Oxford, Mississippi, is that kind of small Southern city that makes you want to bury your nose into a book. Between the town’s literary legacy—authors from William Faulkner to John Grisham have called it home—and the scholarly community entrenched at the University of Mississippi, not to mention one of the South’s most beloved bookstores, it’s easy to walk the streets and feel just a bit more erudite. Fall means football here, so head to the Grove, and you’ll encounter thousands of fans tailgating in such a civilized manner that some even pack their crystal stemware. Every day of the year, Oxford’s food scene has something for everyone from the casually refined City Grocery, to the warm vibe and wood-fired pizzas of Saint Leo, to the meat-and-three fare of Ajax Diner. Access it all easily with a stay at the Graduate Hotel, where shelves of vintage books line the walls to round out your literary excursion. With one of the most diverse and exciting collections of restaurants in the Southeast, Oxford is the perfect destination for the food lovers who crave a cocktail of small-town charm and world-class dining.

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On the Road

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Cracking the Code: Boiled Peanuts

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