Oxford is a historic, picturesque town in North Central Mississippi. With its scenic town square, acclaimed restaurants, unique boutiques, oak-shaded neighborhoods, and friendly people, Oxford is the model Southern town. Named after Oxford, England, in hopes of attracting a university, the town was selected as the home of the University of Mississippi in 1848, which dominates life here today.

Oxford is the home of the University of Mississippi, affectionately known as Ole Miss, and is in Lafayette County, outside the Oxford city limits. It also served as the inspiration for Nobel Prize winner William Faulkner's fictional Jefferson (Lafayette County being Yoknapatawpha), the locale of many of his novels. Oxonians and University members like to describe the town with the motto "We may not win every game, but we never lose a party." Locals, partially jokingly, refer to the Square as the "Center of the Universe." Many residents see Oxford as a small town New Orleans, calling it the Little Easy. It is widely known throughout the South for its Southern charm, Old South feel, party atmosphere, and its beautiful women, whom even Hugh Hefner called the finest in the world. Oxford is also considered a literary center with many writers calling it home. Also being home to the Ole Miss School of Law and a federal courthouse, it is often said that everyone in Oxford is a "lawyer, writer, or both." As if to prove this point, famous author John Grisham, an Ole Miss Law alum, still owns a house in Oxford and visits frequently.

The Square is the center of downtown and is the main location for the town's best restaurants, shops, bars, and scenery (of the Old South architecture and gorgeous Southern belles). Chain restaurants, a Walmart Supercenter, and other national retailers are located on the fringes of town. However, most locals are staunchly anti-chain. They actively protested the arrival of Applebee's and the Walmart Supercenter, even voting out the old mayor because she did not do more to stop it. Therefore, to truly enjoy Oxford, you must visit the Square and eat and shop at locally-owned establishments. Otherwise, you are wasting your time visiting and are missing out if you only come for a football game. Immerse yourself in the town to see why Reader's Digest proclaimed, "If Oxford didn't exist, it would have to be invented."

As National Geographic Traveler magazine wrote, "Sophisticated little Oxford is waiting for you."

The public transportation is called the O-U-T. It has several lines that run through all of the major points around town. The best way to get around is by foot, as Oxford is a beautiful town to walk and parking is scarce downtown and on campus. The second best way is by car. Once you find a place to park on campus, stay there and walk everywhere you want to go. The same applies to downtown. Once you figure out how to navigate the square (it will take awhile) and the surrounding one-way streets, you can find a place to park by cruising the back alleys. If you park illegally, you will get an expensive ticket.

Do not drink and drive as the cops keep a watchful eye on the byways, not to mention you are risking your life and the lives of others. You can avoid this by walking home, hitching a ride (it's easy to find a ride from a friendly stranger on the Square), or calling a cab.

Oxford is an historic town best seen by foot. Begin with the antebellum buildings on campus, the Courthouse Square, and Rowan Oak. Soak up the town and meet some of the locals while you are at it!

• The Historic Oxford Courthouse: Located in the heart of the city, the Square. Burned by federal troops in 1864, it was rebuilt after the war and is scheduled to undergo an extensive restoration. Visitors are allowed to browse the building on their own. The courtroom upstairs is a step back in time.

• 34.3598-89.52471 Rowan Oak, ☏ +1 662 234-3284. Old Taylor Road. The home of Nobel Prize-winning author William Faulkner. This historic home and grounds located just blocks from the Square. Faulkner even wrote part of a novel on the wall of his bedroom, later uncovered during a renovation. Walking tours available. Free admission on Wednesdays, $5 on other weekdays (donations always accepted). Entrance to the grounds is free, open until sunset.  

