Bulldog Nation knows that Starkville is Mississippi’s College Town! They also know it is a town with dozens of locally owned restaurants and interesting finds for every palate. Come to town for a great Southeastern Conference game. Stay for the Starkville experience.
Start Your Day
The perfect place to begin your day is the Mississippi State University Welcome Center. Make sure you are on time because the lobby features a display of more than 400 clocks and watches dating back to the 1700s.
Next stop is MSU’s Mitchell Memorial Library where history springs to life through exhibits at three free museums. Begin at the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library which is one of only six Presidential Libraries located on a college campus. Don’t miss the Charles H. Templeton Sr. Music Museum and the John Grisham Room, also located at the Mitchell Memorial Library.
Lunch Like a Local
You’ve earned some nourishment, and the possibilities are endless! Starkville offers everything from traditional southern fare to Thai, Indian, Mediterranean, and everything in between. If you want a casual lunch, try local favorites The Little Dooey or Starkville Café. Want to eat like a local? Then the iconic cheese fries from Bin 612 are a must! Whatever you decide, you will not leave hungry! Check out all of our locally owned and inspired restaurants.
A Casual Stroll After Lunch
It’s time to work off that lunch with a stroll through the Historic Cotton District. The award-winning redevelopment of this historic neighborhood, with what would eventually become known as “New-Urbanism”, has served as a model for other cities to emulate. The architectural elements of Greek Revival with Classical and Victorian architecture are a feast for the eyes!
Dinner On the Town
Starkville offers a wide variety of dinner options, but before you head to the main event, grab a pre-dinner drink at L’Uva Wine Room or Next Round. The options are nearly endless for your dinner restaurant of choice – ribeye or porterhouse at 44 Prime, pork belly street taco at Two Brothers Smoked Meats, freshman 15 burger at Bulldog Burger, veal piccata at TASTE Italian Kitchen – the list goes on and on!
Try a Nightcap
Before you check in to one of Starkville’s many hotel options, you’ll want to grab a nightcap at The Guest Room, or check out live music at Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern or Rick’s Café.
Breakfast and Retail Therapy
It’s time for breakfast and a little retail therapy in Historic Downtown Starkville. Visit one of the many unique stores and boutiques. Not up for shopping? Relax at 929 Coffee with a warm beverage, try out a freshly baked pastry at Proof Bakery, or grab an acai bowl at NutriGroove to enjoy as you take a stroll while you check out Starkville’s fantastic public art offerings or pick up some fresh produce at the Starkville Community Market.
Say Cheese!
No trip to Starkville would be complete without a stop at the MSU Cheese Store, operated by the University and serves as a teaching tool for food science and marketing students. The Edam cheese cannonball is the most popular purchase, but locals know that the Vallagret cheese and muscadine jelly are the best-kept secrets – and the most delicious!
It’s time to depart! But before you go, consider adding on another one of MSU’s many museums, or a drive through the beautiful Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge.
