Oxford

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.

John W. Kyle State Park

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.

Puskus Lake Recreation Area

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.

Rowan Oak

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.

University Museum

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.

Tue-Sat 9:30AM-4:30PM, Sun 1-4PM, closed most University holidays

Wall Doxey State Park

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

Abners Famous Chicken Tenders

2 blocks from the Square

Great chicken tenders. Wall-to-wall sports memorabilia. Great sweet tea. It has now developed into a small chain with locations throughout Mississippi and the Memphis area. This is the original Abners and was started by former Ole Miss football player, Abner White. Great for a quick lunch.

Annual Faulkner and Yoknapatawpha Conference

Contact Ann Abadie. A popular literary event that includes six days of lectures and discussions by scholars and dramatic readings from the works of William Faulkner. Celebrate at Rowan Oak, once the home of the famous writer.

B's Hickory Smoked Bar-B-Q

Smoked tenderloin, chicken, Cornish hens, quail, ribs, pork tenderloin, beef brisket, hot wings, sides. Great place to pick up some barbeque for tailgating before football or baseball games, though you'll need to place any large order ahead of time. Although it's inside the BP gas station, don't let that fool you. It's some of the finest barbeque around. Any leftover 'Q is sold at a deep discount late at night.

Daily 9AM-10PM

BBB (Big Bad Breakfast)

The best breakfast in town, a great, truly Southern joint serving on-site smoked breakfast meats, local eggs and cheese, fresh made jellies and jams, and locally ground grits. Try the Big Bad Breakfast plate or enjoy one of the other Southern literary-named dishes. Open for breakfast and lunch. Reservations not accepted.

Boure

A moderately-priced offshoot of City Grocery, featuring contemporary and traditional items. Try the French Dip. Entrees $10-20.

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.

Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts

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.

Grand Oaks

Enjoy the beautiful outdoors as you play this 18-hole golf course. It is undergoing an extensive renovation as a Fazio-designed course.

Handy Andy

Specializing in great BBQ, sandwiches, ribs, and salads. Don't miss the peach and apple fried pies! One of the most popular spots in town. The crowd comes not for the atmosphere, which is definitely no-frills, but for the great food at cheap prices. Try the steak sandwich, but you can't go wrong with the great barbeque (still hickory smoked when most famous Memphis places have switched to gas smokers) or the hamburgers made they way they were 50 years ago. The banana pudding is some of the best you'll ever eat, and you can't beat the price at 97 cents per serving.

Mon-Fri 6:30AM-8:30PM, Sat 7AM-8:30PM

Heartbreak Coffee

Located right off the Square, Uptown is a perfect place to meet up with friends to have a cup of joe and hang out. High Speed Internet available.

Hinton & Hinton

A men's store featuring designer clothing in the traditional style and outdoor gear.

Landry's

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

Fraternity, sorority, and other personalized gifts. They also offer Yankee candles, Vera Bradley luggage, Department 56 collectibles, and trendy beaded jewelry.

Malco's Oxford Studio Cinema

This movie theater features rocking-chair stadium seating and is the host of the annual Oxford Film Festival in February.

Mallard Pointe Golf Course

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.

McAlister's Deli

Great soup and sandwich shop. While it has now grown into a corporation with locations in 18 states and growing, Oxford is home to the original McAllister's Deli, still located in an old, converted gas station on University Avenue. Scenes in the movie Heart of Dixie were filmed here. Everything on the menu is good, but the sweet tea made them famous. Sandwiches and other fare less than $10.

Midtown Farmer's Market

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.

May-Sep: Sat 7AM-11AM, Wed 2:30PM-5:30PM

Mustard Seed Antique Emporium

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.

Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM

Neilson's Department Store

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.

Newks Express Cafe

The atmosphere is very upscale and hip. Exceptional menu including soups, salads, pizza, and toasted sandwiches. Owned by the same family that opened the very first McAllister's Deli.

Oxford Conference for the Book

Contact Ann Abadie. Since its inauguration in April 1993, the conference has celebrated books, writing and reading; it has also dealt with practical concerns on which literary arts depend. Admission is free.

Oxford Floral Company

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.

Mon-Sat 8AM-5:30PM

Oxford Tattoo Company

A tattoo studio offering full custom body art located at the corner of S. Lamar Blvd. and Hwy 6.

Mon-Sat 2PM-11PM

Pizza Den

Pizza Den has moved to a new location and has the same menu used by Pizza Bob to make this a favorite eating establishment among generations of Ole Miss students and Oxford residents. The restaurant is operated by Pizza Bob's five children and the same equipment used at the old location is being implemented at the new location. Menu items include pizza, spaghetti, and sandwiches. The sandwiches are out-of-this-world good, and the stromboli is a local favorite. The wait for your food is notoriously long, even when they don't appear to be busy.

Mon-Fri 11AM-11PM, Sat Sun noon-11PM