The Book Lover
In Oxford, a great story is waiting around any given corner–visitors and locals alike are our characters, our beautiful town serves as the ideal setting, and our culture, food and experiences are the adjectives, the exclamations and the plot.
Whether you’re a literary-lover or just looking to write a new page for yourself, We Are Your Type, and our storied guide ensures that your trip to Oxford will be your best traveling chapter yet.
You’ll find unique accommodations of every type in Oxford. Take Graduate Oxford, conveniently located on the Square, this hotel’s modern take on Oxford’s literary history mixed with hints of collegiate nostalgia make it the perfect spot to spend a weekend. The lobby’s pink floors and chic decor have been likened to the set of a Wes Anderson film, and the lobby bar is adorned with books, making it the ideal spot to settle in for a cocktail and conversation. Or, grab a book and find a nook in the hotel’s cafe, Cabin 82–a cozy spot with great coffee and Southern-inspired fare. Another favorite just steps from the Square is The Oliver Hotel of Oxford, where Southern hospitality meets modern service. This ultimate luxury getaway beckons you to take a step back into a time of grandeur, with rich on-site amenities such as the formal Tea Room and Library lounge. For a full lodging list, click HERE.
A literary lover’s trip to Oxford wouldn’t be complete without a little–or a lot–of William Faulkner. Looking to pay homage to the literary legend? Grab your walking shoes and set off for St. Peter’s Cemetery. While his grave is marked, you’re likely to first spot Faulkner’s final resting place by the tokens others have left–namely, pennies and whiskey. Across town, another piece of Faulkner folklore awaits. Rowan Oak, the writer’s stunning family home, is nestled among rows and rows of stately cedars. Visitors are free to roam the grounds from dawn until dusk and may tour the home with original furnishings from when Faulkner lived here for a small fee. From here take a stroll through the wooded trail that inspired the literary legend. Bailey’s Woods National Recreation Trail connects Rowan Oak to the University Museum at the University of Mississippi. To see the man himself, look for his statue on The Square in front of City Hall–the open spot on the bench next to his bronzed form makes for the perfect photo opp!
Feeling inspired to pick up a copy of Faulkner’s work? Or Grisham’s, or Hannah’s…or any book, for that matter? Look no further than Square Books. A literary icon in its own right, Square Books’ selection is sure to delight bookworms–and its brilliant staff of bibliophiles will be glad to offer up their best recommendations. Dive into your new book on the second-floor balcony with a cup of joe from the bookstore’s in-house coffee bar, or mosey a few doors down to Off Square Books–featuring even more titles, unique gifts, and a selection of used books–and Square Books, Jr., the bookstore’s shop for children. Be sure to check the calendar for Oxford’s local radio show, Thacker Mountain Radio Hour, which is recorded in front of a live audience (and airs on Mississippi Public Radio) at Off Square Books and often features regional writers and musicians!
For the academic at heart, a stroll around the University of Mississippi is a must. Make a visit to one of the special collections at the J.D. Williams Library, which includes even more of Faulkner’s works and the Blues Archives, or pick a spot to muse in the grassy Grove, an idyllic spot that’s rife with inspiration for your next poem or story.
As you explore our town’s most storied spots, you’re sure to work up an appetite. Big Bad Breakfast’s hearty menu is the best remedy. The most astute readers will notice a nod to literature on BBB’s menu, including the delicious The Secret History omelet. For upscale dining, the Square is home to several spots with publishing clout–both City Grocery and Saint Leo have been lauded by Bon Appetit.
Whether it’s a tale written by a Mississippi great or an experience that sparks your next great American novel, as you close the book on your time in Oxford, you’re sure to have the perfect type of story to tell for years to come.