Things to Do in Natchez

The Russell C. Davis Planetarium transports patrons from the bottom of the ocean to the farthest reaches of the galaxy in a massive domed theater. Shows often replicate the night sky on a hemispheric screen, exploring nearby stars and planets as they appeared when viewed from different locations on Earth at various points in history. School groups can tour the facility with a program guide to learn about astronomy, physical science, and the likelihood of their ancestors being exceptionally good-looking space aliens. Large-format films portray the vast extremes of land and sea in natural-science documentaries, whereas occasional laser-light concerts pair contemporary tunes with vibrant beams of light and color.

Throughout the week, Fannin Lanes provides classic entertainment opportunities for bowlers of all ages with 24 tenpin runways and a stocked video arcade. The alley is also home to a full sports bar, which serves dishes such as santa ae egg rolls, fried dill pickles, potato skins, and mexican okra. Craft beer flows from the bar's 40 taps so guests can wet their whistles before refereeing games. Leagues are available seasonally and the alley pro shop houses a stockpile of balls that may be custom-drilled.

Spanish moss drops from the branches of Afton Villa Gardens’s 250 live oaks, brushing the shoulders of Apollo, Diana, and other faded statues of Greek gods. The vitality of the greenery stands in stark contrast to the remnants of past grandeur dotting the landscape. A Gothic Revival mansion stood in the center of Afton Villa Gardens 130 years ago, but crumbled in a 1963 fire. But signs of the estate remain: classical statues carved from Italian stone dot the 250 acres of fertile land, and the mansion’s brick foundation now supports English wallflowers, wild ferns, and exotic Post-it notes.

As the newest residents and caretakers, the Trimble family pays homage to the past not only by preserving the ruins, but by nurturing plants typical to 19th-century southern gardens and West Feliciana parish. Camellias and sweet olive border a formal boxwood parterre, and honeysuckle and silverbell compete for the affections of bumblebees beneath cherry trees. Visitors are welcome to tote along food and beverages to savor a picnic lunch on the idyllic grounds.

[[m:####The Eagle Ridge Golf Course

The Eagle Ridge Golf Course’s 18-hole layout takes golfers loping across 6,526 yards of rolling terrain that beckons to birdie-hunters with a player-friendly, par 72 layout. Throughout the round, players attempt to land skyscraping drives or paper airplanes forged from their opponent’s scorecard in the middle of kempt fairways that arch over cresting hilltops on a path to relatively small, elevated greens. Though the undulated landscape affords golfers picturesque views across the layout, it also bears the threat of unfavorable lies, forcing golfers to showcase their ability to soundly strike balls positioned below their feet, around their knees, or balanced on a fellow player's nose. An onsite driving range helps players warm up before the round, and Eagle Ridge caters to clubbers of all ages and abilities with four tee options.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course
• Length of 6,256 yards from the farthest tees
• Course rating of 68.5 from the farthest tees
• Slope rating of 112 from the farthest tees
• Four tee options

Boasting credentials such as registered yoga instructor, doctor of health psychology, and licensed counselor, Dr. Kimberly Lichte-Madakasira helps clients conquer physical and emotional tension by combining Eastern and Western healing modalities. The spacious, lilac-toned studio flooded with natural light soothes guests with burnished hardwood floors and a ceiling mural of peaceful, downward-hippopotamus-shaped clouds. Here, students of all experience levels flow through therapeutic yoga classes, such as Yoga for Cancer Recovery, traditional Hatha yoga, and Yoga for Stress. As a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, Kimberly is able to create custom yoga plans designed to help students find relief from specific physical and emotional ailments.

Sprawling across an indoor arena, Pump It Up's giant inflatables beckon kids to slide and bounce during private parties and open play. Technicolor bouncy castles send their inhabitants soaring, obstacle courses foster good-spirited competition, and ceiling-to-floor slides let sock-clad kiddies pretend they're escaping a giant gumball machine. Occasionally, Pump it Up's staff dims the lights and turns up the music to transform their facility into a glow-in-the-dark party catered to tweens and teens.

Pump It Up's staff supervises the arena during parties, giving parents time to relax and play patty cake uninterrupted. They can also help customers design personalized parties inside a private room with options such as pizza, drinks, goodie bags, balloons, and ice cream.