{"id":800,"date":"2017-05-21T16:16:42","date_gmt":"2017-05-21T14:16:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelspotting.de\/?p=800"},"modified":"2019-06-02T17:05:37","modified_gmt":"2019-06-02T15:05:37","slug":"vicksburg-nur-ein-zwischenstop-zwischen-memphis-und-new-orleans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelspotting.de\/en\/vicksburg-only-a-needed-stop-between-memphis-and-new-orleans\/","title":{"rendered":"Vicksburg \u2013 Only a Necessity to Stop between Memphis and New Orleans?"},"content":{"rendered":"Vicksburg \u2013 What\u2019s that? That was how I responded to the idea of going to Vicksburg while we were planning this tour. I have to admit, Vicksburg was only was a stop because driving from Memphis to New Orleans was too long for a single day. I wasn\u2019t expecting much and have to say: I was totally wrong! Vicksburg has a lot to offer, much more than I was expecting.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vicksburg: Where to Find It and How to Reach It<\/h2>\n

Vicksburg is located right between Memphis and New Orleans. It\u2019s a 640 km drive from Memphis to New Orleans (via Interstate 55), according to google maps, this drive takes 5 \u00bd hours. Doable in a day, if you don\u2019t stop anywhere and don\u2019t visit anything. As soon as you leave the interstate and take the more scenic highway route, the required time double or triples.<\/p>\n

Vicksburg and Memphis are connected by the Interstate 55 (exit in Jackson). Like this, it\u2019s a 410 km (3 \u00bd hours) drive. Driving on highway 278 and 61 (via Indianola) is more beautiful, even a bit shorter (370 km) but takes 45 minutes longer.<\/p>\n

Where the South lost the Civil War: Vicksburg National Military Park<\/h2>\n

The National Military Park is at the Northern end of Vicksburg. Several cheap hotels can be found close to the park entrance (opposite side of the street). We stayed in the Quality Inn Hotel.<\/p>\n

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There is no bus shuttle (like in the big national parks); you need to drive in your own car. It\u2019s not recommendable to walk because the distances are quite long. Going on a bicycle would be possible. The park is not flat but rather uneven with loads of hills and elevations. It\u2019s not a flat steamrolled city park, but has mostly been left in its natural, uneven state.<\/p>\n

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There are several numbered stops on the route. An brochure provides information about what happened at every single stop and why it happened. The brochure is available in the tourist center at the entrance. There is also an audio guide on CD, an app or a telephone number you can call at every stop. I did the old-school thing and read the brochure. To me, that was sufficient. Altogether, there are 15 stops. Reading all information about these 15 stop keeps you busy for a while.<\/p>\n

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Eye-Catchers on the tour: Illinois State Memorial, USS Cairo 5, Vicksburg National Cemetery<\/h2>\n

Illinois State Memorial<\/h3>\n

The Illinois State Memorial is a large marvel building on an overlooking spot right at the beginning of the tour. Of all the state memorials, it\u2019s the most striking, even a bit flamboyant: statues, buildings, obelisks and art serve as a reminder of all the states that were involved in the Civil War (14 from the South, 18 from the North).<\/p>\n

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USS Cairo 5<\/h3>\n

The USS Cairo 5 sunk in the Yazoo River. It was rebuilt in Vicksburg; some original parts that were still found could be used. You can visit the war ship and walk around in it. Right next to the ship, there is a museum about the history of the ship.<\/p>\n

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Vicksburg National Cemetary \u2013 Cemetary of the Civil War<\/h3>\n

The cemetery is right next to the Cairo 5 and reminds of about 17,000 soldiers who died in the war. The cemetery looks different from cemeteries in Germany; it\u2019s a green meadow with many gravestones on it.<\/p>\n

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Vicksburg was important to both sides from a strategic point of view. Between December 1862 and July 1863 several battles and maneuvers took place, both in the water and on land. These info boards have information about many familiar names: Grant, Pemberton, Sherman etc. Soldiers from both sides are presented as statues; boards explain what happened when and where.<\/p>\n

Nature<\/h2>\n

Off its main street, the park is known for its vast number of protected species and its intact nature. We met several Boy Scout groups, who were walking somewhere between main road and hiking path on their way back home. For Vicksburg residents, the park seems to be a focal point to hike and take a field trip. Due to its uneven structure, the park is perfect for this.<\/p>\n

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Resume<\/h2>\n

Even though I wasn\u2019t expecting much, I can only recommend the park to everyone. I thought I already knew a lot about the Civil War but I was mistaking. I learned a lot here and did get quite some new information about the civil war. Driving along the main route including its 15 stops was really interesting and took about 2 hours.<\/p>\n

The park is beautiful because of its historical significance, its nature and its beautiful viewpoints over the river. If possible, you should go here. 15 Dollars per car is a definitely a reasonable price.<\/p>\n