Not all tourist attractions are known for their safety and serenity—some stand out for their notorious history, risk, and even deadly reputation. In Mississippi, one destination regularly cited among America’s most dangerous tourist attractions is the historic district known as Natchez Under-the-Hill.
The Wicked Past of Natchez Under-the-Hill
Located beneath the towering bluff of the city of Natchez along the Mississippi River, Natchez Under-the-Hill was once infamously called the “resort of the damned.” In the 19th century, as riverboat trade boomed, this small port exploded into life, but not the genteel kind celebrated in the city’s grand mansions. Instead, its roughly twenty businesses—bars, brothels, gaming halls, and warehouses—attracted outlaws, drunks, gamblers, and some of the nation’s worst criminals.
This area was so wild that violent crime was a daily occurrence: muggings, brawls, robberies, and even murders became a grim regularity. The district’s shadowy reputation grew further thanks to infamous criminals like John Murrell, a bandit who would repeatedly sell and steal back enslaved people, and the Harpe Brothers, who are often considered America’s first serial killers—a pair with a legacy of brutal murder and violence.
From Rowdy River Port to Tourist Curiosity
While the “resort of the damned” is now mainly a memory, echoes of its lawless past remain. Natchez Under-the-Hill has been cleaned up and today stands as a row of restored historic buildings, home to restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, and walkways offering impressive views of the Mississippi River. But beneath the area’s present-day tourist charm lies a history that has earned it a reputation as one of the most dangerous places in Mississippi—reputations not easily forgotten.
Even in recent years, the city of Natchez and the Under-the-Hill district have appeared in lists of Mississippi’s most dangerous places due to above-average crime rates, particularly in relation to theft and assaults concentrated during busy tourist seasons and festivals when large crowds gather. While the violence of the past has been largely contained, tourists are still advised to be vigilant, especially when enjoying nightlife or large events along the riverfront.
Stories of Danger and Hauntings
The district’s tumultuous history has also made it a magnet for ghost stories and legends. Guided “ghost” tours recount tales of murder, riverboat banditry, and the tortured souls said to haunt the area. For thrill-seekers and history enthusiasts, the mix of authentic danger and colorful legend makes it all the more alluring.
What Visitors Should Know
Visitors to Natchez Under-the-Hill today experience far less risk than in its infamously violent past, but it remains a destination tinged with danger—real and imagined. The restored district is safe for the average tourist, so long as basic precautions are observed, such as keeping valuables secured and avoiding isolated areas late at night, especially during local festivals when crowds and petty crime can surge.
Why It Remains Notoriously Dangerous
Natchez Under-the-Hill stands as a testament to a wild chapter of Mississippi’s history. Named among America’s most dangerous tourist attractions, it draws visitors not only for its scenic riverfront views but for its aura of danger, its links to legendary crime, and the blood-soaked tales that shaped the legend of the Lower Mississippi. The much-tamed port invites tourists to step into a bygone world—one where danger, and the thrill of survival, once shaped every visit.
Sources
[1] https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/state-pride/mississippi/historic-district-most-dangerous-place-in-ms
[2] https://reolink.com/blog/most-dangerous-cities-in-mississippi/
[3] https://realestate.usnews.com/places/rankings/most-dangerous-places
[4] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/these-are-americas-most-dangerous-tourist-attractions/photostory/103839704.cms
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeSs8FtRRr0
