" A Beautiful And Historical Basilica "…read more My wife went to visit the St. Mary Basilica Church in Natchez Mississippi, and we were taken away by how beautiful it was. When you walk into the Cathedral you are amazed by how gorgeous the ceilings are. Walking around, and noticing the history of the St. Mary Basilica was so interesting. And the stainless glass windows are some of the nicest I have ever seen. The stained glass windows include the Saints Thomas, Our Lady of Lourdes, Jude, Catherine Laboure, and John the Baptist. If you are going to the city of Natchez, this is a must see !

So I grew up in Europe and when somebody in the US gushes about how pretty a church is, I usually…read morejust roll my eyes. Our driver at Southern Carriage tours (which I can also highly recommend by the way) recommended this church and he was right. It may not be as large as some of the European cathedrals but it is equally beautiful. Walking in is like stepping into a totally different world. The stain glass windows are so detailed and beautiful with deep, rich colors. Pictures do not do the colors justice, the way the light filters into the church. The deep blue ceiling and statues add to the effect. Do not miss this gem if you are in Natchez. Great place to get out of the heat and rest. The church is open until 4pm and entrance is free. With the covid, a number of benches are roped off so you can easily maintain social distancing even if you would like to pray. We felt both safe and welcome.

We were in absolute aweee at the photographs. Such a neat little stop!!…read more "Located in the Stratton Chapel Gallery at 405 State Street behind the Federal style First Presbyterian Church downtown and across from City Hall is an outstanding collection of photographs taken from as early as 1860 and offering a grand depiction of life in Natchez over the course of its early history. The collection boasts over 500 photographs of steamboat activities along the river, the families and homes of Natchez, and downtown Natchez as it once looked in the days of old. The collection for viewing is made possible through the generosity of the late Dr. Thomas Gandy and his wife Joan who spent many years restoring the photographic works of Henry and Earl Norman. A $5 donation is requested."

I stopped by while I was in the area to see the history of Natchez in pictures. They are mainly on…read morethe second floor, and the elevator was not working. Many rooms filled with pictures and it seemed to flow well from one room to the next. I would recommend for anyone in the area.

We visited this church a few months ago and we were warmly welcomed by everyone!…read moreThe sermon is straight from the scripture. They were in Psalm 119.

We only drove part of the trace, but it was beautiful. So very, very green. We felt a million…read moremiles from anywhere. The road is smooth and continuous (no lights, no towns to go through). Few vistas, but beautiful forests and fields. Attractions and walking path along the route are marked by hanging wooden signs. We often didn't see those until we were right next to them. Our cell phone reception was poor in spots, so I would recommend looking at a map ahead of time and knowing where you want to stop. Most attractions along the way can easily be found if you know what mile marker to start looking. We visited during corona and crowds were light, we felt like the only people on the road. Most restrooms/water fountains and visitor centers were closed either due to covid or storm damage (for example the cypress grove). Check on the NPS website for current conditions. I didn't find the map on the NPS site very helpful, and would recommend you google "scenic trace" or "natchez trace travel" for a better map. The Sunken trace was open and can be accessed within a few steps from the road. I would recommend stopping here, it's remarkable to see how a road many hundreds of years old literally carved its way through the forest. Even with the closures, we felt it was highly worth the relaxing drive.

Incredible beauty along this 400+ mile adventure. I've now been from end to end, finally traveling…read morethe last 100 from Jackson to Natchez, MS. My favorite area of the entire Trace...The Sunken Trace. Take your time, enjoy nature, enjoy life!!!