Location: Vicksburg
Top Things to do in Vicksburg
Top Restaurants in Vicksburg
Top 10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Vicksburg, Mississippi (MS)
Sitting high atop a bluff overlooking the Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers, the city of Vicksburg was the setting of a bloody 47 day siege during the Civil War. The site of this epic battle is now Vicksburg National Military Park, preserving original fortifications and the U.S.S. Cairo, an ironclad gunboat that once prowled the waters of the Mississippi River. Vicksburg is also the place where Coca-Cola was first bottled, a fact that is happily immortalized at the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum.
Restaurants in Vicksburg
1. U.S.S. Cairo Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,481 reviews
Tour the first boat to be sunk by a torpedo.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
My wife and I have visited Vicksburg National Military Park on other occasions so we weren't terribly disappointed when we realized on our most recent trip that the USS Cairo Museum was closed because of the COVID pandemic. Of course, visitors can park in the parking lot and stroll around one of the first American ironclad warships built at the beginning of the Civil War. Inside or outside, the Cairo is an impressive site. After participating in the capture of Fort Pillow on the Mississippi River in June 1862, it was sunk in December 1862 while clearing mines for the attack on Haines Bluff on the Yazoo River. It was the first ship ever to be sunk by a mine remotely detonated by hand. Over the years, the ship was forgotten and slowed covered by silt and sand. It was found in 1956 and salvaged from the bottom of the river in 1965. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, the Cairo was opened as a museum in a shelter on the tour road near the Vicksburg National Cemetery in the Vicksburg National Military Park in November 1980. The recovery of artifacts from the ship revealed a treasure trove of weapons, ammunition, naval stores and personal gear of the sailors who served on board. Externally, visitors can see one of the cannons on the side of the Cairo and the framework for the paddlewheels.
2. Old Courthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 459 reviews
Reviewed By marionz87 - Stuart, United States
This museum is amazing! There’s room after room of Civil War history and possessions. I learned so much about Vicksburg and it’s role, in the Civil War! I’d say- this museum is a must see/do!
3. Anchuca Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
Tour Anchuca Mansion, Vicksburg's first Columned Mansion and the town's first antebellum homes to open to the public for daily tours in 1955. This Greek revival landmark, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, opens it doors to visitor from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Walk in the footsteps of many famous Americans, including President Jefferson Davis, to see the opulent interiors with fine antiques and art representing the past three centuries. Tours are $10.00 per person. Most all major credit cards are excepted. Thank you for helping preserve Anchuca.
Reviewed By whois23
The tour starts out with a short film narrated by a former resident of the house, and then you are allowed to go on a self-guided tour at your own pace. We really enjoyed it, and learned a lot about Anchuca.
4. Attic Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By S6074XOannal
What a super fun place full of super fun art. I stumbled across this place in the evening when they were having and exhibit upstairs and I just marvelled at the beauty of it all. The people were all so friendly and welcoming and the art was wonderful too. There is something for everyone in there.
5. Highway 61 Coffeehouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By jdouglasm2015 - Alabama, United States
Having coffee at a quaint little coffeehouse in historic downtown Vicksburg next door to the Coca Cola museum. A very unique little place with books to read while you are here. Also has bagels and such. A very pleasant atmosphere as well as outdoor seating also upstairs is a very interesting art gallery.
6. H.C. Porter Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
H.C. Porter Gallery is the signature gallery of Mississippi visual artist H.C. Porter. The gallery features photographs, limited edition prints and original paintings by the award-winning artist, who has been using her unique process to depict everyday life in Mississippi for the past two and a half decades.The fine art gallery, which also features contemporary work by visiting national artists, is in the heart of historic downtown Vicksburg. The artist lives and works above her gallery in her loft apartment and studio space.
7. Yesterday's Children
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
8. Jesse Brent Lower Mississippi River Museum and Interpretive Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 263 reviews
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
The Jesse Brent Lower Mississippi River Museum and Interpretive Center in Vicksburg, Mississippi, provides visitors with a fascinating view of life surrounding the Mississippi River through multiple interactive displays that cover topics about the river's history, science behind water movement, the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, fish found in the river and how life has changed on the Mississippi River over the years. Visitors also can walk through an outdoor flood model, view a 1,515-gallon, multi-side aquarium that is home to catfish and other fish native to the Mississippi River and tour the Mississippi River Commission's towboat, the motor vessel Mississippi IV, the only fully restored, dry docked riverboat. The museum, which offers free admission, is the first of its kind in the United States. And the Mississippi IV, which was decommissioned in 1993, is the major attraction, a diesel-powered vessel with an all-steel, four-level superstructure that is powered by two eight-cylinder engines with 1,860 horsepower each. After learning about how the 1927 flood was the most destructive in the history of the United States, it was fascinating to learn how the Corps of Engineers has tamed the Mississippi River.
9. Old Court House Museum - Eva W. Davis Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By 568kristineb - Orlando, United States
I only had about 30 minutes to kill while on a road trip and decided to stop at the Old Courthouse Museum. For $6 you get to see several rooms worth of artifacts from the Civil War and other times related to Vicksburg. My favorite part was the actual courtroom on the second floor. I wish I’d had longer to spend in the museum, because I could’ve easily spent a couple hours there. I highly recommend if you want to see some interesting historical artifacts. A big bonus if you’re on a road trip are the restrooms located in outhouses on the exterior of the building.
10. Martha Vick House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By whois23
We wore masks, our guide wore a mask, and so with social distancing we felt safe during this uneasy time of Covid-19. The house has a wonderful history that was fascinating to listen to, and the decorations, furnishings, and collections were amazing. We enjoyed the tour, and highly recommend it.
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