Jennifer's Guidebook
Outdoor Recreation
This trail is great for walking or biking. It is approximately 23 mile out-&-back with various historical markers along the way. Access the trail from our house . It’s a one mile walk. :)
Natchez Trace Multi-Use Trail
Ross R Barnett Reservoir
This trailhead is very close to our home. A short drive up the Trace will take you to the trailhead for some woodland hiking. Hikes can be short (1-2 mile loops) or longer.
Natchez Trace Yockanookany Trailhead
This trailhead is very close to our home. A short drive up the Trace will take you to the trailhead for some woodland hiking. Hikes can be short (1-2 mile loops) or longer.
Museums
If you are interested in the history of Mississippi and/or the history of civil rights in Mississippi, this cannot be missed. Incredible experience! Words just do not do it justice.
Two Mississippi Museums
222 North StFantastic permanent collection and usually have great exhibits as well. Beautiful garden area as well.
47 locals recommend
Mississippi Museum of Art
380 S Lamar StFantastic permanent collection and usually have great exhibits as well. Beautiful garden area as well.
Food scene
New and fresh- great place for trendy eating. Has a nice food hall called Cultivation as well. About 12 miles up I-55 toward Jackson.
21 locals recommend
The District at Eastover
1250 Eastover DrNew and fresh- great place for trendy eating. Has a nice food hall called Cultivation as well. About 12 miles up I-55 toward Jackson.
Cups Coffee Shop
7000 Old Canton RdPrimos Cafe
515 Lake Harbour DrBlue Plates are so, so good!
Recently named the best “meat and three” in Mississippi by Southern Living Magazine. A local favorite - think Plate lunches and burgers
Trace Grill
574 US-51Recently named the best “meat and three” in Mississippi by Southern Living Magazine. A local favorite - think Plate lunches and burgers
Amerigo Italian Restaurant
6592 Old Canton RoadLocal favorite
Hokkaido Hibachi Grill & Sushi
1029 US-51Local favorite
El Ranchito
1029 US-51Local favorite
Pelican Cove Grill
3999 Harborwalk DrOften has live music. Burger joint type place on the Rez.
Shucker's Oyster Bar
116 Conestoga RdQuintessential bar and grill near the Rez.
Cock of the Walk
141 Madison Landing CirFried Catfish, cornbread and greens 🍴
McB's Bar & Grill
815 Lake Harbour DriveLocal Joint - live music on scheduled days
Shopping
Close shopping -also has a Fresh Market and a Starbucks.
33 locals recommend
Renaissance at Colony Park
1000 Highland Colony PkwyClose shopping -also has a Fresh Market and a Starbucks.
Kroger
1070 US-51Best grocery store that is close
Madison Cellars
1038 US-51Local shops, plus Lululemon and a Whole Foods. Nice local restaurants there as well.
23 locals recommend
Highland Village Shopping Center
4500 Interstate 55 North Frontage RdLocal shops, plus Lululemon and a Whole Foods. Nice local restaurants there as well.
Neighborhoods
Older, established neighborhood that is well-kept. The kind of neighborhood that sells by word of mouth because no one ever moves and lots of people want to live there. Young families with small children, older couples, and a few weekend homes on the water. Small community in an excellent and very safe location. It is named such because it is rumored to have been a tavern stop along the original Natchez Trace for travelers by stagecoach, carriage, and horseback.
Tavern Hill
Older, established neighborhood that is well-kept. The kind of neighborhood that sells by word of mouth because no one ever moves and lots of people want to live there. Young families with small children, older couples, and a few weekend homes on the water. Small community in an excellent and very safe location. It is named such because it is rumored to have been a tavern stop along the original Natchez Trace for travelers by stagecoach, carriage, and horseback.
Nature Observation
You can walk to the area where Snappy Sync (Photuris Frontalis) Fireflies are observed each year during late spring. Here is a youtube video link of the area where we view them between Mother's Day and Memorial Day each year:
https://youtu.be/kNwXSL6ZyoA
Natchez Trace Parkway
Natchez Trace ParkwayYou can walk to the area where Snappy Sync (Photuris Frontalis) Fireflies are observed each year during late spring. Here is a youtube video link of the area where we view them between Mother's Day and Memorial Day each year:
https://youtu.be/kNwXSL6ZyoA
Traveler advice
Customs and culture
About Madison
Madison is a very planned community. You won’t see any signs up in the air and most buildings follow a strict code for look and design. We have lived here long enough to not notice- but most people new to the area do comment on how “clean” and “nice” everything looks. It’s by design. :)
Getting around
Everything You Need to Know about Traveling the Trace
Here is a comprehensive guide to traveling the Natchez Trace:
www.natcheztracetravel.com