|
Visiting the Miss-Lou
by Clarisse Washington
Historic Downtown: Between Main and Franklin
streets is the hub of Old Natchez with tree-lined streets, old homes,
plenty of places to walk and view restored historic properties.
Restaurants, antiques and gift shops, banks, bars. Very visitor
friendly. Safe day and night. Call the Chamber of Commerce for specific
sites worth visiting, 601-445-4611.
Vidalia Riverfront: A mile-long river walk
and the best views of the Mississippi River highlight this spectacular
collage of scenery of new facilities including restaurants, a hotel and
amphitheater. The river walk is the perfect place to unwind, relax and
get a touch of exercise.
Delta Music Museum: A restored post office
in downtown Ferriday offers a glimpse into the lives of Ferriday’s most
famous musical natives: Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley, Jimmy Swaggart,
and PeeWee Whittaker. Free admission, 318-757-9999.
Natchez Visitor Reception Center: Offers an
orientation to the area through exhibits, maps, brochures and displays.
Located next to the Mississippi River Bridge, the center features “The
Natchez Story,” a good cinematic introduction to the history and culture
of the region, 800-647-6724.
Duncan Park: Nice tennis facilities and
18-rounds of golf, picnic tables, driving range, handicapped accessible
playground, nice biking and walking. Golf just $26 weekdays, $29
weekends, cart included. Inexpensive recreation, 601-442-5955.
Longwood and Rosalie: These homes offer the
best of the best tours of pre-Civil War mansions. Longwood, an
unfinished octagonal house (800-647-6742), and Rosalie, with its
original furnishings and beautiful gardens (601-445-4555), have great
family histories.
Antebellum Home Touring: Natchez Pilgrimage
Tours offers individual and group tickets to antebellum mansions
year-round. Fall and Spring Pilgrimages offer more than 30 homes on
tour, all restored, beautifully furnished with priceless antiques, art
and collectibles. Many homes feature exquisite gardens and landscaped
grounds, 800-647-6742.
Isle of Capri Casino: This steamboat replica
offers Las Vegas-style gambling, dining, entertainment, and recreation
and is docked at Natchez Under-the-Hill right on the river,
800-722-5825.
Downtown Carriage Ride: The guides know just
about every story about every building and the people who lived there
during Natchez’s historic past. Get tickets from the drivers themselves
at the Canal Street Depot. Carriage rides are just $15 per person, $5
for children age 12 and under, a real value when you consider the
quality and beauty of the tour.
Grand Village of the Natchez Indians: A
historic site and museum commemorate the Natchez Native American
culture. Mounds rebuilt, nature trail, picnic tables, tree-covered
grounds. Free admission. School and civic groups welcome,
601-446-6502.
Natchez in Historic Photographs: Nearly 100
years of Natchez history is captured in photos hung on the walls of
Stratton Chapel of First Presbyterian Church. More than 300 photographs
from the 1850s-1950s. Free admission, donation requested, 601-442-4751.
Natchez Museum of African-American History:
This museum on Main Street offers more than 600 artifacts that interpret
the life, history and culture of black Americans in Mississippi from the
1890s to the 1950s, 601-445-0728.
Historic Jefferson College: The oldest
educational institution in the state is now a museum; the 19th century
school buildings detail the history of this military prep school, nature
trails and picnic area, school tours welcome, 601-442-2901.
Natchez National Historic Park: The park
includes two properties, Melrose and the William Johnson House. Melrose
is a stately antebellum home built in 1848, situated in a lovely
park-like setting. Outbuildings are preserved. Tours are offered. The
William Johnson House is a three-story townhouse, once owned by a free
black businessman. (The Johnson House is under reconstruction.),
601-442-7407.
St. Catherine Creek Wildlife Refuge: This
25,000 acre refuge, located along the Mississippi River from Cloverdale
Road to the Homochitto River, offers a nature trail, fishing, hunting
and wildlife watching opportunities, 601-442-6696.
Natchez City Cemetery: This cemetery was
established in 1821 and contains graves dating to the 1700s. Many of
Natchez’s historic figures are buried here. Tours are available,
601-445-5051.
Websites:
www.seevidalia.com &
www.cityofnatchez.com |
