Key To Civil War History

During the Civil War Vicksburg’s strategic position on the bluffs high above a massive bend in the Mississippi River made it virtually impenetrable.

Visit the site of the defining battle of America’s defining war. Learn about the defense and siege of Vicksburg in our unique collection of museums and historic tour homes. Surrender yourself to the luxury of our bed and breakfast inns and relax, it all runs on river time!

Key to Civil War History: Civil War history is simply part of Vicksburg’s tapestry and can be found throughout the city by visiting the Vicksburg National Military Park and tour homes, museums and attractions.

Day 1: Check into your hotel or bed and breakfast and get ready for an American educational experience. Grab dinner at one of our fantastic hometown restaurants. You can even enjoy a dining experience in a historic property like Walnut Hills or Café Anchuca. Rest up for a fun-filled day of learning and adventure.

Day 2: Vicksburg is known for its place in history during the Civil War. To start your study on the Campaign for Vicksburg, you must begin at the Vicksburg National Military Park. Watch the 20-minute film which recounts the campaign. Then start your tour of the park. At first glance of the Vicksburg National Military Park’s serene 1,800 acres it is hard to imagine the scenes of what occurred on this battlefield in 1863.

The importance of the Campaign for Mississippi and the 47-day Siege of Vicksburg can be viewed in several ways – with a driving tour brochure, a CD from the park bookstore, scanning QR codes at monuments with your phone, downloading the Civil War Trust Battle app or hiring a National Park Service Licensed Guide for a tour of the park. This allows you to ask specific questions to better your understanding of the siege.

Along the 16-mile tour road the park includes 1,325 historic monuments and markers, 20 miles of historic trenches and earthworks, a 12.5 mile walking trail, 144 emplaced cannons, a national cemetery and one historic home – The Shirley House. The only remaining ironclad gunboat from the Civil War, the USS Cairo is also on display inside the park. (2-4 hours)

Stop for lunch at one of our fantastic restaurants. With over 115 restaurants in Vicksburg, you have plenty of options! Your guide will be happy to give you a recommendation for a great local spot. (1 hour)

After lunch, visit the Old Court House Museum which houses the largest collection of Civil War memorabilia in the South. This historic structure towers above the city on a hill hallowed by history and is a perfect spot for a photo. (1 hour)

Then head down to Catfish Row to visit the Old Depot Museum, a transportation museum that features 250 ship models, exhibits of tow boats and riverboats, large Civil War gunboat collections and U.S. Navy vessels named for people and places in Mississippi. The Siege of Vicksburg is brought to life by the 250-square foot diorama of the battlefield with 2,300 miniature soldiers and the film “The Vanishing Glory”. (1 hour) Visit the Vicksburg Civil War Museum containing an impressive collection of Civil War era memorabilia. (1 hour)

After museum hopping, go by your hotel to rest and get ready for an evening out in Vicksburg. Dine at one of our downtown restaurants with river views and take in some local flavor. If you are up for it, sign up for one of our walking tours through Historic Old Town. (1-1.5 hours)

Day 3: After breakfast at your hotel or inn, head out to tour Vicksburg’s historic homes. We have 12 homes that are on tour year-round and available by appointment. Whether you are interested in what homes were like before the War Between the States or after Reconstruction, we have beautiful homes with fascinating stories to tell. (6+ hours depending on amount of homes toured)

Be sure to stop by the City of Vicksburg’s Cedar Hill Cemetery where you can find “Soldier’s Rest” where all the Confederate soldiers were buried after the Siege of Vicksburg. You can find Douglas the Camel’s headstone here, too! (1 hour)