Vicksburg/Natchez, Mississippi

September 1st – 7th, 2023

Single – $1950 / Double pp – $1500

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.

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D'Evereaux, former family home of Garret Moffett
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Vicksburg National Battlefield
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Illinois Monument, Vicksburg National Battlefield

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
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Longwood
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Front guns of the USS Cairo
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Port guns of the USS Cairo

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

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Rosalie
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Natchez Under the Hill, 2nd busiest slave port in the U.S.
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Natchez Under the Hill Today

 

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 COVID compliant
  • Must be able to withstand rigors of travel
  • Suggest purchasing travel insurance
  • All sales are final, reservation is transferrable
 
             Find your travel partner and sign up today!

                   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.

 

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Windsor Ruins
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Ft. Pillow, where the massacre of USCT infuriated Lincoln
                                                          Questions call 217-502-8687 or email garret@springfieldwalks.com                                                     

                                                    The Vicksburg/Natchez Experience!

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All of our fall tours will follow CDC and State of Illinois COVID guidelines for everyone’s health and safety as much as possible. Masks and hand sanitizer will be provided.