From the Delta to the Gulf Coast, Mississippi yields a rich heritage of music, food, art and literature.
Travelers can trace the footsteps of literary legends like William Faulkner or Tennessee Williams, or draw inspiration from innovative musicians like Elvis Presley, B.B. King and Jimmie Rodgers. There are also many award-winning restaurants to discover throughout Mississippi’s colorful little towns, which feature everything from home-style Southern cuisine to steaming fresh seafood.
Next time you visit the beautiful Magnolia State, be sure to check out the following destinations.
Oxford
Located just an hour south of Memphis, Oxford, Mississippi, is a dynamic college town with charming, historic homes and a long-standing reputation as one of the country’s most beloved literary hubs. Over the years, the city has attracted a large number of artists, musicians and writers, including Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Faulkner.
Literature lovers can visit Rowan Oak, the beautiful 29-acre property where Faulkner and his family lived for over 40 years, to learn more about his life and legacy. It was there that Faulkner penned classics such as “As I Lay Dying,” “Absalom, Absalom!,” “Light in August” and “A Fable,” which earned him both a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award. Inside the white-pillared home, visitors can still see where Faulkner scribbled out storyboards for new book ideas on his bedroom walls. Groups can also visit Faulkner’s grave in Saint Peter’s Cemetery, which is often adorned with whiskey bottles from visiting fans.
The Square in downtown Oxford is the cultural hub of the city, where visitors can explore a colorful array of shops, boutiques and restaurants. Square Books, one of the most famous independent bookstores in America, offers an impressive inventory of signed first-edition books and frequently hosts celebrated authors for public readings. Nearby, the award-winning Ajax Diner presents traditional Southern fare like fried catfish, chicken and dumplings and sweet potato casserole.
One of Oxford’s top lodging choices is the Graduate Hotel, an academic-themed hotel that features chic-vintage décor with pink wooden floors, emerald-green carpets and silver-dial phones in each guestroom.
