Oxford
A college town in north Mississippi with William Faulkner's home, Rowan Oak, and a courthouse square lined with bookshops and restaurants. Two or three days is enough to see the core sights.
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Oxford is the seat of Lafayette County in north Mississippi and home to the University of Mississippi, usually called Ole Miss. William Faulkner lived here for most of his life, and his home, Rowan Oak, is open to visitors. Most of the town's bookshops, restaurants and bars sit around the courthouse square, so you will do much of your walking there.
Plan two or three days for the Square, the campus, Rowan Oak and the Southern food the town is known for. A third day gives you time for a day trip to Memphis, Clarksdale or Tupelo. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons, and summers are hot and humid. Home football weekends fill the hotels, so book early if your dates overlap with a game.
Oxford in five
- Rent a car for the DeltaThe Square is walkable, but Clarksdale and Tupelo are a drive away and public transport in the region is limited. Pick up a rental car at Memphis airport if your flight lands there.Getting around
- Book football weekends earlyHome football Saturdays at Ole Miss fill the hotels and crowd the Square. Reserve well ahead or choose a weekday.Sport
- Fly into Memphis, not OxfordOxford's small airport has limited service, so most visitors fly into Memphis, about 75 miles away. The drive from Memphis takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Visit Rowan Oak with a planRowan Oak, William Faulkner's home, is a short drive from the Square and is open to visitors on set hours. Check the current hours before you go.
- Browse Square Books on the SquareSquare Books is a bookshop on Courthouse Square and a good stop before dinner. It is a short walk from the restaurants and bars around the Square.
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- ESTA for Visa Waiver passports, visa for most others Read more
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- 15 to 20 percent at restaurants, the usual US custom
- Time
- Central Time (UTC-6), UTC-5 in summer under daylight saving time
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuaryCold, quiet
- FebruaryCool, wet
- MarchMild, spring
- AprilMild, green
- MayWarm, humid
- JuneHot, humid
- JulyHot, humid
- AugustHot, humid
- SeptemberWarm, football
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberCool, clear
- DecemberCool, holidays
Right now in Oxford
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
23
- Feels like
- 21°
- Humidity
- 62%
- Wind
- 18 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 13%
Oxford
03:57 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today22°18°13%Monday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Tue24°17°98%Tuesday: Rain. High 24°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed22°14°98%Wednesday: Rain. High 22°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Thu21°12°14%Thursday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Fri21°10°14%Friday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Sat19°9°3%Saturday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sun16°8°7%Sunday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 7%.
Updated 02:04 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Memphisabout 1 hour 15 minutes by carBig-city music, Beale Street and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.
- Clarksdaleabout 1.5 hours by carThe Delta blues town, with the crossroads legend and live music venues.Read the guide
- Tupeloabout 1 hour by carElvis Presley's birthplace and a small museum about his early years.
Before you go to Oxford
Rules for Oxford, checked
- Visa Waiver Program travelers need an approved ESTA before flying to the US; others need a visa, so check eligibility at travel.state.gov.Source
- The drinking age is 21 in Mississippi, and bars and shops ask for photo ID. Carry your passport or a driver's license when you go out.
- Wear a seat belt in the car, since Mississippi law requires it for all occupants.
Plan around Oxford
Driving routes, airports and rental cars for the Delta
Read the guideAll of MississippiThe state, its regions and day trips from Oxford
Read the guideVisas and entryESTA, visa rules and what to bring to the border
Read the guideWhere to staySquare, campus and edge-of-town options compared
Read the guideMoney and costsTypical prices, tipping and cards for a Mississippi trip
Read the guideOxford FAQ
How many days do you need in Oxford?
Two days cover the Square, Rowan Oak and a bookshop browse. Add a third day if you plan a trip to Memphis, Clarksdale or Tupelo.
Is Oxford worth visiting?
Yes if you like Faulkner, Southern food and a small college town. It works well as a base for day trips to the Delta and northern Mississippi.
When is the best time to visit Oxford?
October and November and March to April are the most comfortable months. Summer is hot and humid, and football weekends in the fall fill the town.
Do you need a car in Oxford?
Yes for most trips. The Square and campus are walkable, but Memphis, Clarksdale and Tupelo are easier by car.
How do you get from Memphis to Oxford?
Drive about 75 miles, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes. Rental cars are available at Memphis airport, which is the main airport for most visitors.