1. Eat on one of Oxford’s many balconies + catch a sunset if you’re lucky

people eating outside in Oxford MS — There’s plenty of outdoor dining to be had. Photo via Visit Oxford MS

Every good weekend trip needs great restaurants, and Oxford’s got plenty. In this age of outdoor dining, you won’t be lacking in choices of where to get your food fix:

The Summit—one of the OG Oxford balconies, perfect for catching the sunset.
City Grocery Bar—the other OG Oxford balcony, next door to The Summit, on Van Buren.
Rooster’s Blues House—a student fave place to grab a beer on a pretty spring afternoon. They’ve got wings, blues and good sunsets.
Bouré—perfect for a picturesque panoramic view of the Courthouse and Square center, especially at sunset. With more than 40 beer options plus a bar menu, it’s the perfect place to visit before dinner.
Library Sports Bar—the largest sports bar on The Square, on Van Buren, with lots of atmospheric options, including an upstairs balcony shaded by a tree
Southern Craft Stove + Tap—kid-friendly patio with a fenced-in area with giant Connect-4, ping pong and cornhole, plus tables for dining.
Volta Taverna—recommendations: margaritas, mojitos, especially the Staff Favorite flavored margarita with a blend of strawberry and orange juices.
The Coop (The Graduate Hotel)—hop on the elevator to the fourth floor to find this bar named after Cooper Manning. Not only will you see a great view of the courthouse and the Square. Pro tip: sip on their signature Frosé or nosh on their Rebel tots.

Ready to plan your trip? Visit Oxford MS has all the info you need to get you started.

2. Shop for art from artists whose work you’ll want adorning your walls at home

Mural in Oxford MS — Check out Oxford’s newest mural. Photo via Visit Oxford MS

Art vendors will pop up around the Square at a few different times:

12-5pm Friday, April 23
10am-5pm Saturdays
- April 24
- May 1
- May 8

Then on April 24, International Sculpture Day, you can take in some new public art:

The City of Oxford will unveil a new sculpture called “Victory Dance” by local sculptor Earl Dismuke. Location: the roundabout at the intersection of Belk Boulevard and South Lamar.
A “Greetings from Oxford” mural, created by a husband-wife duo known on Instagram as @greetingstour, features iconic scenes from Oxford as well as cultural and historical imagery. Local artist Bradley Gordon contributed to the project by painting Princess Hoka’s wings in his unique painting style.
Location: behind City Hall in the lower parking lot. A photographer will be on site to snap pics of you and yours in front of this new mural on April 24.

3. Enjoy live music in the great outdoors

outdoor music in Oxford MS — Maybe you’ll catch some outdoor music while you’re there. Photo via Visit Oxford MS

I don’t know about you, but I don’t actually remember the last time I heard live music. Now that more people are getting vaccinated, it’s exciting to imagine being able to see a show again.

In Oxford, there are a few taking place between April 23 and May 8.

Friday, April 23
- 5-7PM, Balcony Concert at The End of All Music with Dent May
- 4-8PM, live music in the “Blue Delta Blues Alley:” Grammy-nominated Jimmy “Duck” Holmes
Saturday, April 24
- 2-6PM, live music in the “Blue Delta Blues Alley:” Joe Austin & The Tallahatchies
- 5-7PM, Tunes Around Town, 4 locations around town
Tunes Around Town will continue to pop throughout a couple of big weekends in Oxford this spring:
- May 1: University of Mississippi 2021 Commencement weekend
- May 8: University of Mississippi 2020 Commencement weekend

4. Ride on a Double Decker Bus

Oxford double decker bus — Who doesn’t want to ride on a double decker bus on a beautiful day? Photo via Visit Oxford MS

If you want to pretend like you’re in Oxford, England, hop on an authentic open-top double decker bus for a tour of the town. Local historians will show you the sights, including Oxford and the Ole Miss campus, including William Faulkner historic sites.

When: Friday afternoons before SEC baseball games + the two Commencement weekends (Apr. 30 + May 7).
Tickets: adults $10 | children 12 + under $5

For more information or to reserve a seat, call the Visit Oxford office at 662.232.2477.

5. Experience the thrill of the game—baseball, softball or football—April 23-24

#8 Ole Miss Baseball vs #6 East Carolina at Swayze Field in Oxford, MS. Photos via Joshua McCoy/Ole Miss Athletics

Sports fans will have plenty of choices the first weekend of Pop Up Oxford: Spring Edition:

Ole Miss baseball is hosting Louisiana State University (LSU), 7PM.
Ole Miss softball is hosting Auburn.
The annual Grove Bowl spring football game is taking place Saturday afternoon, April 24.

Even if you’re not in town that particular weekend, you need to stop by an Ole Miss baseball game in the spring to really get the vibe of Oxford. You’ll love the atmosphere—especially the lively right-field student section.

If you’re looking for more fun options of things to do while you’re in Oxford, check out this piece on all the reasons you should plan a trip to Oxford and this guide that’s chock full of places to stay, things to see and places to eat.