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Porchfest and pecan pie — just two of the many reasons why travelers need to add Vicksburg, Mississippi to their fall travel itinerary. This charming, little known southern town comes to life with fall festivals, candlelight ghost tours, and seasonal menu offerings. Discover the spooky charm of Vicksburg this October with Halloween-themed events, including special candlelight and ghost tours at the McRaven House, the most haunted house in Mississippi. Dating back to pre-Civil War, this historic home was built in three different periods and has a spine-chilling past. Candlelight Tours are offered on Fridays and Saturdays from October 20 – 28, from 7 pm. Here visitors will be guided by candlelight through the home, stopping in each room to meet a character of McRaven's past to learn their story. Tickets are available for $25 per person. Visit www.mcraventourhome.com.   Cokes and Floats Autumn leaves aren't the only crisp thing in Vicksburg during the fall. Visitors should head to the historic downtown to enjoy a crisp, ice cold soda and see where Coca-Cola was first bottled. The Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum was first constructed in 1890 and initially used by the Biedenharn family as a wholesale candy company and a shoe store. Joseph Biedenharn was approached by Asa Griggs Candler, the co-founder of The Coca-Cola Company, on a business trip and suggested that Biedenharn's Candy Company stock the iconic drink to supply the fountain dispensing trade around Vicksburg. From there, Joseph Biedenharn had the idea to bottle America's favorite carbonated drink, marking it the first official bottling of Coca-Cola in 1894. On March 12, 2024, Vicksburg will celebrate the 130th anniversary of the first bottling of Coca-Cola. Get outside and explore the fall foliage on the Mighty Mississippi! Catch blue catfish on a U.S Coast Guard-licensed charter with Blue Cat Guide Services or go on a guided canoe adventure with Quapaw Canoe Company. Immerse in the Vicksburg community. The city is home to a number of fall focused events, including Porchfest and the Vicksburg Vintage Motorcycle Show. Porchfest weaves the community of Vicksburg together through food, music, and family-friendly activities. On October 28, in the Historic Fostoria neighborhood, visitors and locals alike can listen to live grassroots music on the front porches of historic homes and wander down Drummond Street for bites and fun activities. Motorcycle enthusiasts are invited to downtown Vicksburg for the Vintage Motorcycle Show on November 4 to view the collection of old bikes produced before 1990.   Seasonal Southern Comfort Cuisine Feast on the flavors of Vicksburg this fall with the pecan praline pie and fried chicken at Walnut Hills Restaurant or Betty's legendary biscuits at Main Street Market Cafe. Visitors can sample what the city has to offer at the Taste of Vicksburg on October 27. From soulful performances by local entertainers to engaging insights from history buffs, dine on the city's rich history and culture at the Vicksburg Convention Center. Tickets are $15 per person and are available for purchase at the Vicksburg Convention Center Box Office.   Visit Vicksburg

As the air gets cooler and the foliage transforms in to vibrant shades of red and orange, autumn is a great time to explore Mississippi. The great outdoors await for quality time exploring nature.   Explore outdoors  - Forest Retreat is a secluded adult cabin getaway located on the edge of the Homochitto National Forest. It is 10 miles northeast of Gloster in Mississippi and open year-round. Capital City Kayak Adventures offers a fun, affordable, and convenient outdoor opportunity on the water in the Jackson Metro Area.   Adventure lovers should visit the Tishomingo State Park which is a public recreation area located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Tishomingo County. The park is located at Milepost 304 of Natchez Trace Parkway and features rock outcroppings, waterfalls, and a swinging pedestrian bridge over Bear Creek. Activities include canoeing, rock climbing, fishing, hiking, and a Bear Creek canoe float trip.   https://visitmississippi.org/

  Beginning on April 12, 1861, and ending on April 9, 1865, the American Civil War saw the Northern and Pacific states take on the Southern states that sought to secede from the union and form the Confederate States of America – and many of the historic battles took place right here in Mississippi. Visit Mississippi takes a closer look at the role our state played in the war and where locals and tourists alike can revisit the past at many Civil War battlefields across Mississippi.  

