Oxford Travel Guide

Trek Zone

City

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the picturesque region of Mississippi, the city of Oxford offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Known for its vibrant arts scene and rich literary heritage, this charming city attracts visitors from all over the world.

Home to the renowned University of Mississippi, Oxford exudes a youthful energy that is palpable as you explore its streets. The stunning campus, with its red brick buildings and sprawling green lawns, is a sight to behold. Take a leisurely stroll through the grounds and soak in the ambiance of academia.

For book lovers, Oxford is a literary paradise. This is the hometown of the legendary writer William Faulkner, and his presence can be felt throughout the city. Visit the historic Rowan Oak, Faulkner's former residence, and step into the world of this literary giant. The house has been preserved to reflect the time when Faulkner lived here, giving visitors an intimate glimpse into his life and work.

As you wander through the streets of Oxford, you'll discover a thriving arts scene. The city boasts numerous art galleries, showcasing the works of both local and international artists. Explore the Southside Gallery, known for its contemporary art exhibitions, or visit the Powerhouse Community Arts Center, which hosts a variety of cultural events and performances.

Nature enthusiasts will find solace in the natural beauty that surrounds Oxford. Take a short drive to the Holly Springs National Forest, where you can hike through scenic trails, have a picnic by the lake, or go fishing in the crystal-clear waters. The forest is a haven for wildlife, and you may spot deer, turkeys, and various bird species during your visit.

When it comes to dining, Oxford offers a diverse culinary scene that caters to all tastes. From Southern comfort food to international cuisine, you'll find an array of restaurants and cafes to satisfy your cravings. Indulge in mouthwatering barbecue at one of the local joints, or savor the flavors of the South with a plate of fried green tomatoes or shrimp and grits.

Alternative names: Population: 22.3 thous.Area: 16.45 mi²Elevation: 499 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 34°21'58"N, 89°31'10"W

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MississippiUnited States

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Oxford Top Attractions

Oxford Attractions - What to See and Explore

Oxford offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Rowan Oak, Statue of James Meredith, Barnard Observatory. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Arenas and stadiums • Football • Sport venue
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Vaught–Hemingway Stadium at Hollingsworth Field is an outdoor athletic stadium located in University, Mississippi, United States. The stadium serves as the home for the University of Mississippi Rebels college football team. The stadium is named after Johnny Vaught and Judge William Hemingway.
William Faulkner • Museum • Historical place
Rowan Oak
Rowan Oak is William Faulkner's former home in Oxford, Mississippi. It is a primitive Greek Revival house built in the 1840s by Colonel Robert Sheegog, an Irish immigrant planter from Tennessee.
Memorial
Statue of James Meredith
A statue of James Meredith stands on the campus of the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi, United States. The statue honors Meredith, a civil rights activist who integrated the university in 1962. The statue was dedicated in 2006 and is located near a portal, which collectively make up the Civil Rights Monument.

