When I arrived in Vicksburg, Mississippi, I expected a small town where tourism relied on a famous Civil War battlefield. What I found was something much bigger. Between touring haunted mansions, eating legendary tomato sandwiches, sipping craft beer on rooftop bars and walking through the restored USS Cairo ironclad, I quickly realized Vicksburg is packed with personality.
I explored historic homes turned restaurants, wandered museums that brought history to life and discovered some of the best views of the Mississippi River. Whether you’re into food, history or quirky roadside gems, Vicksburg surprised me at nearly every stop along the way.
Here’s my list of 7 essential stops in Vicksburg.
Vicksburg is both way smaller – and way bigger – than I thought. It’s smaller in terms of population. With just 19,135 residents, all of Vicksburg can fit in Lambeau stadium four times over.
But it’s bigger in terms of things to do. A town of 20k could probably rely upon the nearby civil war battlefield to generate healthy tourism, but they went above and beyond.
From haunted mansions to tomato sandwiches, rooftop bars to resurrected battleships, here are 7 essential stops on your trip to Vicksburg.
Restaurant Anchuca
Going to Vicksburg without exploring a restored Victorian mansion would be like visiting Disney without hitting Space Mountain. These mansions are a key attraction, serving as hotels, restaurants and even haunted museums (see The McRaven House below).
Anchuca is part museum, part fine dining restaurant. In fact, it’s the #1 restaurant in all of Vicksburg, with an elegant atmosphere and exceptional food. Don’t drink too much from the top-shelf bar, as you’ll want to tour the mansion afterwards.
For reservations, visit anchuca.com/dining/.
The McRaven House
Located just a mile from downtown, The McRaven House has served as a makeshift Civil War hospital, a home to a family plagued by untimely deaths, and a “coven” of women rumored to be witches. No wonder it’s the “Most Haunted Home in Mississippi.”
You can book 45-minute historical tours in the (relative) safety of the daylight, or if you’re feeling brave, you can embark on a much longer Haunted Tour at night. Historians and paranormal experts will serve as your guides, telling you all about the history of the mansion and their own personal experiences with the restless spirits within.
For example, there’s one particularly foul-mouthed Confederate soldier who likes to whisper profanities as you walk past. And a former highwayman who was murdered by his wife – and as a result, doesn’t particularly like the presence of women.
We didn’t experience anything paranormal ourselves, but the storytelling and atmosphere alone were well worth the price of entry.
Book your tour at mcraventourhome.com.
The Tomato Place
Decades back, Luke Hughes and his family opened a tomato stand on the side of Highway 61 outside Vicksburg to sell their excess crop. Regulars would come by, see the family eating tomato sandwiches, and ask, “Hey – can I have one, too?”
Soon, word of the Hughes family tomato sandwiches spread like wildfire, and they had no choice but to expand their restaurant to meet demand.
But Luke didn’t rent out some fancy loft downtown for his restaurant – he just expanded the original tomato stand, plank by plank until a stand became a shack became a… larger shack!
So I urge you to pull off Highway 61, park in the dirt and try the same tomato sandwich that Vicksburg locals have been raving about for decades. And if you’re a purist, you can always get fried green tomatoes.
Learn more on The Tomato Place’s Facebook Page.
Key City Brewery + 10 South
If you can hear live music from downtown, it’s likely coming from the Key City rooftop. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening you can head up to the third floor of Key City, grab a flight of fresh beer and a superb brick oven pizza, and enjoy some Americana tunes.
Afterwards, why not walk down the street to the First National building, take the free elevator to the 10th floor, and enjoy the view from 10 South?
Despite having the “penthouse” view, 10 South offers casual drinks and food with modest prices and a relaxed atmosphere. Head there for happy hour and selfies, and you won’t regret it.
Learn more at keycitybeer.com and 10southrooftop.com.
Vicksburg Civil War Museum
With multiple museums to visit on the battlefield park itself, it may be tempting to skip the seemingly redundant Civil War Museum located downtown. But I’d urge you not to.
Because this black-owned museum offers a much more intimate view of the period that I’ve never experienced before. Instead of maps, flags and generals’ uniforms, it’s filled with everyday items including sewing kits, miracle tonics, and somber letters home.
You’ll also find harrowing artifacts that require no plaque to tell a tragic story; shackles, whips and a full-size recreation of a slave’s quarters.
While it may not be a fit for your youngest children/grandchildren (yet), downtown Vicksburg’s Civil War museum is a compelling and urgent stop for all adults passing through.
Learn more and plan your visit via vicksburgcivilwarmuseum.org.
Brick Street Market
Brick Street Market wasn’t even on our itinerary. We just popped in because they had sandwiches and outdoor seating. Boy, what a happy accident.
I ordered a Brick Street Club on their famous po’boy bread, and I couldn’t believe how much meat and fresh veggies they piled on for $15. Combine delicious food, fast service and outdoor seating that overlooks the Mississippi River, and you have a 10/10 lunch spot.
You can plan a visit or order online via brickstreetmarket.toast.site.
Vicksburg National Military Park
With 1,800 acres to cover, you’ll definitely want to tour Vicksburg National Military Park in a car or on a bike.
Even as a military history buff, I learned things at Vicksburg National Military Park that shocked me.
Like how the denizens of Vicksburg lived in caves underground to avoid American bombs and artillery; similar to how the North Vietnamese would a century later.
Or how General Grant allowed 30,000 surrendering Confederate soldiers to go home instead of taking them prisoner, assuming they were too tired and hungry to keep fighting the war (they weren’t, and fought him again at Chattanooga).
It really was a grimly fascinating battle and an equally fascinating National Park to visit. But the star of the show – by far – is the USS Cairo.
The USS Cairo was one of the world’s first “ironclad” gunboats, designed to sneak down America’s riverways, besiege Confederate troops and shrug off cannonballs with its thick metal skin.
Unfortunately, it would soon be unmade by a Confederate innovation; the remote-detonated mine. Despite being violently blown up and sinking in just 12 minutes, 100% of the Cairo’s crew survived. You could even say the ship itself survived, since it was pulled up piece-by-piece in 1964 and fully reassembled (minus one big hole).
You can visit the resurrected Cairo – and even walk around inside – at the Vicksburg National Military Park, making the whole experience a must-see.
Start planning your visit to the park via nps.gov/vick.
Where to Stay in Vicksburg
- Oak Hall is a restored Victorian mansion featuring the perfect mix of modern comforts (e.g. air conditioning, blackout curtains) and historic charm. Don’t skip breakfast; it’s the best I had in Vicksburg.
Please see our related story: Oak Hall Bed and Breakfast Has Modern Comforts, Historical Charm - The Mississippi Art Gallery Loft can be found right downtown and features a washer, dryer, full kitchen and a private rooftop terrace. There’s a 2-night minimum, but if you’re keen to stay walking distance from the action, it’s hard to beat.
For more attractions, hidden gems and planning out your visit, check out Visit Vicksburg and see our related story: Steep Yourself in Southern Culture: Our Favorite Things to Do In Vicksburg Mississippi
– Photos and text by Chris Butsch, staff writer and founder of Your Car Negotiator