riverboat in natchez mississippi

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Steamboat NATCHEZ

• Toulouse Street and the Mississippi River, New Orleans, LA 70130 ( Directions ) | P: (504) 569-1401 | F: (504) 587-0708
• Toulouse Street and the Mississippi River, New Orleans, LA 70130 ( Directions ) P: (504) 569-1401 F: (504) 587-0708
• Toulouse Street and the Mississippi River New Orleans, LA 70130 ( Directions ) P: (504) 569-1401 F: (504) 587-0708
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Harbor jazz brunch and dinner jazz cruises on the last authentic steamboat on the Mississippi River. Enjoy a unique visit to the engine room to see the workings of 100-year-old steam engines, it is timeless.

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River Boat Tours in Natchez, Mississippi

Natchez, Mississippi, is the oldest settlement in Mississippi. Natchez is a city full of history, with ornate antebellum mansions and its historic downtown; 14 of the beautifully landscaped antebellum mansions are open to the public to walk through and visit. A visit to historic downtown Natchez requires no transportation as you can walk everywhere. Downtown houses many restaurants, old-world style shops, and the riverwalk along the Mississippi River, and you can take a riverboat tour on the Mighty Mississippi.

Natchez Dinner Jazz Cruise

Head to the historic town of Natchez, Mississippi, and board the Natchez Steamboat for a dinner cruise and Mississippi River tour. This two-hour dinner cruise paddles along the banks of the Mississippi and includes a buffet dinner and live jazz music. Sit outside along the deck to enjoy the scenic views of Natchez and the banks of the Mississippi River. Enjoy breathtaking views of the city of Natchez during your dinner cruise. Price and availability vary.

Natchez Dinner Jazz Cruise 400 N. Peters St., Suite 203 New Orleans, LA 70130 800-233-2628 Steamboatnatchez.com

Mississippi Queen

Board the Mississippi Queen for a Mississippi Riverboat tour that lasts anywhere from three to 12 days. See the sights of the Mississippi along the shores of New Orleans, Natchez, and Gulfport. The Mississippi Queen houses a swimming pool, deck, and fitness room for guests, as well as a salon, theater, and several bars for your Mississippi riverboat tour enjoyment. The Mississippi Queen holds 1,000 passengers and cruise lengths vary. Choose to embark in one city and disembark in any of the others. Contact the cruise line for more information regarding ports, prices, and availability.

Mississippi Queen P.O. Box 60046 New Orleans, LA 70160 504-522-2551 1cruise.com

Natchez Harbor Cruise

The Steamboat Natchez takes you on a daytime cruise from the French Quarter up the Mississippi for a riverboat tour of the banks of the river and their accompanying cities, such as Natchez. The tour offers live narration about the different ports along the cruise and also an optional creole lunch. The steam room is museum quality and is open for visitors to tour during their cruise on the Mighty Mississippi. Price and availability vary.

Natchez Harbor Cruise 400 N. Peters St., Suite 203 New Orleans, LA 70130 800-233-2628 Steamboatnatchez.com

• Destination360.com: Natchez Mississppi
• Destination360.com: Mississippi River Cruises
• Steamboatnatchez.com: Harbor Jazz Cruises
• 1cruise.com: The Magnificent Mississippi Queen

About the Author

Tiffany Raiford has several years of experience writing freelance. Her writing focuses primarily on articles relating to parenting, pregnancy and travel. Raiford is a graduate of Saint Petersburg College in Florida.

Photo Credits

• Mississippi alligator, portrait image by Lars Lachmann from Fotolia.com

The Meandering Traveler

A Travel Blog with Travel Tips and Interesting Facts

Top Attractions in Natchez for Mississippi River Cruisers Part 1

Fast forward from the 1800s to 2022. Arriving at Natchez, MS , by riverboat, cruisers see much of the same Mississippi River scenery that Mark Twain did from a 19th century steamboat. But what are the top attractions?

What should travelers see and do ashore?  Here’s Part One of our two-part series about what to see and do in Natchez.

Exploring by Riverboat

First, a bit about “getting there.” Natchez is a popular port of call for Lower Mississippi river cruises. Many voyages sail roundtrip from New Orleans or between New Orleans and Memphis, TN .

In addition, for consumers seeking the “full shebang” on the Mississippi River, some voyages sail more than 1,100 miles between New Orleans, LA, and St. Paul, MN .

Two veteran Mississippi River “sailors” are American Cruise Lines (ACL) and American Queen Voyages (AQV). New in June 2022, Viking River Cruises will start sailing the Missisippi River as well.

