When it comes to historic buildings, no other town in the Magnolia State quite compares to Natchez. The charming city dates back to 1716, making it one of the oldest settlements along the Mississippi River. By the 19th century, it was home to a bustling river port and more millionaires than any other city in the nation. With such a long, rich history, it should come as no surprise that Natchez is home to more than 1,000 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Luckily, many of the historic structures are open for tours, making Natchez a perfect day trip destination. Keep reading to learn about the different ways to see Natchez’s best sites from the past.

Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent, Vicksburg, Mississippi Natchez is synonymous with antebellum mansions – and for good reason. It has more antebellum homes than any other town in the South. There are several ways to take in the impressive homes from the past. Visit on a nice day, and you can simply walk around and admire the homes from the outside. Or, if you have more time, you can take individual tours of the homes.

City Sightseeing Natchez/Facebook The Natchez Historic City Tour is also a great option. Ride the double-decker bus to over 40 of Natchez’s historic buildings, homes, and churches. Even better, it’s a “hop on, hop off” tour, so you can get off and explore any site that catches your eye.

stan_39440/TripAdvisor The Towers, Choctaw Hall, and St. Mary Basilica are just a few of the interesting sites you’ll see on the tour. A one-day ticket is $20; while a two-day ticket can be purchased for just $22.

rhondakay456/TripAdvisor To really experience the best of historic Natchez, make plans to attend the city’s pilgrimage, which is held twice a year – in the fall and the spring. Each pilgrimage lasts several weeks and offers visitors the chance to step inside privately-owned antebellum mansions that aren’t open any other time of the year. In addition to daily tours, the festival includes hosts dressed in period costumes, re-enactments, music, and more.

Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent, Vicksburg, Mississippi Can’t make it to the pilgrimage? No problem; the same organization offers year-round tours. These tours offer access to some of Natchez’s best sites from the past. Longwood, Stanton Hall, Rosalie, Linden, and Dunleith are just a few of the antebellum mansions that can be toured throughout the year. Limited on time? Pay a visit to the Natchez National Historical Park, which is made up of three properties – the Melrose Mansion, the William Johnson House, and Fort Rosalie site. Melrose is the most popular of the three sites, which probably has something to do with it being the most intact antebellum estate in the country.

Shannon W/TripAdvisor Guided tours of Melrose are offered daily from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. During the 45-minute tour, you’ll get an up close look at the 1st and 2nd floors, which are filled with antique furnishings and décor.

Allison Richard/Zomato While in Natchez you can do more than tour historic buildings, you can actually dine in them. A few of the city’s antebellum homes include restaurants. There’s also King’s Tavern – a restaurant housed in a building that dates back to the 1780s. Over the centuries, the building served as a tavern, inn, and the city’s first post office. Visit today, and you can fill up on flat breads and hand crafted cocktails.

Michael S/TripAdvisor Don’t want the historic fun to end when the sun goes down? You’re in luck. Several mansions have been transformed into inns. With antique furnishings and décor, it’s a stay you’re sure to remember.

Monmouth Historic Inn/Google Dunleith and Monmouth, which is a National Historic Landmark, are just two antebellum mansions that now serve as B and Bs.

rwait/TripAdvisor While in town, don’t forget to explore Natchez “Under the Hill.” The historic district once had an infamous reputation as the rowdiest river port on the Mississippi. No longer a hangout for criminals and murderers, it now includes shops, eateries, and great riverfront views.

So, did you know Natchez was filled with so many historic buildings? Ever toured any of them? Tell us in the comments sections.

Janie Fortenberry/Photography with a Southern Accent, Vicksburg, Mississippi

Natchez is synonymous with antebellum mansions – and for good reason. It has more antebellum homes than any other town in the South. There are several ways to take in the impressive homes from the past. Visit on a nice day, and you can simply walk around and admire the homes from the outside. Or, if you have more time, you can take individual tours of the homes.

City Sightseeing Natchez/Facebook

The Natchez Historic City Tour is also a great option. Ride the double-decker bus to over 40 of Natchez’s historic buildings, homes, and churches. Even better, it’s a “hop on, hop off” tour, so you can get off and explore any site that catches your eye.

stan_39440/TripAdvisor

The Towers, Choctaw Hall, and St. Mary Basilica are just a few of the interesting sites you’ll see on the tour. A one-day ticket is $20; while a two-day ticket can be purchased for just $22.

rhondakay456/TripAdvisor

To really experience the best of historic Natchez, make plans to attend the city’s pilgrimage, which is held twice a year – in the fall and the spring. Each pilgrimage lasts several weeks and offers visitors the chance to step inside privately-owned antebellum mansions that aren’t open any other time of the year. In addition to daily tours, the festival includes hosts dressed in period costumes, re-enactments, music, and more.

Can’t make it to the pilgrimage? No problem; the same organization offers year-round tours. These tours offer access to some of Natchez’s best sites from the past. Longwood, Stanton Hall, Rosalie, Linden, and Dunleith are just a few of the antebellum mansions that can be toured throughout the year. Limited on time? Pay a visit to the Natchez National Historical Park, which is made up of three properties – the Melrose Mansion, the William Johnson House, and Fort Rosalie site. Melrose is the most popular of the three sites, which probably has something to do with it being the most intact antebellum estate in the country.

Shannon W/TripAdvisor

Guided tours of Melrose are offered daily from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. During the 45-minute tour, you’ll get an up close look at the 1st and 2nd floors, which are filled with antique furnishings and décor.

Allison Richard/Zomato

While in Natchez you can do more than tour historic buildings, you can actually dine in them. A few of the city’s antebellum homes include restaurants. There’s also King’s Tavern – a restaurant housed in a building that dates back to the 1780s. Over the centuries, the building served as a tavern, inn, and the city’s first post office. Visit today, and you can fill up on flat breads and hand crafted cocktails.

Michael S/TripAdvisor

Don’t want the historic fun to end when the sun goes down? You’re in luck. Several mansions have been transformed into inns. With antique furnishings and décor, it’s a stay you’re sure to remember.

Monmouth Historic Inn/Google

Dunleith and Monmouth, which is a National Historic Landmark, are just two antebellum mansions that now serve as B and Bs.

rwait/TripAdvisor

While in town, don’t forget to explore Natchez “Under the Hill.” The historic district once had an infamous reputation as the rowdiest river port on the Mississippi. No longer a hangout for criminals and murderers, it now includes shops, eateries, and great riverfront views.

This isn’t the only Mississippi town loaded with history. Learn about others here.

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