The Natchez Bed & Breakfast Association proudly presents our first Christmas Tour of Bed & Breakfast Homes on the holiday weekends from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 14 and 21 as our contribution to our city’s Christmas in Natchez events happening this month.

This Christmas you’ll be treated to an inside view of some of the best B&Bs in the South and learn first-hand about a new generation of B&Bs lodging experiences are helping redefine the term “bed-and-breakfast” as no longer code for teddy bears, floral bedspreads and doilies.

Besides touring homes representing a range of architectures, ages, sizes and guest amenities, our evening guests will enjoy the season’s decorations, wonderful live music by local musicians, tasty food and drink and share the revelry with family, friends and visitors.

Purchasing a ticket further qualifies you to receive special holiday treats at participating downtown restaurants and a dozen of our local shops. Also, you will be entered into a drawing to win one $300 credit that will be awarded toward your choice of a B&B stay at one of the participating B&Bs.

What more would one want at Christmas time?

Local talent will contribute two-hour holiday musical performances to the festivities, including Donna Schaffer (keyboard and vocal) and George Piazza (percussion) at Monmouth on Dec 14 and Dunleith on Dec 21; Joe Wild (guitar and vocal) at Linden on Dec 14 and Magnolia Cottage on Dec 21; and, Joshua Nichols on keyboard at Devereaux Shields on Dec 14 and Bisland House on Dec 21. They are guaranteed to bring you joy and raise your spirits with their performances this holiday season.

Our bed and breakfast community has played an important and indelible role in the Natchez experience that many travelers have sought out and grown to love over the years.

Now you may see first-hand the finer elements our guests and writers have kindly shared with us about their Natchez experience in untold letters, emails, reviews and articles. Since our association’s inception in early 2012, our mission has been to operate as a non-profit, voluntary organization of bed and breakfast properties dedicated to promoting the City of Natchez and the bed and breakfast industry for the benefit of its members and the community.

Nearing our association’s second anniversary, our mystery and romantic comedy dinner theater events that we sponsor during slower periods have become guest favorites.

Check out the next one scheduled Feb. 1 at Magnolia Hall.

Our B&B Christmas Tour promises to bring more visitors to Natchez. Natchez B&B lodging may be explored at natchezmsbandb.com. Contact tour event chairman Ronald Fry at comfort@dshieldsusa.com or 601-304-5378 with any questions.

The participating B&Bs on Dec. 14 include the Monmouth Historic Inn, Linden and Devereaux Shields House.

The participating B&Bs on Dec. 21 include the Dunleith Historic Inn, Magnolia Cottage and the Bisland House.

To delight the young at heart, garden-size model railroads will be operating in the garden and homes of some of the B&Bs on tour.

To help guide you, look for beautiful, handcrafted “B&B Tour” Wreaths marking the B&Bs on tour.

You may visit natchezpilgrimage.com to view pictures and further details of our tour B&Bs. Tickets are $30 per adult, $15 accompanied children 6-12 and accompanied children under 6 are free.

To purchase tickets, visit the Natchez Pilgrimage Tours website or call 800-627-6742.

After NPT’s office hours, tickets will also be available for walk-ins the day of the tours after 5 p.m. at Monmouth and Dunleith Historic Inns for $35 per adult, and $20 children 6-12.

 

Ron Fry is owner and innkeeper of Devereaux Shields House and president of Bed & Breakfast Association of Mississippi.