Vicksburg or Natchez-Which should I visit when going on my way back from Mississippi? (Jackson: city hall, hotel)

[Chris19]

I have a general idea of my route and plan for heading to Mississippi but am contemplating about ideas on where to stop on the way back from the Mississippi Gulf coast and heading westward towards Longview, TX or Texarkana, TX (possible stay for the evening on the trip). I am interested in making a couple-hour stop and seeing some historic buildings and homes along with areas of historical interest. I like to look at architecture and have an interest for bridges (for some odd reason. I plan to make a stop at either Natchez or Vicksburg.

I have been to Vicksburg about ten years ago with my parents during my high school days and found it to be interesting, although some parts of the town were iffy. I thought that the Beidenharn Candy Co./Coca-Cola Museum was interesting and I can clearly remember the canons on the grounds of the visitors' center near I-20 that overlooks the Mississippi (where one can see the bridges that cross the river).

I am wondering which would be more worth my time, Natchez or Vicksburg? Which is more interesting, easier to get around, friendlier, and safer? Which has a better view of the river/bridges?

[poptones]

Well, waterways research center has a mighty fine view of many bridges. No telling what bridges you'll find in the hydraulics lab area http://www.usace.army.mil/History/Pages/Brief/10-r-and-d/river-lg.jpg (broken link)

Vicksburg is more than just dead generals. Waterways is a very cool place to tour. It's where they designed the wheels of the lunar rover! GulfBase - Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL)

[Huckleberry3911948]

go to vicksburg and go to rainbow casino (good food great creole shrimp) and go to vicksburg national park.
be sure to go to the city hall on top of the hill and the museum.

[Chris19]

Thank you for the suggestions and ideas. Vicksburg would be a good stop if I were to take US 49 up to Jackson and taking I-20 directly west.

What about Natchez? Is Natchez as good as Vicksburg or a place to avoid?

[poptones]

I dunnoi much about natzhez. I didnt suggest Vicksburg because natchez is bad, but because it's what I know. The casinos are fun too if you can stick to your limit (in all things

When are you going? Do you know about the first monday flea market in canton tx? It would also be on your way west from Vicksburg and would for sure be worth visiting. There's a website, check it out.

[Chris19]

Vicksburg would be good to visit, nonetheless. If I left Biloxi at 6:30 or 7:00 AM, it would put me in Vicksburg about lunch time and I can mosey around for a couple of hours. From a logsitical stance, Vicksburg may be more convenient, but I am curious about Natchez (want to make sure I am not missing too much). I have checked the city's tourism website and there are some older homes I would like to see and the downtown area would be good to visit.

I thought that Vicksburg was interesting when I was there 10 years ago (and wished that I could have seen more and would be interesting to visit the Civil War sites also.

There is one local restaurant that I am interested in stopping by that serves deep fat fried pickles. I love pickles and have a bad habit of eating fried food from time to time. Having cajun/southern specialties would be nice, since these specialties are sparse in the Upper Midwest.

I will head through the area on Wednesday before Memorial Day and will likely take some roads that bypass the Dallas metro areas (to avoid rush hour if I stay in Southern Oklahoma) going to Colorado to visit relatives before heading back home. I will bet that it will be quite a shock to go from the hot and humid of the South to the dry air of Colorado.

[jacksonian]

Why not visit both? They are only an hour or so apart. Natchez's history is just as beautiful as Vicksburg, and I think it would be beneficial to visit both. You could then write up your findings and what you liked about both.

[Chris19]

Originally Posted by jacksonian

Why not visit both? They are only an hour or so apart. Natchez's history is just as beautiful as Vicksburg, and I think it would be beneficial to visit both. You could then write up your findings and what you liked about both.

Excellent idea. I love to take pictures and may post them. Last two years when I went on vacation, I took in excess of 300 pictures. My guess is that the mansions at both places have beautiful greenery/shrubbery/flowers that add great character.

An idea that I have would be to visit Vicksburg on my way down to Gulfport and stop by Natchez on my way back when heading towards Texas and get on the interstate at Rayville. The timing is what I will need to figure out.

Visiting Vicksburg for a couple hours will be a nice and relaxing stop after making a long 10-11 hour driving jog between Kansas City and Clinton, MS after visiting the Clinton Library. I will have to try some southern food and maybe some catfish.

Another idea would be to hit them both on the way back, but I will have to leave Gulfport early to make it work well. Then, I can not be as big of a hurry when going from KC to Clinton, MS. Either way, I will work it in and pick a few places to visit in Vicksburg and a few in Natchez. Both seem like neat places to visit. Not perfect communties, but something unique and good to remember.

I will visit one or the other, but what will be planned will be dictated by timing. I like to plan, plan, plan, but realize that some flexibility will get factored in.

[psulions2007]

Natchez is beautiful...it's a slightly smaller town than Vicksburg rich in history. The Antebellum homes are a must-see attraction...and there is a lot of civil war memorabilia as the town played a major part in it.

Downtown is quaint with quite a few shops and restaurants. There are also two casinos, though the new one's casino part hasn't opened yet (the hotel and restaurant is open though). There are historic sites outside of Natchez, including Jefferson Military College and Emerald Mound (Native American Burial Ground).

If you do decide on Natchez, I highly recommend stopping at the very nice Visitors Center located next to the Mississippi River Bridge on US 84/65. They will have loads of other ideas and the key spots to visit in Natchez.


Good luck!

[Chris19]

Natchez seems like a neat community to visit and see some of the Antebellum homes. I will have to keep the Natchez and Vickburg stops flexible to make the stops easygoing. I have seen some homes in Natchez and some of the older homes are just plain neat and I would like to stop by and take a peek and even tour one or two. Both towns would be neat.

I will defiinitely give my assessment of the visit in June when I come back. When I talk about my trips to my family and friends, I am very detailed in description and I am afraid I will end up writing a book. I hope that my trip to Mississippi will be good and an enjoyable lifetime memory. I have been to Mississippi on three different occasions and find most of the people to be very cordial and had good experiences. The state has its hidden beauty and is a diamond in the rough.