Famous People | Lodging | Dining | Attractions

Delta Travel Diary

Vicksburg, Mississippi sits high on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, making for a hilly drive. Walking around the brick streets of downtown, I can't be in a hurry and seem to fall into conversation easily. There is so much history here, rivaled only by the shops, art galleries and hospitality. Nineteen outdoor murals tell the history of this town, maybe best known for its Vicksburg National Military Park. The military park has more monuments than any other U.S. national park and a great 16-mile driving tour that I plan to take tomorrow.

Illinois Monument

Dining in Vicksburg, Mississippi

Driving south on Hwy. 61, I recall a classmate once said I would never know what a true Southern dinner was until I visited Walnut Hills Round Table Restaurant in her hometown, Vicksburg. I plan to do just that around noon, but at the moment I am drawn by a beautiful watercolor that beckons me inside to see more. I park the car to explore. What I find is a unique art gallery filled with the work of local artists' wares. The selection is incredible and by the time I'm finished with my tour of H.C. Porter Gallery and the Attic Gallery, I have a stash of incredible one-of-a-kinds to take home as mementos of this beautiful river city.

Vicksburg sits high on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, making for a hilly drive. Walking around the brick streets of downtown, I can't be in a hurry and seem to fall into conversation easily. There is so much history here, rivaled only by the shops, art galleries and hospitality. Nineteen outdoor murals tell the history of this town, maybe best known for its Vicksburg National Military Park. The military park has more monuments than any other U.S. national park and a great 16-mile driving tour that I plan to take tomorrow.

Fountain

I rush over to Walnut Hills, where I'm immediately seated at a giant round table with friendly folks who become fast friends as we pass each other giant bowls of home-style vegetables and platters of crispy fried chicken. My classmate was right. Walnut Hills serves Sunday dinner seven days a week, thankfully until 2 p.m.-what most of us consider lunchtime. You haven't enjoyed Southern cooking until you've had this round-table experience, complete with blackberry cobbler.

African-American Heritage

I find a rich appreciation and awareness of Vicksburg's African-American heritage and learn that slaves built many of its landmarks, including the Old Courthouse Museum, where I spend the rest of my afternoon. The Jacqueline House African American Museum is a good source of information, and there is scenic tour of notable sites.

Elvis Slots

Vicksburg Casinos

Nightfall finds me following the bright lights over to the four casinos located along the river. I decide to check out the slot machines at each to see where my luck is best. I have so much fun at my first two stops I extend my stay to take in the other two tomorrow night.

The Sounds of Vicksburg

Grooving to the sound of a local band playing in one of the casino lounges, I do some investigating and discover a host of talented people have come from Vicksburg, including jazz great Milt Hinton and Blues Hall of Fame member Willie Dixon. An area called Marcus Bottom, off Halls Ferry Road, was at one time the center of black music and culture and inspired Vicksburg blues, Delta blues and jazz. In fact, a 1924 New York Times article claimed the word "jazz" originated here.

Civil War History

At the Vicksburg National Military Park, I learn about the Siege of Vicksburg and see a gunboat sunk in 1862. Most of us think about the Civil War when we hear the name Vicksburg, and there are reminders everywhere. At Cedar Grove, one of 11 bed and breakfast alternatives in town, there is even a union cannonball lodged in a parlor wall.

A Coca-Cola^® First

One name I didn't associate with Vicksburg was Coca-Cola®. The Biedenharn Museum of Coca-Cola® Memorabilia, however, enlightened me; Coca-Cola® was first bottled here in 1894. With a 1900-era soda fountain and 1890 candy store, the Biedenharn is a popular spot for families as is the Yesterday's Children Antique Doll and Toy Museum.

Cedar Grove

Vicksburg, Mississippi Attractions

I'd say Vicksburg has more to see per city block than other towns its size. Antebellum and homes and other historic buildings are all over the place, so there's plenty to see, whether you're taking one of two scenic driving routes or a carriage ride through downtown and the garden district. There's also quite a view, I'm told, from the river itself; so I plan to take a sunset cruise my next trip-if I ever leave.

Next stop: Yazoo City, Mississippi.

www.vicksburgcvb.org
800-221-3536

Mississippi Delta Tourism Association
P.O. Box 68 - Greenville, Mississippi 38701
Toll Free: 877-DELTA MS