Tour operators also offer guests options on some of those cruises. For example, Tauck offers an 11-day “Life on the Mississippi” vacation on AQV’s American Duchess .

For the full range of voyage options (including sailing dates, itineraries, pricing, accommodations and add-ons), contact your travel advisor or read the Important Note from Pavlus Travel at the end of this story.

Our focus instead with this blog is “the destination.” We hope to offer helpful tidbits and suggestions for shoreside fun.

So, here’s Part One of our two-part blog series about “Top Natchez Attractions for River Cruisers.” Check back next week for Part Two.

1. Top Attractions: Natchez Under the Hill 

Most river cruise vessels arrive at Natchez Under the Hill, nestled below soaring riverside bluffs. The city itself is atop the bluffs.

In the 19th century and early 20th centuries, this area was — to put it bluntly — a seedy area that bustled with gambling, drinking and brothels.

Today, it’s a relatively quiet, lovely spot for a riverside stroll. Plus, you’ll also find a few places to dine, enjoy a brew or shop.

To reach Natchez’s downtown, there are two options. Active travelers might enjoy hiking up the hill and walking into the city.

Most travelers, though, will opt to board the cruise lines’ “on-off” or shore excursion motorcoaches. That makes for an easier journey to the top and beyond. Shuttles and taxis can be arranged too.

2. Top Attractions: Grand Village of the Natchez Indians 

Natchez’s historical and cultural influences are eclectic. Long before French explorers arrived, indigenous Natchez Indians lived in the Natchez area.

Not far from downtown Natchez is the 128-acre Grand Village of the Natchez Indians. If you go, you’ll see three prehistoric native American mounds and a museum.

Separately, the area’s Natchez Trace Federal Parkway is now a scenic highway under the auspices of the U.S. National Park Service. This trace (or trail) was a footpath originally used by the Natchez Indians and other native American tribes.

Centuries ago, trappers/fur traders also used the trace to bring goods to/from Mississippi River vessels. Today, the parkway is a lovely drive with pretty eco-scenery ( see photo above ).  Hiking trails and a designated biking trail also await.

Viking Shore Excursion

When it begins cruising in June , Viking River Cruises plans to offer a “ Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, Emerald Mound and Fort Rosalie ” shore excursion; that’s just one of many shore excursions it will offer for Natchez.

Over three or so hours, this shore trip will provide an enticing look at the history and culture of the Natchez people. The first stop will be along the Natchez Trace.

Cruisers will visit Emerald Mound , North America’s second largest temple mound, likely a  political and ceremonial center.

Afterward, Viking’s guests will visit the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians (see one of the site’s huts in the photo above). They’ll view a special presentation, followed by a guided museum tour. Cruisers can expect archaeological insight and exhibits.

The tour then concludes at Fort Rosalie ( see next section ). In this area, cruisers will learn about the dispersal of the Natchez people from their ancestral homeland.

3. Top Attractions: Fort Rosalie Site & Lovely Rosalie

In 1716, France established Natchez as a settlement. From Natchez Under the Hill, visitors can either walk up/climb or take a shuttle/motorcoach to reach the Fort Rosalie site .

While nothing really remains of the French-era fort, the U.S. National Park Service maintains the site. As a result, you’ll find a riverside path, signage with historic information, parkland and picnic tables.

It’s a great starting point for a hike with stellar Mississippi River views.

Rosalie, Gorgeous Lady on the Bluff 

Not far away is Rosalie, an elegant historic mansion close to the bluffs ( see photo above ). Built in 1823 for Peter Little , a wealthy cotton broker, the structure will “wow” visitors. Among its architectural features is a gorgeous, four-column Tuscan portico.

On July 13, 1863, during the U.S. Civil War, General Ulysses Grant came to town. He took possession of Rosalie for his Union Army headquarters. The following month, General Walter Gresham took over from Grant in Natchez.

Today’s visitors can thank Gresham. Why? The general arranged for many of the owner’s furnishings to be stored in the attic. Also, he assigned guards to protect them.   

Thus, travelers taking a tour will see many original furnishings and decorative items. The preserved Rosalie plantation mansion is lovingly maintained by the Mississippi State Society, Daughters of the American Revolution . It’s open for guided tours by guides wearing period clothing.

4. Top Attractions: Natchez Visitor Reception Center

Looking again at Natchez’s eclectic historical timeline, first came the Natchez Indians, then the French. They were followed by the Spanish and British.  In 1817, Mississippi became a U.S. state. 

The southern U.S. cotton boom and sad slavery era of the 1800s followed. Then, in 1861, Mississippi seceded from the U.S. and joined the Confederate States of America . At war’s end, Mississippi once again became part of the United States.