• Oxford Cemetery, Here are buried such notables as William Faulkner and LQC Lamar, Confederate Ambassador to Russia, and Mississippi's only US Supreme Court Justice. Tradition calls for visitors of Faulkner's grave to leave a pint of whiskey, though scotch is what he would prefer.
• The Grove, on the campus of the University of Mississippi. During the early Spring it has the appearance of a nicely manicured park, but during football season it turns into the most revered tailgating locale in all of college football. Sports Illustrated rates tailgating in the Grove, a multi-acre green space in the heart of the Ole Miss campus, as one of America's premier college events, placing it No. 3 on a list of 100 things to do before graduating. Bring your "refreshments" and your Sunday best. See the "Cope" section below for an important rule while tailgating.
• Southside Gallery, 150 Courthouse Square (on the square), ☏ +1 662 234-9090. An intimate collection of changing art pieces located in the heart of Oxford, The Square. Free admission. This is a nice stop if you are browsing the Square during the day or if you are waiting on a table at night. 
• 34.3643-89.52532 University Museum, 5th & University Avenue, ☏ +1 662 915-7073. Tu-Sa 9:30AM-4:30PM, Su 1-4PM, closed most University holidays. Features Greek and Roman antiques, 19th-century scientific instruments, the Theora Hamblett collection, a growing Southern folk art collection, and other temporary exhibits. There is an unpaved natural trail that leads from the museum parking lot to Rowan Oak (Faulkner's home). It is an easy walk that will give you a glimpse of an old-growth Mississippi forest, and it will also give you an idea of the jungle that the first settlers here had to clear in order to build their plantations.  
• Ole Miss Blues Archives, University of Mississippi Campus, +1 662 915-7753. The world's most extensive collection of blues recordings and related material. If you are a blues enthusiast, this is a must-see. B.B. King recorded a live album (Live at Ole Miss) in the Grove.
• The Lyceum, The first building on the Ole Miss campus. Seen as a symbol of the University. Used as a Confederate hospital during the Civil War. The front columns contain bullet holes from the integration of James Meredith. Stop by the Chancellor's office located on the first floor, and someone will be glad to give you a tour of the beautiful building. Even the friendly Chancellor loves to meet visitors.

• Ventress Hall, a 19th-century Victorian building on the edge of The Grove. Originally used as a library, now the home of the College of Liberal Arts. Inside is a huge stained glass window depicting a battle scene from The War(unless otherwise specified, "the war" in the deep South means the one taking place between 1861 and 1865). The window was commissioned by the Delta Gamma Sorority from the Tiffany Glass Company to honor the University Greys, a company comprised completely of Ole Miss students that suffered 100 percent casualties at the battle of Gettysburg. The turret contains a winding staircase filled with graffiti over 100 years old. Legend has it that William Faulkner got intoxicated, climbed to the top of the turret, and began shouting "Hotty Toddy" — the school's unofficial cheer. However, this is likely merely a legend, but a darn good one. A member of the staff inside would be happy to give you a brief tour.
• 34.366111-89.5344443 Center for the Study of Southern Culture (Barnard Observatory). Another antebellum building on campus that was built to house the world's largest telescope. It is widely believed among locals that the telescope was being shipped during the war when it was captured by Yankee troops and sent to Northwestern University. However, it is more likely that the University could no longer afford to pay for the telescope after the war began, and Northwestern bought it instead. The building was never used as an observatory and is now home to the Center for the Study of Southern Culture and hosts small exhibits. (updated Oct 2020)
• Confederate Cemetery. behind Tad Smith Coliseum on the Ole Miss campus. It is the resting place of more than 700 Confederate dead, mostly from the Battle of Shiloh. University buildings were used as hospitals and headquarters of both Union and Confederate forces between 1862 and 1865. All those buried here perished on the grounds of the University. While many names are known (they are etched on a monument in the center of the cemetery) most buried here are unknown soldiers. Union dead were once buried here as well, but long ago moved to a national cemetery. One of Oxford and Ole Miss' lesser known sites, it is a must-see for Civil War Buffs. (updated Oct 2020)
• UM Department of Archives and Special Collections. A must for any Faulkner afficianado. It's in the J.D. Williams Library, and houses over 300 manuscript collections, the William Faulkner Collection, University archival collections, Mississippi State documents, and in the Mississippi Collections over 20,000 volumes of Mississippiana. It is moving soon to the beautifuly restored and historic Bryant Hall. 

