By Sabrina Simms

NATCHEZ — Leisure is a luxury that need not be wasted because plenty of ways exist to spend the weekend in Natchez.

Here are five things to do this weekend in and around Natchez:

Grand Village of the Natchez Indians

Did you know that the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians is a 128-acre site that holds three prehistoric Native American mounds, a reconstructed Natchez Indian house, museum, gift shop and even a nature trail?

The Grand Village, 400 Jefferson Davis Blvd., Natchez, is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1:30 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Details: call 601-446-6502 or email info@natchezgrandvillage.com

Tour historic houses

You don’t have to be visiting or new to the area to participate in one of the daily tours offered at historic houses such as Longwood, Stanton Hall and Rosalie from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tawana Lowe, administrative assistant receptionist at Visit Natchez, said many touring options are offered daily in the downtown area, including carriage tours and the Open Air Tours on golf carts that are both $20 per person.

A one-day pass to the Hop on and Hop Off double-decker tour bus is $20 and a two-day pass is $21, Lowe said.

Concrete and gravel walking trails wind through most of Downtown Natchez with signage that tell the history of one of the oldest cities on the Mississippi River.

Smoots Grocery

If walking around in the heat is not appealing to you, perhaps a cool evening with live music and motorcycles is.

Smoot’s Grocery, 319 N. Broadway St., Natchez, supports local bands nearly every weekend, and tonight is no different — except tonight they’ve asked local bikers to join the fun and show off their wheels.

Matt Willis, manager at Smoot’s Grocery, said local blues artist YZ Ealey would take the stage from 9 p.m. to midnight Friday night at Smoot’s. On Saturday the Dave Jordan Trio will perform from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. and again on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m.

 Under-the-Hill Saloon

The Under-the-Hill Saloon will host local artists in the SCRATCH band from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday.

Those who wish to attend the live performances must be 21 years old or older and show a valid I.D.

Paranormal Tour

The Natchez Garden club will host its annual paranormal tour from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday evening in Magnolia Hall, 215 S. Pearl St. This is perhaps the spookiest tour of the mansion, which is normally open for tours during daylight hours.

A $50 ticket includes an educational tour of the historic Magnolia Hall, light snacks and an exploration of paranormal activity in a ghost hunt led by the Mississippi Paranormal Society. Purchase tickets online at natchezgardenclub.org.