Vicksburg and Natchez, MS. What to visit?

The casinos. Really, at vicksburg, there is a very nice campground at one of the casinos down on the river. Rates are reasonable, at least one free breakfast at the casino, and other rewards for using the casinos. Between there and Natchez, do NOT miss the Old Country Store at Lorman, MS. Best Fried Chicken in the state, and a big attraction to those that can find it. Natchez, historic homes and riverfront.

Google "Lorman, MS".

Natchez Under the Hill--down by the river, below the bluff. Some good restaurants, one at the end of the strip with a river view, a funky bar or 2, some neat shops. One bar that is very very very old.


The NPS visitor's center is definitely the best first stop in Natchez.

There are lots of the old mansions available to tour, and different people have different ideas about which is the "best". We had limited time, so chose to do the house that is owned by the National Park Service--Montrose. Fascinating high quality tour by NPS ranger.

Between Vicksburg and Natchez, stop in Port Gibson. A beautiful old town. There is a church (I believe Presbyterian) that Grant would not burn because it has a steeple with a hand pointing to the heavens. Lots of other great things to see there... check Trip Advisor for some good photos and info.

Grand Gulf Military Park is not far and has a nice little museum. There is also a campgroud there but it was closed due to flooding when we were there.

Also check out Windsor Ruins, the remains of a huge home that burned after the Civil War.

In Vicksburg, the National Military Park, National Cemetery, the USS Cairo Museum, the USS Cairo Museum, are all really cool. Don't bother with the railroad depot museum unless you like model trains and a lot of disorganized displays. The old courthouse in Vicksburg is so full of mold it reeks and I would not go in it.

In Vicksburg, take the exit for the visitors center and go around back of it for a walk up a hill to a great river view. This is near the Ameristar Casino RV park where we stayed. (An OK park nothing fantastic.)

Don't miss Mammy's Cupboard, south of Natchez. Very small, but excellent home cooking food at decent prices. It was a must stop for us.

Lorman is close to Port Gibson. If the campground at Grand Gulf is open, it seemed to be very nice. Haven't checked in several years.

National Military Park and the plantation homes

Mississippi Petrified Forest near Flora,MS just off MS22. If you have been to the Petrified Forest in AZ this is a lot different but worth the short drive from Vicksburg.

Thanks everyone for the quick responses.

US Military Park (and the Cairo) in Vicksburg and drive the Natchez Trace, which starts in Natchez, for as long as you're interested.... it goes 444 miles up to Nashville on a flat, traffic-free, limited access, 50 mph, one lane in each direction road through woodlands, farms, and open pastures.

I am planning to drive the Trace.