William Harris House Review: Where to Stay in Natchez, MS

Staying in a historic home in Natchez is one of the best ways to experience this Southern city, and the William Harris House actually made us feel immersed in the city’s past.

Kevin and I stayed in this restored 1835 home right in the historic district, surrounded by antiques, period furniture, and more rooms than the two of us knew what to do with. We relaxed in the parlors, wandered through rooms filled with old books and quirky antiques, sipped coffee overlooking the courtyard, and were able to walk just a few blocks to restaurants, historic homes, and the Mississippi River.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Natchez, here’s what it was like staying at the 1835 William Harris House, what I loved, a few quirks to know about, and who I think this historic vacation rental is best for.

A special thanks to the William Harris House for hosting our stay! As always, all opinions are my own.

About the William Harris House in Natchez

The William Harris House is an antebellum home in Natchez, Mississippi built in 1835 for William Mercer Harris, a prominent Natchez merchant, real estate developer, planter, and alderman.

Natchez is known for its antebellum homes, and the William Harris House is unique with its originally-constructed brick first story and frame upper story.

In the 1850s, Natchez builder Nathaniel Loomis Carpenter used the home as his personal residence and remodeled the home in 1851.

In 1979, the house was falling into disrepair when the Hollingsworth family bought and restored the home to its former glory.

Now, the William Harris House operates as a short-term vacation rental that lets you stay in the heart of Natchez’s historic district in this beautifully restored antebellum home.

Staying at the William Harris House

The William Harris House has 5 bedrooms, 7 beds, 3 full bathrooms, and a full kitchen. When you rent, you get the whole place to yourself. It’s the perfect Natchez stay for large groups and families.

The Historic Home

Kevin and I stayed at the William Harris House on our visit to Natchez. It’s a huge home for just two people! But it’s an incredible historic stay.

You enter through the New Orleans-style courtyard in the back, connected to the private driveway that has plenty of space to park. The courtyard has a trickling fountain and gas lanterns that are always glowing, so it’s always a warm welcome into the house.

The house has two front parlors, fully decorated with period-appropriate furniture and antiques. There’s a large dining room perfect for entertaining and a kitchen in the back that’s fully stocked. There is one bedroom and full bathroom downtstairs.

Upstairs are four more bedrooms, one with an ensuite bath and one shared bath. There’s also an enclosed porch upstairs, overlooking the courtyard, with everything you need for coffee and tea in the morning.

Four of the bedrooms have queen-sized beds, though the one tester bed is slightly smaller than your average queen, and one of the bedrooms has twin beds. We chose the bedroom upstairs with the single queen-sized bed that didn’t have the canopy. The bathroom was detached, but it was right next to this bedroom, and it had the fun antique tub.

Everything in the home is meant to be used, even the antique furniture. It’s like living in a 19th century house museum!

One of my favorite parts was all the books and knick-knacks lining every single shelf. There was an interesting assortment of antique books, books about Natchez and Mississippi, and books about architecture. Plus, there were fun antiques decorating the house, like bowls of old skeleton keys and magnifying glasses that made me feel like Nancy Drew.

The Secret Cellar

If you ask really nicely, Gabe (your host) may let you into the super secret cellar.

Kevin and I first noticed the cellar light through a crack in the floor between the hallway and the dining room. We wondered what was down there, but I tried not to think too much about it since the door to the cellar was marked “private” and the lock was engaged, so nothing was likely to come out of the cellar.

Gabe came by for a visit along with a couple Natchez locals, and they brought up the fun cellar space that he’s still in the process of renovating. They took us downstairs, and it was way cooler than I’d imagined.

It’s like a wine cellar / man-cave / medieval castle room. The stairs down into the cellar are steep (and they’re the reason you need special permission to go downstairs, until they’re updated). But once you’re down there, the cellar is a cozy hangout spot.

The cellar isn’t normally part of the vacation rental (yet), so don’t count on getting to see it during your stay. But Gabe said would consider letting guests down there by request.

The Heart of Natchez

The William Harris House is located right in the heart of Downtown Natchez. Since downtown is laid out in a nice grid, it’s super easy to walk around. Kevin and I hardly used our car at all during our weekend in Natchez.

You’re just around the corner from other historic homes you can tour like Stanton Hall and Myrtle Terrace (another home associated with Nathaniel L. Carpenter). You’re just a couple blocks away from Main Street that’s filled with local shops and restaurants. The riverfront is also just a few blocks away, and you’ll definitely want to walk the Natchez Bluff Walking Trail at sunset.

Other Natchez sights are an easy drive away, and you have a private driveway with plenty of space for parking plus street parking, so it’s an easy in and out of the home. It’s just a few minutes’ drive to the Natchez City Cemetery, Longwood, and the start of the Natchez Trace Parkway.

