Lower Mississippi Historic Scenic Byway
Exploring Southern Treasures of the Lower Mississippi Great River Road

Departure: Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi
Destination: Rosemont Plantation, Mississippi
Time to allow: 1 day

In just over 100 miles, you can discover multiple sites of historical significance at both the state and national level. This route connects four of the oldest settlements along the Mississippi River. At every stop along the corridor, there are attractions listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Day 1

  • Start: Vicksburg National Military Park

    Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours

    At this stop learn the significance of Vicksburg National Military Park. During the Civil War Vicksburg stood as a fortress guarding the Mississippi River. On July 4, 1863 John C. Pemberton surrendered the city to Ulysses S. Grant, giving the Union control of the Mississippi River. Understandably, July 4th has a unique history to Vicksburg residents. Vicksburg National Military Park commemorates the south’s campaign to defend the city. Stop and visit over 1,000 monuments and markers at the Military Park.

    The Cairo Museum at Vicksburg National Military Park displays a recovered Union gunboat, weaponry, and other artifacts from the Civil War. Watch a short video about how the USS Cairo gunboat sunk in the Yazoo River by a Confederate mine. Then learn what was done to salvage the remains of the vessel after its discovery over 100 years later. Other areas of the Military Park to visit during your tour include the Visitors Center and the National Cemetery.

  • Stop 2: Coca-Cola Museum

    Directions from previous place:

    From Vicksburg National Military Park, turn west onto Clay Street. Drive until you reach Washington Street and turn right. Drive two blocks; the Coca Cola Museum is on the right hand side of the street in the center of the shopping and tourism district. The address is 1107 Washington Street, Vicksburg, Mississippi 39180.
    Distance from Previous Site: 5 miles / 8.0 km
    Travel Time from Previous Site: 7 minutes
    Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour

    The Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum gives visitors the opportunity to learn how one of America's favorite beverages was made. The restored museum shows the equipment used in processing the first Coca-Cola bottles back in 1894. Learn how the company was founded as you look at all the exhibits and memorabilia. See how their image has changed over the last 100 years into the company standing today. The Coca-Cola Museum offers souvenirs as good keepsakes.

  • Stop 3: Grand Gulf Military Park

    Directions from previous place:

    Travel Highway 61 South to Port Gibson-Claiborne County. Turn west on Grand Gulf Road, which leads to Grand Gulf Military Park.
    Distance from Previous Site: 30 miles / 48.0 km
    Travel Time from Previous Site: 40 minutes
    Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour

    Grand Gulf Military Park opened in May 1962 to preserve the memory of the town and the battle that took place there. Use your time to visit Fort Cobun, Fort Wade, and Grand Gulf Cemetery, and gaze from the observation tower and restored buildings dating back to the Grand Gulf heyday. Stop by the Museum and follow the development of Grand Gulf through scale models of prehistoric sites, an authentic Mastodon bone, historic photographs, Civil War artifacts, and comprehensive maps. For leisure time, there are plenty of areas for picnicking and hiking. If you wish to spend the night, the park's campground has sites for tents and RV's.

  • Stop 4: Windsor Ruins

    Directions from previous place:

    Return to Highway 61. Travel south to Highway 552. Turn west on 552. Drive past Alcorn State University on a two-lane county road until you reach the Windsor Ruins.
    Distance from Previous Site: 30 miles / 48.0 km
    Travel Time from Previous Site: 30 minutes
    Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes

    Located 12 miles southwest of Port Gibson, 23 majestic columns are all that remain of the most impressive mansion ever built in Mississippi. Windsor was used as an observation post by the Confederate soldiers who sent signals from its cupola across the river to Louisiana. The house served as a Union hospital after the Battle of Port Gibson in May 1863. The ruins served as a backdrop for several films, including Raintree County with Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Cliff.

  • End: Rosemont Plantation

    Directions from previous place:

    Rosemont Plantation is located off of the Natchez Trace Parkway, several miles north of the Highway 552 Exit on Red Lick Road.
    Distance from Previous Site: 12 miles / 19.2 km
    Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes
    Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes

    Rosemont was a thriving cotton plantation in Southwest Mississippi, long before the Civil War. Rosemont tells the story of a working cotton plantation that once had over 100 slaves tending the fields. The plantation is still a working plantation, but Christmas trees are planted where cotton was once grown.

Totals for Day 1

Total Distance Traveled: 77 miles / 123.2 km
Total Travel Time: 1 hour 37 minutes
Total Stopping Time: 5 hours