15 Best Things To Do In Starkville, Mississippi

Starkville, Mississippi, is a lively, eclectic town just 40 minutes from the eastern border of Alabama. Home of the iconic Mississippi State University, Starkville is known as "Mississippi's College Town" because of its thriving student life both on and off campus. With a strong community and a variety of local shops, restaurants, and activities to explore, Starkville has a small-town feel that thousands of students fall in love with every year. Whether you're visiting the university or just passing through, Starkville is a perfect weekend getaway during any season. Check out our recommendations for spending time in the city.

Where To Eat

Starkville is home to a multitude of local restaurants and a budding culinary scene that delights visitors from all over. With more restaurants per capita than any other city in the state, Starkville was ranked by Restaurant Business Magazine as one of the fifth “Best Places to Open a Restaurant” in the country. The small-town charm mixed with the eclectic cuisine makes for plenty of great options for grub. 

Stop For Coffee And A Bite

If you need a morning pick-me-up, 929 Coffee has you covered. Located right in the heart of downtown, this local coffee bar is a favorite spot for craft coffee and a quick bite to eat. The breakfast sandwich served on a brioche bun is a popular item, and any of the coffee drinks are a delicious way to get you awake and ready for a day in the city.

For a more nontraditional Southern breakfast, check out Arepas Coffee & Bar. The restaurant offers a variety of authentic Venezuelan food in the buzzing Cotton District close to campus. Along with their famed arepas, grilled corn patties typically filled with cheese or butter, the menu features a variety of South American favorites.

929coffee.com, 106 E. Main St., Starkville, MS 39759
arepascoffeebar.com, 102 Rue Du Grand Fromage, Starkville, MS 39759

Indulge In Southern-Style Brunch

If you’re in Starkville on the weekend, stop by Commodore Bob’s for a Southern-style brunch experience. With new brunch specials each week and a menu with something for everyone, this contemporary restaurant is the perfect place to grab a mimosa and enjoy a relaxed afternoon. The restaurant also serves Southern-infused fine dining and cocktails Tuesdays through Saturdays.

commodorebobs.com, 517 University Drive STE 2, Starkville, MS 39759

Chow On Pecan-Smoked Brisket

For barbecue, check out Two Brothers Smoked Meats in the Cotton District. Colloquially known as “Two Bros,” this locally-loved restaurant uses a pecan-fueled smoker to cook chicken, brisket, and more for a rich, delectable flavor. The chicken salad sandwich and patty melt come highly recommended. Save room for the bread pudding too.

eattwobros.com, 621 University Dr., Starkville, MS 39759

Savor A Good Steak

At Harvey's, your ribeye or filet mignon can be topped with truffle butter or crawfish cream sauce. The wide-ranging menu at this steakhouse also offers seafood favorites and Mississippi Brown Butter Cake topped with caramelized peaches and ice cream.

eatwithharveys.com, 406 Highway 12 E., Starkville, MS 39759

Grab A Burger

For a relaxed and casual lunch, Bulldog Burger is a great option to satisfy your hunger. With the “goal of bringing the world’s best burger to Starkville,” the burgers on this menu are as unique as they are delicious. Don’t forget to browse the milkshake list, too.

bulldogburgerco.com, 702 University Dr., Starkville, MS 39759

Enjoy A Plate Of Pasta

For elevated dining, snag a reservation with TASTE Italian Kitchen. This new restaurant features a stylish atmosphere and a classic Italian menu with something for everyone, whether you're a fan of spaghetti and garlic knots or beef carpaccio and saltimbocca.

tastestarkville.com, 208 Lincoln Green, Starkville, MS 39759

Order Pizza And Beer

Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern is the place to go for casual fare. This local pub is Starkville’s oldest pizzeria and is known for hosting local bands frequently. Whether you’re in the  mood for a thin crust or deep dish, Dave’s offers a variety of pizzas to close out your night.

davesdarkhorse.com, 410 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Dr. E, Starkville, MS 39759

Things To Do On Campus

The minute you arrive in the city of Starkville, you’re welcomed by the presence of Mississippi State University. This SEC school is known nationally for its strong agriculture program, engineering research efforts, and competitive athletic teams. The university boasts over 23,000 students, and the campus is as large as it is beautiful. With more than 4,200 acres, there are plenty of things to do when visiting Mississippi State.

