If there could be only one ultimate Mississippi vacation destination, it would have to be the Natchez Trace Parkway. A combination of natural beauty and history, visiting the 444-mile parkway is an experience like no other. Spanning three states, there is no shortage of interesting sites along the way. The Mississippi portion alone is filled with everything from a ghost town to the famous Windsor Ruins. If you haven’t already visited the Natchez Trace Parkway, you should definitely add it to your bucket list, and be sure to visit these popular spots.

1. Emerald Mound, milepost 10.3

Just north of Natchez, Emerald Mound is actually the second largest prehistoric ceremonial mound in the entire country. Signage and displays at the site provide information on the construction of the mound as well as the people who lived and worked there.

2. Mount Locust, milepost 15.5

One of the most significant sites on the Natchez Trace Parkway, Mount Locust served as an inn before becoming the center of a Mississippi cotton plantation. The restored plantation is open every day from 8:30 am to 5 pm from February through November.

3. Windsor Ruins, milepost 30

Considered the "most imposing ruins in the United States," the Windsor Ruins are by far one of the state’s most notable sites. The exquisite ruins include 23, 45-foot tall columns and a few pieces of cast iron balustrade.

4. Sunken Trace, milepost 41.5

One of the most photographed sites along the parkway, the Sunken Trace was created by thousands of travelers walking on the easily eroded loess soil. Taking a stroll on this preserved section of the Trace will undoubtedly have your imagination soaring as you’re transported back to the 1800s.

5. Rocky Springs 54.8

Now a ghost town, Rocky Springs was once a prosperous community with over 2,500 residents. Today all that’s left of the town is a church, cemetery, and remnants of an old post office safe and a cistern.

6. Cypress Swamp, milepost 122

This incredible cypress swamp includes a self-guided trail that is approximately one-half mile, allowing plenty of time for an alligator sighting – which has been known to happen.

7. French Camp, milepost 180.7

Offering visitors the chance to experience early American life for themselves, French Camp is made up of several historic buildings and a museum that is filled with primitive antiques and memorabilia.

8. Jeff Busby Park, milepost 193.1

This beautiful park offers all sorts of fun, including a hiking trail to the second highest point in the state, an 18-site campground, picnic tables, and grills.

9. Bynum Mounds, milepost 232.4

Believed to be constructed around 100 BC, these Indian mounds are among the oldest on the Natchez Trace. The Bynum Mounds are open daily. While visiting, be sure to check out the interpretive kiosk, which will give you a better understanding of the mounds and their significance.

10. Chickasaw Village Site, milepost 261.8

This historic site features the outline of a Chickasaw winter home, summer home, and fort. Informative signs have been added to the site, making it easy for visitors to learn about the tribe’s history, everyday life, and means of survival.

11. Confederate Gravesites, milepost 269.4

At milepost 269.4 you’ll find 13 Confederate grave sites. The identities of those buried, as well as the causes of death, remain a mystery to this day.

12. Pharr Mounds, milepost 286.7

Consisting of eight burial mounds, the Pharr Mounds make up one of the largest Middle Woodland ceremonial sites in the southeastern United States.

This is just a portion of what the Natchez Trace Parkway has to offer. For a complete listing of amazing sites, including those in Alabama and Tennessee, click here.