Oxford features a regular rotation of notable speakers, art exhibits, plays, musical productions, conferences and concerts in the Grove. The Ford Center has a regular rotation of a variety of performing arts. The Lott Leadership Institute sponsors well-known speakers, such as Supreme Court justices, senators and royalty. Past speakers include John McCain, Antonin Scalia, and the King of Jordan. The Ole Miss events calendar has a list of most upcoming events. The biggest event of the year, other than football games, is the Double Decker Arts and Music Festival. A favorite of many is the weekly Thacker Mountain Radio Show, where area musicians perform in front a live audience. If culture isn't your thing, the area features several golf courses, the huge Sardis Reservoir, a few state parks and recreation areas, and a couple of day spas.

• Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts, 100 University Ave, ☏ +1 662 915-2787. A performing arts center featuring a range of performances from classical and popular artists, noted speakers and theatrical performances. The grounds also include a memorial rose garden and a smaller sculpture. 
• The Thacker Mountain Radio Show. A weekly live-broadcast, which takes place in Oxford's Off-Square Books. Part Austin City Limits, part Prairie Home Companion, this eclectic show is the perfect representation of the down-home-hip character of Oxford. Each week the radio show features the Thacker Mountain house band and other well-recognized authors reading from and signing their latest work. Attracts a crowd of visitors and locals. Great pre-dinner or pre-happy hour entertainment. 
• Big Truck Theater, Taylor, MS. This variety show is sort of Austin City Limits meets Taylor Grocery. Early in the night individual performers go on stage. Later, a 10-piece band comes out and livens the place up. You can find it next to Taylor Arts just down from Taylor Grocery.
• Grand Oaks, 1603 Grand Oaks Boulevard (at the Country Club of Oxford), ☏ +1 662 236-3008. Enjoy the beautiful outdoors as you play this 18-hole golf course. It is undergoing an extensive renovation as a Fazio-designed course. 
• University Golf Club, College Hill Rd.-147 CR 1056, ☏ +1 662 234-4816. The University Golf Club is maintained by the Landscape Services Department at the University. The course is an 18-hole, par 72 golf course and a driving range. 
• Malco's Oxford Studio Cinema, 1111 Jackson Ave W, ☏ +1 662 236-3000. This movie theater features rocking-chair stadium seating and is the host of the annual Oxford Film Festival in February. 
• Mallard Pointe Golf Course, 3037 State Park Road, Sardis, ☏ +1 662 487-2400, toll-free: +1-888-TEE-MISS (833-6477). A public 18-hole golf course just outside of Oxford in the beautiful John Kyle State Park. This has been ranked as one of the great public courses to play by several golf publications. For Ole Miss students M-Th, it's less than $17 including cart. For weekend visitors, it's about $45. 
• 34.4306-89.80281 John W. Kyle State Park, 4235 State Park Road, Sardis, ☏ +1 662 487-1345. Features 20 air-conditioned cabins, furnished with basic kitchen equipment and bed and bath linens. All of the cabins are near the water, have fire places and accommodate up to four people. There are 2 cabins on the Mallard Pointe Golf Course. Each of these cabins consists of 4 bedrooms, and they're equipped much the same as the other cabins. Reservations are required.  
• 34.438333-89.3480562 Puskus Lake Recreation Area, ☏ +1 662 236-6550. About 10 miles east of Oxford on Highway 30. The Puskus Lake Recreation Area is a lovely place to enjoy the natural beauty of the Holly Springs National Forest. Those looking for an alternative to crowded, concrete recreation areas will delight in Puskus Lake's natural beauty and quiet setting. Its remote setting, convenient to Oxford, provides a perfect atmosphere for camping, fishing, hiking and relaxing.  
• Sardis Lake/Clear Creek, Sardis (8 Miles North on Highway 314), ☏ +1 662 563-4531. The Sardis Lake area offers a wide variety of recreational activities such as camping, fishing, boating, skiing, picnicking, and more. There are 32 sites available with electricity, picnic tables, grills, water hookups, etc. Campground is open year round. Reservations must be made in advance. 
• Upper Sardis Wildlife Management Area (Lafayette County — from the intersection of Hwy. 7 and Hwy. 30 at Oxford go 12 miles east on Hwy. 30 to sign on the right saying Headquarters), ☏ +1 662 234-6125. This 42,274 acre wildlife refuge provides a natural habitat for many species. Game hunted are deer, dove, duck, quail, rabbit, squirrel, turkey and woodcock. (updated Jun 2020)
• 34.6567-89.46643 Wall Doxey State Park, 3946 Highway 7 South, Holly Springs (25 miles north of Oxford), ☏ +1 662 252-4231, walldoxey@mdwfp.state.ms.us. Offers an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities in a setting rich in natural beauty centered around a 60-acre, spring-fed lake. Day use $4/vehicle and $.50 per person over 6 people. (updated Jul 2018)
• The Lyric Theatre, 1006 Van Buren Avenue, ☏ +1 662-234-5333. The Lyric Theatre opened as a silent movie theatre in 1913. After extensive renovations, the Lyric Oxford opened its doors on the Oxford Square and now provides the North Mississippi Region with a premier live music and event venue. The proximity of Oxford to Memphis, New Orleans, St. Louis, and Nashville makes it an easy stop for touring musicians and bands. 

The University of Mississippi is a comprehensive research university and is home to a chapter of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa. It is listed in The Student Guide to America's 100 Best College Buys and The Student Guide to America's Best College Scholarships. UM ranks 50th on Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine's list of best college buys for in-state tuition and 46th for out-of-state tuition. Also in town is a branch of Northwest Mississippi Community College.

By far the major employer is the University of Mississippi, but other employers include FNC, Inc.^{[dead link]} (a banking systems and data/analytics management firm) and many local banks. Oxford is also a regional healthcare center with constantly growing healthcare facilities. A variety of jobs are may be found at the Baptist Memorial Hospital - North Mississippi. The free Daily Mississippian and the daily Oxford Eagle have updated help wanted ads.

You will find a variety of locally-owned shops downtown where you can purchase designer clothing, custom crafted pottery by Gail Pittman and McCartys of Merrigold, Mississippi, local artwork, local music albums, and a variety of other upscale wares. The shopping magazine Lucky features Oxford as a small town with big city shopping. Most stores will allow their customers to have charge accounts, which makes it convenient for students to send the bill home for payment.

• Hinton & Hinton, 135 Courthouse Square (on the Square), ☏ +1 662 234-0691. A men's store featuring designer clothing in the traditional style and outdoor gear. 
• Landry's, 302 South Lamar Boulevard, ☏ +1 662 281-0846. Located just off the square down from Square Books on South Lamar, Landry's is a family owned and run business that carries fine men's clothing, accessories, and has friendly service. 
• Lilly Pad, 128 Courthouse Square (on the Square), ☏ +1 662 238-2900. Fraternity, sorority, and other personalized gifts. They also offer Yankee candles, Vera Bradley luggage, Department 56 collectibles, and trendy beaded jewelry. 
• Midtown Farmer's Market, ☏ +1 662 234-6447. May-Sep: Sa 7AM-11AM, W 2:30PM-5:30PM. The market is on the north side of the Mid-town Shopping Center parking lot on North Lamar Boulevard. It is staffed and run by volunteers and is restricted to farmers, producers and bakers who grow or use products produced in Mississippi. 
• Mississippi Madness, 141 Courthouse Square (on the Square), +1 662 234-5280, +1-866-234-5280. Features a variety of cooking accessories, Mississippi designer pottery, and Mississippi-made gourmet foods. Pick up some Knock-You-Naked margarita mix made by Fat Mama's Tamales in Natchez.
• Mustard Seed Antique Emporium, 1737 University Ave, ☏ +1 662 281-8004. M-Sa 10AM-5PM. A multi-dealer mall featuring antique furnishings, collectibles, decorative accessories, vintage clothing and jewelry. Voted "Best Place To Find Antiques" in the state in the July/August 2007 issue of Mississippi Magazine. 
• Neilson's Department Store, 119 Courthouse Square (on the Square), ☏ +1 662 234-1161. Oldest continuously running department store in the South and offers the latest in every department. You'll find clothing, shoes, and accessories for the whole family, as well as home furnishings and gifts. Neilson's also carries Clinique and Estee Lauder cosmetics. Features all the typical department store items, but specializes in personal service. 
