Fall begins the season of traditions. As the air finally gives us some reprieve from the Southern heat, we turn to cozy comforts. We gather our friends and families close, celebrating our favorite rituals and making new traditions as we go along.
If you’ve never been to Vicksburg, you might not know that it’s a perfect fall-fun destination. In so many ways, Vicksburg is history—and what makes this place truly special is how alive that history is. Here you can reach out and touch the past as you live in the moment, strolling through an art show over crunchy leaves, browsing local markets in the cool air, or taking a walking tour through a backdrop of vibrant fall colors.
Whether you’re looking for comfort food, ghosts and ghouls, or a DIY field trip to learn something new, Vicksburg is your key to an awesome autumn.
FOOD: FUELING UP FOR FUN
Vicksburg is rich in culinary traditions, from hot tamales and seafood to biscuits and barbeque, and there’s no shortage of treats here to sate your appetite.
On weekend trips, stay in a historic B&B to ace the most important meal of the day. Craving something satisfying and Southern to start your day? Try Anchuca for a full Southern breakfast of eggs, bacon, biscuits with honey, cheese grits, and fresh fruit. Their coffee has a perfect hint of fall flavor, too—we won’t spill the beans on the delicious secret, so you’ll just have try it yourself.
Stop in for lunch at Main Street Market, where walking in the door feels like being invited into a friend’s house. You’ll be treated like one of the regulars as you enjoy hearty, creole-inspired favorites like chicken and andouille gumbo or the quiche of the day.
Boasting the most spectacular view of the city’s fall foliage is 10 South Rooftop Bar & Grill. Perched atop the First National Building, this open-air eatery stuns at sunset, when the river turns pink and gold. The scenery pairs famously with a dinner of Redfish and Hoppin’ John or a burger with Coca-Cola BBQ sauce.
Festivities: Roots and Revelry
Every fall, a range of entertainment events brings the streets of Vicksburg to life. Take in some tunes at PorchFest, a grassroots music festival featuring pop-up front-porch performances. Or peruse take-home treasures at the Old Court House Flea Market, where over a hundred local vendors offer collectibles, arts and crafts, plants, and more. You’ll also discover memorable Vicksburg-centric happenings like cornhole tournaments, a Twilight Air Show at the Southern Heritage Air Foundation Museum, and even spooky fun candlelight tours at the iconic McRaven Tour Home. Click here for more information on when and where all Vicksburg’s autumn activities are happening.
Fascination: Like Back-To-School, but cooler
Who says learning can’t be fun? Vicksburg is home to several one-of-a-kind museums and 32 story-telling riverfront murals, centrally located in the walkable historic downtown area.
The siege of Vicksburg was a pivotal point in the Civil War, and you can find several museums dedicated to exploring those harrowing 47 days. The Vicksburg Civil War Museum is the newest, featuring thousands of artifacts and articles, including recorded interviews with formerly enslaved people telling their own stories. Down just a few blocks, the Old Depot Museum houses a 250-square-foot diorama of the battlefield, as well as models of the city’s early arteries—the railroads.
The Old Court House Museum, Vicksburg’s most historic building, brings together a dazzling array of community memorabilia, stretching back to before the war and continuing long after. Fans of early Americana will have plenty to feast on here, but save room for the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum, site of the candy store where Coca-Cola was bottled for the first time. Be sure to take a picture of yourself sidling up to the 1900-era soda fountain!
The KEy to the south
All this is just a taste of the many exciting adventures awaiting this autumn in Vicksburg. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more fall fun inspiration, and explore our Highlights page to get started on your own getaway itinerary.
