My dad is a history buff. My mom is less of a history buff, but she used to be a teacher, so she can never pass up an educational opportunity. Over the years, we’ve taken “educational” vacations around the country, always stopping in at old forts, battlegrounds, and any other historic site we came across. When my dad announced that we were taking a family vacation to Vicksburg, Mississippi, no one was surprised. We were even less surprised when he added we would be spending a day at Vicksburg National Military Park.
Vicksburg is a city rich in history. It’s the home of the first bottled Coca-Cola, features the best example of Eastlake architecture in the South, and more infamously, was the site of a decisive campaign in the Civil War. Vicksburg, due to its location on the Mississippi River, was vital to the Confederacy. After a series of failed maneuvers attempting to overtake the city, General Grant finally lay siege to the city in 1863, and General Pemberton of the Confederate Army surrendered to Grant on July 4, 1863. This effectively split the Confederacy in two. The Siege of Vicksburg and the Vicksburg Campaign are memorialized at Vicksburg National Military Park.
There is a fee of $12 per vehicle to visit Vicksburg National Military Park, but the pass is valid for 7 days. We visited the park in mid-September, and it was hot enough that we appreciated the air conditioning in the Welcome Center as we watched a short 20 minute film about the significance of Vicksburg in the Civil War. The Welcome Center offered bathrooms, a small gift shop, and for the baby, the chance to get a Junior Ranger pin.
After the Welcome Center, we ventured out to the cannon display beside the parking lot. There was a sign featuring the app for Vicksburg National Military Park, which my dad downloaded for the tour. If apps aren’t your style, pick up a map in the Welcome Center with information about the park and the various stops on the self-guided driving tour, try the guided cell phone tour, or purchase the Audio Tour CD for $11.95 plus tax. If none of those options appeal to you, you can always have a guided tour of the park with a licensed Park Guide. These tours cost $40 for a car of 1-6 people with an overtime fee of $20 per additional hour. Reservations are recommended for a guided tour.
To enter the park, you drive through a famous white arch. Once you’re through the arch, you’re on the driving tour. The driving tour winds through the park, past monuments and old trenches dug by soldiers in the Civil War. Although it was too hot to do much exploring on the day we visited, there are plenty of places to get out and look around.
One of the more famous of these places is the Illinois Memorial. Erected in honor of all the soldiers from Illinois who fought and died at Vicksburg, this monument is modeled after the Roman Pantheon. The base and steps are made of granite from Stone Mountain, Georgia.
Another well-known stop is the USS Cairo Museum. This museum features the history of and artifacts from the USS Cairo, a Union ship sunk by underwater mines near Vicksburg. The Cairo rested underwater, forgotten by most, until the 1950s. In 1964, the Cairo was raised, and in 1972, the National Park Service was given permission to restore what was left of the ship for display.
Near the Cairo is the Vicksburg National Cemetery, a 116 acre cemetery that is the final resting place of 17,000 Civil War soldiers and 1,300 soldiers who served in later conflicts. 75% of the Civil War soldiers buried at Vicksburg are marked as “unknowns.” You can walk through the cemetery to get a feel for just how violent the Civil War, and the Siege of Vicksburg, were.
Although we live on the edge of what was once a bloody Civil War battlefield here in Georgia, visiting Vicksburg and learning about the battles there was enough to unsettle me. Vicksburg National Military Park honors a tragic section of our country’s history, when brother literally fought against brother, and father against son. For those who have an interest in American history, you’ll easily be able to pass a day— or more— here.
Have you ever visited Vicksburg National Military Park?
Hi there, I work for an exhibit development company and we are seeking a high-resolution file of the image of the cannons at the Vicksburg Battlefield site that you have in this post for a museum client (non-profit). It would need to be a very large file – mural-sized at 100 DPI. Please contact me at the info I’ll provide below if you think you could help us out. Thanks!
This is definitely my kind of place, how I would love to have my own shack there and just retire with everything and everyone I love. Thank you for sharing this wonderful park.
