The Natchez Trace Tour
DAY 1
NATCHEZ TO PORT GIBSON 43 miles
PORT GIBSON TO RAYMOND 43 miles
RAYMOND TO JACKSON 17 miles
Total - 103 miles
Natchez is one of America’s most charming towns. Grand antebellum mansions and the scenic Mississippi River offer a setting you won’t soon forget. Before you leave for your trip along the Trace, you’ll want to spend several days in Natchez to take in everything it has to offer. About 40 miles outside of Natchez is the town of Port Gibson, third oldest city in Mississippi. With many historic homes and churches, it’s not hard to see why General U.S. Grant declared Port Gibson “too beautiful to burn.” Ironically, one if its most historic sites, the nearby Ruins of Windsor, caught fire at the hands of a careless smoker. Be sure to stop and photograph the Ruins of Windsor with its giant columns that mark what is left of this once stately Greek Revival mansion. In Raymond, you’ll find picturesque charm and Civil War history. An interesting driving tour highlights the historic Hinds County Courthouse (1859) and the Dupree House (1878). The Confederate Cemetery and the Civil War Battlefield with its walking trail offer opportunities to explore where history was made in 1863. Spend the night in Jackson, the state’s capital city, which offers plenty of lodging, dining and entertainment options.
DAY 2
JACKSON TO RIDGELAND 12 miles
RIDGELAND TO KOSCIUSKO 60 miles
Total - 72 miles
Start your second day in Jackson by taking in some of its historical sites and attractions. The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, located in a 300-acre natural area, showcases the state’s rich natural heritage through lifelike displays and over 100,000 gallons of aquariums. Just across the street, the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum brings Mississippi’s rich agricultural heritage to life. Jackson’s Civil Rights Movement Driving Tour highlights significant sites such as the home of slain civil-rights leader Medgar Evers. After lunch, stop by the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion, the official residence of Mississippi’s First Families since 1842, and the second oldest continuously occupied gubernatorial residence in the United States. As you depart Jackson, stop at the Mississippi Craft Center in Ridgeland. It features works of over 150 artisans, who are members of the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi. Kosciusko is one of the oldest remaining settlements on the Natchez Trace. With its historic downtown square and 100- year-old Attala County Courthouse, Kosciusko has been designated as one of America’s 100 best small towns. Enjoy some of the nationally-known antiques shops, restaurants and overnight accommodations. Attractions include the Kosciusko Museum and Information Center. Kosciusko is also the site of the annual Natchez Trace Festival, held each year on the last Saturday in April.
DAY 3
KOSCIUSKO TO TUPELO 104 miles
After staying the night in Kosciusko, start your third day on the Trace headed for your next stop, Tupelo, located in the hills of northeast Mississippi. The most famous landmark of Tupelo’s modern history is Elvis Presley’s two-room house where he was born on January 8, 1935. The city is also home to the Tupelo Automobile Museum, Tupelo Buffalo Park, two area National Battlefield sites, the Oren Dunn City Museum and the Natchez Trace Parkway headquarters. In addition, guests can enjoy visual and performing arts through ballet, art exhibitions and wonderful productions by the symphony, community concerts and theatre. Festivals include the Blue Suede Cruise featuring hundreds of classic cars, the Gum Tree Festival showcasing original artwork by regional artists and the Elvis Presley Festival presenting top-notch live entertainment. Spend all day—or several days—enjoying Tupelo’s unique blend of special events, shopping venues and restaurants.