Key to Exploring the Mississippi River
There is something about living near a body of water of great power that is always with you. T.S. Eliot wrote: “The oceans surround us, the river is within us.”
For those of us who live near the Mississippi River these words have special meaning. The river is a constant companion. The river is a constant source of awe and inspiration. The river is a constant source of reverence and a place for reflection. The river is indeed, “within us.”Here in Vicksburg we have, from our 300-foot bluffs, one of the most commanding views of the Mississippi River to be seen anywhere from the headwaters at Lake Itasca to the mouth of the river just south of New Orleans.
This position high above the river made Vicksburg the river’s most strategic point during the Civil War. In fact, President Abraham Lincoln stated that, “See what a lot land these fellows hold, of which Vicksburg is the key, and the war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket.”
Day 1: Arrive in Vicksburg by the Great River Road and take in the breathtaking views of the Mighty Mississippi from one of our scenic overlooks at Louisiana Circle or Navy Circle off South Washington Street.
Check into your hotel or bed and breakfast inn and get ready for a fantastic meal at one of our local restaurants. With over 115 restaurants to choose from, we are sure to satisfy any craving. After dinner, rest up for a busy day.
Day 2: After breakfast and your morning coffee, head to our Downtown District for a day of touring at our museums. Start your day at the Old Court House Museum to get a full history of Vicksburg and how the Mississippi River has affected the city’s citizens through the years. (1 hour)
Head to Washington Street to tour the Jesse Brent Lower Mississippi River Museum and Interpretive Site which will give you a glimpse at what life is like along the river through both interactive and static displays. Tour the decks of the Motor Vessel Mississippi IV or adventure along the Mississippi River through a game similar to Oregon Trail to see if you could survive river life. Be sure to visit with one of our friendly travel counselors while at the museum to help you narrow down your lunch choice. (2 hours)
Have lunch at one of our fantastic restaurants in the Downtown District within walking distance from our museums. (1 hour)
After lunch, travel down to Catfish Row along Levee Street and stop in at the Old Depot Museum to learn how transportation along the river has progressed and see over 250 ship models, exhibits of tow boats and riverboats, large Civil War gunboat collections and U.S. Navy vessels named for people and places of Mississippi. Be sure to stop in the gift shop to take away a souvenir. (1 hour)
After your museum tour, visit the Catfish Row Children’s Art Park and check out the Vicksburg Riverfront Murals which depict periods of history in Vicksburg. The murals consist of 32 life-like pictorial murals by Robert Dafford and 1 abstract mural by Vicksburg artist Martha Ferris which recognizes three vital arteries feeding Vicksburg’s diversity – the river, the railroad and the highway. (1 hour)
Go back to your hotel or bed and breakfast inn and rest up before dinner. For views of the Mississippi River, Yazoo Diversion Canal, Centennial Lake and the Mississippi Delta, head up to 10 South Rooftop Bar and Grill for a truly breathtaking dining experience. (1.5 hours)
Day 3: If you are a true adventurer, schedule a trip with Layne Logue at our Quapaw Canoe Outpost for a trip out on the Mighty Mississippi by canoe or kayak or go out with Blue Cat Guide Service, a US Coast Guard-licensed Charter fishing service catching trophy blue catfish in the Mississippi River. Be sure to take your camera for your up close experience with Old Man River. Share your pictures on social media using our hashtag #VisitVicksburg. (5 hours)