From Visit Mississippi, a partner of Southern Lady
Traveling the Trace
Explore the natural beauty, rich history, and enticing culture of Mississippi as you make your way along the celebrated Natchez Trace. Originally forged by American Indians and later adopted by traders, the Natchez Trace was the primary route from the Mississippi River to inland cities, including Jackson, the Shoals area of Alabama, and eventually Nashville, Tennessee. From natural wonders and landmarks to arts and culture, visitors will discover untold sites worthy of a stop.
Plan your trip at visitmississippi.org.
Sample the Diverse Local Flavor
Campgrounds and picnic areas along the trail are great for enjoying a meal, but for a taste of local Southern cooking, travelers will be delighted by the many options in the area. In Natchez, try The Little Easy for brunch staples like Jerk Waffles with Chicken, or explore the menu at Rolling River Reloaded with its soulful Sunday brunch that includes fried catfish and greens. Vicksburg presents quite a few options, like The Tomato Place (with a best-selling fried green tomato BLT) and Relish Bistro for a Southern dinner. Jackson features Brent’s Drugs, a 1940s soda fountain-themed eatery with tasty burgers, shakes, and a notable olive egg salad. Or, for some distinctive local specialties, check out Big Apple Inn, known for tamales, smoked sausage, and a pig’s ear sandwich. Finally, Local 463 in Ridgeland will satisfy the heartiest appetite with Everything-Crusted Tuna served with spicy cheese grits and tomato relish.
Learn about the Area’s Rich History
Experience the rich history of the area, beginning with the remnants of the ancient American Indian mound-building civilizations through the American Revolution and the Civil Rights Era. Stops include:
• The Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum
• Mississippi Civil Rights Museum
• Museum of Mississippi History
• Emerald Mound Site
• Mount Locust historic house
• Rocky Springs historic site
Browse Unique Shopping Options
The Mississippi cities and towns off the Natchez Trace offer a variety of boutiques, shops, and art districts to explore. Make time to stop at The Shopkeep Co. and other Capitol Street shops in Jackson as well as the William Lowe “Bill” Waller Sr. Craft Center in Ridgeland. Don’t miss the studios and galleries of the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi in Pearl.
Experience the Region
Before embarking on a trip along the Trace from Natchez, be sure to book a Biscuits 101 class with chef Regina Charboneau. After a long and storied career cooking around the country, Regina returned to her native Natchez and now offers a variety of culinary workshops. For more information, visit reginaskitchen.com. Plus, it wouldn’t be a trip to Mississippi without live music. Travelers will find Smoot’s Grocery, a beautifully restored music venue that offers live local and regional music on Friday and Saturday nights, along with family-friendly catfish fries on Sunday afternoons.
Start planning your getaway along the Natchez Trace today at visitmississippi.org.
