Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Drive the Natchez Trace Parkway Through Mississippi — History, Culture & Cuisine from Natchez to Tupelo
Join Darley Newman on an epic road trip along the Natchez Trace Parkway — one of America's most storied National Park routes — traveling from Natchez to Ridgeland to Tupelo, Mississippi through 10,000 years of history, culture, and cuisine.
What You'll Experience in This Episode:
✅ Longwood (Nutt's Folly), Natchez — The largest octagonal home in America, left unfinished when the Civil War began. Guide Dona-Marie Geoffrion tells the story.
✅ Dr. John Bowman Banks Museum, Natchez — Home of the first Black physician in Natchez and headquarters of the Natchez NAACP. Thelma Newsome and Dr. Roscoe Barnes III share the Civil Rights history.
✅ Historic Natchez with Sally Durkin — A multi-generational local guides Darley through Fort Rosalie, the William Johnson House, Myrtle Terrace, and the legendary Tripod the three-legged cat.
✅ Fat Mama's Tamales, Natchez — Owner James David Gammill II on why hot tamales are a Mississippi River tradition going back generations.
✅ Natchez City Cemetery — Phebe Winters shares the colorful stories behind one of the South's most fascinating historic cemeteries.
✅ Under the Hill Saloon, Natchez — Said to be the oldest saloon on the Mississippi River, once frequented by Mark Twain.
✅ The Donut Shop, Natchez — A beloved local institution and the perfect send-off before hitting the Trace.
✅ Bill Waller Crafts Center & Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi, Ridgeland — Folk artist Diane Williams, weaver Marcie Petrini, and master woodworker Brian Hill keep traditional Southern arts alive.
✅ Shapley's Restaurant, Ridgeland — Family-owned for 40+ years, Mark and Mary Shapley's steakhouse is a Ridgeland institution.
✅ Cycling Ridgeland with Mayor Gene McGee — The city's 35-year mayor and avid cyclist on why Ridgeland is a trail lover's paradise along the Trace.
✅ Fischer Galleries, Ridgeland — Marcy Fischer Nessel showcases Mississippi artists including portraits of Faulkner, Eudora Welty, and Tennessee Williams.
✅ Lily Pad Café, Ridgeland — Kristin Lape's café trains and employs individuals with Down syndrome — one of the most inspiring stops on the route.
✅ Caroline Warner's Tearoom & Apothecary, Ridgeland — A Southern tea tradition built from grandmother's Delta recipes.
✅ Township at Colony Park, Ridgeland — Local dining and artisan shopping including Local 463 and J. Olive.
✅ Chickasaw Village Site, Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail — Brady Davis on the deep Indigenous history of the Natchez Trace corridor.
✅ Forklift Restaurant & Blue Canoe, Tupelo — Chef Cooper Miller's Southern heritage cooking at Forklift, plus live music and award-winning sweets at Blue Canoe.
✅ Mae's To Go & King Chicken Fillin' Station, Tupelo — The perfect morning stops before a full day of Elvis history.
✅ Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum, Tupelo — The two-room home where the King was born, his childhood church, and a stained glass chapel he requested for his fans. Roy Turner, who attended school with Elvis, sits down with Darley.
✅ Tupelo Hardware Company — Where Elvis came in for a bicycle and left with a guitar.
✅ Johnnie's Drive-In, Tupelo — Elvis's childhood favorite. Madison White carries on the legacy of owners Craig and Christi White.
✅ Queen's Reward Meadery, Tupelo — Jeri Carter's small-batch meads made from 100% local Mississippi honey at the state's first meadery.
📺 Watch "Travels with Darley: Mississippi's Natchez Trace" on PBS & Streaming: darley-newman.com/travels-with-darley
🔔 Subscribe for More Travel & History Videos: darley.link/youtubesubscribe
🎧 Listen to the "Travels with Darley" Podcast: iheart.com/podcast/53-travels-with-darley-123513653
📲 Follow Darley for Exclusive Travel Content:
Instagram: instagram.com/darleynewman
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Drive the Natchez Trace Parkway Through Mississippi — History, Culture & Cuisine from Natchez to Tupelo
Join Darley Newman on an epic road trip along the Natchez Trace Parkway — one of America's most storied National Park routes — traveling from Natchez to Ridgeland to Tupelo, Mississippi through 10,000 years of history, culture, and cuisine.
