cd

We will travel from Nashville to Natchez via the Parkway in May. How long should we allow for this drive? Should we plan on staying overnight on the road or can we drive it in one day? We want to take the Natchez Trace Parkway for the scenery and then spend some time in Natchez and Vickesburg.
Can anyone recommend a place to stay in either Natchez or Vickesburg?
Thanks

paula1470

We stayed at the Dunleith Plantation last year and really enjoyed it. We took advantage of their mid-week special and got a room, dinner and breakfast for a great price. However, it looks like the special is not available in May. I know that in the spring and fall they have the plantation tours and the hotels and B&B's book up. So I would try to find a place soon especially if you're going on a weekend.

Monmouth Plantation is well recommended but was just a little more expensive for us. We loved Natchez and wished we had more time to spend there.

mmouse52

We were in Natchez in Feb.and stayed at Monmouth Plantation. I got a good rate on travelocity. The vistors center sells a three house admission package which we took advantage of. We wanted to take the carriage tour but it was raining the day we were there so we took the bus tour. It is a good way to see the city.
In Vicksburg we stayed at the Hampton Inn which is across the street from the Vicksburg National Battlefield. I would suggest if you plan to visit the battlefield to get a personal guide. You can make a reservation through the parks visitors center. We did this he will ride in your car and will give you great information.

Ike

CD stay at Monmouth Plantation and have dinner there one night. Also visit Dunleith Plantation and have dinner at their Castle Restaurant, one of the best in MS. Specify a room in the back of Monmouth in one of their newer buildings. Don't stay in the old house unless you prefer that. Tour Stanton Hall and have lunch at Carriage House Restaurant there. Have a nice trip.

Ike

Sorry CD here's link to Monmouth.........

http://www.monmouthplantation.com/

It's 444 miles from Nashville to Natchez on the Trace. You could make it in a day if you leave early in the AM. I would stop in Jackson and have a nice dinner at Nick's or Walkers then drive into Natchez early to tour Monmouth.

http://www.nps.gov/parkoftheweek/natr.htm

Ike

I meant spend a night in Jackson and have dinner then drive to Natchez early the next morning.

RedRock

We have driven the northern half. The going will be rather slow because of the speed limit. I am sure you will want to make a few stops along the way.... It could be done in one long days drive but that would defeat the the reason for you taking it in the first place.

http://www.nps.gov/natr/

paula1470

lke-When we stayed at Dunleith we had dinner at the Castle Restaurant. Indeed it was an excellent dinner. We wanted to stay at Monmouth but the package deal we got at Dunleith was too good to pass out as it included dinner at the Castle Restaurant and breakfast the next. We did go see the grounds of Monmouth and they were so gorgeous. We missed the tour by a few minutes and would have had to wait quite awhile for the next one so we didn't get to see the inside of Monmouth. We were on our way to New Orleans and needed to get on the road.

Ike

Monmouth is one of the top small hotels in the US. The old house is just that an old big house with big rooms and high beds but there are newer buildings out behind the big house that were built recently. In fact there are two rooms I think one called the owners suite which is where I stayed once that is almost brand new. I really love MP. The restaurant is fantastic which is in the old house. I love Natchez. It's a good stop on the way to NO and Galatoire's, Commander's, Emeril's, Bayona, et al. Good luck.

cd

I would love to try and make reservations for Monmouth but since we don't know how long we will spend on the NTParkway I guess we will just take our chances that something is available when we arrive. Thanks for all the good advice and recommendations.

Retired_teacher

Do yourself a favor and allow at least 2-3 days to drive the trace.... way too much history and scenery to rush not to mention opportunities to stray off to visit minor CW battlefields in the area. Civil War buffs might also want to allow a day to explore Jackson MS before continuing on to Natchez.

Although you'll arrive too late to enjoy the Spring Pilgrimage, you can still visit several properities in Natchez which are open year round. http://www.natchezpilgrimage.com/htours.htm My favorite is Longwood which was never completed due to the start of the CW. After touring their 'in town' property, we then drove across the river to visit the Nutt family's plantation in LA where they made their fortune on cotton. There's also a small cotton museum nearby that has an original Eli Whittney cotton gin on display.

On the way up to Vicksburg, allow time to stop in Port Gibson. Lots of plaqued historic buildings along the main highway through town. Allow another full day for Vicksburg. I'd suggest stopping at the NPVC first for an overview before touring the battlefield.

It's been ten years since we made that trip over spring break, so cannot offer you advise with regards to accommodations...... but it is still one of my all-time favorite roadtrips!

cd

Thanks Retired Teacher