A Weekend in Oxford
In March 2016, Tim and I celebrated six months of marriage with a little weekend trip to Oxford, Mississippi. I had been suffering from sever wanderlust and sometimes even just a short three hour road trip can do the trick.
This college town steeped in southern culture was a bit sleepy on account of spring break, but it was the perfect little place to explore for a short twenty four hours. After putting some meat on our bones at Ajax Diner on the square (think chicken n’ dumplings, fried okra, turnip greens, cornbread…you get the picture) we headed on over to Rowan Oak, the home of the late author William Faulkner.
The property was beautiful and the sun broke through the clouds just as we arrived.
After Rowan Oak we made our way to the Graduate Hotel Oxford to check in, whereupon we received our new “Student IDs”. The design and decor of the hotel was perfectly kitschy and I loved every bit of it. This hotel group locates itself across the U.S. in dynamic college towns. If you ever find yourself visiting a good ‘ole American college town I highly recommend a stay at a Graduate Hotel. (I mean, just look at that polka dot carpet.)
We enjoyed a brief afternoon drink at the lobby bar before walking through Oxford’s historic square and ending up at Square Books. This independent book store hosts a radio show and an impressive number of author events every year. We spent a good part of the afternoon perusing the shelves and bringing home a few books for ourselves.
Square Books has three locations around the Square; the main location, Square Books Jr. and Off Square pictured below.
We stepped in to Oxford’s own English telephone booth for a cheesy photo and Tim answered a prank call from a store across the street.
After a delicious dinner at City Grocery we enjoyed a nightcap at the Graduate’s rooftop bar, the Coop before retiring for the night. The next morning before departing for home, we walked to Bottletree Bakery and consumed one of the largest (and most delicious) cinnamon rolls as well as two perfectly flaky croissants with ham and cheese (for me) and turkey and cheddar (for Tim). It was the perfect way to wrap up our brief trip.
I could have sat in that lobby all day.
