries, such as logging. Natchez led the state in the number of African American public officials during Reconstruction and sent two of the first African Americans to the U. S. Congress. At the turn of the 1900s, steamboat traffic on the river began to decline due to the expansion of railroads, with the local economy following a similar trend. Industries such as International Paper brought economic progress and growth to the city at mid-century, but the booming economy of the 1800s would never be matched again Farming, timber, commerce, and the discovery of oil in Southwest Mississippi kept the Natchez economy afloat throughout the 1900s. A 1931 garden tour hosted by the Natchez Garden Club gave birth to the first planned Spring Pilgrimage tour of antebellum homes in 1932 and marked the beginning of cultural tourism, which has remained a major industry. Annual events, along with the intrigue and grandeur of the city, continue to make Natchez an amazing destination. v
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Maps & Information
Downtown Natchez and Surrounding Area
NATCHEZ VISITORS CENTER
Natchez is located on the southwestern edge of Mississippi, overlooking the Mississippi River. The area has excellent four-lane highway access from all points. Here, US Highways 61, 84, and 98 intersect, connecting the cities of Baton Rouge, Monroe, Memphis, Jackson, and Mobile – all with regional and international airports. Interstate 55 is sixty miles east of Natchez via US Highway 84. The Natchez Trace Parkway, a 444-mile national park, originates in Natchez and winds through Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee.
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Distance from Natchez: Alexandria, LA .................70 miles Baton Rouge, LA ............ 90 miles
AL ABAM A
Jackson, MS ....................115 miles New Orleans, LA ...........172 miles
MI S S IS S IP P I
Memphis, TN................. 290 miles Houston, TX ................. 308 miles Birmingham, AL .......... 337 miles Dallas, TX ..................... 356 miles Nashville, TN ............... 484 miles
Natchez Weather
LO U I SI A NA
Natchez enjoys a mild climate with an abundance of sunshine, but with enough precipitation to make lush and varied gardens beautiful. MONTH HI/LO
Transportation
January
Natchez' compact downtown provides great savings on transportation with hotels, restaurants, and attractions located conveniently within walking distance of the Natchez Convention Center and most off-site venues. Horse-drawn carriages are also a fun, unique option.
Adams County Airport Enterprise Rent-A Car 321 D’Evereux Drive (800) 736-8222 (601) 442-4600
Natchez Bus Terminal & Charter Services
Alexandria International Airport (318) 449-4642 70 miles from Natchez
Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (225) 355-0333 90 miles from Natchez
103 Lower Woodville Road Jackson (800) 981-7743 (601) 445-5291 Fares International Airport & Schedules (800) 231-2222 or www. (601) 939-5631 greyhound.com
Natchez Transit
800 Washington Street (601) 445-7564 OR (601) 445-7568
Miss-Lou Taxi
105 miles from Natchez
New Orleans International Airport
(601) 442-7500
(504) 464-0831 170 miles from Natchez
Magnolia Carriage Co.
AMTRAK
C: (601) 807-0802
Southern Carriage Tours H: (601) 442-2151 C: (601) 431-0452
Brookhaven, Mississippi (800) 872-7245 www.amtrak.com 64 miles from Natchez
February 63/40 March
70/47
April
78/55
May
84/62
June
90/69
Several full-service banks with ATMs are conveniently located in downtown Natchez.
July
92/71
August
92/70
• Britton & Koontz First National Bank 500 Main Street (601) 445-5576
October
The Natchez-Adams County Airport is an excellent facility with a 6,500-foot runway able to host landings of Boeing 737s and DC9s, as well as smaller craft. 434 Airport Road (601) 442-5171
59/38
Banks
• Concordia Bank 300 Main Street (601) 445-7766 • Regions Bank 320 Franklin Street (601) 445-2600 • United Mississippi Bank 203 S. Commerce Street ATM at 211 Main Street (601) 445-7000
1. 8 0 0. 6 47. 672 4 • w w w.v i sit n at c he z .or g
39
September 87/66 79/54
November 68/45 December 62/40
Taxes
Rooms: State & Local Tax: 10 % Occupancy Tax: $2.00 Restaurant Tax: 8.5 %
Maps & Information
Natchez Area Mileage
1.800.647.6724 www.visitnatchez.org www.visitnatchez.mobi
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