Visit Mississippi Copy Points

Clardy Byrd
Clardy Byrd
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Oxford - The Historic Downtown Square of Oxford, Mississippi. The Square and Courthouse are strung with lights, buildings, and trees lined from head to toe in lights, and wreaths on the lamp posts during Christmas time. Each year, a well-known Oxford resident is in charge of "flipping the switch" to the Christmas lights on the Square and City of Oxford water tower. 
  • Shopping: 
  • Bookstore: Located on the Square, this bookstore consists of three locations; Square Books, Off Square Books, and Square Books Junior (houses Rare Square Books):
    • Square Books was founded by Richard and Lisa Howorth in 1979 and is a general bookstore for all readers to find something they enjoy. The store hosts over 150 author events annually, along with many signed and collectible books. The second floor of the store houses a coffee bar and light snacks and is also where you can access the Square Books balcony that overlooks the Oxford courthouse. 
    • Off Square Books boasts various genres of books such as travel, art, cooking, photography, fashion, games, etiquette, etc. It is also where the majority of their author events, such as readings, talks, and signings, are held. 
    • Square Books, Jr. houses the children's section that originally was in the original Square Books store. Books found can be enjoyed by parents, babies, kids and teens; there is also a selection of various toys, puzzles, and games. 
  • Women's and Men's Clothing: Cicada Boutique, Hinton and Hinton, and Neilson's Department Store:
    • Cicada Boutique was started by a 21-year-old female student at The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) named Anne-Marie Varnell Gordon. After a quarter of a century in business, Cicada has paved the way for style across Oxford and even North Mississippi. Cicada was originally a spa and yoga studio; the boutique began the transition into a clothing store in 1998. The store has been recognized by Vogue, The Wall Street Journal, and was a finalist for the best boutique for "2023 Best of Oxford" by Oxford Magazine. 
    • Hinton and Hinton is a family-owned and operated store and has been since 1991. You can find gameday attire and upscale shopping to suit the "Southern gentlemen" style. 
    • Neilson's Department Store was established in 1839 and is known to be the South's oldest department store. William Smith Neilson founded the store as a small log cabin near the Courthouse Square in Downtown Oxford. Today, you can find gameday accessories for men and women to show your support for the Ole Miss Rebels. 
  • Music and Design Stores: The End of All Music, Oxford Floral
    • The End of All Music has a location in Oxford and Jackson, MS. In Oxford, the independent record store is located upstairs of a historic building and carries new and used vinyl, CDs, and audio equipment such as turntables, speakers, headphones, and record care accessories. They host a radio show called The End of All Music Radio Hour on Rebel Radio. 
    • Oxford Floral specializes in fine gifts and floral designs. Located right off the Square and within walking distance of the various shops and restaurants downtown Oxford offers, it is a great place to stop by for home decor needs or a gift. 
  • Cafes: Bottletree Bakery and Heartbreak Coffee Roasters:
    •  When it comes to breakfast on the Square, Bottletree Bakery has endless pastries and baked goods. Some of their most famous include their fist-sized cinnamon rolls' made from brioche dough with rich vanilla icing, their humble pie, which is butter vanilla shortbread crust with seasonal fresh fruit and streusel, along with their bagels (Loaded Everything Bagel, 3-seed, and Poppy Seed, and daily specials). 
    • Heartbreak Coffee Roasters, a women-founded and operated coffee shop, has two Oxford locations (one on The Square) and roasts its coffee beans. 
  • Lunch/ Dinner: Ajax Diner and Proud Larry's:
    • Ajax Diner has been serving Oxford, Mississippi, since 1997. Their specialty is southern comfort food, with some of their most popular features being their sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows, hot tamale pie with spicy cheese grits, and chicken and dumplings, best with a side of jalapeño cornbread. Quick facts: 25+ years of business, 300 Million butterbeans served, 23+ years of "Oxford's Best Plate Lunch."
    • Proud Larry's, located on The Square, is a restaurant, bar, and concert venue; they go by the slogan, "Come for the food, stay for the music." Proud Larry's, sometimes called Larry's, has been serving Oxford and Ole Miss for around 30 years (opening in 1993). Some of the most well-known artists that have performed on the Larry stage include John Mayer, R.L. Burnside, Modest Mouse, The Black Keys, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, and many more. 
