Road Trip Advice

[Yokandyman]

I can only speak on the Natchez Trace from the Jackson Metro..southward to Natchez. As far as stops for food and gas, that can be done in the Jackson area. There are stops in the Madison/Ridgeland area, Northwestern Jackson, and in Clinton. After that, you will have a few exits along the way to small communities all the way to Port Gibson. If you choose to stop and view Port Gibson, you can exit to Hwy 18 (in north PG) or exit at Hwy 61 (south of PG). Port Gibson is a small town that is poor, but has Church St (which happens to be Hwy 61 running right through it) which features a slew of antebellum homes/architecture along it. You can get back on the Natchez Trace from either exit.. Your choice.

Travel southward about 15 minutes to Lorman/Alcorn community, where there is an exit at MS 552 to Alcorn State University. This campus features the Historic Row with architecture from the 1830s (formerly named Oakland College pre-Civil War). Very beautiful college campus. After leaving there, you can choose to either get back on the Natchez Trace, heading to Natchez or you can travel out a very short distance to Hwy 61 where there is a renowned restaurant called "Old Country Store." The food is AMAZING!!!! And this place has even been featured as a Must-Visit place by Food Network.

Highway 61 will carry you straight to Natchez if you are burned out from the Natchez Trace or you can travel back to MS-552 and get back on the Natchez Trace. If you get back on the Natchez Trace, there is Emerald Mound and Grand Village just north of Natchez. They area archaeological sites that Native Americans built and left behind. Interesting views there...

Then you're in Natchez, where you have a host of sites to see around that city...including views of the enormous Mississippi River.

[Dd714]

Originally Posted by jhadorn

I don't think Tunica is meant to "compete" with Atlantic City or Las Vegas. Tunica was once, and maybe still is, one of the poorest places in the country. I think it was meant to cash in on the public's desire for gambling outside of the established gambling places. The buffet's there are OK, nothing special. I strongly disagree with the south being the land of "no flavor". Where you been eating?

As for NYC pizza, I agree with you. One of my favorite NYC pizza places is Rose's in Penn Station. The other is Pomodoro. There is good pizza to be found in Mississippi though. Try Tribecca Allie's in Sardis for one.

You are right. Not sure why the other person is even trying to compare. The casinos in Tunica are really spread out from each other and selfcontained, set out alone in the middle of nowhere. There is really no town of Tunica you walk around in. It's NOTHING like Atlantic City, no comparison at all nor is it meant to be except that they are casinos.
In Vicksburg they have casinos as well, which actually IS a town, although poor and rather dreary.

These are "riverboat" casinos only as a technicality. There is no real riverboat, only for legal purposes the casino portion somehow float on the MS. You would otherwise never know by looking at them.

[Southern man]

Originally Posted by Drift Away

I have a couple of friends who are taking the Trace from Nashville to Natchez next month. First time to Mississippi. She asked for some must see places, good restaurants, etc. Was going to suggest they stay at the Natchez Grand, but I don’t know much about Natchez. Good restaurants? They are also going to Vicksburg. Any suggestion other than the Park? Would anyone suggest them taking Hwy 61 up to Memphis and if so what all is there to see? Appreciate any help!

Tunica has a ver nice museam about the area. Worth visiting.