• Oxford Floral Company, 1103 Jefferson Avenue, ☏ +1 662 234-2515. M-Sa 8AM-5:30PM. Antique furnishings and collectibles, estate silver, accessories, unusual gifts, fine china, crystal, and floral arrangements. Voted "Best Place To Find A Perfect Gift" in the July/August 2007 issue of Mississippi Magazine. 
• Oxford Tattoo Company, 1151 Frontage Rd, ☏ +1 662 281-8226. M-Sa 2PM-11PM. A tattoo studio offering full custom body art located at the corner of S. Lamar Blvd. and Hwy 6. 
• Rebel Rags, 2302 West Jackson Avenue (Inside the Goose Creek Mall), ☏ +1 662-234-RAGS (7247), toll-free: +1-877-281-REBS (7327). M-Sa 9AM-7PM and Su 1PM-6PM. Rebel Rags has a full selection of items devoted strictly to Ole Miss attire and personal items. Customers can buy anything from Ole Miss caps to jeans to t-shirts to autograph footballs to bean bags. Product lines include Tommy Hilfiger, Cutter & Buck, Adidas, Russell, Heritage Pewter, Champion, Gear, Soffee, Team Jeans, Little King and many more popular brands. 
• Square Books, 129 Courthouse Square (on the Square), ☏ +1 662 236-2828. Locally-owned bookstore that has been rated as the best independent bookstore in the nation. The New Yorker described it "as good as or better than any in New York." Frequent signings by prominent authors. Look inside the cover of your favorite book, as it may be signed. They also operate Off Square Books, a discount bookstore that is on the Square but in a separate building. In addition, they have a children's bookstore also located separately on the Square. 
• Taylor Farmers Market, Town Square Lane, Plein Air Neighborhood (from Hwy. 6, take Old Taylor Road for 8 miles, follow the signs. From Hwy. 7, take Hwy. 328 about 5 miles, veer right on Cutoff Road and follow signs), ☏ +1 662-832-8727. Sa 9AM-1PM. 8 miles from downtown Oxford, the Taylor Farmers Market is a celebration of local food, art and live music each Saturday June through October. Adjacent to the 2008 Southern Living Idea House and local shops and restaurants, the Taylor Farmers Market is fun for the entire family, with plenty of shade and green space to romp in or spread out a picnic blanket. free. 
• The Kaleidoscope, 2305 E Jackson Ave Suite 201, ☏ +1 662-234-6722. M-F 10AM-5:30PM. Fun, funky, fashionable clothing and accessories. The only place in Oxford to find the brand Free People. 
• Therapy, 136 Courthouse Square (on the Square), ☏ +1 662 281-1197. Fine shoes, cosmetics, apparel, and accessories. 
• University Sporting Goods, 105 Courthouse Square (on the Square), ☏ +1 662 234-1736. The store is a must-stop for Ole Miss apparel, running shoes, and t-shirts. University Sporting Goods also does screen printing for t-shirts. 
• Village Tailor, 145 Courthouse (on the Square), ☏ +1 662 234-8217, villagetailor@bellsouth.net. M-Sa 10AM-5:30PM. Designer women's clothing and accessories. 

For a town of only 20,000 (35,000 when school is in session), Oxford is blessed with a wide variety of dining choices. Home to the Southern Foodways Alliance, Oxford has evolved into a "mecca....which draws professional food scholars as well as amateur eaters" according to Food & Wine writer, Pete Wells. City Grocery is recommended for upscale fine dining. For more casual fare, you can't go wrong with Boure or Ajax. For a true Mississippi experience, you must eat at Taylor Grocery.

