Overview
Starkville is a city in East Mississippi. Mississippi State University is located just to the east of the city limits, and is included in this article.
3 sights · 2 things to do · 3 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Starkville
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State began as The Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi and the first students were accepted in the Fall of 1880.
Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library
Noxubee Wildlife Refuge
Brooksville. The Noxubee Wildlife Refuge is comprised of 48,000 acres to serve as a resting and feeding area for migratory birds. The refuge also extensively manages the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Hiking, huntin…
Mississippi State Bulldogs
The sports teams of Mississippi State University, competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) alongside 13 other schools in and around the South. The toughest ticket by far is football, which regularly sells out its 6…
Cotton District Arts Festival
Visitors meander along the narrow streets lined with artisans who demonstrate and sell their wares, while musicians and dancers perform live on-stage and in the streets. Starkville's finest restaurants prepare and offer …
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–May, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 91°F; winter lows dip to about 35°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Mar and Jul. (climate data from nearby Birmingham)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- GTR Golden Triangle Regional Airport, Columbus/W Point/Starkville — 13 mi away. Directions
- TUP Tupelo Regional Airport, Tupelo — 57 mi away. Directions
- BHM Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, Birmingham — 119 mi away (major hub). Directions
For passenger service, the nearest Amtrak stop is in Tuscaloosa, which is about a 90 minute drive to Starkville.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library, Mississippi State University, Noxubee Wildlife Refuge
- Lunch McAlister's Deli
- Afternoon Mississippi State Bulldogs, Cotton District Arts Festival
- Dinner Bulldog Burgers
- Evening Rick's Cafe
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
- From points north, take Interstate 55 down to Hwy 82 E.
- From Jackson (Mississippi), take Hwy 25 N. or I-55 N to Hwy 82 E.
- From Tuscaloosa, AL: take Hwy 82 W.
By plane
- George M. Bryan Airport, 114 Airport Road, +1 662 615-1848, +1 662 615-1848 (fax). Starkville Airport is open to the public. The airport is capable of handling small aircraft. No commercial flights are available from Starkville Airport.
- Golden Triangle Regional Airport, 2080 Airport Rd., Columbus, +1 662 327-4422. The Golden Triangle Regional Airport is centrally located between the Columbus, Starkville and West Point. The airport is about 25 minutes from Mississippi State University, Mississippi University for Women and Old Waverly Golf Club. Commercial flights are provided by Delta Connection.
By train
For passenger service, the nearest Amtrak stop is in Tuscaloosa, which is about a 90 minute drive to Starkville.
By bus
No commercial bus service is available to Starkville.
By boat
Might take a while.
Get around
Public Transport
Car Rental
- Enterprise Rent A Car , 404 Highway 12 W, +1 662 323-3389.
See
See Noxubee Wildlife Refuge
Brooksville. The Noxubee Wildlife Refuge is comprised of 48,000 acres to serve as a resting and feeding area for migratory birds. The refuge also extensively manages the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Hiking, hunting, and fishing are also available in the refuge.
- Starkville City Jail, made most famous by a Johnny Cash song of the same name. City Hall, +1 662 323-1491.
Do
Do Mississippi State Bulldogs
The sports teams of Mississippi State University, competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) alongside 13 other schools in and around the South. The toughest ticket by far is football, which regularly sells out its 61,000-seat stadium. While men's basketball is also a significant draw, it's also notable for drawing most of the largest on-campus crowds in college baseball history.
Do Cotton District Arts Festival
Visitors meander along the narrow streets lined with artisans who demonstrate and sell their wares, while musicians and dancers perform live on-stage and in the streets. Starkville's finest restaurants prepare and offer "tastes" covering the gamut from regional to ethnic.
- Bulldog Bash, in November; 5PM–1AM, University Dr. (between Col Muldrow Dr. and Maxwell St) The Cotton District. Since its inception by the Student Association in 1999, Bulldog Bash has strived to be the premier, student-run music event in the south. In seven years, this has grown to be the largest, free outdoor music festival in the state of Mississippi with crowds numbering over 30,000. The headlining act for 2006 was Sister Hazel. Other performing artists included R&B artist Cheri Dennis, Contemporary Christian rock band Big Daddy Weave, singer/songwriter Rob Blackledge, and the Vicksburg, MS native Patrick Smith. Free.
Buy
Eat
- Oby's - Poboys, red beans & rice, and more.
- Starkville Cafe - A downtown institution.
- Little Dooey - ESPN's Lee Corso once said "The Little Dooey is the best BBQ and sauce in the nation"
- Bin 612 - Located in the Cotton District, Bin 612 is known for its artwork display, full bar, and well-prepared food.
- Casa Bravo - Formerly known as Mexico Tipico.
- Mugshots - Famous for the "Uneatable Hamburger." Considered by many to offer the best hamburgers in the state.
- Stromboli's - Small pizza joint with deep respect for Jerry Garcia.
Eat Harvey's
Upscale dining at a reasonable price. Specialties include marinated steak, New Orleans Seafood Pasta, and prime rib. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
- Anthony's Good Food Market - Located in neighboring West Point, about 20 minutes from Starkville. Casual atmosphere with excellent food. Reservations recommended on the weekend.
Drink
Drink Rick's Cafe
Both a popular bar and place to hear a wide variety of musical acts from all over.
Drink Dave's Dark Horse Tavern
Hole-in-the-wall beloved by many. Known for the pizza and jam band atmosphere with nightly live music and good drink specials. Site where Johnny Cash played before being arrested on his walk home, leading to the inspiration for the song "Starkville City Jail."
Sleep
Stay Hotel Chester
This hotel is individually listed on the Nation Register of Historic Places and is located in the Old Main District of Starkville’s bustling and historic downtown, where shops, restaurants and entertainment spots are all within easy walking distance. The property has undergone extensive renovations of the public areas and reopened under the original name that was given to the property in 1925.
Nearby
My experience
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