One thing the expert panel and readers who voted Starkville as one of USA Today’s “Best Small Towns in the South” recognize is that while it may be Home to Mississippi State University, it is so much more than a college town. There are a variety of museums covering a wide range of interests -- from music to geology and everything in-between -- that call Starkville home. The Charles H. Templeton Sr. Music Museum is perfect for music lovers thanks to its collection of more than 200 musical instruments while the Dunn-Seiler Geology Museum houses a diverse collection of rocks, fossils and even a triceratops skull. Then there's the Cullis and Gladys Wade Clock Museum that showcases more than 400 clocks and watches dating back as far as the 1700s as well as the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library, which has a state-of-the-art gallery as well as the largest private Abraham Lincoln collections ever assembled and so much more.
Templeton Sr. Music MuseumPhoto provided by Starkville, Miss.
If you like to spend your time enjoying the gorgeous scenery of Starkville, you’ll have your pick of activities too. If you’re traveling with kids, the Music Trail at McKee Park is a must as it features playground versions of a soprano marimba, a tenor marimba, an alligator drum, a rain wheel and so much more for little ones to enjoy. You could also get in some exercise by enjoying a round of disc golf at J.L. King Park, which has a beginner-friendly disc golf course, or Chadwick Lake, which offers more challenging holes.
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Of course, all that fun can really work up an appetite, which is likely why Starkville has more restaurants per capita than any other community in the state – likely another reason for why it garnered a spot on the “Best Small Towns in the South” list for 2024. From Southern classics to barbecue, burgers, fine dining and everything in-between, no matter what you’re craving, you’ll find it served in Starkville.
If you’re looking to grab a bite in Starkville’s iconic Cotton District, Bin 612 is the place to do it. With made-from-scratch pizzas, gourmet burgers, tacos and more on the menu, it offers a fun and casual atmosphere as well as plenty of outdoor seating perfect for people-watching. There’s also The Little Dooey if you’ve got a hankering for some serious barbecue. It has sandwiches, salads, platters, po-boys, tamales and more as well as signature items you can't find anywhere else, like The Little Dooey Sundae that consists of pulled pork layered with baked beans, coleslaw and barbecue sauce.
Bin 612 in the Cotton DistrictPhoto provided by Starkville, Miss.
Another eatery that's been keeping locals and visitors alike coming back for more than 70 years is the Starkville Cafe thanks to its full menu of down-home Southern food -- including biscuits and gravy, fried chicken, country fried steak, shrimp po-boys and more -- served during breakfast and lunch. Meanwhile, 44 Prime is a fine dining restaurant and steakhouse in Starkville where you can enjoy everything from goat cheese fondue to lobster mac and cheese, crème brulee and so much more alongside your filet mignon or New York strip.
Every trip needs a souvenir (or two) to remember it by, and Starkville is full of local shopping spots that'll make finding them just as memorable. In historic downtown Starkville, there are plenty of unique stores and boutiques selling a variety of clothes and goods. At places like George-Mary’s, L.A. Green and Reed's offers up the latest trends no matter what your style is, stores like Liza Tye Company have a little bit of everything. In addition, several local shoppes cater to specific interests, including Disc and That, which has everything you need for your next round of disc golf, Scooter's Records, The Flower Company, Magnolia Soap and Bath Co., and many more.
Liza Tye CompanyPhoto provided by Starkville, Miss.
Of course, no shopping experience in Starkville would be complete without a visit to Mississippi State University's Cheese Store. Open Monday through Friday (and during home football games,) the store is known for its the Edam cheese cannonball, but it also sells an assortment of other cheeses as well as juices, condiments, jellies, coffee and more.
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Here’s how mums became the homecoming flower and why they are ginormous in TexasHomeomcing 1950 | Auburn University Libraries
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You have to visit Caribbean flamingoes and more at the Flamingo Lagoon.(Courtesy of Amiee Stubbs)
The Andean bears exhibit is always engaging!(Photo by Jim Bartoo)
The Tiger Crossroads exhibit is a hit among Nashville Zoo guests.(Byron Jorjorian)
Who can resist goats?(Amiee Stubbs)