Mississippi’s Civil War Battles

  Beginning with the First Battle of Bull Run, the Civil War resulted in a victory for the Northern and Pacific states and the dissolution of the Confederate States. The war also led to the abolishment of slavery, the ratification of the U.S. Constitution’s 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments, and the start of the era of reconstruction. Mississippi alone saw many Civil War battles, including:   Battles in 1862 April 29-June 10: Corinth September 19: Iuka October 3-4: Corinth December 26-29: Chickasaw Bayou/Walnut Hills Battles in 1863 April 16: Vicksburg April 29: Grand Gulf April 29-May 1: Snyder’s Bluff/Snyder’s Mill May 1: Port Gibson/Thompson’s Hill May 12: Raymond May 14: Jackson May 16: Champion Hill/Baker’s Creek May 17: Big Black River Bridge May 18-July 4: Vicksburg Battles of 1864 February 14-20: Meridian February 22: Okolona June 10: Brice’s Cross Roads/Tishomingo Creek July 14-15: Tupelo/Harrisburg  

Battlefields to Include on Your Itinerary

  Thousands of visitors flock to Mississippi each year to take in the Civil War history and see some of the most popular battlefields and sites for themselves. These include the following and more:  

Brice’s Crossroads National Battlefield

  Located in Guntown, this battlefield was the location of a significant Confederate victory and saw over 12,000 men engaged in battle. Brice’s Crossroads National Battlefield was established in February 1929 by the U.S. National Park Service (NPS).  

Tupelo National Battlefield

  The site of the last Civil War battle in Mississippi, Tupelo National Battlefield is now protected by NPS. Over 20,000 Confederate and Union soldiers fought here, and at the time, Union forces also included soldiers from the United States Colored Troops. The battlefield is located in Tupelo.  

Vicksburg National Military Park

  Vicksburg is one of the most popular destinations in the state for Civil War and history buffs. Vicksburg National Military Park is home to 141 cannons and carriages, 15 historic bridges, nine fortifications, and the USS Cairo Gunboat and Museum, among a host of other attractions that commemorate this time in history. Visitors can also pay their respects at Vicksburg National Cemetery and view over 1,400 memorial monuments.  

Find Our State’s Historic Civil War Sites with Visit Mississippi

  Whether you’re planning on visiting several Civil War battlefields in Mississippi or just want to know which ones to highlight on your trip, the team at Visit Mississippi is standing by to help you plan your itinerary. For more information, contact us today. You can also request a tour guide or utilize our helpful trip planner online.

  One of the great things about traveling is the chance to experience new and different types of food. While seafood is available all over the United States, Mississippi’s prime location on the Gulf of Mexico offers easy, daily access to fresh seafood. When you’re planning a trip to Mississippi, you’re going to want to check out the Mississippi Seafood Trail. With dozens of seafood restaurants scattered around the state, we offer something for every kind of seafood lover. Here, Visit Mississippi explores a few of the most popular Mississippi seafood spots that are not to be missed.  

Half Shell Oyster House | Biloxi, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Flowood, and Madison MS

    If you’re on the Mississippi Gulf Coast or in central Mississippi, and you’re looking for a seafood experience you’ll never forget, look no further than Half Shell Oyster House. Since 2008, the restaurant has been serving the communities it calls home with cuisine you’d typically find in New Orleans. Aside from the great food, the restaurant’s quirky, vibrant interior pays homage to New Orleans’ famous French Quarter. To top it all off, jazz music complements the vibe, providing an atmosphere similar to that of an evening in the Big Easy. The restaurant has even won a handful of awards, including:  

• Travelers Choice 2021
• Festival South: Best of the Pine Belt 2021
• Best Overall Restaurant 2021
• Best Oysters 2021

 

Drago’s Seafood Restaurant | Jackson, MS

    If you’re visiting Jackson or just passing through on the way to your next destination, you should stop at Drago’s Seafood Restaurant. Drago’s serves high-quality, fresh seafood to locals in the Jackson area, as well as to the many tourists who make this a stop on their vacation. Known largely for its oysters and lobster, Drago’s Seafood Restaurant’s specialties include raw and charbroiled oysters and lobsters, and the restaurant also offers up gumbo, fried seafood, the catch of the day, and so many more mouthwatering menu options.  