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Laurel - The Historic Downtown of Laurel, Mississippi. Christmas shopping starts in November during the annual Christmas Open House in Downtown Laurel, followed by the Merry Marketplace and a Christmas Tree Lighting downtown. December starts off with Pancake Day, where each year Laurel residents gather in line at the YWCO for pancakes, sausage, and coffee; this is followed by the longest Christmas parade in Mississippi.
  • Shopping: Laurel Mercantile Co., Scotsman General Store & Woodshop, and the Scent Library owned by Erin and Ben Napier
    • Laurel Mercantile Co. originally opened in 1901 in downtown Laurel and supplied dry goods and work wares until the 1930s, when it closed its doors. In 2016, three couples turned families eventually reopened the store and now sell home goods, perfect for decorating your house like Erin and Ben do best on their HGTV show, Home Town in Laurel, and accessories such as t-shirts, leather goods, and art. 
    • Scotsman General Store & Woodshop, an expansion of Laurel Mercantile Co., is inspired by the original general store. It sells hundreds of glass bottled sodas, candies, snacks, butcher blocks, serving boards, cutting boards, and counter tops & islands. 
    • The Scent Library, also a part of Laurel Mercantile, features scents all designed by Erin Napier, inspired by her memories of old. 
  • Dining: Pearl's Diner, Cafe La Fleur
    • Try Southern Cuisine for your first or hundredth time at Pearl's Diner in Downtown Laurel. It was started by Ms. Pearl Campbell, a native of Laurel, at 70 years old. The menu includes fried or baked chicken, meatloaf, ribs, black-eyed peas, candied yams, okra goulash, etc., and desserts such as banana pudding and carrot cake.
    • Cafe La Fleur, featuring Cajun and Creole-inspired food, is located in Downtown Laurel. They are open for lunch during the week and both lunch and dinner on the weekends (closed Sunday). Some of their eats include blackened redfish, crawfish étouffée, and a variety of po-boys all with a New Orleans vibe.
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Cleveland - Downtown Cleveland was voted as one of the top five places to shop in Mississippi in 2022 by Mississippi Magazine. The most well-known Christmas event in Cleveland is 50 Nights of Lights. 
  • Shopping: H Squared and Moonstruck Flea Market
    • H Squared located in downtown Cleveland, offers over 100 clothing lines and has women's clothing items to match any season and a variety of accessories for the Christmas season.
    • Moonstruck Flea Market is located right outside of downtown. This flea market has something for everybody, from 90's action figures, antique furniture from estate sales, new and old vinyl, local artwork, and everything in between. 
  • Dining: Hey Joe's and Delta Meat Market
    • Hey Joe's Burger + Beer is a restaurant, bar, and venue located in Downtown Cleveland that began in 2009. The have a Burger of the Month special; the Miss September featured 1/3 pound Joe smash burger, topped with peanut butter, applewood smoked bacon, bananas, cheddar, and homemade bacon onion jam, served on a Sheila Partin bun. Other options include wings, nachos, and a variety of salads, wraps, and burgers. Every Wednesday, they host trivia. They often hold live music events 
    • Delta Meat Market's owner and executive Chef graduated from the Culinary Institute of Charleston and later worked at known kitchens in Charleston and Nashville. He opened Delta Meat Market in 2013; the butcher shop, restaurant, bar, and grocery of fine Southern foods has been recognized by Bon Appetit, Southern Living, Delta Magazine, and Garden & Gun, among others. 
  • Attractions: The Martin & Sue King Railroad Museum and 50 Nights of Lights 
    • The Martin & Sue King Railroad Museum has one of Southeast's largest O-gauge model railroads, a life-size caboose and plenty of railroad-themed memorabilia and artifacts. 
    • 50 Nights of Lights; Various additional spectacles take place during the 50 Nights of Lights celebration, such as holiday markets, Ferris wheel rides, ice skating, horse-drawn carriages, and extended shopping hours. The 1,000,000 that transforms the town can be seen from mid-November until the New Year, throughout downtown and in store window displays.