Wow, that’s a lot of historical twists and turns!

To help put things in perspective, we’d recommend a quick stop at Natchez Visitor Reception Center (see photo below). Fortunately, this center is often a scheduled stop on those “on-off” motorcoach tours.

We’d suggest going inside, checking out the exhibits, grabbing brochures and asking questions of staff. In addition, cruisers can purchase select historic home tickets at the center. River lines too, obviously, offer excursions that include historic home tours.

Natchez Pilgrimage Tours 

Another spot to stop if you’re interested in tickets for historic homes is Natchez Pilgrimage Tours’ office at 211 Main Street. What’s special? During certain times of the year, Natchez offers “pilgrimages” — with ticket packages that include entry to two or three different historic homes or sites.

Now in its 90th year, the pilgrimages typically are in spring and fall. For example, this year’s Fall Pilgrimage is set for September 24 through October 21, 2022.

The next Spring Pilgrimage is March 11 to April 11, 2023. For more information, visit Natchez Pilgrimage Tours at the link provided above.

Some historic Natchez homes/sites are open for touring year-round or much of the year. Others, though, are normally not open to the public, but do welcome visitors during the annual pilgrimages.

5. Top Attractions: Natchez in Historical Photographs

We love many attractions in Natchez, some we’ve visited repeatedly. Among our favorites? It’s Natchez in Historical Photographs .

Travelers will gaze at 500-plus historic photos and feel they’ve “stepped back” in time. All were taken by local, professional photographers between 1845 and 1910. These photos visually captured the essence of Natchez life “back in the day.”

This amazing photo collection is on the second floor of Stratton Chapel. That’s behind the Natchez Presbyterian Church  on Pearl Street. An elevator is available.

The photos reflect scenes of the young and old, rich and poor. They also showcase people of diverse ethnic backgrounds. For instance, you’ll see images of society belles, shopkeepers and workers in the field.

It’s also fun to look at the photos of young children decked out in their finest attire.

Gazing at this collection, you’ll also see a mix of city sites, magnificent homes and farm scenes. Of interest to river cruisers are the shots of Mississippi River steamboats laden with cotton bales.

Simply put, an hour here is a bit akin to entering a time warp. A $5 donation is requested for admission.

6. Top Attractions: Octagonal, Unfinished Longwood 

When it comes to historic structures, Natchez has a diverse portfolio. Many are listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and open for visitors to tour. Some date from the French, Spanish or English Colonial periods.

While s ome other southern towns or cities (such as Vicksburg) suffered significant devastation during the Civil War, that didn’t happen in Natchez. I n 1862 after the fall of New Orleans, Natchez surrendered to the Union Army.

One of the “must see” sites in Natchez — included in many cruise line tours — is the humongous, unfinished Longwood, a grand octagonal villa.

Planned as a 30,000-square-foot mansion, Longwood was designed by a Philadelphia architect for Haller and Julia Nutt. The couple were members of Natchez’s “planter elite” society.

Challenging Timing

However, the couple’s timing in building a new home wasn’t good. Construction began in 1860. But rising Civil War political tensions in 1861 halted the work. So, beyond the first level (mostly completed), the rest of the structure above is unfinished.

Adding insult to the family’s situation, local residents began calling the unfinished mansion “Nutt’s Folly.” However, the Nutt family lived on that first floor until the 20th century.

Also, we must say that Longwood’s exterior looks impressive. On guided tours of the home’s interior, visitors will first see that lower level, which has a few lovely rooms to view.

But when the guide leads the tour group upstairs, the tour gets really interesting. On that second level and above, all that visitors will see are bare walls, exposed beams and wooden structural elements ( see photo below ).

Think of a “snapshot in time.” That’s because this part of the mansion appears exactly as it did when construction stopped in the 1860s. Outside, though, there are magnificent porches, which are accessible from that unfinished interior space.

Today, the Pilgrimage Garden Club of Natchez cares for the large structure and its outbuildings. Cruise lines often offer shore excursions to Longwood.

For example, American Cruise Lines’ guests can book the line’s complimentary shore excursion, “ Historic Longwood Exploration .” It’s just one of many excursions that ACL offers for Natchez port calls on multiple itineraries.

7. Top Attractions: The William Johnson House 

Natchez has done much to preserve its rich African-American and Creole heritage. Did you know that many “free blacks” worked as skilled tradesmen during the French and Spanish periods? Yes, that’s true, and it happened long before the British arrived.

One historic, downtown Natchez site with fascinating history is the William Johnson House, operated by the U.S. National Park Service.  Admission is free.