Juju & Crista's Shrimpboat Cafe | Corinth, MS

    Seafood lovers in North Mississippi have a place to go in Corinth, MS. Juju & Christa's Shrimpboat Café is a low-key, family-owned seafood restaurant serving gumbo, po’boy sandwiches, and regional fried favorites along with salad and pasta options like their seafood alfredo. Menu items also include Fried Gator and baskets of fried or boiled Gulf Shrimp, oysters, and seasonal crawfish. Guests can relax after their meal with homemade desserts and enjoy a setting that will feel like you’re on the beach.  

Walker’s Drive-In | Jackson, MS

    Although its name might suggest it’s a quick stop, Walker’s Drive-In offers an upscale customer experience from the comfort of a casual, enjoyable atmosphere. Located in Jackson’s Fondren District, Walker’s Drive-In is another award-winning restaurant located on the Mississippi Seafood Trail. It also caters for festivals and events, so if you’re visiting during The Atlanta Food and Wine Festival or the Sante South Wine Festival, be sure to stop by the Walker’s Drive-In tent and try some of the best New Orleans-inspired cuisines. Walker’s sources all of its ingredients from the local region and uses sustainable methods to acquire its seafood.  

Contact Visit Mississippi For More Mississippi Seafood Trail Tips

  Mississippi is known for its rich, fresh seafood, so the next time you’re headed to our area, be sure to stop along the Mississippi Seafood Trail for an authentic Gulf Coast food experience. For more information about Mississippi’s delectable seafood, the Mississippi Seafood Trail, or other places to eat and drink on your trip, contact Visit Mississippi.

  Mississippi’s rich creative legacy and deep historical roots are on display in museums around the state celebrating the artistic achievements, from music to art to literature, of some of the world’s greatest talent. Take a tour of the galleries below and start planning your visit to Mississippi’s museums today.  

Delta Blues Museum | Clarksdale

  Since 1979, the Delta Blues Museum has been working to conserve Mississippi’s blues legacy. As the state’s oldest music museum, this Clarksdale arts center has interpreted and cultivated an understanding of this native Mississippi art form for decades. Exhibits include collections of artifacts, memorabilia, instruments and more from some of the state’s most prolific blues musicians, like B.B. King and Muddy Waters.  

Mississippi Museum of Art | Jackson

  Mississippi’s largest art museum, the Mississippi Museum of Art, is located in the capital city of Jackson and features a collection of nearly 6,000 art objects from some of the nation’s most well-known artists. The permanent collection is joined by a rotating series of special exhibitions and narrative themes. Take a stroll through the outdoor art garden, grab a bite at the Palette Café and enjoy performances by classical and traditional Mississippi artists.  

Lauren Rogers Museum of Art | Laurel

  The Lauren Rogers Museum of Art is located in a turn-of-the-century Georgian Revival structure built in 1923. The building was to be the home of Lauren Eastman Rogers, the only son of one of Laurel’s founding families. After Rogers’ early death, the building was converted into a museum, gallery and educational institution. Exhibits showcase American art, European paintings, Native American baskets, Japanese Ukiyo-e prints and British Georgian silver.  

Gumtree Museum Of Arts | Tupelo

  The GumTree Museum of Art employs year-round events, exhibits and educational workshops to help visitors develop an appreciation for the arts in the Tupelo community. Events include educational art programs for young artists, opportunities to interact with exhibitions and community outreach, like the museum’s lunch-and-learn lecture series.  

Jimmie Rodgers Museum | Meridian

  The Jimmie Rodgers Museum is a showcase of the life and legacy of the Mississippi native who is widely known as the “Father of Country Music.” Cited as an inspiration for musicians across the full spectrum of American music, “The Singing Brakeman” also worked on trains in the era of steam-engine travel. The museum features instruments and memorabilia pivotal to Rodgers’ music career, along with railroad equipment from the period of his career spent working on locomotives. Following your visit to the Jimmie Rodgers Museum, head to the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience, also known as The MAX, to learn more about Rodgers and other Mississippi legends that influenced American arts and culture.

  Texas and Mississippi announced separately they would lift orders mandating masks and fully open businesses at full capacity. Both states cited a levelling off of Covid cases and a need to get people back in jobs. Several other states have started to ease restrictions with a growing percentage of the population receiving Covid vaccinations. However health officials have warned states not to loosen restrictions too quickly. The country is still recording around 70,000 new Covid cases a day.   Read full story