Hi Cowboy tom. If you want to inhance your trip, stop for some of the best ribs at Rondevous across the street from the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. Head south on RT.61,the delta road. Stop in Tunica at the casinos for a break,head on down the road to Clarksdale. Stop at one of the oldest juke Joints for some of the finest blues anywhere. You won't regret it. Just ask anybody where the juke joint is.The road south is smooth but not much to see. You can go to shelby and turn on to RT. 32 head west to RT 1 Take RT 1 down to rolling fork. Take RT.61 to Baton Rouge. Cross I 10 to rt.1 follow that around to New Orleans.On the way down RT 61 enjoy the ride through Vicksburg and Natches Very picturesque.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. Been looking at the map of the Natchez Trace and websites. It don't really look like there is much to "see" there, am I wrong? We would like to see old buildings, old cemetries and such. Hwy 61 looks like it has the small towns we would probably enjoy more. Taking the Trace would add a day in Mississippi, could be done, we're on the road for 15 days with a couple of days at the end for cushion. Been reading about the Juke Joints and they sounds great and hitting the Mississippi Delta casinos sound good too. Keep the recommendations coming. Thanks.

 

Your observations are correct: there isn't a lot to see on the Trace. That said, it is a relaxing ride down a very nice stretch of two-lane. If you're just looking to make good time, I'd avoid it. With a posted speed limit of just 45 mph you'll end up with a really low average on the day. There are probably other alternatives that are equally as good and a whole lot quicker.

 

Well, I agree that Hwy 61 to Clarksdale is nice, as it allows you to go to Ground Zero Blues Club, owned by Morgan Freeman, a Mississippi native, there's also one in Memphis on Beale St. Personally, if you want to see some of the oldest towns in Ms, travel down Hwy. 51 South. It leaves Memphis, goes thru Horn Lake, which has by far the best HD dealership in the state. Then 51 goes thru some of the best scenery in the north part of the state. Several water-shed lakes are on this route, which are state parks. Lots of good places to stop and grab a bite to eat, gas stations generally are mom and pop variety, and most have a cafe inside. Memphis to Jackson is about 200 miles or better, so allow pleanty of time, you can travel safely around 60 / 65 mph, but, there's LOTS of little towns along the way. Grenada, or Winona are half way to Jackson. Great places to stop and rest, great food just off the highway, (I live there). From Winona to Jackson, it's on thru some more hill country, small communities, local Barney Fife's and all. Some really old houses, turn of the century style plantation homes. From Jackson to New Orleans, it's another 200 or more miles, and the towns are a little closer together. Crystal Springs is a nice place to pull over and stay the nite, or Brookhaven, either one's a winner. Once you cross over into Louisiana, you're bound for some of the best food on the planet. Just south of Hammond, if you stay on 51, you'll be just right below I-55, and theres a settlement called Manchac, some of the best fried cat-fish anywhere. You're then only about 30 miles from New-Orleans, good luck surviving that...

 

Your observation is correct. The Trace is more of a nature and scenic ride. Hwy. 61 will have much more history. As mentioned by another, Hwy 51 is another choice. Seems you are more interested in history, maybe I can help a little on the southern end. Don't miss Vicksburg Battle field in Vicksburg (this is a riding tour, great on a scoot, no way to walk the entire battlefield. Port Gibson and Natchez in Mississippi and St. Francisville in Louisiana are rich is history. As for the catfish mentioned before, all you have to do is take hwy 10 east (2 lane, little traffic and very nice ride) at St. Francisville and go to hwy 51 or I-55 then continue south and you will pass right by Mindenoff's in Manchac. By the way, I live just south of Manchac at the junction of I-10 and I-55, so if you need any more information on this area, I'll be happy to help. Hope you have an enjoyable trip.

 

You guys have been a great help, thank you. It looks like Hwy 61 is going to win.
I figure the route as follows:
Stop at Charles Vergo's Rendezvous Charcoal Ribs for dinner as we go thru Memphis.
Motel 6 for the night in Horn Lake.
Sleep late, and then hit the Horn Lake Harley dealer.
Down Hwy 61 to Clarksdale, probably lunch at Morgan Freeman's Ground Zero Blues Club.
Meander on 61, stop for a photo of Po Monkey's Juke Joint.
Continue with a leisurely ride into Vicksburg for the night.
Visit the battlefield the next morning.
Continue to N.O. after stopping at Mindenoff's in Manchau for catfish.

Couple of more questions if I might.
Andouille, do you have the address of Mindenoffs?
And we usually stay at Motel 6's, but could you guys recommend one of the Casino/Hotel to stay at in Vicksburg (motorcycle safe parking is the most important).
Thanks again guys.

 

Dude, skip the gambling in Vicksburg, the machines are tight, go on over to Biloxi, the Beau Rivage Casino and Resort is great!! Biker friendly, excellent food and some of the best rooms on the strip. Usually some type of headliner entertainment is available. Hey Andouille, give'm the lowdown on Pea-Vine's on the lake shore, ya gotta know about the place, if you live in LaPlace.

 

Cowboy, I cheked their address on their web site, it states "75 Manchac Way, Akers, La. 70421. Don't know if you will find this on a GPS, but it is on Hwy 51 about halfway between Ponchotoula and LaPlace. If you are on I-55 I take exit 15, then right on hwy 51 about half mile, it can be seen from the highway, but you would have passed it by this time and the next exit will be about 5 miles, if this happens just exit Ruddock and backtrack on 51. Just remember, if you are looking for Akers, Manchac, don't look for a big town, it is only a fishing community with a few houses in the middle of the swamp.

Panomine, I tried the new place on Pevine right after they opened. I was not really impressed, the food was okay but pricy and not much. I have talked to others and this is a pretty common view (guess we were looking for a new Snack Shack). But in my opinion it does not compare with the old Snack Shack for price and quanity, but quality seems to be pretty good. At this point I am holding off on a final opinion and will probably try again because these views are right after they opened and may get better as they gain experience. Positives are it is a very nice place with a great view, very biker friendly and has motorcycle only parking right in front.
Please do not let my views prevent you from trying this place out. Try is someday and see, you may have a totally different opinion or thing may change. Oh, in case you are not aware, the old Snack Shack closed and this is a new very nice place on the other side of the road over the lake.

 

Take the Natchez Trace. Take your time and enjoy the scenery.

 

I suppose ANY route south other than I-55 is nice. Once ya'll get down here, maybe, someone'll start another thread about the best joints to eat are at! I'm a Mississippi boy that passes thru New Orleans twice a hitch, and gain weight every time!