As a free man of color prior to the Civil War, William Johnson (1809-1851) bought this home and lived here with his family. While Johnson had started life as a slave, he was freed at age 11.

The Barber of Natchez

Known as the “The Barber of Natchez,” Johnson owned a local barber shop. In addition, he purchased other structures and 2,000 acres of land outside Natchez.

Well-respected locally,  Johnson also was a banker of sorts — loaning money to others. 

Interesting tidbit? Visitors are often surprised to learn that this free man of color also owned slaves. Here’s a link to the NPS site if you’d like to read more.

Exhibits and Recreated Living Quarters

Heading into the William Johnson House, you’ll first enter the downstairs exhibit space (see photo above). There’s also a bookstore here. Upstairs, the U.S. National Park Service has done a nice job of recreating the Johnsons’ furnished living quarters.

Park service rangers will tell visitors about about Johnson’s life story and the home’s history. Fortunately, Johnson kept a diary.

He wrote faithfully in that diary between 1835 and 1851. He talked about everyday life in Natchez — everything from a search for a lost cow to a local visit by former President Andrew Jackson.

8. Top Attractions: Museum of African-American History/Culture

We’d also pop into the Natchez Museum of African-American Culture and History . It’s located downtown inside the 1905-era, former U.S. Post Office building on Main Street.

As a National Literary Landmark, the museum’s exhibit hall is dedicated to Richard Wright , author and Natchez native. With many simple, interesting displays, the museum is home to African-American memorabilia, photographs, books and artifacts.

Here too cruisers can learn about Forks of the Road  just outside the city. No building remains, but this notorious site was once the site of the South’s second largest slave market.

Recently, the U.S. National Park Service , which maintains the small, grassy site, installed free-standing exhibits and wayside panels at Forks of the Road.  They explain what happened here regarding the domestic slave trade era.

Melrose and Plantation Life

To learn about plantation slave life in the 1800s, one good option is Melrose , a Natchez historic mansion. What’s unique is that, unlike many other mansion sites, this one has intact slave cabins.

Melrose was constructed around 1845 for John McMurran , a Pennsylvania native and Natchez attorney. Today, it’s operated by the U.S. National Park Service.

NPS suggests a 2.5-hour visit to get the “full picture” at Melrose. That includes a guided mansion tour plus a self-guided tour of a slave cabin — allowing time to read the exhibits in the cabin.

9. Top Attractions: The Towers

Another one-of-a-kind, historic home is The Towers, built over several centuries. Huge pre-Civil War Oak trees surround the mansion.

For river cruisers, it’s interesting to know that many of the mansion’s structural elements show signs of peg construction and barge-board elements. That type of construction was found in historic river vessels that transported furs from Natchez.

The Towers has evolved in its look over the years. In 1826, a second Neo-Classical construction phase added a colonnade of square columns. For instance, you’ll see some of those still visible on the porches.

In an 1858-era update, The Towers received an Italian villa-like, Renaissance Revival façade; that also created a pair of third-story tower rooms. However, a 1920’s storm sizably damaged those upper tower rooms, which were then removed.

Recently, owners Ginger and James Hyland have restored and rebuilt those two towers.

River cruisers often visit The Towers for tours (and sometimes lunch). We’ve been privileged to enjoy two tours that the affable Ginger has conducted.

She’s an owner who takes enormous pride in the mansion and every little detail of its interior furnishings and decorative items.

Collections Galore

Tour participants will see antique furniture, antique laces at every window and amazing collections of items. For example, one wall is totally filled with small “hanging” beaded purses ( see photo at right ).

Aviation buffs should head for the first floor’s rear door. Here they’ll find a display area that’s a tribute to Ginger’s late father, L. A. (Buzz) Hyland.

His claim to fame? He was among the men credited with inventing radar.

That feat impressed Howard Hughes,  who hired Hyland to run Hughes Aircraft Company. Hyland retired as that company’s chairman of the board in 1983.

Ginger honors her father with a display that includes much aviation and aerospace memorabilia. If you go, look for the award that Hyland received from NASA.

Diverse Tours

The Towers offers many types of tours such as “Decorative Arts Tours” or “Jeweled Christmas Tours.” All showcase the home and its spectacular décor and collections. You’ll find Easter and Passover tours too.

For guests cruising on American Queen Voyages, one premium shore excursion ($79 per person) is the “ Home Hosted Visit with Ginger and James .”

Cruisers will arrive at The Towers, where the owners will greet them and guide them around.  That’s followed by a sampling of southern comfort foods on the mansion’s sunny, enclosed back gallery.

