Unlike any other city, Oxford offers big city culture while retaining a small town vibe. Throughout the years, the city, which is often referred to as the "cultural Mecca of the south," has been recognized numerous times, landing spots on lists, such as the "Best Small Towns in America" and "Best College Towns."

More recently, the picturesque town was included in Travel and Leisure’s list of "America’s Best Towns for Fall Colors." In Oxford, the leaves begin to turn rather late in the season, usually around the end of October, so there’s plenty of time to plan the perfect autumn day trip.

A great way to see Oxford is the Historic Double Decker Bus Tour. Led by a local historian, the hour-long tour will take you to the Ole Miss campus, the historic Downtown Square, and other points of interest.

Tours are held on Fridays before Old Miss baseball and football games, which means the fall season will be ending at the end of this month. The tours leave from and return to the Oxford Visitors Center (1013 Jackson Ave. East). Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Click here for more information.

Can’t take the tour? Or maybe you’d like to spend more time exploring the area? Stroll around Oxford’s historic downtown area, which is known simply as "the Square." You’ll find an assortment of galleries, shops, and restaurants.

All that walking is bound to work up an appetite, which is perfect since you’ll be surrounded by great restaurants, including the iconic City Grocery. The award-winning restaurant is known for serving up "the most inventive and interesting food in the South." For more information on City Grocery, click here.

After finishing up your meal, visit another Oxford landmark – Square Books. The renowned bookstore has been named one of the top in the nation. Square Books is constantly holding special events, so be sure to check the store’s website before your visit.

Add a bit of history and seasonal fun to your day with a visit to the pumpkin patch at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, the city’s oldest religious structure. Offering a variety of pumpkins, the patch is opened Mondays – Saturdays, from 10 am – 6 pm, and Sundays, from 12 pm – 6 pm, until the end of October. Click here for more information.

After finding the perfect pumpkin, tour the church’s historic cemetery, which is the final resting place of William Faulkner and other prominent Oxford citizens. Among the historic tombstones, you’ll also find graves belonging to a Revolutionary War veteran and Confederate General.

Speaking of William Faulkner, a trip to Oxford wouldn’t be complete without a visit to his former home, Rowan Oak. You can tour the grounds of Rowan Oak for free, or for $5, you can check out the home’s interior. From Rowan Oak, you can access the Bailey’s Woods Trail. The 0.6-mile trail, which normally takes about 30 minutes to complete, will take you through the woods where Faulkner found inspiration and often wrote. For more information on Rowan Oak, click here; learn more about the Bailey’s Woods Trail here.

End your day with a visit to Oxford’s "outdoor arboretum," Lamar Park. Explore the park and enjoy the brisk fall weather with a stroll along the walking trail, which will lead you to beautiful greenery and foliage, several gardens, and a serene lake. For more information, click here.

What's your favorite Mississippi city to visit in the fall?

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