By Lyndy Berryhill

NATCHEZ — Natchez is making summer headlines across the country.

Recent state, regional and national publications continue to feature the city.

Visit Natchez Executive Director Jennifer Ogden Combs said this is exactly the kind of exposure Natchez needs.

“Every bit of publicity, wherever we get it, is good for us,” Combs said. “Every bit of this we’re thrilled about.”

Last year, Natchez was named one of the top six hottest vacation destinations in the world to visit for the 300th birthday on CBS Morning News by CBS News Travel Editor Peter Greenberg.

“The tricentennial year put us in the forefront,” Combs said. “It’s important for us to keep Natchez out there.”

This May, Sheryl Nance-Nash, an Orbitz travel blog writer with millions of followers, wrote “3 Perfect Days in Natchez, Mississippi.”

This summer, voters for Mississippi Magazine’s annual best of the state contest named Natchez as the best weekend getaway in Mississippi, Turning Pages bookstore was a finalist for the best bookstore in the state and Fat Mama’s Tamales was a finalist in the best tamales category.

Additionally, a variety of Natchez businesses were also featured on the Southern Living website for “Five things to do in Natchez,” which included a boozy tour of Old South Winery, Charbonneau Distillery and Natchez Brewing Co.

Summer recommendations included paddling the river with Quapaw Canoe Company and visiting the childhood home of “Native Son” author Richard Wright.

The article also highlighted signature historic mansions such as Longwood and Stanton Hall.

Combs said although the spring and fall pilgrimages bring in the brunt of tourists, the summer heat is no reason to drive visitors away with many of the museums and historic houses open year-round.

Combs said if the heat is deterrent, Natchez restaurants are another way to escape the sweltering heat.

“Natchez is a great place to bring your family,” Combs said.

Natchez’s King’s Tavern and Rum Distillery was also featured in the recent Garden and Gun magazine.

King’s Tavern is coming up on its fourth birthday this September. But the restaurant has already been mentioned by The New York Times as well as other publications.

“It takes time to build up to national publicity,”  owner Regina Charboneau said.

Charboneau said her 35 years in the restaurant business helps to promote her restaurant. But more importantly, it is about the hard work she has put in to build her reputation as a chef.

“It’s not an overnight sensation,” Charboneau said. “It’s a lot of building relationships and a reputable, consistent  product.”

Charboneau said much of her publicity comes from being a culinary expert on the Mississippi River.

Charboneau will also be on Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations with her brother Peter Trosclair on a special episode featuring the “Magnificent Mississippi.” It will air at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 8, on the Travel Channel.

The culinary trio will talk Southern food and cook a special quail dish. The episode will re-air the following Tuesday at 7 p.m.

“All publicity really helps your business,” Charboneau said.

Later this year, Charboneau said she would also work with French-born chef Manu Feildel in Australia to talk about the biscuit capital of the world.

“It’s always something I work hard — being an ambassador to Natchez,” Charboneau said. “It helps put Natchez on the map, which is always a good thing.”