Orientation at Mississippi State University is more than a checklist of campus visits and advising appointments. It’s your first real taste of life as a Bulldog, and a chance for families to see the community their student will call home. The good news? Starkville has a lot to offer beyond the campus gates.
Whether you’re squeezing in a meal before the next session, looking for something to do while your student meets with advisors or want to make a full weekend of the trip, consider this your insider’s guide to Mississippi’s College Town.
Where to Eat
During Orientation
Starkville’s food scene tends to surprise first-time visitors. From farm-to-table Southern cuisine to casual neighborhood spots, there’s something for everyone and most of the best options are just a few minutes from campus.
Restaurant Tyler
If you want to make the trip feel like a real occasion, Restaurant Tyler on Main Street is the place. Led by Chef Ty Thames, the menu leans into elevated Southern cooking with a Wine Spectator Award-winning wine list and a beloved Sunday brunch. This is a great pick for a celebratory family dinner on your first night in town.
Bin 612
Located in the Cotton District, Bin 612 has a cafe-like atmosphere popular with students and locals alike. An eclectic menu of pizzas, paninis and burgers makes it an easy, crowd-pleasing choice when you need something quick and good.
Two Brothers Smoked Meats
Also in the Cotton District, Two Brothers serves creative wood-smoked barbecue that’s lively and fun. Think smoked brisket, smoked wings and a vibe that’s built for game days but works just as well on a summer afternoon.
Starkville Cafe
A Starkville institution since 1945, the Starkville Cafe is your spot for a classic, affordable breakfast or lunch before a long day of sessions.
Central Station Grill
Located in the heart of downtown on South Montgomery Street, Central Station Grill is a lively, full-service casual spot that punches above its weight. The menu spans burgers and wings to blackened Mississippi catfish, crab cakes and a Cajun pasta loaded with andouille, shrimp and crawfish. It’s the kind of place that works for everyone at the table, the student who wants a burger, the parent who wants a proper dinner, and the atmosphere is warm without being fussy. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, with weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday.
Pro tip: Be sure to check your orientation guidebook for the Dine Around vouchers offered through the Greater Starkville Development Partnership. Each summer, local restaurants participate in the program to give orientation families a taste of Starkville. It’s a great deal and a great way to explore.
Where to Get Coffee
Orientation days start early. Whether you need a cup before the first session or a midday pick-me-up between campus tours, Starkville has a solid coffee scene with options ranging from local favorites to quick drive-through convenience.
Arepas Coffee & Bar
A downtown gem serving coffee alongside freshly made Venezuelan arepas and South American-inspired breakfast. Arepas Coffee & Bar is the kind of place that becomes a regular stop once your student is settled in, and it’s a great introduction to Starkville’s more unexpected culinary offerings. Everything is made fresh and the coffee is genuinely good.
The Coffee Depot
A Starkville staple and a beloved part of the downtown dining scene, The Coffee Depot is a go-to for locals who want good coffee with a side of real College Town character. Worth a stop if you’re spending any time near Main Street between orientation activities.
7 Brew Coffee
When you need coffee fast without getting out of the car, 7 Brew on MS-12 is the move. A drive-through coffee spot with a big menu of customizable drinks, it’s quick, friendly and perfect for the morning you’re running behind schedule.
Where to Shop
Between advisor appointments and campus tours, a little retail therapy goes a long way. Downtown Starkville and the Cotton District have a solid mix of local boutiques and specialty shops that you won’t find at the mall back home.
The Cotton District
This nationally recognized walkable neighborhood just off campus is lined with locally owned shops, galleries and restaurants. The Cotton District is the most distinctive part of town and a great place to wander, pick up something for your student’s dorm room or grab a coffee and a moment to breathe.
Reed’s of Starkville
Reed’s is a local staple downtown offering mens and womens fashion and jewelry. If you’re looking for a meaningful Starkville keepsake, this is a solid first stop.
Game Day Apparel
For MSU apparel and Bulldog pride gear, Game Day Apparel is the go-to. Perfect for loading up on the T-shirts and hats your student will actually wear.
Barnes & Noble at Mississippi State
Open throughout orientation, the campus bookstore is great for textbook pre-orders, MSU gear and anything your student needs to get settled.
Don’t forget: Orientation families can also pick up Shop Around vouchers (good for $10 off a purchase of $50 or more at participating retailers). Check your orientation guidebook for the full list of participating businesses.
Things to Do While You’re in Town
If you’re making a full weekend of the orientation trip, or just have a few hours to fill, Starkville has so much to see and do!
Explore the Cotton District
Even if you don’t shop, the Cotton District is worth walking through. Its colorful murals, distinctive architecture and lively mix of shops and restaurants give a real sense of what makes Starkville different from a typical college town. This is the neighborhood your student will probably spend a lot of their free time in, so it’s worth getting to know.
Visit the Starkville Community Market
Every summer Saturday morning, locals gather at Fire Station Park for the Starkville Community Market. Fresh produce, handmade goods, live music and familiar faces make it one of the most beloved weekly traditions in town. If your orientation falls over a weekend, this is worth waking up early for.
Tour Mississippi State’s Campus
Obviously. Davis Wade Stadium, the Cotton District Arts district at the edge of campus, the MSU Creamery, the rose garden, and the gorgeous central campus grounds are all worth seeing beyond the standard orientation tour. The Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library is also on campus and free to visit.
Starkville Self-Guided Mural Tour
Downtown Starkville has more than 15 public art murals spread across the Cotton District, downtown and University Drive. It’s a free, easy way to see the city on foot and get your bearings before the fall semester starts.
Where to Stay
Starkville has a solid range of hotel options, most of them clustered close to campus and downtown.
Courtyard by Marriott at The Mill Conference Center
One of the most popular options for orientation weekend, the Courtyard by Marriott property is connected to The Mill Conference Center and just minutes from campus. Book early, as it fills up quickly during orientation sessions.
Hampton Inn Starkville
The Hampton Inn Starkville is a reliable, comfortable option with easy access to both campus and downtown. Consistently well-reviewed by orientation families.
Hilton Garden Inn Starkville
The Hilton Garden Inn is another solid choice near campus with amenities that make a two-day trip feel a little more comfortable.
A note on timing: Orientation sessions fill hotels fast. Book accommodations as soon as you register for your session.
You’re Going to Love It Here
Orientation weekend is a lot. There’s information coming at you from every direction, your student is trying to absorb a new place and a new chapter all at once, and the Mississippi heat is not subtle. But Starkville has a way of making people feel welcome quickly.
The food is good, the people are genuine and the community around MSU is one that families tend to fall in love with right alongside their students. Come hungry, come curious and come ready to see why Starkville earns its title as Mississippi’s College Town.
Plan your visit at starkville.org and follow Visit Starkville on Instagram and Facebook for events, deals and everything happening in Mississippi’s College Town.
