See which Mississippi towns made Southern Living’s 15 Most Adorable Small Towns

Ocean Springs and Oxford were the only two Mississippi towns included in Southern Living magazine’s June 29 list of the “15 Most Adorable Small Towns for a Summer Getaway, as selected by Southern Living editors.

The magazine’s intro to the list states, in part:

“To be a truly adorable small town, several boxes must be checked. A walkable and charming main street or downtown are requirements. An old-fashioned ice cream parlor or candy shop is a nice touch. And finally, excellent community and friendly locals are a must. Each of the following Southern small towns has all of the above – and so much more – rendering it an ideal place to visit this summer … or maybe even move to one day (retirement ideas, anyone?). From sunny beach towns to nostalgic mountain communities, keep reading for our list of adorable small towns that are ideal for a dreamy weekend getaway.”

Ocean Springs

Southern Living’s description of Ocean Springs states: “The arts are alive and well in this coastal Mississippi town that was once the home of famed painter and writer Walter Anderson. You can see his nature-inspired works at the Walter Anderson Museum downtown, then spend the rest of your afternoon getting to know the town’s current roster of talented artists at places like Shearwater Pottery and Hillyer House. Well-designed boutique properties like The Beatnik, The Roost, and The Hemingway further make the case for Ocean Springs as the cutest town you’ll ever meet.”

Oxford

Southern Living’s description of Oxford states: “If you want to discover the heart of Oxford, head to the Square. The historic center of town is home to a bevy of must-visit local businesses, from bookstores and museums to art galleries and restaurants. Notable spots include Square Books (one of the South’s favorite bookstores), Neilsen’s (the South’s oldest department store), and City Grocery (a landmark restaurant in Oxford’s surprisingly wonderful dining scene). There’s a reason so many Ole Miss students make Oxford their permanent home after graduation, and it’s because the beloved college town has that special something.”

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Other towns included on the magazine’s list:

• Boone, North Carolina
• Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Florida
• Ellijay, Georgia
• St. Michaels, Maryland
• Seaside, Florida
• Beaufort, South Carolina
• Dripping Springs, Texas
• Black Mountain, North Carolina
• Fairhope, Alabama
• Mount Airy, North Carolina
• Eureka Springs, Arkansas
• Brevard, North Carolina
• Abingdon, Virginia

Know an event coming up or have a good story idea? Reporter Kiara Fleming can be reached via email KDFleming@jackson.gannett.com and on X @Ki_dajournalist