What You'll Experience in This Episode:
✅ Longwood (Nutt's Folly), Natchez — The largest octagonal home in America, left unfinished when the Civil War began. Guide Dona-Marie Geoffrion tells the story.
✅ Dr. John Bowman Banks Museum, Natchez — Home of the first Black physician in Natchez and headquarters of the Natchez NAACP. Thelma Newsome and Dr. Roscoe Barnes III share the Civil Rights history.
✅ Historic Natchez with Sally Durkin — A multi-generational local guides Darley through Fort Rosalie, the William Johnson House, Myrtle Terrace, and the legendary Tripod the three-legged cat.
✅ Fat Mama's Tamales, Natchez — Owner James David Gammill II on why hot tamales are a Mississippi River tradition going back generations.
✅ Natchez City Cemetery — Phebe Winters shares the colorful stories behind one of the South's most fascinating historic cemeteries.
✅ Under the Hill Saloon, Natchez — Said to be the oldest saloon on the Mississippi River, once frequented by Mark Twain.
✅ The Donut Shop, Natchez — A beloved local institution and the perfect send-off before hitting the Trace.
✅ Bill Waller Crafts Center & Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi, Ridgeland — Folk artist Diane Williams, weaver Marcie Petrini, and master woodworker Brian Hill keep traditional Southern arts alive.
✅ Shapley's Restaurant, Ridgeland — Family-owned for 40+ years, Mark and Mary Shapley's steakhouse is a Ridgeland institution.
✅ Cycling Ridgeland with Mayor Gene McGee — The city's 35-year mayor and avid cyclist on why Ridgeland is a trail lover's paradise along the Trace.
✅ Fischer Galleries, Ridgeland — Marcy Fischer Nessel showcases Mississippi artists including portraits of Faulkner, Eudora Welty, and Tennessee Williams.
✅ Lily Pad Café, Ridgeland — Kristin Lape's café trains and employs individuals with Down syndrome — one of the most inspiring stops on the route.
✅ Caroline Warner's Tearoom & Apothecary, Ridgeland — A Southern tea tradition built from grandmother's Delta recipes.
✅ Township at Colony Park, Ridgeland — Local dining and artisan shopping including Local 463 and J. Olive.
✅ Chickasaw Village Site, Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail — Brady Davis on the deep Indigenous history of the Natchez Trace corridor.
✅ Forklift Restaurant & Blue Canoe, Tupelo — Chef Cooper Miller's Southern heritage cooking at Forklift, plus live music and award-winning sweets at Blue Canoe.
✅ Mae's To Go & King Chicken Fillin' Station, Tupelo — The perfect morning stops before a full day of Elvis history.
✅ Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum, Tupelo — The two-room home where the King was born, his childhood church, and a stained glass chapel he requested for his fans. Roy Turner, who attended school with Elvis, sits down with Darley.
✅ Tupelo Hardware Company — Where Elvis came in for a bicycle and left with a guitar.
✅ Johnnie's Drive-In, Tupelo — Elvis's childhood favorite. Madison White carries on the legacy of owners Craig and Christi White.
✅ Queen's Reward Meadery, Tupelo — Jeri Carter's small-batch meads made from 100% local Mississippi honey at the state's first meadery.
📺 Watch "Travels with Darley: Mississippi's Natchez Trace" on PBS & Streaming: darley-newman.com/travels-with-darley
🔔 Subscribe for More Travel & History Videos: darley.link/youtubesubscribe
🎧 Listen to the "Travels with Darley" Podcast: iheart.com/podcast/53-travels-with-darley-123513653
📲 Follow Darley for Exclusive Travel Content:
Instagram: instagram.com/darleynewman
Facebook: facebook.com/travelswithdarley
TikTok: tiktok.com/@darleynewman
Twitter (X): https://x.com/DarleyNewman
