Day Trip to Natchez, MS

Before Christmas break started I told my husband that I wanted to visit Natchez, MS during the break.  With the price of gas continuing to fall, the need to get out and explore was high.  Between Christmas, my daughter’s birthday, New Years and rain, our last chance to visit Natchez, MS was Sunday, January 4^th – the last day of my break!  Even though the high was only going be in the 40s and with it being Sunday, so not as many places are open we still decided to make the trip.  It took us just about an hour to drive North to Natchez.

Our first stop was the Natchez Visitor Center located at 640 South Canal Street.  While I had a plan of where we were going to visit, I still like to browse brochures for our next trip.  The visitor center also offers museum like exhibits and 20 minute video about the history of Natchez along with a river boat wheel and dioramas – which S loved and couldn’t get enough of.  You can also purchase tickets to tour antebellum homes, tickets to local events, and carriage rides.  There are a couple gift shops and of course restrooms. 

Melrose

Back in the car, we headed straight to Melrose which is operated by the National Park Service (NPS).  We opted with S in tow not to do the house tour.  We have been on several house tours and I know that they are not fun for S.  Instead we decided to explore the grounds and take our Mississippi photo for our Photo Travel Map.  If you would like to tour the home there is a fee, however there is no fee to just visit the grounds – awesome! 

Here is some history on Melrose:  In 1841, John McMurran purchased 132 acres of land and spent the next eight years constructing the estate’s mansion and outbuildings using free and slave labor.  Melrose was considered to be the finest home in the Natchez region.  After the Civil War, the owners of Melrose leased fields to newly freed African American families to plant cotton.  The property was acquired by the National Park Service in 1990 and represents one of the most completely preserved antebellum estates in Natchez.  If you would like to read more about Melrose please visit the NPS website.  

The wonderful thing about visiting an antebellum home when they are not busy is that S can run and boy did she ever.  She ran, collected nuts, attempted a tree climb, played with sticks and splashed in her fair share of puddles.  She even found the cutest rocker benches.  And guess what I was able to get her to pose for a bunch of photos and she even took one of my husband and me 🙂

By this point we were all getting hungry, so off we headed to downtown Natchez for some BBQ.

*Please be aware that the exterior of the main house was undergoing restoration when I visited. 

Pig Out Inn BBQ

Pig Out Inn BBQ  is a fun place with quick service and good food.  You order at the counter and as soon as you fill your drink cup your food is ready!  The décor is awesome at Pig Out Inn BBQ with tables made from old doors covered in glass and mismatched chairs.  And let me tell you about the food – yum!  The sandwiches are served with their warm BBQ on the side, so you can make your sandwich as messy as you want!  The sides were full of flavor too and with such a variety there is something for everyone.   

On your way in or out you have to get a picture with the pig out front 🙂 

Downtown Natchez

With it being Sunday, there was really nothing open in downtown Natchez but we went ahead and walked around anyways.  It did make it nice and quiet to be able to take pictures 🙂  The buildings and churches were beautiful including Magnolia Hall owned by the Natchez Garden Club.

On our way back to the car, S pulled us into a what looked like a small park.  Little did we know that the park ran the whole backside of St. Mary’s Bastille and included a large fountain full of Koi.  

Mammy’s Cupboard

Mammy’s Cupboard use to be a gas station and restaurant in the 1940s and was built to attract visitors. During the civil rights movement in the 60s, her face was painted lighter.  Today the fun building is still a restaurant, although it was not open when we stopped.  We will have to try again on our next trip because I’ve heard really good things about their desserts.  But bring cash because they do not take credit cards.  Located on US 61 south of Natchez.

We really enjoyed our day in Natchez and I cannot wait to revisit again soon.  There are so many places yet to explore. 

On a side note, our day trip only cost us $10.40 in gas and $22.00 for lunch so for $32.40 we had a wonderful adventure.

Edit: We have returned to Natchez several times including a trip on the Natchez Trace Parkway, camping at Natchez State Park and exploring the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians.