24 Hours in Oxford

A Guide to Navigating a Day in Oxford, Mississippi

Photo Courtesy: Sarah Johnson

Oxford, Mississippi has been fondly coined the “Velvet Ditch,” a place so comfortable it’s hard to leave, and it has certainly earned the name. From the charm of the square to the red-bricked campus, the town is a place like no other. With so many things to do and see in Oxford, there are certain “must-do” activities for those visiting. 

One of the best ways to spend an easy morning in Oxford is at the Square. After a cup of coffee from Heartbreak Coffee, shopping and sightseeing awaits. A must-see and perfect picture opportunity in Oxford is the courthouse, found right in the middle of the Square.

There are usually special events happening in the Square. Double Decker, a concert lined with shopping and food stands, is the perfect way to spend a day in the spring for an Oxford visitor. In the fall, Ole Miss football draws in thousands from all over the country every year and is a worthwhile showcase of SEC football.

For William Faulkner fans, Oxford is one of the best places to visit. Rowan Oak, Faulkner’s house, is enchanting in not only its beauty but also in the small details about the writer’s life and work that are revealed there. The other sight is Saint Peter’s Cemetery, where Faulkner’s and many other of Oxford’s prominent figures’ burial sites can be found. 

After a full day, it is time for dinner. Oxford offers eating options ranging from fine dining to fast food, and it is hard to go wrong with either option. As far as fine dining goes, most of those options are located on the Square. For a visitor, a quick walk around the Square is a great way to find a dinner spot. 

As the night creeps up, heading back to the Graduate or the Chancellor’s House is the ideal way for a visitor to end their day in Oxford.