Beat the summer heat: Experience this charming Southern town indoors
Who says you can’t beat the summer heat in the South? Head to Oxford, Mississippi, for fun that’s cool. Easily accessible from Interstate 55 in North Mississippi, about an hour from Memphis, Tennessee, Oxford welcomes visitors with quintessential Southern charm and indoor adventures around every corner. Home of the University of Mississippi, enjoy no-fuss parking and less traffic during the off-season, making shopping, dining and immersing yourself in the local culture a breeze.
“Souvenir” shopping
Voted by Lucky Magazine as a “Small Town with Big Style,” stroll the historic town square and unwrap a shopper’s paradise. Peruse the independently owned boutiques where unique threads and wares abound. Fill up your bags at Village Tailor for fine jewelry, clothing, shoes and handbags, Therapy for trendy fashions and impeccable service and Cicada for brands like Rag and Bone and Chanel. Cool off with a fresh pair of shades from A Look Ahead and turn heads with new cosmetics from Amy Head. Crack open a book at Square Books, voted “Bookstore of the Year” in 2013 by Publisher’s Weekly. Antique stores are plenty, as are options for customized gifts. Utilize the Southern stamp–the monogram–at Olive Juice Gifts for a personalized souvenir. Pop into Katherine Beck for unique gifts and trendy décor and Amelia for chic artwork to dress up the home. The Historic Square is also where you will find Neilson’s–the oldest department store in the South, originally opened in 1839.
Delicious Bites
When it comes to restaurants, it’s hard to compete with the flavors of Oxford. James Beard Award-winning chef, John Currence runs four restaurants in this town, each unique, bold and guaranteed to make taste buds sing. Pull up a chair at Big Bad Breakfast where menu items like brown sugar bacon and Southern fried chicken entice, sit down at Boure’ for upscale downhome fare, stop in the Snackbar where French Bistro unites with Mississippi café and put your order in at City Grocery where exposed brick and fresh linens set the tone for elegantly imaginative cuisine. For other Oxford favorites, check out Chef Emily Blount’s simple, but flavorful, wood-fired Italian cooking at Saint Leo and Oxford Canteen for fresh eats from a compelling menu that changes daily. Indulge in sugary temptations at Bottletree Bakery and Holli’s Sweet Tooth.
History and Culture
Oxford is a hub for history and culture, where literary roots run deep and art inspires. Oxford is home to Nobel Prize-winning author, William Faulkner. Visit the famed writer’s Mississippi home–Rowan Oak. Built in 1844, this antebellum home invites with its tall white columns and stunning Pine tree-lined entry way. Be sure to peek at the outline of his award-winning novel, “A Fable,” handwritten on the wall of his study.
Rounding out the cultural tour of this Southern city, catch a performance at the Ford Center for Performing Arts, featuring a 1,250-seat auditorium which plays host to a range of acts, from Broadway tours to classical ensembles. Check the schedule at The Lyric, situated just off the square, which originally opened in 1913 as a silent movie theatre and was renovated to provide premier live music and event space in Oxford. Why not grab dinner while watching a show? Feel the beat while you eat at Proud Larry’s, the ultimate Oxford food and music destination. Proud Larry’s features live concerts several nights a week and a menu with something for everyone, from chips and dips to pizza, pasta and salad. Most performances start at 9 p.m., require a ticket and are geared towards the 18 and over crowd, although people under 18 are allowed as long as they are accompanied by an adult.Explore Oxford’s many art galleries and be moved by visual masterpieces of all kinds. Southside Gallery features stunning works by regional, national and international artists. Each month Southside presents new exhibitions, keeping its pristine halls fresh with each visit. Established over 45 years ago, the Oxford Artists’ Guild is the oldest arts organization in town. Currently, there are over 90 members whose talents include pottery, woodworking, sculpting, glass fusing, metal and iron work, ceramics, silver smithing and more. Peruse beautiful and funky creations at the Sugar Magnolia Antique Mall. Even though most students are away from Oxford for the summer, Gallery 130 at Meek Hall on University of Mississippi’s campus continues to move its guests through a realm of emotions with rotating exhibitions by talented art students. For more galleries and information, visit www.VisitOxfordMS.com.
No matter what you choose to do while in Oxford, enjoy the laid-back pace the off-season provides and cool off with indoor adventures that feed both body and soul.