Natchez
Natchez is a river town known for antebellum houses, bluffs above the Mississippi and the start of the Natchez Trace.
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Natchez is a river town in southwestern Mississippi, on bluffs above the Mississippi River near the Louisiana border. French settlers founded it in 1716, and its historic district holds a large number of antebellum houses. Many are still lived in, and several open to visitors as house museums.
Most visitors come for the houses, the views from the bluffs and the Natchez Trace Parkway, which starts near town. Under-the-Hill, the riverfront below the bluff, is where steamboats and flatboats once docked; it now has a few restaurants and bars. Downtown and the historic district are within walking distance of each other, but the Trace and the airport are a drive away. Spring and fall are the busiest seasons, when many historic homes open for the Natchez Pilgrimage. Plan two to three days for the historic district, the river and a drive onto the Trace.
Natchez in five
- Book house tours before you arriveEach antebellum house sets its own tour times, so check before you plan a day. Reserve the houses you want before you travel.
- Rent a car at Jackson or New OrleansMost visitors fly into Jackson or New Orleans, and the houses, the Trace and the riverfront are spread out. A car is the easiest way to reach all of them.Getting around
- Fill the tank in town before the TraceThe Natchez Trace Parkway starts in Natchez and runs north toward Nashville, and it has no gas stations along the way. Check the parkway's road status on nps.gov before you drive it.
- Visit Forks of the Road before the big housesForks of the Road was a major slave market in Natchez. Its markers are in town, so you can see them before the house tours.
- Carry mosquito repellent for the riverfrontMosquitoes are common in Natchez from spring through fall, including on the riverfront and at Trace trailheads. Keep repellent in your daypack.
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- Visa Waiver Program passports need ESTA; other passports need a US visa Read more
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire or ambulance
- Tipping
- Tip servers, bartenders and drivers, the usual US custom
- Time
- UTC-6 (Central Time), daylight saving to UTC-5
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuaryCool, quiet
- FebruaryMild, rainy
- MarchPilgrimage, mild
- AprilPilgrimage, green
- MayWarm, humid
- JuneHot, humid
- JulyHot, storms
- AugustHot, humid
- SeptemberHot, easing
- OctoberMild, dry
- NovemberMild, quiet
- DecemberHoliday, cool
Right now in Natchez
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 70%
- Wind
- 16 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 5%
Natchez
02:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today26°20°5%Monday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Tue28°20°97%Tuesday: Rain. High 28°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Wed24°16°97%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Thu27°14°8%Thursday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Fri26°15°8%Friday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sat24°12°3%Saturday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sun24°9°9%Sunday: Clear. High 24°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 9%.
Updated 01:54 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Vicksburgabout 1.5 hours by carA river city with the Civil War battlefield and museums on the bluffs.
- Emerald Moundabout 30 min by carA large ceremonial mound built by Native peoples, reached from the Natchez Trace.
- New Orleansabout 3 hours by carA long day trip for the French Quarter, music and food, across the state line.
Before you go to Natchez
Rules for Natchez, checked
- Visa Waiver Program passports need an approved ESTA before flying to the US; other passports need a visa. Check eligibility at travel.state.gov.Source
- Tip servers, bartenders and drivers, the usual US custom. Check the bill first, since some restaurants add a service charge.
- The drinking age is 21 nationwide, and bars ask for photo ID. Carry your passport or a driver's license when you go out.
- On the Natchez Trace and at national park sites, leave plants, stones and artifacts where you find them. Federal park rules apply.
Plan around Natchez
Car rental, the Natchez Trace and airport transfers
Read the guideWhere to stayBluff, downtown and riverfront bases compared
Read the guideVisas and entryESTA and visa rules to check before you book a flight
Read the guideMoney and costsCards, cash and typical prices for a day in Natchez
Read the guideMississippiThe state around Natchez: roads, towns and rules
Read the guideFestivals and eventsSpring Pilgrimage and other dates worth planning around
Read the guideNatchez FAQ
How many days do you need in Natchez?
Two days cover the antebellum houses, Forks of the Road, the Under-the-Hill riverfront and a stretch of the Trace north of town. Add a day for the Vicksburg battlefield or a longer drive on the Trace.
Is Natchez worth visiting?
Yes, if you care about Southern history, antebellum architecture and the Mississippi River. Visitors who want beaches, big-city nightlife or a long list of restaurants may find it quiet.
When is the best time to visit Natchez?
Spring, for the Pilgrimage house tours and mild days, or October and November, when it is cooler and drier. Summer is hot and humid, with afternoon storms.
Do you need a car in Natchez?
Yes for most trips. Downtown and the historic district are walkable, but the plantations, the Trace and the airport are a drive away.
Is Natchez safe for tourists?
Most visitors spend their time in the historic district, downtown and along the river. Lock your car, keep valuables out of sight and ask your host which streets to avoid after dark.
What is the Natchez Pilgrimage?
A spring event when several antebellum homes open to visitors on set days, many with guides in period dress. Each house sets its own tour times, so check before you plan a day.