10. Top Attractions: More to Come

This concludes Part One of our two-part look at Natchez, MS. Stay tuned for Part 2 next week, focusing on these additional sites:

• Natchez’s historic Jewish temple, Temple B’nai Israel ;
• The elegant historic mansion, Stanton Hall ;
• More historic homes and mansions including Monmouth, Dunleith, Texada , the House on Ellicott Hill and others;
• Downtown Natchez and the Antique District;
• Sites that reflect new downtown investment by the Tate Taylor Company; and
• Attractions beyond Natchez such as the Windsor ruins and the Delta Music Museum & Arcade

For more information on Natchez, MS, and what to see and do in the city or its environs, visit www.visitnatchez.org.

For information about Mississippi River Cruises (itineraries, pricing, accommodations, departure dates and so on), contact your travel advisor.

Important Notes from Pavlus Travel

• This blog site is editorial in nature. It’s designed for “basic, general information” about travel; it’s not  designed to provide specific pricing nor is it staffed by travel advisors.
•   So, please don’t use the Reply Section below if you’re asking for cruise or land pricing, travel dates, accommodations, brochures or other specific requests.
• That said, we are most happy and eager to assist you. Here’s how…
• If anything does tweak your interest in the story and you DO have questions about specific  cruise lines, itineraries, pricing, brochures, savings, dates of travel, accommodations, accessible options and so on, please contact us at   800-528-9300.
• Or  visit us online at Pavlus Travel’s official agency Web site;  t here you can “live chat” with us online too!
• Thanks for reading!

Susan J. Young

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Which plantation home in Natchez is maintained by the DAR?

Also do you still have a riverboat tour of the upper Red River? A couple I know had taken it years ago and said it was beautiful to see.

Hi Linda. It’s Rosalie, mentioned in that section of the story… Sorry but I’m not familiar (as a writer/editor) with the Red River trips. I’d suggest asking your travel advisor or, if you don’t have one, Pavlus (see Important Note from Pavlus for contact info). Thanks for your note.

Please send schedules, accommodation and price info on MSY/MEM

Since this is an unstaffed general blog site, please see the important note from Pavlus Travel after the end of the story. They will be happy to assist with those types of questions related to individual travel information, based on your needs, origin city, itineraries desired, type of accommodations desired and fares. Thanks

EDITOR’S NOTE TO READERS: Be sure to read Part 2 of this Natchez blog series, where Frogmore in Louisiana is mentioned as one shore excursion option beyond the City of Natchez itself; in that piece, we talk briefly about Frogmore and provide the website link to their site. That said, here’s additional information we kindly received from Lynette at Frogmore:

“Nineteen historical buildings dating from 1790’s to 1900 are a restored tribute to Frogmore Cotton Plantation & Gins, a modern 1,800-acre working cotton estate with a computerized farm and gin.

As you arrive at the computerized cotton gin, the owner will meet you and escort you through the gin and cotton farm operations. Participate in picking cotton and removing the seeds and tour a rare, steam engine gin listed on the National Register of Historic Properties.

Be seated in the hand-hewn log cabin and listen to narration and the vocalist’s songs highlighting the history of southern plantations, including the Constitution, Emancipation Proclamation, and accurate statistics of the enslaved and planter families.

After an enlightening overview of the historical Frogmore owners, explore the cotton fields and authentic cabins to learn the origin of southern cuisine, the day-to-day operations and how their labor force evolved into sharecropping, a way of life for 100 years. Enjoy a complimentary beverage as you browse an original plantation store.”

Lynette, I have posted some of this within our Part 2 blog about Natchez. That’s where we talk about activities “across the river.” While we had already mentioned Frogmore there, I did add in some of these gleanings to give readers a bit more detail. Thanks for writing. We appreciate your comments.

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All towns have a story. But you’ve never heard one quite like Natchez. 

It’s a tale of rich cultural legacy and powerful reckonings, where our iconic historic homes set the stage for diverse and fascinating local characters. And while we’re rooted in history, our present is just as lively. Natchez is the home of modern southern hospitality. Here you’ll find a diverse, vibrant town with doors open wide and a little something for everyone. Y’all are welcome here.

GETTING HERE

Arts & Entertainment

Outdoor Recreation

Cultural Heritage

Historic Homes

Trails & Trace

Cultural Legacy

Meet the people and cultures who have called Natchez home. From the Natchez indigenous people and European immigrants to the enslaved peoples from Africa’s Bambara tribe, our town’s history is filled with diverse voices that echo across centuries and into the present day.

Family Friendly

History buffs, natchez cultural heritage experience, natchez itinerary, natchez on a nickel.

