Buzzard - even though we only have three days, it's meant to be a relaxing trip. In doing some research I saw all the many places to stop and thought, there's no way we are going to be able to hit all these and was just looking for some tips on what's interesting or can't miss.

 

I have ridden the NT twice starting in Natchez both times. Always finished with a trip to the Grand Old Opry in Nashville. Be sure and get some pictures by the double arch brige on the north end. Don't miss the Merriwether Lewis park and grave site. On the southern end be sure and see the Winser Ruins (sp). In Natchez if you stay overnight be sure and eat at the "Kings Tavern". It is the oldest place in Natchez and the food is pretty good too. Go upstairs for the haunted room. Middle - stop in Raymond. There is a good "home cooking" place to eat lunch. Also there is a world class vinyl record store there.

 

I have done the ride two times (from Dayton, OH) north to south, as the others say VERY NICE RELAXING RIDE. But don't get in a hurry. Some of the others riding with me one time got bored and was ready to get off after a few hours, but I enjoyed it. No billboards, no trucks, no stop lights, just peaceful riding with great scenery. The second trip I went alone.

At the north end eat at Loveless Cafe,(this is right at the north end within a half mile) its an old cafe and motel from the 40's good food, nice stop. The motel is closed and now has gift shops or something.

I stayed at Tupelo the first night and Natchez the second night. I ate at a small joint on top of the hill above the casino called mama Tamales, I think that was the name. The HD dealer in Jackson said they ride down on day rides and eat there. Good Food.

If you do Cincinnati to Natchez by way of the trace it will take two days, then on the third day take the slab, 788 miles 12 hours. Tough but it can be done. I think 3 days total is pushing it, just MHO but enjoy and ride safe.

 

Thanks for the recommendations. I've seen other comments about the Loveless Cafe so I'll definitely eat there. We've got three days to spend on the Natchez Trace, I wasn't counting the travel time to and from Cincy. I'm thinking we'll just head out and see where we get with the time we have.

If anyone else has suggestions or recommendations, I'd like to hear them.

 

Just a few thoughts, because everyone has different likes. I would spend the first night in Tupelo, mostly because it is on the Trace. Some things we like are Lewis burial site, French Camp (good place for a lunch), and Winsor ruins are the larger attractions. If you have time a little detour to the Vicksburg Battle grounds is about 40 miles off of the trace (being you have 3 days for the trace, Vicksburg may be a good place to stay overnight as the battle ground is large and you will have to ride the battle grounds on your bikes). From Vicksburg it's a short ride to Natchez. Port Gibson is a nice town on the trace, was said the Union did not burn this town because of it's beauty (just not my favorite) and very close to the Winsor Ruins. You can also try the "Old Country Store" for lunch in this same area.

Things I would skip, there are many indian burial mounds along the way that are only piles of dirt, if you want just take a look at one or two original trace sites, again once you've seen one it is just repeats.

My thoughts on the Trace is that the north end is a much better ride, while the south end has much more history.

These are just quick thoughts and my preference you may want something completely different. Just one last thought, watch your gas guage you may have to plan gas stops to keep from having to go too far off the Trace to get gas. I once had to detour 30 miles just for gas. Have fun and take your time.

 

Andouille - thanks for the insight. Hadn't thought about gas, that wouldn't have been good.

 

On weekends there will be many bicycle riders, mostly on the northern part. Have fun and be safe.

 

The Old country Store near Lormand close to the ruins as Andoullie said is a great place to eat if you like fried chicken buffet. Near natchez is one mound (Emerald Mound) you might want to visit it is huge and all the dirt was carried on their backs. Lewis's burial site is a must stop. We stopped at a site which used to be a steel mill nothing left but a few piles of rock and coal, found some iron slag. Tupelo is a good place to stay you can go visit Elivis's family home.

 

Group of us from Nashville met at Loveless on the north end and rode south to Miss. State line and back in the same day last fall. It was a bit long and we did not stop much. I did not mind it too much on my Limited but a fella with us on his Sporty was pretty sore afterward. Think he had to visit the back doc the next week. Loveless is a popular gathering point for bike groups. Some folks also like to visit Lieper Fork but its real close to north end. Do not ride the Trace from dawn to dusk as deer are everywhere.

 

Go for it........... do it one way though, as it does get boring.

Last summer, rode from Nashville down into Missisippi and then detoured over to Birmingham, Alabama to visit the Barber Motorcycle Museum. Took the slap back to Ohio from there with a stop at Deals Gap for a night.

Here are a few pics