I love history and would love to visit the park. There were so many cool facts I just learned from this post, I can only imagine if I actually get there.
I live in Colorado and took a trip to Vicksburg a few years ago. It was so stunning there and really was neat to see all the places. The Unknown grave markers all around really put things into perspective. Such a neat place and I encourage all to visit that are and check out all the Civil War Museums and places.
Wow, this reminds us so much of our history. Very nice place, I wish I can visit this someday!
That’s a gorgeous park! I love the historical monuments.
I have always lived historical places like this. It looks like you guys had fun!
All war is unsettling. It’s interesting though to learn about it.
This looks like a place I would enjoy visiting. I love learning more history and being able to see it in person!
I’ve never heard of Vicksburg! However I’m in Canada so that doesn’t mean much. I must say though it looks lovely, and like a great place to spend the day!
It would be awesome to take the family here! I think it’s perfect for teaching them all about a place’s history and how much the military contributed for their country. On top of that, there are some really beautiful places to enjoy!
I am not a history buff but I love taking my kids to educational trips from time to time. I find exploring historical places so fun and informative.
So fun! I have always wanted to explore these places.
This place looks rich in history. A great place to take the kids for a relaxing (yet educational) day!
Sounds like a place that’s so full of history! It’s beautiful, too!
I’ve never been, but am adding it to my #bucketlist It looks like you had an awesome day!
This is a tour that I would love to take my family on. I think when you go on trips like this, the kids learn more by seeing over just reading about these spots in a book. Great photos! I feel like I was on the tour with you!
This is a beautiful area. It reminds me of Valley Forge National Park in my area. I would like to add this place to my family’s travel bucket list.
I remember reading a lot about Vicksburg when I was in grade school. It does have a lot of history. I love to visit historical places like this.
What a wonderful place to learn about history. I’d definitely want to go on one of the tours.
We will be in the area next spring. I will have to add Vicksburg National Military Park to the list of places we will be stopping at.
Vicksburg National Military Park looks like a great place to check out with my family. We love to learn about history.
My Dad would love it if I took him to Vicksburg National Military Park. It would be a fantastic learning experience.
It surely looks like a very interesting place to visit. Definitely worth checking out for our next family trip.
This looks like such a great place to visit! I would love to bring my kids here some day.
I haven’t visited Vicksburg yet. Civil wars are definitely more violent because each side has a vested interest in the outcome. I’m that kind of mom, too, teaching and making every experience an educational one. Thanks for sharing this fantastic adventure.
Many years ago I passed through Vicksberg with my best friend. We saw a few things but not as many as you did! I’d love to do another road trip through the south with her!
That is so gorgeous! I love the Civil War history aspect of it, and the architecture is magnificent! I’ve always felt that visiting sites like these are better for teaching history than sitting in a classroom for who knows how long. Now I want to go!
I have never been but, now I want to visit. I love history and I bet I’d enjoy this!
All of this looks so beautiful. I would love to go and experience this with my family.
What an awesome place to visit. Parks are some of our favorite places to visit when we travel.
That’s a very beautiful park. I love to go to parks like these. They can be very educational too.
Your baby looks so cute with the junior ranger pin.
All your pictures look great – it looks like it was a nice visit.
Oh my goodness, Hubby would love this. He is all about history and loves to visit historical sites like this one. The beauty is amazing. Thanks so much for sharing
Looks like such stunning scenery! I’ve never been to Vicksburg National Military Park, but now I want to go!
This looks like a really neat park to explore. I have never been, but I would like to go if I am ever in the area.
I love anything history related, so I know I would love visiting Vicksburg. I would love to take my family there!
I’ve never been, but am adding it to my #bucketlist It looks like you guys had a great day!
Never visited but my son loves history and I’m thinking we need to find a way to get there! Love all your pics and am excited to check this out!
I have never been there but I would love to bring my kids there one day. We love history and historic buildings, especially those that relate to military history.
This looks like the perfect trip for us. We love to get up close and personal with history.