Mississippi Vicksburg
A historic downtown, civil war sites, and a whole bunch of casinos will keep you busy.
Situated high on the bluffs of the mighty Mississippi River, Vicksburg is a diverse business and tourism destination with a prosperous economy. Vicksburg boasts rich southern history, breathtaking architecture, terrific arts and culture, legendary shopping and dining. Where else can you cruise the mighty Mississippi River, enjoy riverboat gaming, tour some of the state's grandest historic homes, museums and explore a National Military Park.
ARTS & CULTURE
Vicksburg boasts many renowned local and regional artists, whose works are featured in numerous galleries and shops all around the city as well as galleries throughout the country. The Vicksburg Art Association makes its home in the Old Constitution Firehouse. Founded to promote the fine arts in the community, it has grown to be a major cultural organization in the region. Be sure to check our Calendar of Events for openings and exhibits.
Southern culture artist H.C. Porter whose is known for her visual story telling technique also calls Vicksburg home. She captured the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in over 9,000 photographs that document the hope, faith and love that remained after the storm’s waters receded. Porter narrowed her selection down to 81 mixed media paintings that now make up the nationally traveling exhibition and companion book, “Backyards & Beyond: Mississippians and Their Stories.”
The Attic Gallery is Mississippi’s oldest independent art gallery. Two floors of exhibit space are packed with Southern folk art, Outsider art, Southern contemporary art and much, much more.
Now in its eighth decade, “Gold in the Hills”, is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s longest running melodrama. The audience is invited to cheer the heroine, boo the villain and sing along with the cast.
The Southern Cultural Heritage Center features a diverse and innovative variety of nationally touring performances and exhibits throughout the year.
ATTRACTIONS
There is so much to see and do in Vicksburg. For the history buff, there is the 1,800-acre Vicksburg National Military Park, America’s most monumented national military park, where the fate of our nation was decided in 1863. Within the Park you’ll also find a Union ironclad gunboat with over 6,300 artifacts that had been submerged on the bottom of the Yazoo River for 102 years. The largest National Military Cemetery of Union dead in the United States is located in the park, and a few miles away 5,000 Confederates repose at Soldiers Rest in City Cemetery. The Vicksburg Battlefield Museum, just east of the military park, features models of gunboats, the film “Vanishing Glory” which tells about civilian life during the siege as well as a diorama depicting the Siege of Vicksburg.
For over five decades of the 1800s, Vicksburg was the center for the aristocracy whose wealth was based on cotton and lumber. A glimpse of its former glory is evidenced by the preservation of many historic churches (two containing Tiffany stained glass windows), government buildings and homes, dating to the 19th Century. Our most historic building, the Old Court House Museum, was constructed in 1858 and survived the Civil War with minimal damage. It is now the home to over 15,000 artifacts dating from pre-Columbian times to present day.
Historic Downtown Vicksburg offers a variety of restaurants specialty shops and art galleries. You’ll also find The Corner Drug Store with an engaging collection of Civil War artifacts; the Biedenharn Coca-Cola® Museum where Coca-Cola® was first bottled in 1894; and the Antique Doll and Toy Museum. On the floodwall along Levee Street over thirty-two murals by artist Robert Dafford depict the history of Vicksburg and just across the street is the whimsical Children’s Art Park at Catfish Row and splash fountain.
If it’s gaming you want, dockside casinos abound, offering games, food and entertainment 24-hours a day, year round.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Feel like you are part of the family in Vicksburg by spending a quality night or weekend at one of Vicksburg's hotels or bed and breakfast inns. Meticulously restored, a number of historic homes operate as inns and provide a variety of amenities to their guests.
Experience Southern hospitality at one of Vicksburg's many accommodations with hotels that feature services tailored to the family visit, business traveler, international guest, gambler or the RV motorist.
