Things To Do in Vicksburg, Mississippi

Vicksburg Things To Do

Site of one of the major battles of the Civil War, Vicksburg is one of the best places to go explore this period in American history. Vicksburg is full of homes dating from the Civil War period. It’s home to a national military park with a reconstruction of a Civil War battleship.

Head Down Vicksburg Scenic Drive 

This is a great place to take a walk and see the Confederate history of the town. The scenic drive is home to many historic mansions that housed several important figures. Balfour House was the home of Emma Balfour, who provided a detailed history of the siege of the city during the Civil War.

Downtown Vicksburg 

Many structures date from the period before the Civil War. Walk down Washington Street and Clay Street and then proceed up to Depot Street for a look at the old fashioned houses and businesses that have been open for decades. Take a look in McNutt House. Today a bed and breakfast, it was once a private home and has been furnished with many items dating back from the Civil War period.

Vicksburg National Military Park

Drive or bike through the park. It’s a sixteen mile drive that has fifteen separate notable sites related to the battle here. Start at the Visitors Center. It has a museum and will give you a feel for the park. There are several forts, a cemetery, and a recreation of a Civil War boat you can climb inside. A little brochure at the front desk by the entrance tells you about the significance of the stops or download an app. Stop by Shirley House. This is the only surviving structure that still stands on the present day battlefield site. It was home to the Shirleys, Southerners who were sympathetic to the Union cause. The area around it housed many soldier’s trenches designed to protect them during battles.

The Old Courthouse Museum

Dating back from the Civil War, the court house house has been restored. It houses many Civil War items including a tie owned by Jefferson Davis and many antebellum gowns. Over the years, the court house was a popular place for speakers including Jefferson Davis, Ulysses Grant, and Teddy Roosevelt.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about areas to things to do in Vicksburg.