This Mississippi Town Is Heaven for Book Lovers
Tucked into the rolling hills of Mississippi, Oxford is a college town unlike any other. Home to the University of Mississippi, better known as Ole Miss, Oxford has long been considered a cultural mecca of the South, and one visit will show you why.
Oxford’s bookish history
Oxford is a book lover’s dream, with four bookstores in the historic town square, including the beloved Square Books—a stop on many authors’ book tours. The town’s most famous literary hero is William Faulkner (more on him, below), but the bustling city has been featured in several bestselling novels. John Grisham, who attended Law School at Ole Miss, lived in the city for several years afterward, and it’s where he wrote his popular legal thriller A Time to Kill (which was made into a feature film starring Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock and Samuel L. Jackson). Lisa Patton’s Rush, about sorority life, was set at Ole Miss and many of Faulkner’s books were based on Oxford.
This year, Kathryn Stockett, author of The Help, released her long-awaited second novel, The Calamity Club, which features many historic Oxford landmarks, including Neilson’s Department Store, Gathright-Reed Drugstore (now Estelle’s restaurant), Denton’s Furniture (now McEwen’s restaurant), Lafayette County Bank, City Hall and more. The story is about Birdie, a single woman who travels to Oxford in 1933 to ask her wealthy sister for financial help. Instead, Birdie ends up changing the lives of Meg, an 11-year-old orphan; Charlie, a woman with a past; and countless other women struggling to survive the Great Depression.
Must-visit restaurants and bakeries in Oxford, MS
Start your day with a hearty meal at Big Bad Breakfast, a beloved local eatery known for its creative takes on Southern classics (order biscuits or the grits—or both!). Prefer a sweet treat in the morning? Bottletree Bakery, a retro-style spot with must-try cookies, pastries and bagels, is a popular eatery you won’t want to miss.
Step into literary history at Rowan Oak
Next, visit Rowan Oak, a stop on the Mississippi Writers Trail. The former home of Nobel Prize-winning author William Faulkner is now a museum filled with fascinating memorabilia, like the author’s handwritten notes for the plot of his novel A Fable, written on the wall in his office. The home is named after Rowan and Oak trees, which symbolize security, strength and solitude—though neither tree can be found on the property.
Discover Oxford’s downtown shopping and dining scene
With plenty of boutiques, stores, restaurants, coffee shops and more, it’s easy to spend a whole day wandering. Stroll the historic square, where you can shop at Neilson’s, the South’s oldest department store; browse darling boutiques, bookstores and record stores; stop for a hot or cold drink (Matchbox Matcha is a must); or get a bite to eat at the Ajax Diner (home to down-home Southern comfort food), City Grocery (an upscale take on regional fare) or St. Leo’s for wood-fired pizzas and more.
Once you’ve shopped the downtown area, swing by Caffecitos, Oxford’s espresso truck, then visit Ole Miss, with its gorgeous magnolia trees, sweeping lawns and beautiful architecture, including the Lyceum, the oldest building on the campus.
Rest your head at a stunning boutique hotel
After a day of shopping, eating, walking and people-watching, stay in the historic district at The Oliver, a boutique hotel just a short walk from the square, featuring a charming speakeasy in the lobby.
Bonus: Experience Oxford at home!
Birdie’s Blush Cocktail
This delightful sip from Joe Stinchcomb, of Oxford’s Good Day Cafe, is inspired by the character in Stockett’s new book and starts with watermelon syrup. To make the syrup, whisk 3 cups watermelon juice and sugar until dissolved; store in a nonreactive container
Ingredients:
- 3 cups Watermelon juice
- 1 1/2 cups Sugar
- 1.5 oz Bourbon
- 1/2 oz Aperol
- 1 oz Watermelon syrup
- 1/2 oz Lemon juice
Add all ingredients to a shaker. Shake with ice. Strain into Collins glass. Garnish with mint and orange sprig.
This story first appeared in the July 13, 2026 issue of Woman’s World magazine.
Copyright 2026 A360 Media
This story was originally published July 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM.