America’s Great River

Visit the Civil War site where the Battle of Vicksburg ended, turning the tide of the war in favor of the Union. Visit the Civil War site where the Battle of Vicksburg ended, turning the tide of the war in favor of the Union. Vicksburg had been the last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River. When it finally surrendered to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant on July 4, 1863, the Union gained control of the entire Mississippi—effectively splitting the South in half. With a Licensed Battlefield Guide narrating your tour, you will see the historic trenches, markers and monuments. Learn about the battle’s impact on the lives of civilians and troops on both sides, including the many African Americans who served in the campaign. Also included is a visit to USS Cairo, an ironclad gunboat that prowled the Mississippi as part of the Union’s brown-water navy.

Enjoy Privileged Access to several historic sites during a guided walking tour of downtown Vicksburg. Your route will take you past the landmark Old Courthouse, an architectural jewel that is now a museum filled with pre-Columbian artifacts and the largest collection of Civil War memorabilia in the South. Visit the Romanesque-style Church of the Holy Trinity to admire the six Tiffany glass windows that adorn its interior. Continue to the Wahl-Shaffer Cottages, where its owner will take you through several architecturally distinctive homes. At Tully’s Cave, a reproduction of a cave used during the 1863 Siege of Vicksburg, hear about life during war time. After, stroll to the riverfront floodwall to view the 32 life-like pictorial murals created by Robert Dafford that depict different periods from Vicksburg’s history, as well as an abstract mural by local artist Martha Ferris.

Explore the home of Indigenous Americans during a guided tour of Poverty Point—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More than 3,000 years old, this important North American archeological site and engineering marvel was part of a vast trading network that stretched for hundreds of miles across the continent. Who built these mounds has been lost to time, but evidence of their existence remains. Embark by motor coach to this designated National Historic Landmark, located in northeastern Louisiana. Upon arrival, meet your local expert, who will take you back in time to explain the history of the hand-built mounds that served this Indigenous community in the area for 600 years before being abandoned. You will see a monumental earthwork, one of the largest man-made mounds on the continent. Afterward, board your coach and return to your ship.

Stroll the charming streets of historic Vicksburg and explore the city’s stately homes. Begin your tour at Christ Episcopal Church, built in 1846, and admire its towering pinnacles and four Tiffany windows. Inside, a church rector will recount the history of the church and its relation to the Civil War. From here, discover the surrounding neighborhood and learn about its grand architecture during a guided walk. Depending on availability, you will visit the nearby Wahl-Schaffer Cottages—each featuring a distinctive architectural style—and then embark on a short trip to the Martha Vick House, which was built during the 1800s. After gaining valuable insights into Vicksburg’s past, you may stay in town for further exploration or return to your ship.

Explore one of the most significant chapters of American history during an immersive journey through Vicksburg. Board your motor coach and drive to the Vicksburg National Military Park, where battlefields, preserved trenches and striking memorials bring the siege of Vicksburg to life. Along the way, your guide will share insight into the campaign that helped alter the course of the Civil War and hear real life accounts of soldiers and communities. See Tully’s Cave, a reconstructed refuge that reveals how local families endured weeks of relentless bombardment by sheltering underground. After lunch, visit the Duff Green Mansion which once served as a hospital for wounded soldiers from both Union and Confederate armies. Cap your excursion at the Old Courthouse Museum, home to an extensive collection of Civil War artifacts, personal belongings, historic documents and period textiles.