Widely known throughout the South for its Southern charm, Old South feel and party atmosphere, it has been called the "Little Easy." We have put together four different itineraries, ranging from a culture walk through the history of Oxford and Ole Miss to a one-of-a-kind shopping trip.

The Historic Oxford Courthouse was burned by federal troops in 1864; it was rebuilt after the war and is currently going through an extensive restoration. Visitors are allowed to browse the building on their own. The courtroom upstairs is a step back in time. On campus, visit the University Museum, which features Greek and Roman antiques, nineteenth-century scientific instruments, the Theora Hamblett collection, a growing Southern folk art collection and other special exhibits. An unpaved natural trail leads from the museum parking lot to Rowan Oak, Faulkner's home. It is an easy walk that will give you a glimpse of an old-growth Mississippi forest, and it will also give you an idea of the tangle the first settlers here had to clear in order to build their plantations.

The campus houses numerous buildings, which have been made famous throughout the school's history. The Lyceum was the first building on the Ole Miss campus and was used as a Confederate hospital during the Civil War. The front columns contain bullet holes from the riots over the integration of James Meredith.

Before leaving campus, pay respect to the Confederate Cemetery that is located behind Tad Smith Coliseum. It is the resting place of more than 700 Confederate dead, mostly from the Battle of Shiloh. University buildings were used as hospitals and headquarters for both Union and Confederate forces between 1862 and 1865. All those buried here perished on the grounds of the University. While many names are known (they are etched on a monument in the center of the cemetery), most buried here are unknown soldiers. Union dead were once buried here as well, but were long ago moved to a national cemetery. One of Oxford and Ole Miss' lesser-known sites, it is a must see for Civil War buffs.

The Gertrude C. Ford Center (pictured at left) has a regular rotation of a variety of performing arts. It is the finest performing arts center in Mississippi and one of the best in the South and on any college campus. The Lott Leadership Institute frequently sponsors well-known speakers, such as Supreme Court justices, senators and foreign royalty. Southside Gallery is an intimate collection of changing art pieces located in The Square, the heart of Oxford. This is a nice stop if you are browsing The Square during the day or if you are waiting for a table at night.

A favorite of many is the weekly Thacker Mountain Radio Show, where area musicians perform for a live audience in Oxford's Off Square Books. Part Austin City Limits, part Prairie Home Companion, this eclectic show is the perfect representation of the down-home-hip character of Oxford. Each week the radio show features the Thacker Mountain house band and well-recognized authors reading from and signing their latest works.

End your musical journey with a trip to the Ole Miss Blues Archives, the world's most extensive collection of blues recordings and related material. If you are a blues enthusiast, this is the Mecca of recorded blues. Even B.B. King recorded a live album (Live at Ole Miss) in The Grove.

John W. Kyle State Park features 20 air-conditioned cabins, furnished with basic kitchen equipment as well as bed and bath linens. All of the cabins are located near the water, have fireplaces and accommodate up to four people.

The Sardis Lake area offers a wide variety of recreational activities, such as camping, fishing, boating, skiing, picnicking and more. There are 32 sites available with electricity, picnic tables, grills, water hookups, etc. Upper Sardis Wildlife Management Area is a 42,274-acre wildlife refuge that provides a natural habitat for many species. Game hunted includes deer, dove, duck, quail, rabbit, squirrel, turkey, woodcock and furbearers.

If you had something more upscale in mind, City Grocery is the best-known restaurant in Oxford. Chef John Currence was nominated for the prestigious James Beard award, the highest national award a chef can receive. One of the newest additions to Oxford's menu, Prime: A Steakhouse (sample plate pictured at left) serves steak, fish, soups and more. The completely renovated dining area offers a relaxed bar atmosphere as well.

Places for a Night Cap:
The City Grocery Bar, or "The Grocery," is located above its namesake restaurant and tends to attract a mix of locals, writers, lawyers and older college students. Featuring great local bands and many blues artists from the region, Parrish Baker Pub, never charges a cover. Opened in early 2006 as an addition to the Library Bar & Grill, The Library Sports Bar fills the void of a true sports bar on the Oxford Square. Murff's is a local bar and grill offering full bar service and good bar food. It's the best place in town for a game of pool. Finally, Toddy's, located underneath The Levee, offers food; a variety of specialty drinks; infused vodka and infused bourbon; the newly introduced, Mississippi-brewed Lazy Magnolia draught beers; and two plasma screen TVs.