Museum • Observatories and planetariums • Greek Revival architecture
Barnard Observatory
Barnard Observatory is an academic building at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi. Completed as an observatory in 1859, it was part of the astronomy focus that chancellor Frederick A.P. Barnard had for the school.
Museum • Specialty museum • Art museum
University of Mississippi Museum
The University of Mississippi Museum and Historic Houses is a museum and two historic houses owned and operated by the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi. The museum is designed to appeal to both a popular and scholarly audience, with a collection that emphasizes objects of regional interest.
Church • Gothic Revival architecture
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
St. Peter's Episcopal Church is a parish of the Episcopal Church in Oxford, Mississippi. It is noted for its historic Gothic Revival church building at 113 S. 9th Street, which once served as the pro-cathedral for what is now the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi.
Observatories and planetariums
Kennon Observatory
Kennon Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by the University of Mississippi. Built in 1939 and located on the university's campus in Oxford, Mississippi, it was named after Dr.
Museum • History museum
Lucius Q. C. Lamar House
The Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar House is a historic house museum at 616 North 14th Street in Oxford, Mississippi. Its mission is "to interpret the life and career of the distinguished 19th-century statesman L.Q.C. Lamar within the context of his times and to encourage the ideal of statesmanship in the 21st century".
Museum • History museum
Center for the Study of Southern Culture
The Center for the Study of Southern Culture, located in Barnard Observatory on the University of Mississippi campus in Oxford, Mississippi, is an academic organization dedicated to the investigation, documentation, interpretation and teaching of the Southern United States, including its culture.
34°21'57"N • 89°31'9"W
Southside Gallery
Museum • Art museum
Concerts and shows • Theater
The Lyric Oxford
The Lyric is a historical theater located in Oxford, Mississippi at 1006 Van Buren Avenue. It is one of North Mississippi's premiere live music venues, hosting a wide variety of acts.
34°21'58"N • 89°32'6"W
The Lyceum
The Lyceum–The Circle Historic District is a historic district within the University of Mississippi campus in Oxford, Mississippi. It includes eight buildings and several monuments lining University Circle, and surrounds "The Circle" on the campus.
William Faulkner • Historical place • Sacred and religious sites
College Hill Presbyterian Church
College Hill Presbyterian Church, located just outside Oxford, Mississippi at College Hill, is an historic church and a member of the Presbyterian Church in America. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
William Faulkner • Universities and schools
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, commonly known as Ole Miss, is a public research university adjacent to Oxford, Mississippi with a medical center in Jackson.
Greek Revival architecture
Lafayette County Courthouse
The Lafayette County Courthouse is located in Oxford, Mississippi and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The current structure was constructed in 1872 to replace an earlier building burned during the Civil War by Union troops directed by General Andrew Jackson Smith.
34°22'2"N • 89°31'23"W
Burns-Belfry Museum & Multicultural Center
Museum • Specialty museum
34°22'3"N • 89°31'55"W
Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College
The Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College is the honors program at the University of Mississippi in the United States. It was founded in 1997 through an endowment from Jim and Sally Barksdale. The institute originally bore the name McDonnell-Barksdale Honors College but was renamed upon the death of Sally Barksdale in 2003.
34°22'9"N • 89°31'10"W
Isom Place
Isom Place is located at 1003 Jefferson Avenue in Oxford, Mississippi and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The home was constructed by Thomas Dudley Isom, a physician in Lafayette County.
34°22'21"N • 89°31'6"W
Ammadelle
Ammadelle is a historic house at 637 North Lamar Boulevard in Oxford, Mississippi. Built in 1859, it is an Italianate mansion designed by Calvert Vaux, which he regarded as one of his finest works. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1974.

Things to See and Do in Oxford by Category

Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in Oxford.

Active

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Oxford
Arenas and stadiumsFootballSport venue
The Ole Miss Golf Course
Oxford
Golf
Tad Smith Coliseum
Oxford
BasketballSport venueSport
The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss
Oxford
Sport venueSport
Swayze Field
Oxford
Sport venueSport

Other categories

Museum

Day trips

Oxford – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Oxford, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Elvis Presley Birthplace (Tupelo), Landers Center (Southaven), Tupelo Automobile Museum (Tupelo).

48 milesE
Museum, Historical place, Vernacular architecture
Elvis Presley Birthplace, Tupelo
The Elvis Presley Birthplace is a historic museum site in Tupelo, Mississippi dedicated to the preservation of the birthplace of American musician Elvis Presley. It is listed on the Mississippi Blues Trail.
47 milesNW
Civic center, Entertainment, Performing arts
Landers Center, Southaven
The Landers Center is an 8,400-seat multi-purpose arena in Southaven, Mississippi. It is home to the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League, a minor league basketball team affiliated with the Memphis Grizzlies.
47 milesE
Museum, Specialty museum
Tupelo Automobile Museum, Tupelo
The Tupelo Automobile Museum was located in Tupelo, Mississippi. This museum had over one hundred cars.
28 milesN
Museum
Graceland Too, Holly Springs
Graceland Too was a tourist attraction and shrine dedicated to American singer Elvis Presley. It was located in Holly Springs, Mississippi, forty miles south of the original Graceland, to which it had no affiliation.
45 milesE
Historical place, National park, Monuments and statues
Tupelo National Battlefield, Tupelo
Tupelo National Battlefield commemorates the Battle of Tupelo, also known as the Battle of Harrisburg, fought from July 14 to 15, 1864, near Tupelo, Mississippi during the American Civil War.