Travel Guide
Southern Charm & Waterfront Thrills: Discover Why Millions Are Drawn To This Surprising Mississippi City
Apr
You might be surprised to hear that Mississippi has become one of America’s trendiest states.
Whether it be gleaming white-sand islands, resort-laden beach towns, or deep dives into history as one of the most significant building blocks of America’s timeline, this southern gem is slowly but surely creeping out of Florida’s shadow.
Putting the coast on hold, Mississippi’s capital city of Jackson has been hyped as a 2025 must-visit, and even lesser-known Hattiesburg is becoming a tourism hotspot in its own right.
Digging even deeper with the release of the latest tourism statistics, a charming riverside city with a surprising amount of thrilling attractions is seeing millions of tourists pour in.
Vicksburg, yes, Vicksburg, located 45 minutes west of Jackson and nestled along, you guessed it, the Mississippi River, offers visitors a balanced mix of history, quintessential ‘southern hospitality’, and waterfront delights. It has become one of the South’s biggest surprise destinations for 2025.
Happy 200th Birthday To Mississippi’s Historic “Border Town“
Before you work yourself into a tizzy, ready to give me a geography lesson in the comment section, no, Mississippi isn’t a “border town” in the traditional sense we view El Paso or Laredo, but it does hug Louisiana’s state line.
Vicksburg is about as far west as you can go in the Magnolia State, but its location offers surprising accessibility. You can fly into nearby Jackson (JAN) or double-dip your travel plans in Monroe, Louisiana (MLU), slightly further away.
This timeless city dates back centuries. In fact, the city is celebrating its 200th birthday this year with numerous fun events to look forward to, such as the Music & Culture Festival and the Vicksburg Hipstoric Art Festival.
Perusing the charming townscape, you can’t help but notice many architectural marvels have stood the test of time, including what’s now become the sightly Old Court House Museum and the McNutt House, one of the most storied homes in the city and offering tours and stays for just $135 per night.
But perhaps Vicksburg’s most notable claim to fame is being a stronghold in the Civil War. So much so, Honest Abe himself once stated Vicksburg was ‘the key’ to the South, and now history buffs can visit the very popular Vicksburg National Military Park and Vicksburg Civil War Museum, as well as finding numerous factoids displayed around the city.
Vicksburg’s Riverside Attractions
Let’s not pretend the Mississippi River is a crystal-clear oasis with inviting swimming holes and pristine beaches, but hey, maybe Chris Farley was on to something…
What ‘the Mississippi’ does offer is a scenic backdrop for a tranquil escape, such as river cruises — who would ever turn that down?
Yes, rather than hop aboard a Disney cruise with snot-nosed children running around like wild banshees or the overwhelming chaos of a mega-resort at sea, a river cruise is quite an underrated way to travel.
Check out numerous Mississippi River Cruises offered by American Cruise Lines and Viking River Cruises.
Otherwise, if you’re not up for a weeklong trip, one of Vicksburg’s 29 riverboats can take you around the vicinity for a quicker trip.
Not to mention, the Vicksburg Riverfront is one of the most action-packed areas, with photo ops of Vicksburg Riverfront Murals and savory local eats lining the shores, such as top-rated Rusty’s Riverfront Grill or Klondyke Trading Post, a ‘Vicksburg tradition since 1896′, just a stone’s throw away.
But if we’re being honest, the real draw to Vicksburg’s riverfront is the hopes of winning big! That’s right, according to aforementioned statistics you definitely didn’t click on, 1.6 million people visit Vicksburg to crank slots, split Aces, and double down on red — or do what I do and pretend to play in hopes of a free cocktail.
Vicksburg’s Best Stays And Casinos
Lining the vast River is a plethora of casinos and hotels drawing in a majority of Vicksburg’s visitors. As delightful as downtown Vicksburg may be with quaint Mom and Pop eateries and old-timey inns, the best place to make your base is undoubtedly overlooking the Mississippi and signaling to Louisianans they’re on the wrong side of the tracks!
The only name brand you’ll recognize is Bally’s Vicksburg Casino, and to be honest, the reviews are less than stellar. Vicksburg’s top-rated casino is Riverwalk Casino Hotel, where one recent guest claimed, ‘I thought everything about the hotel was great. It was incredibly clean and the desk clerks were wonderful. We would definitely stay here again.’
For those who enjoy, you know, breathing, The WaterView Casino & Hotel is a 100% non-smoking facility.
Should you want to avoid the neon lights and constant “cha-ching” sounds, there are numerous historic inns in quieter parts of town, such as traveler favorite Duff Green Mansion for a reasonable $171 this summer.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
