Vicksburg National Military Park
Time Needed: full-day
Experience Type: historic landmark, military history
Perched above the Mississippi River, Vicksburg National Military Park preserves the site of one of the Civil War’s defining battles. The 47-day siege here marked a turning point in the war, and today, visitors can explore its battlefields, monuments, and stories of resilience.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Drive the 16-Mile Tour Road – Start at the Visitor Center, watch the orientation film, then follow Union and Confederate lines using the NPS app, audio guide, or licensed guide.
- Explore the USS Cairo – Step aboard the restored Civil War ironclad gunboat and see artifacts recovered after it was raised from the Yazoo River in 1964.
- Reflect at Vicksburg National Cemetery – Visit the final resting place of over 17,000 Union soldiers, a solemn and moving tribute within beautifully maintained grounds.
- Climb the Illinois Memorial Steps – Ascend 47 steps, one for each day of the siege, and admire the memorial’s marble dome honoring Illinois soldiers.
- Tour the Historic Shirley House – The park’s only surviving wartime structure offers rare insight into civilian life during the grueling 47-day siege.
Plan Ahead: Bring history to life with a self-paced driving audio tour. The narration guides you through key sites and memorials, sharing stories of Grant’s campaign, the Confederate defense, and the pivotal siege that shaped control of the Mississippi River.
Photo Credit: Visit Mississippi