Vicksburg

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Vicksburg [1] is a city in west central Mississippi.

The city is most famous as the "Gibraltar of the Confederacy," as cannons on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River prevented the United States from controlling this vital water route during much of the American Civil War. After lengthy maneuverings to get troops to the city, U.S. Major General Ulysses S. Grant, having failed in a major assualt on May 22, 1863, put the city under siege. The siege lasted until July 4 when C.S. Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton surrendered. Along with the Confederate defeat at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania the previous day, this marked the turning point of the war.

In addition to the battlefield, the major draw for today's visitors is the collection of "river boat" casinos.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

Interstate 20 (E-W) or U.S. Highway 61 (N-S)

[edit] By plane

The closest commercial airport to Vicksburg is Jackson-Evers International Airport [2] in Jackson, about 50 miles east on I-20 (or a little more than 85 kilometers). Vicksburg also has its own municipal airport for general aviation.

[edit] By boat

Vicksburg is located on the Mississippi River and is a port of call for the Delta Queen, Mississippi Queen, and American Queen operated by Majestic America Line. [3]

[edit] By bus

Greyhound Bus Lines (or Delta Bus Lines) has an active (albeit a very small) bus depot just off of I-20 on the Frontage Road (1295 S Frontage Rd), on the Halls Ferry Road exit south bound. You can contact the depot at (601) 638-8389.

[edit] By train

Although there are active freight lines that runs through Vicksburg; however, there is not a passenger line (I.E. Amtrak) that runs through Vicksburg. The nearest passenger station is in Jackson, MS; however, it is the New Orleans / Chicago route.

[edit][add listing] See

  • Vicksburg National Military Park, 3201 Clay Street, Phone: 601-636-0583, [4]. Commemorates the 1863 battle and siege of the city during the Civil War. The park includes a visitor center, an impressive collection of monuments along the 16-mile tour route, and the USS Cairo, a salvaged ironclad gunboat. Allow at least half day (2-3 hours bare minimum). $8 per vehicle entrance fee, good for one week.
  • Catfish Row Landin, Clay and Levee Street. Phone: 601-634-4553, [5]. Dawn till dusk year-round; Handicapped Accessible. Enjoy outdoor exhibits depicting Vicksburg's rich history. Explore playful areas, gardens, fountains, art murals and unique exhibits.
  • Biedenharn Museum of Coca-Cola® Memorabilia, 1107 Washington Street, Phone: 601-638-6514 or 601-636-5010, [6]. Restored 1890 building where Coca-Cola® was first bottled in 1894. Museum contains reproduction bottling works, Coca-Cola® memorabilia, 1900 soda fountain and restored 1890 candy store. Fountain Cokes, ice cream floats, Mississippi-made Ford's dipped ice cream and over 100 Coca-Cola® items for sale in the museum's gift shop. Adults: $2.75, Under 12: $1.75
  • Old Court House Museum-Eva W. Davis Memorial, 1008 Cherry Street, Phone: 601-636-0741, [7]. Vicksburg's most historic building, it was constructed by slaves in 1858, has hosted such great Americans as Jefferson Davis, Theodore Roosevelt, John Breckinridge, Booker T. Washington, William McKinley and U.S. Grant. Self-guided tour. Adults: $5, Students Grade 1-12: $3, 65+: $4.50
  • Bottleneck Blues Bar, Ameristar Casino, 4116 Washington Street, Phone: 601-638-1000 [8]. This is about as close as it comes to a blues bar in Vicksburg (without searching for a juke joint in Marcus Bottom). Patrons must be 21 years old to enter (as you have to enter the casino) and have valid ID (drivers license or a passport). Oddly, smoking is permitted during non-ticketed events, but prohibited during ticketed events. Most events are free, but occasionally you'll have to purchase tickets to some of the big name events.

[edit][add listing] Do

  • Casinos - Ameristar, DiamondJacks, Horizon, and Rainbow Casino.
  • Gold In The Hills at the Parkside Playhouse, Phone: 601-636-0471, [9]. In its 70th season, it is the longest running melodrama in the world. Spring/summer only. $10 adults and $5 children.
  • Riverfest[10] held in downtown Vicksburg in mid-April, part music festival, part arts & crafts show.

[edit][add listing] Buy

  • Historic Downtown Vicksburg, Washington Street I-20 Exit 4B or Exit 1A, Phone: 601-634-4527. Whether your interests lies in touring museums and attractions, taking a carriage ride or riverboat ride, antiquing, shopping, gaming or dining, Downtown Vicksburg meets your every need. The downtown businesses are known for their hospitality. They offer a unique blend of prompt, friendly and courteous service which makes your experience all the more enjoyable.
  • Pemberton Square Mall, 3505 Pemberton Boulevard, Phone: 601-634-0823, [11].
  • Vicksburg Factory Outlets, 4000 South Frontage Road, Phone: 601-636-7434, http://www.vicksburgfactoryoutlet.com/].
  • The Belle Boutique, 508 Klein Street, Phone: 601-634-0737, [12]. Located on the beautiful grounds of Ahern's Belle of the Bends Bed and Breakfast and Tour Home. For gifts that are Unique and gifts that are Antiques.

