Vicksburg takes the cake for the best historic site and best river view in the state, according to a poll of &#8220Mississippi Magazine” readers in this month’s issue.

Best of Mississippi 2006 is the magazine’s approach to finding the best Mississippi has to offer in 76 categories. Readers were polled in the March/April issue to tell about favorite places to eat, shop and visit. Attractions and activities in 24 towns across the state are listed.

Voters decided the view from the Warren County Welcome Center was the best for catching a glimpse of the Mississippi River – or any river in the state – for that matter. The Welcome Center on Washington Street, one of 11 across the state, displays a view of the two Mississippi River Bridges, which tower over the river, connecting Vicksburg to Louisiana at the west. The view has always been a favorite for locals and tourists and was depicted as the most recent in the series of Vicksburg Waterfront Murals on the floodwall at City Front. The painting by mural artist Robert Dafford is titled &#8220Two Bridges at Sunset,” and was paid for by Ameristar Casino executive Ray Neilsen and his wife, Nancy.

The Vicksburg National Military Park, which brings about 1 million visitors to the River City each year, was upheld by Mississippi Magazine readers as the best historic site in the state.

The park, established by Congress in 1899, preserves the site of the Civil War Battle of Vicksburg, waged in 1863. The Clay Street attraction also commemorates the greater Vicksburg Campaign, which preceded the battle. The park includes 1,325 historic monuments and markers, 20 miles of historic trenches and a 16-mile tour road. The site has two antebellum homes, 144 emplaced cannons, the restored gunboat USS Cairo and the Grant’s Canal site.

Categories for Best of Mississippi were divided into three main topics – Dining Out, Seeking Out and Getting Out. Editor Kelli Bozeman said more than 1,000 write-in votes were submitted.

The July/August issue of &#8220Mississippi Magazine” is now available on newsstands or by subscription for $20 per year. For information, call 601-982-8418 or 800-844-8418 or visit www.mississippimagazine.com.