Dunleith Inn
Natchez
42 DESTINATION BLISS
Less hyped up but no less charming than New Orleans
Natchez , Mississippi is something of a hidden gem among Southern towns . The oldest settlement on the Mississippi River is a treat for history buffs , architecture enthusiasts and anyone who loves good eats and authentic small-town hospitality .
Sporting enthusiasts should venture to nearby Giles Island for a three-day weekend of deer hunting , two days of alligator hunting or a day of duck hunting ; the nearly 10,000-acre camp close to Natchez is a destination in itself . For everyone else , stay at the historic Dunleith Inn , an 1856 Greek Revival mansion situated on more than 40 acres , with spacious rooms and an excellent on-site restaurant .
Spook yourselves with a nighttime ghost tour of haunted Longwood estate , complete with a lantern-lit cemetery stroll . Book a tour of Natchez private homes and experience how storytelling is part of the Southern identity — locals dressed in period garb may invite you in for fascinating ghost stories over homemade cherry pie .
Learn about Mississippi civil rights history with Miss Lou Heritage Group & Tours , led by lifelong Natchez residents . Without question , the best thing about Natchez is the people — you may leave with a few additions to your wedding party .