When we checked in, the ladies at the desk were extremely friendly and offered us tips on what to see and do in Vicksburg and where to eat. Our room was Scarlett’s Room (all of the rooms are named after either a character from "Gone With the Wind," a figure from the Siege of Vicksburg, or someone who lived here). We had a king-size canopy bed, which, I must say, was one of the most comfortable I’ve ever slept in (I slept like a baby that night). It was decorated in floral patterns. They also had turndown service, complete with chocolates! My favorite part about this room was that it was located on the top-floor and offered easy access to the rooftop terrace. This terrace provided a nice view of the town and Mississippi River.

The next morning, we went down for breakfast (provided free for all overnight guests). It was very good, a traditional Southern-style breakfast. At 10am, we began our complimentary house tour. We discovered that this had been the cotton plantation of the Klein family, one of the wealthiest in the region. The house is furnished with many period antiques and items that belonged to the Kleins. The most interesting part of the tour was the two cannonballs, which still remain lodged in the house’s structure. One can be easily seen in the parlor wall, and the other can be seen through a piece of glass in the floor (it is lodged in one of the floor joists). The tour guide said that Mrs. Klein did not have these removed because she wanted to show everyone that her house had been strong enough to survive the Siege.

The tour, continuing out to the grounds, revealed a family cemetery, an old cistern mound, and a catfish pond, along with many well-manicured garden areas. The swimming pool here is phenomenal. Unfortunately, we were there in the wintertime and did not get to use it.

Rates at Cedar Grove range from $95 to $185 per night. The 30-minute house tours are $5 for those who are not overnight guests. They are given hourly from 9am to 4pm. For more information, visit www.cedargroveinn.com.