When the weather warms, it’s time to get moving! There’s no better place to get outside and explore than the rolling river city of Vicksburg, nestled in a quintessentially Southern hardwood forest.

Not only can you soak up the sun and scenery along the one and only Mississippi River, but the Vicksburg area is home to several charming lakes ideal for fishing, birding and boating. Call on the expertise of Blue Cat Guide Service for the best in outdoor adventure. Over the years, the meandering Mighty Mississippi has created lots of oxbow lakes in the area, ideal for water recreation. Hop in a canoe or kayak and explore at the Quapaw Canoe Company outpost. For the avid outdoorsmen and women, there are more than enough perfect spots to hunt deer, wild boar, turkey, rabbit, and duck along the Mississippi, Yazoo, and Big Black Rivers.

If it’s a pleasant stroll you’re after, you’ve come to the right place. Walking tours are a great way to get an up-close-and-personal look at the city and its history. Grab a Visitor’s Guide and follow the map downtown and into the surrounding historic districts. Guided tours and ghost tours are also available. You won’t want to miss what’s rumored to be Mississippi’s most haunted house, of course. Avid and amateur cyclists can take to the Mississippi River Trail as it weaves through Vicksburg’s downtown. Bicycle rentals are available at Battlefield Bicycle.

Looking to go a little further? Take a leisurely ride with the windows down and hit up the city’s historical monuments along the Great River Road National Scenic Byway, which follows the Mississippi River for 3,000 miles; the Mississippi Blues Trail, where you get a firsthand look at the places that shaped the country’s best musicians; the Natchez Trace Parkway, where American Indians, early settlers, soldiers and even Andrew Jackson, once traveled; or the Tamale Trail, adding a little spice to your life at Solly’s Hot Tamales, a Vicksburg staple since 1939.

Soak up the sun and fresh air with a picnic along the Mississippi at Riverfront Park or splash around in the fountain at the Children’s Art Park at Catfish. The Vicksburg National Military Park consists of 1,800 lush acres and represents Vicksburg’s role in the Civil War. Here, you’ll find a priceless collection of monuments created by the last century’s leading artists.

Just this Spring, Sports Force Parks on the Mississippi opened, creating an opportunity to move and have fun for the whole family. This complex features baseball, softball and soccer fields constructed with professional quality synthetic turf. Here, you’ll find sports, family and fun in abundance. Kids of all ages can soar hundreds of feet across the park on the adventure zipline, grab a slice at Hunt Brothers Pizza, or try your hand at mini golf.

When you’re in Vicksburg, there’s simply no excuse to stay inside. Get out there, get moving, and experience The Key to the South at its best!

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