Keep an eye on our calendar to add an authentic Natchez experience to your travels.

Bites with the Beyond

Civil Rights Veteran Returns to Natchez

Natchez food & wine festival 2024, free visitors guide, natchez newsletter, #visit natchez.

Mississippi River At Natchez

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Breaking News:

Former ferriday police chief says mayor interfered with department, remembering james biglane.

Published 3:46 pm Saturday, July 20, 2024

By Jan Griffey

It is often quoted that “we stand on the shoulders of giants.” There could be no greater example of this statement for Natchez and quite frankly the region than James Biglane, who we lost to heaven earlier this week.

Mr. Biglane was a pillar of this community, one that will never be replaced. His accomplishments in business, historic preservation, and philanthropy will truly live on for generations to come. His brilliance, his kindness, and his loyalty to his family, employees and friends will long be remembered.

James Biglane, founder of United Mississippi Bank, is remembered for his commitment to the community and vision for its future. (Submitted photo)

One cannot properly pay tribute to Mr. Biglane’s memory without citing all he did to build Natchez through his work with United Mississippi Bank.  Founded in 1973 by James and his wife Nancy in a trailer in the heart of downtown on Pearl Street, United Mississippi Bank has been a bedrock institution for our region for over 50 years, serving thousands and employing hundreds over the years at its over 10 branches. Throughout the bank’s history, Mr. Biglane served as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board.

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Mr. Biglane also founded the City of Natchez’s premier event, the Natchez Balloon Festival, when he decided to bring his love of ballooning home. Partnering with the Historic Natchez Foundation, the festival, then known as the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race, had its inaugural year in 1986 and has since been circled on the calendars of citizens and visitors alike on an annual basis.  Through this event and through actions both personally and through his business, Mr. Biglane became a champion for two things so important to Natchez: historic preservation and tourism. Through the efforts of James and Nancy, so many properties have been preserved over the years, and Silver Street, “Under the Hill,” would not be what it is today were it not for their efforts.

Mr. Biglane was a devoted citizen who served his city, his state, and his country. As a patriotic American, he served honorably in the United States Army, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant during the Vietnam War. He was a major supporter of Alcorn State University, where he served on the Alcorn Foundation Board for over four decades, for much of that as Board President. He served many other civic organizations including the Mississippi Banker’s Association, the Santa Claus Committee, the Boy Scout SME Campaign Steering Committee, and Natchez Inc. among others.  He was the 2013 Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce Natchezian of the Year. Most importantly he was a man of deep faith as a devoted member of First Baptist Church, Natchez.

Mr. Biglane’s time on this earth has now ended. He is now in the embrace of his Lord and Savior, hearing those words we all long to hear one day, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

We mourn his passing, and we pray for his loving wife Nancy, his son Denton, and his large and loving family and many friends. While we miss him, we still feel his presence. Take a walk by the former bakery that now houses United Mississippi Bank’s downtown Natchez branch. Dine or shop in the historic buildings Under the Hill and enjoy the views of our mighty river. Look across the river and imagine the hundreds of hot air balloons that have dotted the autumn sky over the years making their flights toward the festival grounds at Rosalie. Consider so many businesses and homes made possible by his many years of service to our city. James Michael Biglane’s legacy lives on.

He is the finest example of Natchez Strong – an inspiration we all should aspire to live up to. Because Natchez Deserves More.

Dan M. Gibson is mayor of Natchez.

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A Visit to a Historic Mississippi Port Reveals a Small Town With New Stories to Tell

W HEN YOU DRIVE up to Natchez you never know which Natchez you’re going to get,” a friend cautioned after hearing I was visiting the historic Mississippi river town. “It’s either awake or asleep.”

I’d heard chatter of a small town with big appeal, but the first portents weren’t great. As I neared, a downpour broke over U.S. Route 61, the fabled “Blues Highway.” Through the rain, I spotted a building built in the shape of a platter-bearing, hoop-skirted woman. Constructed in 1940, the year “Gone With the Wind” swept the Academy Awards, “Mammy’s Cupboard” is a restaurant designed to resemble a stereotypical Black “mammy.” Overestimating the redemptive qualities of a new coat of paint, different owners over the years have layered on progressively lighter skin tones. I drove on, following Natchez’s quiet streets to a desolate hotel parking lot.

The next morning, however, the sun shone, permitting me spectacular Mississippi River views from the Natchez bluffs. At Butter Cakery, my first stop downtown, I admired brightly decorated cupcakes in flavors like lavender and raspberry-lemon. Nearby, at Franklin Street Relics, a 28,000-square-foot antiques mall with 55 dealers, I found pre-Civil War playing cards for $8 a piece, mementos of an era when this steamboat port teemed with cardsharps, brawlers and brothels.

