This trip is ready for group sales!
Journey into the deep south and explore the Civil War and antebellum history of Vicksburg and Natchez, Mississippi. Visit the Vicksburg National Battlefield Park including the Illinois Monument and the USS Cairo gunboat. Learn about General Grant and the involvement of Illinois troops in the famous battle by a professional battlefield guide. Enjoy a tour of old Vicksburg by the great-great grandson of Jefferson Davis and learn how the citizens endured the siege of their town. You’ll have some free time to shop and eat on your own. In Natchez visit plantation and antebellum home of impressive architecture, gardens and landscape. Visit Longwood, Rosalie, D’Evereaux, and others as time allows. Enjoy a sunset dinner on the banks of the Mississippi at Natchez Under the Hill, once known as the “murderest” place in the country. After dinner enjoy a local storyteller and tales of the debauchery at the second busiest slave port in the country. You’ll also visit the old slave market now a memorial park where members of the Illinois USCT liberated slaves and burned down the holding pens. On the way home we’ll overnight in Memphis and take in the National Civil Rights Museum. And finally on the last leg home we;ll make a stop at Ft. Pillow where the massacre of USCT infuriated Lincoln.
This trip includes stops at 3 historic sites represented inside the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum; Windsor Ruins and Dunleith represented in the Tim Russert video, and Ft. Pillow represented in the Civil War in Four Minutes video.
Friends, this trip is intended to be a premium educational and historical experience! We hope you return home having had fun and memorable experience but also with a deeper understanding of the Civil War and the Antebellum South.



Highlights:
- Vicksburg National Battlefield Park
- USS Cairo
- Windsor Ruins
- D’Evereaux
- Rosalie
- Longwood
- Dunleith
- Natchez Under the Hill
- Old Slave Market Park
- Ft. Pillow State Park
- National Civil Rights Museum
- And a few surprises!
Trip Includes:
- Deluxe motorcoach transportation
- 6 nights 3-4 star hotel
- Hot/cold breakfasts
- 3 dinners
- 1 lunch
- All site entries on itinerary
- Local guides
- Tour director
- Onboard water/snacks
You Pay:
- 6 lunches
- 4 dinners
- Travel insurance
- Applicable tips
- Extra expenses you incur



Day 1
Travel day Springfield to Memphis
Overnight in Memphis
Day 2
Memphis to Vicksburg
Begin exploring Vicksburg
Overnight Vicksburg
Day 3
Vicksburg National Battlefield
Explore Vicksburg
Day 4
Vicksburg to Natchez
Explore Natchez
Day 5
Explore Natchez
Day 6
Natchez to Memphis
National Civil Rights Museum
Day 7
Memphis to Ft. Pillow
Home to Springfield



Travel Date: 9/1/2023
Depart: Union Square Depot, 500 E. Madison St. Springfield
Check-in: 8:30am
Coach departs: 9:00am – do not be late!
Parking: ALPM garage, corner 6th and Madison St.
Return: 9/7 approximately dinner time
- Sign-up deadline is July 1st, 2023
- Check/money order to Springfield Walks & Tours, 425 S. 7th St. Springfield, Il, 62701, no convenience fee for check or money order
- Minimum 40, maximum 50
- Sold first come first serve
- Must be able to withstand rigors of travel
- Suggest purchasing travel insurance
- All sales are final, reservation is transferrable
4% convenience fee for cc payments
Hotels:
Memphis – Drury Inn
Vicksburg – ?
Natchez – Natchez Grand Hotel
Meals:
All breakfasts included
2 Drury Inn Kickback dinners included; pork sliders, tacos, nachos, baked potato bar, salad, soup, and several other options. Also included are two complimentary adult beverages.
Natchez Under the Hill group dinner
There will be a couple of fast food stops to help save time traveling
Free time meals choose your own resturant and meals
Food Allergies/Dietary:
We will do our best to make sure anyone with food allergies or special diets has their needs met.