[edit][add listing] Eat

  • Walnut Hills, 1214 Adams Street, Phone: 601-638-4910, [13]. Known for its round table service at lunch time: southern home style food served on a lazy-susan, $11.
  • Goldie's Trail BBQ, 4127 Washington Street, Phone: 601-636-9839. Goldie's famous true pit barbecue and "down-home" atmosphere are widely known. Goldie's has been featured in Southern Living Magazine, Southern Magazine and the book Real BBQ. $3-$12.
  • Rusty's Riverfront Grill, 901 Washington Street, Phone: 601-638-2030. Casual dining at its best. Located in historic downtown Vicksburg. Daily lunch and dinner specials. $6-$25.
  • El Sombrero, 1820 South Frontage Road, Phone: 601-638-1388. Authentic Mexican cuisine.

[edit][add listing] Drink

  • The Biedenharn Museum (see above) showcases an old-fashioned soda fountain, complete with authentic fountain drinks including all the Coke you can drink.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

  • Battlefield Inn, 4137 I-20 N. Frontage Road, 1-800-359-9363 or 601-638-5811, [14]. Modest rooms, pool, complimentary evening cocktails and breakfast buffet.
  • Cedar Grove Mansion Inn, 2200 Oak Street, (601) 636-1000 Toll Free:(800) 862-1300, [15]. Elegant rooms furnished in period and reproduction antiques, pool, on-site restaurant and bar, river views, turn down service, tour of the historic mansion.
  • Anchuca Historic Mansion & Inn (circa 1830), 1010 First East Street, 601-661-0111 Toll Free: 888-686-0111, [16]. Stately live Oaks surround this magnificently furnished antebellum home, completed in 1847, it represents the first columned mansion built in Vicksburg. Located in the heart of Vicksburg's Historic District.
  • Stained Glass Manor (1902-1908), 2430 Drummond Street, 601-638-8893 Toll Free: 800-771-8893, [17]. Includes tour and "New Orleans" breakfast. Sumptuous rooms furnished in period-style antique pieces, enhanced by a grand staircase.
  • Ahern's Belle of the Bends (1876), 508 Klein Street. Phone: 601-634-0737 or 800-844-2308, [18]. Majestic postbellum home in Vicksburg's historic Garden District. All rooms are located inside the home, are individually climate controlled, and include beautiful antique furnishings. The home is equipped with high-speed wireless internet. Also included are a full gourmet breakfast and historic tour. Ask about our romantic packages!

[edit] Stay Safe

  • There are some areas of the city you wouldn't want to stroll alone at night, and should use the same level of caution and street smarts (your wits) you would use in any large city. Nearby the Horizon Casino on the corner of Cherry and Clay Street, and most of Clay Street you should be aware of your surroundings after dark.
  • Along Washington Street (the street with all of the casino's) areas on this street can be a little intimidating to walk down at night. You shouldn't have problems driving between the casinos on this route, but it is not recommend to walk this road at night between the casinos and the historic downtown area.
  • Traffic near the casinos (on both Washington Street and Warrenton Road - it's the same north/south road on the map) can be very congested on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights (and on major holidays). Be alert for often careless, and sometimes drunk drivers (and pedestrians) on the weekends.
  • During the 1920's an area of the city was called "Marcus Bottom" (north bound on Halls Ferry Road nearby the intersection of Bowmar Avenue) that used to be a center for black music and culture that helped inspire blues music in Mississippi. Today, it's become a dilapidated area, and one you may want to consider avoiding walking through (espcially at night). Typically, this is not an area of the city where tourist tend to visit.
  • Be aware when hiking into the wooded areas of Vicksburg, that you may encounter a black bear (the proper description is the Louisiana Black Bear). Bear sighting typically increase during June and July (breading season), and have recently have been spotted north in the forests of the cities of Redwood and Steele Bayou. If you do see a bear or its cubs while in the woods, you are much too close to the bears, and need to carefully but quickly, backtrack from where you came. Black bears are typically not as aggressive as the grizzly bears, but attacks on humans have been known to occur.
  • When visiting the casinos in Vicksburg, be sure that you lock your vehicle and ensure that all valuables are locked and out of sight. Recently, there have been a spate of car break-in's at the casino parking lots. It would be wise to not leave any valuables in your vehicle, even only if you plan to make a short visit to the casinos.

[edit] Stay Healthy

The largest hospital in Vicksburg is the River Region Medical Center[19]. It is a modern full care center, and is equipped to handle nearly most major medical problems and emergencies. As with any hospital stay in the USA, be sure that you are adequately insured (or expect a very large bill for services which can cost into the thousands of dollars for serious medical treatment in an emergency room) as there is not a national health care system.

Be aware that humidity and the summer heat can be very intense. Be sure to hydrate yourself with either sports drinks or water (alcohol isn't recommended regardless of what a few nut cases may say otherwise).

Mosquitoes along the riverfront can be annoying during the warmer months. Be sure to wear repellents that have a high concentration of DEET to reduce the risk of mosquito transmitted diseases.

[edit] Get out

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!

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