One of the best places for an early evening meal is the Magnolia Grill with its relaxing views out over the Mississippi . Back in the heyday of the paddle steamers , this district was named Under-the-Hill and was home to illicit activities , gamblers and ne ’ erdo-wells . These days , it ’ s a quiet stretch of Natchez and a great place for seafood that ’ s either been caught from the river or in and around the Gulf Coast . Perhaps the best southern seafood dish on the Magnolia Grill ’ s menu is shrimp and grits with a delicious gravy ( a Creole meunière ) and jumbo gulf shrimp atop cheesy grits . Alternatively , try their delectable housemade crawfish étouffée over rice .
Stop in at the nearby Isle of Capri Riverside Casino for a beverage that whiskey-lovers enjoy , an old fashioned or perhaps try a sazerac , then be enthralled by the flowing , churning waterway . Interestingly , the Isle of Capri is a replica of the J . M . White sidewheel steamboat built in 1878 . images : getty ; 4corners completely destroyed by fire in 2009 , built on 55 lush acres with Spanish moss-draped willows and ubiquitous loblolly pine trees . Natchez is known for its azaleas and the grounds and gardens of these mansion houses are filled with pink and white blooms in March and April . Historic inn The Burn offers terraced gardens , with more than 100 heirloom azaleas and camellias .
Head downtown to take in the monuments to the Civil Rights Movement , including the new Proud to Take A Stand monument , which is a tribute to those who were wrongfully incarcerated in the 1960s for protesting in favor of equal rights .
Clockwise from bottom left : Rosalie Mansion ; Natchez- Vidalia Bridge ; Southern shrimp and grits
Spring 2022 // 15