What remains of that dock life is clustered in Under-the-Hill, a strip at the base of the bluff. That evening a Viking cruise ship had pulled in—one of two lines that visit Natchez regularly. Live music leaked from the Under-the-Hill Saloon, housed in one of the oldest buildings on the Mississippi, as the sun dipped into the river.

Natchez has long been known for its Spring Pilgrimage, a series of historic house tours (now until April 28) that conveys a romantic—and, to many, problematic—view of the Old South. But I soon found more multidimensional takes on history. At the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, a museum and park pay tribute to the eponymous Native-American tribe which made this land its capital. On Saint Catherine St., the Dr. John Bowman Banks House, which served as an NAACP headquarters during the civil-rights movement, now functions as a by-appointment museum.

The National Register of Historic Places lists 1,000 structures in Natchez, many dating to the years when the toil of enslaved people in cotton fields created immense wealth. It’s said that, by the 1850s, Natchez housed more millionaires than anywhere else in the country. Today most of the mansions remain private residences, viewable only on special tours like those the Spring Pilgrimage offers. Some, like Longwood and Stanton Hall, remain open year-round. How to tell their stories can spark debate.

Tracy A. Collins, a Black Baptist pastor, runs Rev’s Country Tours, bringing visitors around Natchez and to less-visited spots like Emerald Mound, built by ancestors of the Natchez Indians. While showing me Windsor Ruins, the dramatic remains of a plantation house, Collins scorned descriptions he’d heard of the skilled craftspeople who built such palaces as “servants’’ or “help.” “That’s not true,” he said. “They were enslaved.”

Tours of Melrose, an 1841 estate run by the National Park Service (NPS) and open year-round, focus as much on the lives of the enslaved as the mansion owners. The NPS also plans to expand the visitor experience at Forks of the Road, site of the South’s second largest slave market.

Even the future in Natchez seems at times concerned with the past. More than one person spoke excitedly of the restoration of the Eola, a Gatsby-era hotel first opened in 1927 and set to reopen in 2025

“I’m a Nat-choose-ian not a Natchezian,” said Matt Deming, sounding like those Under-the-Hill drifters of yore. Deming, a tech worker from Austin, bought and restored an 1827 house, opening up the top floor as an Airbnb. Nearby, I met Beau Deshotel, who’d recently relocated from Manhattan to open Arts District Studio, which exhibits local art.

Before leaving, I spoke to Richard Grant, author of “The Deepest South of All: True Stories from Natchez, Mississippi,” published in 2020. “The basic rule in Natchez is to talk to the women because they know what’s going on,” Grant said. “It’s one of the most matriarchal places I know.”

So on my last evening in town I found myself, Aperol spritz in hand, on a porch belonging to Regina Charboneau, a 7th-generation Natchezian who teaches Southern cooking classes. “Most of us have tossed the hoop skirts,” said Charboneau. “But the hospitality remains.”

True. That night, a pizza dinner at the Natchez Brewing Company became a meet-and-greet with various Natchezians and Natchooseians, leading to an invitation to catch a band at Smoot’s, a juke joint. Then Deming asked me to try another tradition: Steak Night at the Corner Bar. Driving to New Orleans the next day I called my friend. “Natchez isn’t dozing,” I told her. “It’s a dinner party you don’t want to leave.”

THE LOWDOWN / How to Navigate Natchez

Getting there: There’s talk of an air link, but Natchez remains a road-trip destination. It’s an easy drive from New Orleans or Baton Rouge or 111 miles from Jackson International. Others come on the Natchez Trace, a 444-mile scenic parkway starting in Nashville.

Staying there: Most visitors choose one of the restored antebellum properties like Linden Historic Bed & Breakfast (from $170 a night). A new arrival, the Big Muddy Inn and Blues Room (from $200) is full of colorful chinoiserie and hosts concerts in the back parlor.

Eating there: In the land of the fried-chicken salad, options tend toward the hearty, from Biscuits & Blues to Fat Mama’s Tamales. The Camp in Under-the-Hill offers grilled catfish tacos and fried-pickle-and-jalapeño chips along with a river view. Frankie’s On Main serves upscale fare in an eclectically decorated 1820s Greek Revival bank.

Riverboat City of New Orleans

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The Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS will be taking some time off for renovations - check back soon for updates as to her return.

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JAZZ LUNCH & SUNDAY BRUNCH CRUISES The Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS is home to the "Best" Lunch/Brunch cruises on the Mississippi River.  Fun and scenic, our cruises feature live jazz music, New Orleans style cuisine, and a cash bar for cocktails.  

