A few years ago some college friends and I drove from Nashville to Tupelo, Mississippi via the Natchez Trace. It's been a while but what I remember is that it's a beautiful drive with NO FOOD. That's probably an exaggeration, but you might want to pack your own snacks.

Well, it isn't as if once you are on the Natchez Trace you cannot get off for food and water...

I drove the northern portion, with the exception of a 20 miles or so stretch that is closed for repairs, last month. I drove the southern portion a couple of years ago. I like it a lot for the history, the calm and peaceful drive with little cross traffic, and the pastoral settings.

As some one else said, there is no place to eat along the parkway itself but state highways parralel it and there is always a cafe in the small southern towns along the way.

The parkway is well marked with historic signs and pointers to areas of interest and you can stop at whichever ones catch your eye.

We drove the northern half last summer. Nice drive if you are in no hurry. When we drove it there was little to no traffic, that is strange for this day and age. Many historical sites on and just off the Parkway. This site from the NPS will help you plan your visit.

http://www.nps.gov/natt/

Thanks everyone for your information. I think we will take along a sandwich or two and drinks.
We are in no hurry and want to enjoy the scenery but do you have any idea how long it will take us to drive both northern and southern portions?
Thanks also for the NT link.

I think you can plan on averaging about 40-45 mph plus stops. I have never been on it when there is a lot of traffic but it is only one lane in each direction so if someone turns in front of you or is slow, that will also slow you down. That's not a problem for me because when I drive it, I do it for the sight seeing and peace rather than to make time.

cd-- The speed limit is low, if memory serves me its 45-55 MPH most of the Parkway or at least it was on the portion we drove... With stops, its up to you to since you are traveling at your own pace. Figure with a few stops and all a day and a half to two days. After all its your call!!

dwooddon
What 20miles is closed? We plan on leaving around May 19th. Do you know if it will still be closed?

We have done it in the past & everything you are being told is exactly correct. Actually there are more signs that indicate "...this happened here..." than much in the way of physical historical properties &/or landmarks. I believe the speed limit is 45mph the whole way if I recall correctly. Check out www.nps.gov/natr/. Also www.natchez.ms.us. For fine dining try Kings Tavern (they have a ghost you know). For something more casual & southern, try Cock of the Walk (they have the best cornbread).

I went to the Kings Traven website and they also have listed some B&B's, so thanks SanParis, since we are going without reservations (because we don't know how long we'll be on the Parkway)I will just print out the b&b info and take with.

CD: I don't recall exactly where the closed stretch was. I'm guessing about 100 miles south of Nashville. I don't know for a fact how much of the parkway was closed. I asked when I stopped for a coke and the convenience store clerk told me "about 20 miles". I also have no idea how long the closure will last. I concur with the advice to check the web sites. If you are a AAA member, they usually have that kind of information also.

Have a great trip.

Don

I live in Mississippi, and the speed limit is 55 m.p.h.~strictly enforced!!

Sorry, I meant the speed limit on the Trace, not the whole state

The trace is a beautiful drive. Yes, the speed limit is 55 and strictly enforced. I recommend stopping and the small but quaint crafts center near Jackson, MS for beautiful handmade Indian baskets and local pottery, etc. Some can be expensive, but it's fun to look. You might check the southern living magazine website for travel reviews of Natchez and Vicksburg - I know that I have read such articles in the magazines themselves - with many food, lodging, activity recommendations. Have fun, ya'll!

We drove it north last September and it was a very relaxing and enjoyable drive. We maintained the 55MPH speed limit and just unwound as we cruised along not having to constantly check the rearview mirror. We stopped at points of interest to us and had picnic lunches.

There was a small detour. I don't remember where, but it was a minor delay. Since we weren't in a hurry, it didn't matter.

Thanks guys for the additional information! The Southern Living site is very good, I've bookmarked it. However, it says the speed limit is 45 and three of you have said it's 55. Maybe a typo.
Thanks again, appreciate your help!

cd, is this your first trip to Natchez? I hope you can stay in a plantation home, or at least take a few tours. To me, Dunleith would be one of the best to stay "in" since many have B & B rooms that are not in the main house.
http://www.dunleith.com/

The best home tour we've been on was the one at Longwood with the history of the house, Dr. Nutt, and how his family survived the CW with him being a Union sympathizer and out of town.

FYI: There were more millionaires living in Natchez just before the CW than any other place in the US.

We have never taken the historic tours offered downtown, but we usually get a city map and drive to the houses we're interested in seeing on that visit.

Enjoy your trip, and please post a trip report when you get back!

BG
Yes, this will be our first time in Natchez and we are hoping to stay in Dunleith. We can't make reservations because we don't know how much time we will be spending on the Trace, so will take what we can get when we arrive.

cd, another favorite B & B there is the Briars.
http://www.thebriarsinn.com/

It's the childhood home of Varina Howell. She and Jefferson Davis were married there. We stayed in Room 1, the Jefferson Davis room, and loved it.

Try to stop at libraries along the way so you can check online specials each day before seeking lodging in person. Might save you a few $$!

Good tip BG. I was going to call a few before we arrive to see if they had any specials but you think that on-line would be better?

I have driven the length of the Natchez Trace Parkway a few times and have been on the Tennessee, Alabama and northern Mississippi section several times. Enjoy it each time. The speed limit is 50 mph except for about 15 miles at the very northern end where it is 40 mph due to how hilly and curvy the road is.

Lots of bed and breakfasts, cottages and cabins to stay in along the way. Many are a couple of miles or less from the Trace. Most small towns have diners, cafes and restaurants.

A great website that has hundreds of pictures, dozens of maps and information about each of the 80+ stops on the Trace, some of the major attractions off the Trace and about the bed and breakfasts check out <a href="http://www.natcheztracetravel.com">NatchezTraceTravel.com</a>

Bookmarking-very interesting posts

When we made this trip, we stayed at Monmouth Plantation and loved it! http://www.monmouthplantation.com/

We drove the Parkway from Jackson to Natchez in May. It was a beautiful drive. Don't think I would want to go 400 miles on it unless I had a lot of time. We didn't really see much except trees along the road. Some were down from a storm the day before.