Vaught Hemingway Stadium on the Ole Miss Campus. Editorial credit: Chad Robertson Media / Shutterstock.com.

The Best College Town In Mississippi

Oxford, Mississippi, is "The Cultural Mecca of the South." It is home to the University of Mississippi and embodies what a college town should be. The first clue to the town's identity is its name, derived from the famed University of Oxford, England, one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Oxford, Mississippi, has also been home to literary giants such as Faulkner and Grisham. Ole Miss is consistently ranked as the best university in the Magnolia State and ranks in the top 200 in the nation.

The town's vibrant downtown area hosts world-class restaurants, open-air spaces, and quaint retail spaces with a historical, academic ambiance. In local parlance, Downtown Oxford centers around Oxford Square, known as the Square. It is in front of the famed courthouse and hosts live events yearly. It is an impressive district to explore, filled with Southern charm, academia, and nightspots for the weekend crowd.

Campus And Community Life

Students at the University of Mississippi campus in Oxford. Editorial credit: Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com.

There is a famous saying by an Ole Miss football player, "If you don't want to go to Ole Miss, don't visit!" That sums up what it means to be in this charming town that easily captures the heart of the visitor. For students, the University of Mississippi provides unique experiences in and out of the classroom and offers more than 190 undergraduate programs. There are over 460 student organizations for students to plug in, join a community, and support causes close to their hearts. Ole Miss supports its community, and vice versa. The two are intertwined, building strong relationships between residents and alumni.

Oxford has a deeply rooted cultural scene and often hosts film festivals, live concerts, and athletic events like 5k races. Students are frequently the star attraction, allowing them to exhibit their talents and bond with the community in a fun and unique way.

Ole' Miss Band performing at the Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), Oxford, Mississippi. Image credit: Ken Lund via Flickr.com.

Football is king in the South, and Ole Miss embraces the camaraderie and spirit of the game and the fans. Many traditions are based around athletics, which builds communal bonds that last a lifetime. Players and coaches walk to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium before games with a throng of fans on either side cheering on the Rebels, the intercollegiate athletic teams of Ole Miss. Home run showers are a fun and creative way to lose your drink. When a Rebel baseball player slams a home run, fans throw whatever's in their cup in the air.

Cultural And Recreational Attractions

The charming downtown area of Oxford, Mississippi. Editorial credit: Feng Cheng / Shutterstock.com.

A significant appeal of Ole Miss is that it is in the town of Oxford. The downtown area is the entertainment hub, centered around Oxford Square. Since 1837, it has been the town's economic and cultural epicenter, featuring top restaurants, boutiques, and the South's oldest department store, Neilson's. Towering over the square is the Lafayette County Courthouse, built in the Greek revival style and adorned with the town clock.

Oxford offers many cultural attractions, such as historical sites, museums, and art galleries. The crown jewel of the historic residential area is Rowan Oak, the home of famed novelist William Faulkner. He penned much of his best work here, including "Light in August." The University of Mississippi Museum is an attractive way to see how Oxford culture meshes seamlessly with Ole Miss. It boasts the most extensive collection of fine arts and artifacts at any academic institution in Mis sissippi

Rowan Oak, William Faulkner's home in Oxford, Mississippi. Editorial credit: James Kirkikis / Shutterstock.com.

The town has long been considered a top culinary destination in the United States. Its dining options range from casual to fine. James Beard-winning Chef John Currence has four restaurants downtown, and Ajax Diner is a square staple offering casual American fare.

Social Scene

Though the downtown area is practically drenched in sophistication, nothing matches the energy of a college town, and Oxford comes alive at night. Several live music venues, bars, and eclectic restaurants can be found downtown, many at the square, like the Blind Pig and Bouré Bar. Start the evening at The Coop, which has excellent views of the square. The industrial space on the fourth floor of the Graduate Hotel offers an intimate space to mingle and a light menu to hold you over until dinner. Or, opt for cocktails at City Grocery Bar before the main course in the sophisticated downstairs restaurant.

University of Mississippi sign at the entrance of Campus in Oxford, MS — University of Mississippi sign at the entrance of the campus in Oxford, Mississippi. Editorial credit: Chad Robertson Media / Shutterstock.com.

The City Grocery Bar offers a unique aerial view of the square. The second-story bar, founded by Chef John Currence, is above the landmark restaurant. The restaurant offers its diners exposed brick walls and a heart of pine flooring, which set the tone for a refined menu that defines the downtown area. Proud Larry's on the Square is the place to be for live music. Or, head to the largest bar downtown, the Library Sports Bar. Friday nights packed with students and live music have become a sort of rite of passage on the Oxford bar scene.

Appeal To Non-Students

Poeple wait in front of the Taylor Grocery Store and Restaurant in Oxford, Mississippi. Editorial credit: Jacque Manaugh / Shutterstock.com.

Oxford is appealing for non-students as much as it is for the Rebels. Foodies flock here for the one-of-a-kind culinary scenes, history lovers visit the rich historical sites, and it is a family-friendly town. In essence, Oxford has something for every palette, making it one of the most attractive towns in the South.

Daytime shopping excursions at Neilssons or one of the boutiques while sipping coffee from Common Grounds and exploring the historic courthouse are ideal for the day. Afterwards, stop at one of Oxford Square's four iconic Square Book locations and Ajax Diner for lunch. Complete the day with sophisticated dining at one of Chef John Currence's restaurants. And that's just day one. Oxford's most appealing feature is its versatility. A person can spend an entire week touring the town and never see or eat at the same place twice. Though eclectic, each location still exudes the Oxford ambiance, which is why it is the "Cultural Mecca of the South."

Thousands of books line the shelves at Square Books, an independent bookstore in Oxford, Mississippi. Editorial credit: James Kirkikis / Shutterstock.com.

Oxford is home to the best university in Mississippi and is one of the best places to visit in the South. A sophisticated air of academia surrounds everything in town without being stuffy. The community is warm and inviting, a major attraction of the small town. Oxford is intertwined with the University of Mississippi in the best possible ways.

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Academia is the region's fabric, and many communal events, from live theater to athletics, highlight this bonding spirit. Downtown, defined by Oxford Square, is filled with bookstores, museums, and a varied collection of top restaurants and bars. The nighttime scene is more vibrant and comes alive on the weekends when university students take a much-deserved break from their studies. That is not to say that Oxford is a party town. Rather, it is an elegant southern town that values its history and academic prowess while appreciating a good time.

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