Vicksburg and Natchez, MS. What to visit?

We just got back from a loop down south that began with the Trace, beginning just south of Nashville. Here are some thoughts...
1 - If you're good with dry camping, the Meriwether Lewis park campground is a great place to spend a night or two. Large, wooded sites, and free... first come, first served.
2 - We spent five days in the Vicksburg, staying at the Rivertown campground just south of town on US-61. Based from there, we did day trips to Natchez and Port Gibson. Easy scenic drive via 61.
3 - In Vicksburg, we spent time downtown shopping and visiting several historic sites. We really enjoyed the old courthouse museum.
4 - The Military Park is not to be missed, even if you are not a student of the Civil War. Make sure you get the CD for a self-guided tour, available at the visitor's center which should be your first stop at the park. In our case, we were able to borrow one from the office at Rivertown campground. The USS Cairo is in the military park, on the tour, and definitely something you should see.
5 - If dining in Vicksburg, we liked the Walnut Hills restaurant. Trip Advisor has several listed, so you might make use of that.
6 - Have to agree with the several folks that recommended the Old Country Store Restaurant on US-61 in Lorman. Not to be missed! The best fried chicken in the south, IMHO, in an atmosphere that's about as old and 'kitchty' as you'd find anywhere. All you can eat from a 'not fancy' buffet for a bit under $15.00 pp as I recall. Worth every penny for both the food and the experience.
7 - As for Natchez, make the visitor's center your first stop, and go from there. We toured a couple of the old, antebellum mansions and took a driving tour around the town to view several others.
8 - Regarding Natchez Under-the-Hill, we were underwhelmed. There were a couple of shops along with a few restaurants and bars, but nothing that made us want to spend a lot of time. Having said this, it's not far out of the way, and worth a drive-by in case there's something that we missed or that might catch your fancy.

Hope this helps. We really enjoyed this area, and expect that you will as well.

If you are taking the Trace, get off at mile post 31 and stay right to the Old Country Store Restaurant. Not much to look at from the out side or inside, but some of the best fried chicken and buffet food around. It's on Hwy 61 in Lorman MS. Mr D, the owner will sing a song and socialize at tables for a great experience. Don't pass on dessert. Some of the best berry and peach cobbler topped with a generous helping of ice cream.

Vicksburg National Military Park/USS Cairo.

While there are several historic antebellum homes worth seeing in Natchez, I've always felt that the Longwood Estate is by far the most interesting. It's design is unique for a Southern Mansion (octagonal, capped with a Byzantine onion-shaped dome).

It was also under construction at the start of the Civil War, and once the war started, the carpenters and craftsmen building the house (who were apparently northerners) laid down their tools and head back home. The upper floors of the house sat unfinished and undisturbed for decades. Only the first floor rooms were ever finished. The upper floors are a virtual time capsule.

:):)

Love the Trace but watch your speed, the park police don't give much leeway.

I am planning to drive the Trace.

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.

Thanks everyone for the quick responses.

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.

National Military Park and the plantation homes