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The Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS is uniquely New Orleans - WELCOME ABOARD!

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'Christmas in Natchez' is the place to be according to HGTV. Read details here

Even though the trees still have their leaves and the ground has no snow, the Christmas season is in full swing in Mississippi. For those getting into the festive spirit, Natchez is the place to go for some holiday cheer.

The Home and Garden Television website recently published a list of their “favorite small towns to visit for Christmas,” choosing one town from each state. Natchez made the cut as the selection from Mississippi.

The HGTV list claims each town “delivers major holiday spirit.

“Though you’re unlikely to see snow on the banks of the Mississippi River this far south,” the site says. “Natchez brings home the holiday spirit with caroling in Memorial Park and a European-style Christmas village created in partnership with riverboat tour company, American Queen Voyages.”

The list also points to the scope of Natchez’s holiday celebrations, which begins each year with the lighting of a 34-foot-tall Christmas tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving. 

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“It’s the beginning of a monthlong festivity where the town’s famed array of historic homes dress up in garland and lights for the holidays,” the list says.

“Christmas in Natchez” is not just a phrase describing the time of year; it’s the official name of the month-long celebration which has its own website .

The vast array of decorations and activities is supported by a group of volunteers. The funding is donation-based, and Christmas in Natchez is a non-profit organization under the Natchez-Adams County Community Alliance.

The event constantly adds new elements, such as caroling in the park and a Kwanzaa display on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi river. 

This year, a European-style Christmas shopping village is the latest addition. The village sells local crafts a cuisine and is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays throughout December.

Shoppers in the downtown merchants can collect stamps for their Christmas in Natchez passports and turn them in at the postal shop for a free gift.

It’s not too late to partake in this year’s Christmas in Natchez festivities.

Here are some events still to come this December:

• Wardo's Rouxdolph Run 10K, 5K and one mile kids run: 8:00 a.m., Dec. 9, Wardo's Poboys, 309 N Broadway S t.
• Caroling in the park: 5:30 p.m., every Thursday in December, Memorial Park
• European Christmas shopping village: Thursdays 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Mississippi left off 'Best Southern Cities' list. Here are 3 cities we wish made the cut

Mississippi is notably absent on Southern Living's recent " The South's Best Cities 2024 " list.

Southern Living readers chose the 25 cities on the list through a third-party poll. From July to August 2023, approximately 20,000 respondents voiced their opinions.

All of Mississippi's neighboring states got a nod. Tennessee appeared three times, Arkansas appeared twice and Alabama and Louisiana both appeared once.

Below are three Magnolia State cities that we wish made the cut.

Oxford is a city overflowing with classic Southern culture.

Famously, the late author and long-time Oxford resident William Faulkner found Lafayette County so rich with Southern life that he included it, disguised as the fictional "Yoknapatawpha County," in his writing.

A statue of Faulkner sits waiting for guests on a bench on the edge of Oxford's historic Square. The Square includes some of the state's oldest and most-loved restaurants such as City Grocery and Ajax.

Square Books also sits on the Square and frequently hosts famous authors for book signings.

Oxford is also home to a quintessential feature of Southern culture: football.

Every fall, the city is filled to the brim with excited tailgators as they cover every inch of the grove at Ole Miss, the university that sits in the heart of Oxford.

Mississippi writers, Southern cuisine and high-energy football games are just some of the reasons people enjoy the city. Oxford has something for any visitor looking to experience the best of the South.

Jackson, the capital city of Mississippi, is the heartbeat of the state in many ways.

The historic city holds the state's capitol building and legislative buildings and is where bills become law for Mississippi.

At any time of the year, a multitude of public activities are available, including theater arts at Thalia Mara Hall.

Several of the state's best colleges and universities also are located in Jackson, including Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, Millsaps, Bellhaven and the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Visitors can take in some of the nation's best museums, whether they are adults or children looking for something to learn.

Jackson is also home to some of the state's best dining options. Recently, Stamps Super Burgers was named one of the best in the nation by USA Today.

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Natchez is the place to be if you want to experience a slice of Mississippi history.

Historic buildings dot the streets of Natchez, making it a great place to lose yourself in an afternoon stroll along the Mississippi River.

The Visit Natchez website says, "In short, Natchez is a unique place where history breathes, imagination is ignited and stories that matter come to life."

December is an especially good time to visit as each year the city hosts "Christmas in Natchez," a month-long event that made the Home and Garden Television website's 2023 list of the nation's best small towns to visit during Christmas.

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Got a news tip? Contact Mary Boyte at [email protected]