Native Americans, Kaintuck boatmen, post riders, government officials, and soldiers all moved across this trail, creating a vital link between the Mississippi Territory and the fledgling United States. Pass through forests, cypress swamps, and farmland to meander through the rock-studded hills of Tennessee, cotton fields in Alabama, and Mississippi s rural countryside.
- Length
- 444 mi / 714.5 km
- Time to allow
- Take two days to enjoy the byway.
- Fees
- None
Who looks after this road
- The Natchez Trace Parkway - Alabama Byways · 800-305-7417 · their site
- National Park Service - Natchez Trace Parkway · 662-680-4025
We publish 18 places that sit on this road, across 3 states, listed in the order you meet them. This is not a route and not a drive time — it is the names, so you can put them into whatever navigation you already use.
“Off” is a straight line from the place to the road, rounded. It is not a driving distance, and the road itself is a simplified centre line, so treat a mile or two as noise.
The Mississippi stretch
Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield SiteMS9 miles off
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
TupeloMS2 miles off
In our guide: 1 lake · 1 animal attraction
Tupelo Elvis FestivalMS2 miles offAnnual event
music festival at Downtown Tupelo
- When
- June
- Since
- first held 1999
- Runs for
- more than one day
CantonMS7 miles off
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
Mississippi Museum of Natural ScienceMS7 miles offAnimals
State natural science museum whose aquarium network holds over 200 living species in 100,000 gallons, per their own site. Open mid-May to Labor Day hours differ; check before a shoulder-season stop.
- Hours
- Mon-Fri 8-5; Sat 9-5; Sun 1-5; closed Jan 1, Easter, Memorial Day, Jul 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, Dec 24, Dec 25
- Adult
- 9
- Child
- 7
JacksonMS7 miles off
In our guide: 5 animal attractions · 2 lakes · 2 parks
Jackson ZooMS5 miles offAnimals
- Hours
- Conflicting: zoo site says daily 9am-4pm; Visit Jackson says Tue & Thu-Sun 10am-4pm
Mississippi State FairMS8 miles offAnnual event
fair at Mississippi State Fairgrounds
- When
- October
- Runs for
- more than one day
ClintonMS1 mile off
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
Port GibsonMS1 mile off
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
NatchezMS3 miles off
In our guide: 5 animal attractions · 1 lake
Vidalia, LAMS3 miles off
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
The Tennessee stretch
Belle Meade Historic Site & WineryTN8 miles offHistoric site
A historic estate where guided tours show an 1853 Greek Revival mansion and tell the history of its horse-breeding farm; a grounds-only ticket covers more than 30 acres with outbuildings, an outdoor game court and a walking trail. A separate tour covers the history of enslavement and emancipation there.
- Run by
- Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery
Cheekwood Estate & GardensTN7 miles offHistoric site
A botanical garden and arboretum with a mansion and museum of art and a family sculpture trail. The mansion and museum are closed November 3–20, 2026 while the Holiday LIGHTS evening event is set up, reopening November 20.
- Hours
- Holiday Hours of Operation November 3, 2026 – January 29, 2027 Tuesday – Sunday | 9 AM – 3:30 PM
- Admission
- Ticket pricing varies by program and day.
- Season
- Holiday LIGHTS | November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027 Monday – Sunday | 4:30 PM – 10 PM
- Run by
- Cheekwood
Radnor Lake State ParkTN9 miles offHistoric site
A 1,389-acre protected natural area in Nashville; its aviary education center shows birds of prey, snakes and turtles that cannot be released, open Wednesdays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pets are allowed only on Otter Creek Road, Hall Drive and the dam.
- Run by
- Tennessee State Parks
FranklinTN7 miles off
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
Pilgrimage Music & Cultural FestivalTN7 miles offAnnual event
music festival at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm
- When
- September
- Since
- first held 2015
- Runs for
- more than one day
Leiper's ForkTN1 mile off
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.