Samra & Chris
Things To Do
The Square
The Oxford Square is the premium dining and shopping experience in Oxford, MS. In this quaint downtown square, you will find food options galore, bars of all types, high-quality boutiques, Neilsen's (the state's oldest department store), historic sites, and some of the best independent bookstores you could ask for. A lot of the places you find on this list are actually located on the Square!
Square Books
Square Books is one of the best bookstores that you will ever find! As Oxford's premier independent bookstore, it has all the best local authors, as well as obscure novels and fan-favorites. Be sure to check out the upstairs as well and sit on the balcony with one of their coffees, in the same place that many Mississippi novelists have written their best work. Square Books also has a kids bookstore, Square Jr, and a secondhand store, Off-Square, just steps away.
The Grove
Whether you're a first-time visitor or a long-time fan of Ole Miss, visiting the Grove is a must. The Ole Miss Grove is where the best tailgating in the country happens during football season, and it's perfect for everything else during the other seasons. Be sure to take a stroll through one of the prettiest place you'll ever see, and take a picture in front of the Walk of Champions!
Rowan Oak
Visit Rowan Oak, the home of author William Faulkner that's located South of the Oxford Square. Built in the 1840s, the beautiful home and 29 acres of land is an inviting trip for bookworms and history buffs alike.
Oby's
This is Samra's favorite casual restaurant in all of Oxford! This was one of the first places that Samra took Chris in Oxford, and he too considers this one of his favorites! Oby's has the best cheese fries, sweet tea, po-boy's, bread pudding, and rotel!
Boure Restaurant
Whether you're looking for drinks or just a good meal, Boure is a must! Boure has quality food with a southern flair. If you're looking for a signature cocktail, we highly recommend the pickle martini (for all you Carolina folks, think a pickleback, martini style) or the Planter's Punch. It's also a great place to sit upstairs and relax.
Volta Taverna
Samra spent many days with her grad school cohort at Volta and quickly introduced Chris to this Oxford gem. If you go, be sure to sit on the front porch and enjoy one of their flavored margaritas or frozen mojitos. They're also known for their Hotty Toddy balls (deep fried loaded mashed potatoes); cheese fries; hummus, pimento, and pita; and yummy soups and wraps.
Taylor Grocery
Taylor Grocery is a not-so-hidden gem on the outskirts of Oxford. Located in Taylor, MS, Taylor Grocery offers some of the best catfish and fried foods that you could imagine. Lines can be long, and they don't take reservations, but hopefully with it being the weekend after graduation, you'll find it worth the wait! Like many of Samra's favorites in Oxford, Taylor Grocery has a brown-bag policy. Although Taylor Grocery doesn't serve alcohol on-site, you can bring your drink of choice in a brown paper bag! Don't forget a sharpie so you can leave your mark on Taylor.
Ajax Diner
Ajax Diner is a time-honored tradition in Oxford. From their cheese-stuffed meatloaf to their mac and cheese being included on the vegetable plate, there's no shortage of good, filling food here.
Rice & Spice
Some of the best Thai food you will ever have. Just trust me on this one.
Funkys Pizza & Daiquiri Bar
If you're looking for a good time the night before or after the wedding, Funky's is a must. Funky's always has good music and lots of fun waiting to happen--just ask Katy Perry, who danced on the bar and dove into the crowd last time she was in Oxford. Samra's favorite drink is the Skinny Bitch (which is a frozen pink lemonade daiquiri made with Skinny Girl vodka). Get the Taylor Swift or the Miley Cyrus if you're looking for something a bit wilder. Also be sure to order a Funky's pizza--they're the best!
Chicken on a Stick
Chicken on a stick is a rite of passage in Oxford: a long night on the Square followed by chicken-on-a-stick after the bars close. You can get chicken on a stick at the original location (Four Corners chevron, shown on the map), or at the gas station where University and South Lamar Blvd. intersect. The world-famous and aptly-named treat isn’t the only thing this gas station serves up, though. If you want to branch out, try a hot crispitos, a pizza stick, or a potato log. Chicken on a stick is the only reason Samra ever broke her gluten-free requirements in Oxford.
Memphis Zoo
Coming from afar and want to extend your trip? Have kids and want to see some fun things nearby? Or maybe just have an evening flight out of Memphis? There are lots of great things to do in Memphis, which is only an hour away! We recommend the Memphis Zoo (one of only 3 zoos in the US with Giant Pandas! They also have amazing hippo and cat exhibits), the adjacent Brooks Museum of Art, and the Pink Palace Museum. Graceland is also only a stone’s throw away, and of course, no trip to Memphis is complete without barbecue. (We recommend Commissary, Central BBQ, or Memphis BBQ Company.)