Not far from Jackson, just off of I-20, you will find the Vicksburg National Military Park. Vicksburg was a hotly-contested port town during the American Civil War, and its loss was the beginning of the end for the Confederacy.
Upon entrance to the park, we found men in Confederate uniforms loading cannons near the Visitors’ Center. They promptly gave us a quick lesson on the firing of 19th century weapons of war. Inside the Visitors’ Center we watched a quick film that gave us a lesson on the historical significance of the park. We also bought a tape for $5 in the gift store that we played in our car as we drove through the park. (You can hire a personal guide instead, if you like.) The tape did a wonderful job of narrating the history of sites of major significance along the way. With no pressure from anyone to remain on a timetable, we parked at several points to look at monuments that were of particular interest to us. Here both Union and Confederate soldiers are given due respect for the sacrifices they made for their separate causes near the Mississippi River. Many of the Union buried their dead here as well.
This is a must-see for any American Civil War history buff.
While the loop road through the park covers less than 20 miles, you’ll need to allow at least an hour to hear the tape and walk around the monuments. A small museum is located halfway through the tour, but it was closed for renovations when we visited Vicksburg.
Hours: Visitors’ Center: 8-5 daily
Closed Christmas Day
Suggestion for Food: If you are hungry after your tour of the Vicksburg National Military Park and you don’t want to eat at one of the fast food restaurants by the entrance, take a right out of the park and go towards downtown Vicksburg. Within five miles of the park, near the waterfront, is Duffs Tavern and Grill (see separate entry).
Admission: $4/car, $2/person in van, Under 16 free