Plan the Ultimate Girls’ Getaway in Oxford
Looking for a great girl’s getaway? Grab your gal pals and make the quick road trip to Oxford, MS for a weekend to recharge. About an hour south of Memphis, TN, and easily accessible from Interstate 55, Oxford, MS welcomes visitors with quintessential southern charm and the convenience of big city amenities. Read on for the ultimate guide to a girl’s getaway!
Lobby of the Graduate Hotel
Stay
Even off-campus, you can appreciate Oxford’s academic air with a stay at The Graduate Oxford or Chancellor’s House Hotel. Both are ideally located on the Square, about a mile from the University of Mississippi campus, and share a commitment to all things Hotty Toddy, but offer very different amenities and vibes. The Graduate, part of “a well-curated, well-crafted collection of hotels that reside in the most dynamic university towns across the country,” uses fun details to pay homage to Oxford and Ole Miss’s history and heritage, with amenities like free bike rentals and a rooftop bar to ensure an A+ stay. You’ll want to pay attention to your room key at this hotel—they’ve taken old student IDs of notable alumni and school affiliates and made them into a fun keepsake. Meanwhile, the Chancellor’s House makes the grade for luxury by providing guests with Egyptian cotton linens, soaking tubs and the option of a balcony in their boutique 38-room hotel. Enjoy a cocktail in their lounge or terrace before hitting the Square.
King suite at The Chancellor’s House hotel
Relax
Sometimes you need to be pampered, and in Oxford, you have plenty of options. For locks in need of love, Blo/Dry Bar outshines the competition with a menu of options like blow-outs, boho braids, or deep conditioning treatments. Meanwhile, La Rousse Salon & Spa, an Oxford original, is nationally recognized for its exceptional services, including everyday essentials such as hair and nail care to lash extensions and massages that put the “ahhh” in spa. Or let your anxieties drift away with a session at Oxford Afloat! The warm water solution contains nearly 2,000 pounds of Epsom salts, so you’ll never sink, even if you fall asleep! Talk about letting your worries float away.
Sip
Oxford’s bustling bar scene befits its status as a college town, but these cocktail menus cater to more than just co-eds. Just off the Square is longtime local fave SnackBar, where mixologists pour creative takes on classic cocktails (like an Old Fashioned with bacon bitters) alongside an ever-changing selection of seasonal options that feature ingredients as fresh as their quirky names. Newly opened Bar Muse, located off the lobby of The Lyric Theater, offers a menu of craft cocktails in an intimate setting. When it’s time for happy hour, head to a balcony or a roof top to get a bird’s eye view of the Square. The Graduate Oxford’s rooftop bar, The Coop, is perfect for enjoying one of their signature cocktails such as the Grove Water, Ms. Ole Miss or a glass of frosé while the sun sets.
Frosé at The Coop
Savor
The fervor for football in Oxford is rivaled only by the town’s feelings for food, and for good reason: the varied culinary scene ensures there’s something for every palate or predilection.
For dinner, Saint Leo Restaurant, which was nominated for “Best New Restaurant” in 2017 by the James Beard Foundation, features a variety of wood-fired pizzas, as well as marinated olives, chickpea crepes known as farinata and seasonally changing pastas, among other delicious favorites. And while Saint Leo, a 2019 James Beard Foundation “Outstanding Bar Program” semifinalist, is best known for delectable wood-fired Italian cuisine, their list of libations is truly luscious. Each option is intentionally crafted down to the most delectable detail, but the Prosecco Pop—a raspberry and mint popsicle topped with Adami prosecco—is the perfect way to toast to a weekend getaway.
Prosecco Pop at Saint Leo
A newcomer to the Square, Yūgō is an Asian fusion restaurant with chef Cameron Bryant at the helm. The menu includes influences from all over Asia including Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisines in the form of dim sum, as well as signature entrees such as Szechuan spiced steak or shrimp pad Thai. While the dining room creates an ethereal atmosphere, Yugo also offers guests an option to dine on their patio year-round. The white interior with hanging cherry blossoms is the perfect combination for a girl’s dinner.
Other amazing eats around town include the City Grocery Group’s four restaurants: the flagship, City Grocery, known for its famous shrimp and grits; SnackBar, Big Bad Breakfast and Bouré You can also enjoy local favorites Ajax Diner, McEwen’s, Volta Taverna and Jinsei Sushi, all located within a mile of the downtown Square!
Enjoy lunch at Volta Taverna
Style
The University of Mississippi is famous for tailgates that could double as fashion shows, so it’s no surprise that you can find some of the South’s best shopping in Oxford. Oxford’s local shopping is anchored by Neilson’s Department Store, the oldest department store in the South. It has been providing clothing to generations of family members since 1839. Hinton & Hinton, a store that has been styling the men of north Mississippi for over thirty years recently opened a dedicated women’s store showcasing a collection of clothing, outerwear, footwear and accessories. For the true shopaholic, ladies will be in heaven in Cicada Boutique which carries New York inspired style with brands such as Louis Vuitton, Marla Aaron, Rag & Bone, Saint Laurent and countless others. If you’re looking for unique gifts, the Square has an array of shops that offer one-of-a-kind pieces such as Peter’s Pottery from Mississippi Madness, Etta B pottery from Olive Juice Gifts or Estelle Glassware from Katherine Beck. You could easily spend a whole day wandering the aisles of antique malls Sugar Magnolia and The Mustard Seed—each booth is independently operated, so you never know what treasures you may find!
Get some retail therapy at the shops on the Square
Don’t let this quintessential Southern town’s size fool you: Oxford offers everything you need for a weekend of gabbing and giggling with the girls. For more information and to plan your next trip to Oxford, click here.
