Vicksburg or Jackson
 

Which city is the better for driving the following day to Oxford?

The only real difference is Vicksburg is about 30 minutes farther from Oxford than Jackson is (but it depends on where your actual starting points are) Otherwise, the trip is the same—you basically drive from Vicksburg to Jackson first and then on to Oxford.

Are you visiting both Vicksburg and Jackson, or trying to choose between them?

Choose between them. Thanks, J

That is to say, visiting V for the afternoon and would appreciate your thoughts on the best place to spend the night. Realize the driving difference is slight. Just looking for the nicest spot for the dinner and the night.

If you go from Vicksburg it is a bit more of scenic drive since you do not just drive up the interstate. With the historic park etc, we enjoyed Vicksburg a lot. Didn't spend the night, so can't help there. In Oxford eat at the City Grocery and visit the Square Books.

Skip Jackson. Stay in VB. Visit the National Military Park and dine at Rusty's Riverfront Grill. Drive N on # 61 and have lunch at Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale home of the blues. Head E to Oxford. It's about an hour from Clarksdale.

VISIT THE DELTA..........

http://www.visitthedelta.com/

I can't compare Jackson to Vicksburg because I've only been to Vicksburg. I've been a number of times and LOVE it. (My father grew up there and we've gone back to visit relatives).

It has lovely home tours, a cute downtown area, and you can visit the civil war park, which Littleman mentioned, which is extremely interesting IMHO.

You'd love both, but Vicksburg is probably more of what people think of when they think of visiting the South. If you're looking for an amazing place to stay, try the Anchuca B&B. It's gorgeous, and the breakfast there is amazing. Dinner at Rusty's or Walnut Hills (try the fried chicken) would round out you evening nicely. A visit to the Military Park would offer history and great photo opportunities.