Catch A Game

As an SEC school, athletics at Mississippi State are nothing short of thrilling. No matter what time of year you’re visiting campus, you’ll be able to sit in on an exciting event supporting the Bulldogs. While football games at Davis Wade Stadium are a Saturday must-do in the fall, baseball games at Dudy Noble Field are the perfect way to enjoy in the spring.

The Bulldogs baseball team has won 11 SEC championships and has participated in almost 40 NCAA championships, making the team some of the best in collegiate baseball. If you happen to go in the winter, the Bulldogs women’s basketball team is also a nationally ranked team that has competed in 12 March Madness tournaments as of today. 

Visit The MSU Dairy Shop

For a truly unconventional college visit experience, go inside the MSU Cheese store on campus. The Mississippi State Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station runs a cheese shop featuring cheese, jams, juice, and more–all grown and made on campus. You can pick up your typical cheeses like Cheddar or you can try their specialty Edam cheese they developed specifically for the university.

msucheese.com, 925 Stone Blvd., Mississippi State, MS 39762

Explore The Grant Presidential Library

The Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library is located on campus in the Mitchell Memorial Library and has an extensive collection of correspondence, artifacts, photographs, scrapbooks, and memorabilia by and about the 18th president. Visit the museum on weekdays to learn about his early life, military career, presidency, and beyond.

usgrantlibrary.org, Mitchell Memorial Library, 395 Hardy Rd., Starkville, MS 39759

Take A Walk Through Campus

Whether you get an official campus tour or just cruise through campus, it is well worth the walk around. With buildings from the 19th century and beautifully kept landscaping, Mississippi State has that true quintessential college feel that is perfect for a leisurely stroll. Stop by Chadwick Lake to relax, enjoy a picnic, and even fish.

Things To Do Off Campus

Although Mississippi State makes up for a large portion of Starkville's population and city limits, there is plenty to do outside of the university.

Learn About Local History

The Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum may be small, but it captures a significant amount of local history from Native American and the earliest days of life in the county to local sports celebrities and military artifacts. Housed in a 19th-century railroad depot, the grounds also include information about its rain-garden project.

oktibbehaheritagemuseum.com, 206 Fellowship St., Starkville, MS 39759

See A Show

If you're looking for a night of entertainment, the Starkville Community Theater puts on a variety of shows throughout the year. The playhouse has been apart of the Starkville community since 1978 and provides locals and outsiders alike with four staged productions per year right on Main Street.

sct-online.org, 108 East Main St., Starkville, MS 39760

Enjoy Nature

With a year-round temperate climate and great biodiversity, Starkville provides myriad opportunities to get outside and explore. If you're looking to spend more time in nature, take a quick ride over to Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge just 13 miles south of Starkville. This large refuge serves as a resting spot for migrating birds and boasts 48,000 acres of protected land. With opportunities for fishing, hiking, photography, kayaking, and more, this refuge is a great stop for nature lovers.

fws.gov, 13723 Bluff Lake Road, Brooksville, MS 39739

Stop By The Farmers Market

Saturdays mornings in Starkville welcome the Community Farmers Market, where you'll find locally grown food, fresh baked goods, live plants, and local crafts and art. The market truly has something for everyone and is a fantastic way to support the local community when you're in town.

starkville.org, 503 E. Lampkin St., Starkville, MS 39759

Where To Stay

Stay In A Historic Hotel

On Main Street, the newly-renovated Hotel Chester offers visitors a central spot to call it a night. The historic hotel was built almost 100 years ago, but today the award-winning hotel offers contemporary rooms near downtown and campus. Some of the king suites are named for celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey in honor of his contribution to their design.

historichotelchester.com, 101 North Jackson St., Starkville, MS 39759

Relax At A B&B

While there are plenty of hotel chains to stay at in town, Montgomery B&B offers a comfortable and relaxed B&B experience. The rooms and parlor are decorated with period furnishings, and breakfast is complimentary daily.

themontgomerybb.com, 607 Old West Point Road, Starkville, MS 39759