Vicksburg

Vicksburg is a city of 22,000 people in Warren County, Mississippi, perched on high bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River at the southern tip of the Mississippi Delta. The city is most famous as the location of a pivotal 47-day siege during the American Civil War (May 18 – July 4, 1863), when Ulysses S. Grant's Union forces captured this strategically vital river fortress, effectively cutting the Confederacy in two. The Vicksburg National Military Park commemorates this turning point with a 16-mile tour route, hundreds of monuments, and the preserved USS Cairo ironclad gunboat.

Beyond its Civil War legacy, Vicksburg played a crucial role in the development of American blues music. The city served as a central hub where musicians performed for merchants and travelers in music halls and "juke joints" near the river port. Today, Vicksburg offers visitors a chance to experience the legacy and traditions of the American South in a quaint city overlooking the Mississippi River. Historic Washington Street is lined with restaurants and antique consignment shops, and the city's architecture rewards exploration on foot.

Vicksburg is 234 miles (377 km) northwest of New Orleans on the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers, and 40 miles (65 km) due west of Jackson. The climate features hot, humid summers (highs in the 90s°F/32°C) and mild winters (highs in the 50s–60s°F/10–15°C). Spring and fall are the most pleasant seasons.

By Plane

The closest commercial airport is Jackson-Evers International Airport (JAN) in Jackson, about 50 miles east on I-20. Vicksburg also has its own municipal airport for general aviation.

By Car / Road

Vicksburg is accessible via Interstate 20 (east-west) or U.S. Highway 61 (north-south). Jackson is 40 miles east (~45 minutes). New Orleans is 234 miles southeast (~4 hours). The drive from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is approximately 3 hours via I-20 East. Greyhound bus service is available at the depot just off I-20 (1295 S Frontage Rd, +1 601-638-8389).

Downtown Vicksburg is walkable. Sites away from downtown require a car. The NRoute city bus system operates nine routes Monday–Friday, 6AM–6PM. Main depot: 2501 Halls Ferry Rd (+1 601-636-1053). Fares: $1.50 adults, $0.75 seniors, $0.50 children (3–12), $0.25 transfers, $30 monthly pass. Exact change required; no food or drink while riding.

• Vicksburg National Military Park (3201 Clay St, +1 601-636-0583): Commemorates the 1863 battle and siege. Includes visitor center, 16-mile tour route with impressive monument collection, and the USS Cairo ironclad gunboat. Allow 2–4 hours minimum. $20/vehicle, $10 pedestrians/bicyclists, good for one week. Closed New Years, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

• Biedenharn Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia (1107 Washington Street, +1 601-638-6514): M-Sa 9AM–5PM, Su 1:30–4:30PM. Restored 1890 building where Coca-Cola was first bottled in 1894. Adults $2.75, under 12 $1.75.

• Old Court House Museum-Eva W. Davis Memorial (1008 Cherry St, +1 601-636-0741): Vicksburg's most historic building, constructed by enslaved people in 1858. Hosted Jefferson Davis, Theodore Roosevelt, and Ulysses S. Grant. Adults $5, students $3, 65+ $4.50.

• Lower Mississippi River Museum (910 Washington Street, +1 601-638-9900): M-Sa 9AM–4PM, Su 1–4PM. Features an outdoor scaled model of the Mississippi River and the fully restored M/V Mississippi IV riverboat. Free.

• Casinos: Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg (4116 Washington St, +1 601-638-1000) — 70,000 sq ft riverboat casino with 1,800 slots, 36 table games, poker room, and sportsbook. DiamondJacks, Riverwalk, and The Rainbow Casino also offer gaming.

• Bottleneck Blues Bar (Ameristar Casino, 4116 Washington St, +1 601-638-1000): As close to a blues bar as Vicksburg gets. Most events free. Age 21+ required.

• Gold In The Hills (Parkside Playhouse, +1 601-636-0471): The longest running melodrama in the world. Spring/summer only. $10 adults, $5 children.

• Walking Tours of Downtown: Washington Street and the historic district feature beautiful architecture and are best explored on foot.

• Mississippi River Views: The city's bluffs offer panoramic views of the Mississippi River.

• Walnut Hills (1214 Adams Street, +1 601-638-4910): Known for round table service at lunch — southern homestyle food served on a lazy-susan, $11.
• Goldie's Trail Bar-B-Que (2430 S Frontage Rd, +1 601-636-9839): Famous true pit barbecue and "down-home" atmosphere. Featured in Southern Living Magazine. $3–12.
• Rusty's Riverfront Grill (901 Washington Street, +1 601-638-2030): Casual dining downtown with daily lunch and dinner specials. $6–25.
• El Sombrero of Vicksburg (110 Cypress Centre Dr, +1 601-638-1388): Authentic Mexican cuisine.
• Highway 61 Coffee House (1101 Washington St, +1 601-638-9221): Coffee, teas, espresso, and live local musicians every Thursday night. The Attic Gallery upstairs features gorgeous folk art.

• Biedenharn Museum (1107 Washington Street): Old-fashioned soda fountain with authentic fountain drinks including all the Coke you can drink.
• Bottleneck Blues Bar (Ameristar Casino): Live blues music, 21+ required.
• Note: Vicksburg has "local option" alcohol laws. Beer and light wines not sold M-Sa 2–7AM, Su 2AM–noon. Open container consumption outside bars or casinos is illegal (fine up to $1,000 and/or 90 days in jail).

• Budget: Motel 6 Vicksburg (4137 I-20 N Frontage Road, +1 601-638-5811): Modest rooms, pool, complimentary evening cocktails and breakfast buffet.
• Mid-range: Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg (4116 Washington St, +1 601-638-1000): 149 guest rooms with Mississippi River views, European-style bedding, LCD flat screens, and wireless internet. Also has an RV park.
• Upscale: Cedar Grove Mansion Inn (2200 Oak Street, +1 601-636-1000): Elegant rooms furnished in period and reproduction antiques, pool, on-site restaurant and bar, river views, turn-down service. Anchuca Historic Mansion & Inn (1010 First East Street, +1 601-661-0111): Stately live oaks surround this magnificently furnished antebellum home completed in 1847, the first columned mansion built in Vicksburg.

• Historic Downtown Vicksburg (+1 601-634-4527): Washington Street — museums, carriage rides, riverboat rides, antiquing, shopping, gaming, and dining. The downtown businesses are known for hospitality.
• Vicksburg Mall (3505 Pemberton Blvd, +1 601-634-0823): Regional shopping center.

• Jackson (40 miles east on I-20, ~45 minutes): State capital with museums and civil rights landmarks.
• Natchez (70 miles south on US-61, ~1 hour 15 minutes): Antebellum mansions and Natchez Trace Parkway.
• New Orleans, Louisiana (234 miles southeast, ~4 hours): French Quarter, world-class dining, and music scene.
• Memphis, Tennessee (210 miles north on I-55, ~3 hours): Beale Street, Sun Studio, and barbecue.
• Baton Rouge, Louisiana (140 miles west, ~2.5 hours): Louisiana State University campus and Capitol area.