Fall Colors (Jackson, Vicksburg, Ridgeland: living in, restaurants, shop)

[jrbr2014]

Hi,

I'm living in baton Rouge &new to this place.. Can I get to see the fall colors & scenic view if i travel to jackson through US-Route 61 highway (natchez->vicksberg -> jackson) .Suggest me the best route for good scenic view & if any good tourist attractions in between for one day trip ...

Thanks..

[An Einnseanair]

First a disclaimer. I have never personally driven down Hwy 61 in that area. With that said, unfortunately Mississippi and Louisiana (especially the southern areas) are relatively flat. The tallest point in Mississippi is around 800-ft above sea level, and that's up in the north-east corner in the Appalachian foothills. Down south you'll rarely if ever get above a few hundred feet. As such, "scenic views" are few. Also, the area is dominated by evergreen pine trees which do not change color. This area is actually known as the "Pine Hills" or "Piney Woods" region.

Your best bet would be to find a hill overlooking a bottomland hardwood forest... but this will be a "spot" instead of "scenic drive". One such "spot" is the Red Bluff Overlook over the Yazoo River bottomlands north of Columbia, MS. It may not have much of a view of "foliage", but it is an impressive view non-the-less.

Maybe a local can chime in with more specific information.

[brickpatio]

The Natchez Trace from Natchez to Jackson is quite beautiful (or exiting onto Hwy 61 near Port Gibson if you continue to Vicksburg). Fall colors are likely to arrive in the first of November. Along the way, the towns of Woodville (a hamlet really), Natchez, Port Gibson, and Vicksburg are full of architecture and history. The terrain in southwest Mississippi is lush and rolling and makes for a pleasant drive. Further east, the towns of Magnolia, McComb and Brookhaven are fun to drive through and a pretty drive up highway 51.

[GrandviewGloria]

BrickPatio is right. The Natchez Trace is beautiful (although maybe less so, since they've cut down so many of the trees). And while the fall colors may not be as dramatic as New England's, from a leaf-peeping standpoint, this is definitely the prettiest and most pleasant time of year in Mississippi. You'll see gently rolling terrain, and very few buildings. It's quite a dream-like experience driving the trace in October and November.

The speed limit is 50, which is very relaxing, and you'll find you get fantastic mileage. We used to love taking our old Volvos on the Trace (35mpg!!!). Just be sure you observe the speed limit, and watch for changes in the speed limit. Most of the speeding tickets I've gotten in my whole life, I've gotten on the Trace (specifically, where the Trace nears Ridgeland). The "Park Pigs" are watching, and when the limit changes from 50, you need to start slowing IMMEDIATELY. I speak from experience.

'Ole Miss types' (who seem to think that speed limits, turning signals, and tailgating rules, apply only to "The Little People") hate the Trace, and tend to use other, less vigorously monitored routes, where they can be more entitled. This enhances the 'Trace Experience' considerably.

There are nice picnic areas, and even a couple of trails. And now that you can, finally, actually get on the Trace in Natchez, and stay on until you hit Ridgeland/Madison, it should be even nicer. One could combine mansion tours in Natchez with dining and shopping in Madison/Ridgeland, and have a really nice weekend. In both Natchez and Madison/Ridgeland, you'll find excellent options for places to stay, and some of the nicest restaurants/bars in the state (particularly in terms of the people you'll see there).