Top Things to Do in Vicksburg and Natchez

When you think of ‘The Old South’, what comes to mind? Images of grand mansions, vast acres of sugarcane and cotton, lovely ladies in billowing gowns, dapper gentlemen drinking mint juleps on their expansive porches? Or is it the stark, harsh realities of war and slavery?

The South is a mixture of both images. And if you are a history buff like me, especially the subject of the American Civil War and the Antebellum south, then seeing these two historical Southern cities, Natchez and Vicksburg in Western Mississippi is a must. From monuments to mansions, there are many reasons to visit these wonderful towns. Read on to discover the top things to do in Vicksburg and Natchez.

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1. Vicksburg National Military Park

Definitely the top thing to do in Vicksburg. This park is a must!

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The American Civil War

The American Civil War was a major turning point in our nation’s history. American fighting American, brother against brother in a bloody 4 year war that transformed our country. There were many reasons why the war happened, among them slavery, states rights and federal intrusion and historians and experts are still writing about the details of the war, of life before and after and the effects of the war on our country. I am certainly not one of those experts, but as a lover of history, being able to see and stand on the very ground where so many brave men stood and died is such an emotional yet sobering feeling. And Vicksburg is one of those sites.

Vicksburg, The Gibraltar of the Confederacy

Vicksburg, the southern fortress on the Mississippi known as the “Gibraltar of the Confederacy”, was a key to both sides of the war. To Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Vicksburg was the “nailhead that holds the South’s two halves together.”  And President Abraham Lincoln stated,

“Vicksburg is the key! The war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket”.

President Abraham Lincoln

And so, the battle for control of Vicksburg was vastly important for both the Confederate and Union forces. The campaign lasted 18 months culminating with 47 days of siege in the summer of 1863 and Vicksburg finally fell to the Union forces on July 4.

Vicksburg National Military Park-

The Vicksburg National Military Park encompasses acres and acres of rolling hills surrounding the once fortress town of Vicksburg. Over 1400 statues and monuments commemorate the brave soldiers of both sides who fought and died to either defend or capture the fortress city. Since 1903, veterans groups and states from both sides endeavored to write their legacy on the landscape of Vicksburg while healing and reuniting the nation.

There are several ways to see the park. The most popular is the driving tour. First stop at the visitors center for a map and guide then enter the park through the massive Memorial Arch, built as a lasting tribute to a Veterans’ and Peace Reunion in 1917.

Take your time driving and stopping to absorb the history and stories of this sobering and awe-inspiring park. Be sure to plan a stop at the USS Cairo museum near the National Cemetery. It is one of the original ironclad gunboats which were instrumental in the capture of Vicksburg and the control of the Mississippi. The Vicksburg National Cemetery, next to the USS Cairo, is one of the first national cemeteries in America with more than 17,000 Union troops buried , of which 13,000 are unknown soldiers. For more information on the history or the park, visit NPS.

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2. The Natchez Trace

The Natchez Trace Parkway is a stunning scenic drive through three states that roughly follows the old Natchez Trace, a historic travel corridor used by American Indians, “Kaintucks,” European settlers, slave traders, soldiers, and future presidents. It begins near Southwest Nashville, Tennessee and ends in Natchez, Mississippi.

It’s 444 miles of natural beauty, recreation and history. Even if you can’t travel the whole trail, picking it up at any point along the way is worth the drive. If you are coming from Vicksburg, as we did, you can pick up the Trace off I-20 near Jackson, MI. The road excludes large trucks and semi’s which makes it even more pleasant to drive. It’s also a designated bicycle route for cycling enthusiasts. Definitely don’t miss this wonderful experience and one of the top things to do in Natchez.

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3. The Town of Natchez, MI

Your drive along the Natchez Trace culminates in Natchez, MI, an old southern town, rich in history. Not being as strategic and instrumental as it’s northern neighbor, Vicksburg, Natchez is one of the few southern towns that was not destroyed by the war.

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Take a Stroll & Visit History

Take a stroll along the Mississippi river in the ‘Under the Hill’ district where you’ll find a few unique stores and restaurants right on the banks of the river. Or if antiquing is your thing, visit Franklin street where there are numerous antique stores to browse.

The highlights of the town are it’s antebellum homes and mansions. But there are other interesting sites to see too. Before the Civil War, Natchez was a center for the slave trade, one of the busiest in the country. Sad but true…

Although the buildings and wooden structures that once housed the enslaved men and women are gone, there is a small historical marker and signage called the “Forks in the Road”, that explains about the slave trade. A sobering and sad reminder of a dark part of our nation’s history.

There is also the Natchez African-American History and Culture Museum that highlights the history of African Americans in the southern United States, which unfortunately we didn’t have time to see, but which could be worth a visit.

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4. Historic Antebellum Mansions

Natchez is home to many homes and mansions that date back before the Civil War. During the mid-nineteenth century, many wealthy Southern planters, owners of cotton and sugar cane plantations in the lower Mississippi, built their mansions in Natchez. There are numerous examples of these gorgeous and massive homes.

In fact, Natchez is famous for its antebellum homes, having more homes than anywhere else in the south. This is one of the top things to do in Natchez. It has a ‘pilgrimage tour‘ twice a year (5 weeks in spring and 2 weeks in fall) where 25 privately owned mansions (and 10 additional public properties) open their doors to the public. Town residents and the homeowners dress in lovely period costumes and welcome visitors into their homes with real Southern hospitality.

I would have loved to be there for the pilgrimage, but just touring the homes and driving by is a wonderful excursion.

Visiting these homes gives one a chance to see not just where they lived, but how they lived and what they thought. And you can gain a sense of the lifestyle of these wealthy plantation owners who once walked their halls and ran their plantations.

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Here are a few of the homes we recommend:

• Magnolia Hall, a beautifully restored Greek Revival mansion built in 1858.
• Melrose Estate: A National Historic park where you can take a guided tour with a park ranger or just walk the lovely grounds and view the massive house from outside along with the intake slave quarters.
• Dunleith: A beautiful white columned mansion built in 1856 is also a small inn where you can stay and continue to enjoy their hospitality.
• Auburn 1812: A National Historic Landmark building with columned portico and free-standing spiral staircase.
• Rosalie: Built in 1820, a National Historic Landmark that sits overlooking the Mississippi. The stunning grounds are enough to want to visit this home which was the Union headquarters during the war.

There are many, many more historic antebellum homes to visit, walk or drive by in this small, romantic town. I definitely recommend stopping at the Natchez Visitors Center on 640 South Canal Street. You can pick up lots of brochures on homes and other sites to see as well as purchase tour tickets.

If you want to visit several homes, purchase bundled tickets and you can save a little money. Another perk to visiting the Visitors Center. If you happen to be in an RV, they allow overnight parking for free, and they have outlets you can plug into. Brillant!

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If history and beauty is something you enjoy, then visiting both Vicksburg and Natchez should definitely be on your list of top places to see. Visit the sobering and emotional Vicksburg National Military Park, the beautiful and scenic Natchez Trace and the gorgeous antebellum homes of Natchez. You’ll come away with a sense of wonder and understanding, a taste for Southern hospitality and some awesome photos and memories.

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