Cold beer is not sold in Oxford, except for bars and restaurants. Either purchase your cold beer at the county line on Hwy 6 or Hwy 7 as you are coming into town, or ice it down. An often told myth is that Oxford does not sell beer cold because the mayor once owned the local icehouse. Open containers are also not allowed in the city limits, but as long as you pour it in a cup, you are fine. If a cop sees a beer can or liquor bottle, he will pour out all of your supply. However, if you have it in a cup, you will not be bothered unless you are extremely unruly. This especially applies to the Ole Miss campus and The Grove. Just keep it in a cup and pour discreetly. Due to antiquated Southern laws, the Ole Miss campus is wet on liquor only (no beer allowed), except east of Gertrude Ford Boulevard (the old railroad bed), where both liquor and beer are allowed. In any case, alcohol is not allowed in plain view and must be kept in a cup.

Remember, bars in Oxford close early. Monday-Wednesday they close at midnight. Thursday and Friday they close at 1AM. They close at midnight on Saturdays except on game weekends, when they are open till 1AM. Still, most bar goers don't go home and go to bed but instead head to the infamous "late-nights," parties at someone's home or apartment. Despite police efforts to crack down on late-nights, they are still going strong, sometimes numbering into the thousands of partiers. Word spreads about the location of late-nights earlier in the night at the bars. Be sure to secure your beer or liquor for the late-night before you go out, because they will have stopped selling by the time the bars have closed (midnight most days, Sunday it's a "dry" city).

The Chevron at University and South Lamar, called "Chicken-on-a-Stick" because of the drunk food it serves by the same name, is a very popular stopping point between the bars and the late-nights and has achieved legendary status. Several other convenience stores carry the same food minus the tradition. If you are too drunk to drive and have no other way home, you can almost always find a ride at Chicken-on-a-Stick (the Chevron) just after the bars close.

The City Grocery Bar, or "The Grocery," is located above its namesake restaurant and tends to attract a mix between locals, writers, lawyers, and older college students.

One place to hear live music is Proud Larry's, where local and regional artists perform frequently.

• The Library Sports Bar, known as the "Sports Bar", is an addition to the Library Bar & Grill and fills the void of a true sports bar on the Oxford Square. At the corner of 11th Street and Van Buren - just down from the original Library Bar & Grill. The Library attracts a younger crowd as it is 18-and-up.120 South 11th Street, +1 662 234-1411. It l features talented local bands and entertainment at night. During the day, you can stop by and say hi to Johnny "D" to have lunch and a drink.

While Oxford has no luxury hotels yet, two boutique hotels are under construction just off the Square. One, (The Ava, under construction just off the Square on Jackson Ave., next to the pedestrian/bike bridge) will feature a spa and fine dining. Until they are built, the closest you will get to luxury is to stay at a bed and breakfast. Oxford has a large number of hotel rooms for a town of its size. However, if you are coming for a game weekend, nearly all the rooms are presold as a package deal for the season. Occasional rooms do open up though, but chances are slim. The next closest town with motels is Bruce (24 miles) Batesville (25 miles) to the west, Holly Springs (30 miles) to the north, Pontotoc (20 miles) to the east, Grenada (40 miles) to the south, and Senatobia (40 miles) to the northeast. Many visitors choose to stay in downtown Memphis in order to experience Beale Street and only come in for the game, or they stay in Tunica at a casino. However, it can be very difficult to get in, out, or around Oxford on Game Day. A viable option is to rent an RV in Memphis and stay on campus for free. You can park your RV and walk wherever you need to go the whole weekend. If you are staying in Oxford, the Graduate Hotel and the Inn at Ole Miss are the most highly recommended because of the quality of the rooms, the services, and the great locations.

Oxford is a very safe town, with the court dockets mostly full of minors-in-possession, public drunks, and DUIs. Oxford Police are always nearby and allow little slack for disruptive behavior. The town is safe to walk at any time of night, with only the most basic precautions necessary.

• Memphis-- The closest major city, known for Graceland, Beale Street, great music, and a revitalized downtown
• Tunica-- The South's gambling mecca featuring a dozen large casino resorts
• Tupelo--The birthplace of Elvis Presley
• Clarksdale--The location of the famous Crossroads intersection of Highway 61 and 49 is known for its Delta blues and famous blues musicians
• Natchez--The historic rivertown with the South's grandest collection of antebellum homes

Greenville ← Batesville ←

W  E

→ Pontotoc → Tupelo