What Makes the William Harris House Special

What makes the William Harris House so special is actually getting to stay in a historic Natchez home for a few days.

Natchez has plenty of beautiful antebellum homes you can tour, but actually getting to stay in one is a whole other experience. Settling into the parlor with friends, eating around the large dining room table, sipping coffee upstairs on the porch in the morning, and coming back through the lantern-lit courtyard at the end of the day are unique experiences you won’t get on a historic home tour.

The William Harris House is filled with antiques and period-appropriate furnishings, but nothing feels roped off like you’re in a museum. The house is meant to be lived in and enjoyed. I especially loved all the little details throughout the house. All the antiques make it fun to wander around and see what you’ll find next.

The house also has a strong sense of place. You’re staying in an actual 1835 Natchez home in the middle of the historic district, surrounded by other historic houses, local restaurants, shops, and the Mississippi River. Instead of simply visiting Natchez’s history during the day, you get to be completely immersed in it for your whole trip.

Pros and Cons of Staying at William Harris House

The William Harris House has a lot going for it, especially if you love historic stays and want to be right in the middle of Downtown Natchez. But like any historic home, there are a few quirks to consider before booking. Here are the biggest pros and cons from our stay.

Pros

• You get the entire historic home to yourself. Rather than renting a room in a historic B&B, you have access to all 5 bedrooms, the parlors, dining room, kitchen, courtyard, and other living spaces.
• The location is incredibly walkable. We hardly used our car during our stay. Downtown shops and restaurants, historic homes, and the Mississippi River are all within an easy walk.
• There’s plenty of room for a group. The house sleeps up to 12 people, with 5 bedrooms, 7 beds, 3 bathrooms, several gathering spaces, and a large dining room.
• It actually feels historic. The antiques and period furnishings aren’t just decoration. You’re encouraged to use the house normally, which gives you much more of a “living in a historic Natchez home” experience than simply touring one.
• You still get modern conveniences. There’s a full kitchen, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, laundry, and onsite parking, so you aren’t sacrificing practical amenities for the historic atmosphere.
• The private courtyard is a major bonus. The fountain, gas lanterns, seating, and enclosed setting give you another place to hang out beyond the large indoor living spaces when the weather is nice.

Cons

• It’s an old house. That’s a huge part of the appeal, but if you prefer a sleek, modern accommodation, you may not love the quirks and creaks that naturally come with staying in an antebellum home.
• There are only 3 bathrooms for up to 12 guests. That’s completely manageable for many groups, but a full house will need to coordinate bathroom time, especially while everyone is getting ready in the morning.
• Not every bedroom has a private bathroom. Only one upstairs bedroom has an ensuite, while the three other upstairs rooms share a bathroom. The bathroom downstairs is also an ensuite, so if you’re staying in that room, anyone who wants to use the bathroom downstairs will have to go through your bedroom.
• You’ll need stairs to access most of the bedrooms. Four of the five bedrooms are upstairs, so if you have people with restricted mobility in your group, this may not be the best fit.

Who Should Stay at William Harris House?

The William Harris House is made for big groups. Kevin and I stayed there on our own, and it was great for just the two of us, but we could really tell that this house was made for entertaining with its large dining room, tons of seating in the parlors, and lounge-like courtyard. Plus, it can comfortably sleep 12 people in its 5 bedrooms.

This is a great stay if you have a group of history lovers who want a true Natchez stay. When you rent this historic home, you really feel like a Natchez local. It puts you right downtown where you can walk everywhere and really become a part of Natchez daily life.

If you typically like traditional B&Bs, this is a great alternative because it still has that same historic B&B feel but you instead get the whole place to yourself.

Is William Harris House Worth It?

I absolutely think staying at the William Harris House is worth it!

You get all the historic charm of staying in one of Natchez’s famed antebellum homes, but unlike when you stay at one of the B&Bs or hotels around town, you get the full privacy of having the place to yourself.

We loved the house for our weekend stay, but it would also be great for a longer stay in Natchez because you get the kitchen, plenty of space, and the feeling of being part of the Natchez community.

I really loved how close it was to everything on our itinerary. We were able to walk everywhere, and there were so many interesting historical sights and delicious restaurants right within reach.

Check Prices and Availability!

William Harris House FAQ

More Mississippi Travel Tips

• 17 Fun Things to Do in Hattiesburg, Mississippi
• Visiting Rowan Oak, the Home of William Faulkner, in Oxford, Mississippi
• 14 Best Spring Break Destinations in the South
• 14 Best Summer Vacation Spots in the South
• 14 Best Fall Vacations in the South
• 14 Best Winter Vacations in the South

Cheers!

Paige

Did you find this review of the 1835 William Harris House in Natchez, Mississippi helpful? Let me know in the comments!