At a time when so many small towns in Mississippi are drying up, Oxford keeps getting bigger.
The presence of a thriving university, a dynamic arts community, a renowned restaurant scene and top-notch public schools make Oxford a highly desirable place to live. But just in case you’re not quite convinced, we asked Visit Oxford, the town’s tourism organization, to break it down for us in a little more detail:
Arts and Culture
For those looking for a place to live with plenty to do on the weekends, Oxford provides a huge variety of art and cultural events for locals. You can tag along for the monthly Oxford Art Crawl on the Double Decker bus every fourth Tuesday, or take in the new and permanent exhibits at the University Museum. Be sure to catch the Thacker Mountain Radio show, live at Off Square Books on Thursdays, for great music and amazing authors.
Shopping on the Square
Spend your Saturday afternoons walking around the Square and wandering into some of the South’s most charming stores and boutiques, such as Neilson’s, Miss Behavin, Cicada, The Lily Pad, My Favorite Shoes, and Landry’s. These shops have the perfect outfits for any fashion occasion: formals, tailgating, work wear or Sunday best.
Tailgating in the Grove
Speaking of football, if you haven’t spent a Saturday in the Grove, then you’ve never truly experienced tailgating. Set up a fancy tent with your friends and pack it full of chandeliers, McCarty pottery, fine china, pretty flowers, lavish displays of food, and great company, and you’ll fit right in. If you don’t know anyone in Oxford, this is the perfect place to make new friends. Just pop in to the nearest tent; that Ole Miss-style hospitality ensures you’ll get offered a warm welcome, a cold beer and a few hot wings.
Music in the Grove
The Grove isn’t only there for tailgating. In the spring and summer, the Grove hosts Music in the Grove as well as the Summer Sunset Series, which takes place every Sunday in June. Bands come from all over the country to play at one of the most unique and gorgeous venues in America. Past musicians to play in the Grove include Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley, Need To Breathe and Iron & Wine.
Rowan Oak
Literary buffs will want to make a pilgrimage to Rowan Oak, the home of Nobel Prize-winning author William Faulkner. And after you’ve been there once, you want to keep coming back. You can venture through his garden, hike through Bailey’s woods, or read notes carved in the wall by Faulkner himself. It’s the perfect place to picnic on a quiet afternoon or just relax from a stressful week.
Best Restaurants in the State
Oxford offers one of the most impressive culinary scenes in the country, full of wonderful local cuisine. Oxford is home to five restaurants owned by renowned chef, contestant on “Top Chef Masters” and James Beard Award winner John Currence. His restaurants (known collectively as the City Grocery Group) include Big Bad Breakfast, Bouré, SnackBar, City Grocery and Fat Eddie’s Lamar Lounge. And those are just a few of the many fine restaurants, eateries and diners all around Oxford. The list also includes Ajax Diner, Boure, Stella, McEwen’s, Saint Leo’s, Proud Larry’s, Volta, South Depot Taco Shop … and we could go on and on.
Double Decker Arts Festival
Last, but most certainly not least, is the Double Decker Arts Festival. Every year, people around the state – and in other parts of the U.S. – look forward to this exciting weekend filled with fun, food and music. The festival is the apex of culture and art for Oxford, featuring a wide selection of regional art and music. You can also sample some of the best foods and cocktails the South has to offer. The event has hosted some of the biggest names in music, including the Avett Brothers, Old Crow Medicine Show, Michael Franti, Dr. John and Trampled By Turtles.
By Emily Defenbaugh, an intern for HottyToddy.com. She can be reached at eadefenb@go.olemiss.edu.
For questions or comments, email hottytoddynews@gmail.com.
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