If students are looking to strengthen their Instagram game this year, they can look no further than Starkville’s city limits and the Mississippi State University campus. The area is full of charming spaces to bolster social media aesthetics.
One historical place that has remained popular is the beloved Chapel of Memories, and according to onlyinyourstate.com, it is one of the most impressive churches in the whole state of Mississippi.
Located in the heart of MSU’s campus, the chapel is not only a great place to pause for a piano jam session, but also a good place to get a photo by the courtyard fountain, in the arms of the angel statue or in front of the vibrant tile-like windows.
The chapel provides a great background, and the trees also provide protection from direct sunlight, so pictures have good lighting at practically any time of the day.
Not far from the chapel is the Cotton District, which is another picturesque area according to local photographer Sara Beth Pritchard. Pritchard is a merchandise and model photographer for George-Mary’s in downtown Starkville.
Pritchard said the District has a plethora of photo-worthy spots.
“Anything around the restaurants, bars and alleyways is generally aesthetically pleasing and ‘instagramable,’” Pritchard said. “I think the little street in between Klaasroom and Two Brothers is great for photos.”
The bubbling fountain outside Gringos provides a fun vibe, or the shaded alleyway on Holtsinger Avenue has a quaint scenery.
Nothing screams “Instagram” quite like coffee, and 929 Coffee Bar and Strange Brew Coffeehouse are no exception. With exposed brick and wooden everything, 929 offers everything needed for the perfect coffee picture.
Presley Flowers, a Strange Brew barista and MSU senior, said she considers the “Keep Starkville Strange” mural outside the coffeehouse the most popular place in town to take a picture. She said on move-in weekend, the painting was an especially popular place for many freshmen and their families.
The Thad Cochran Research Park, also known as North Farm, provides a great outdoor atmosphere for pictures, as well. The top of the hill by the parking lot provides a wonderful background at sunset.
By heading to the park around dusk and setting up a hammock in the pine trees at the top of the hill, those with social media can capture a great picture to post.
Finally, if students want to show their Bulldog pride, they should take a photo with one of the various Bully statues on campus. The traditional Bully statue photo is a classic way to express excitement to be an MSU student.
MSU industrial engineering senior Becky Stewart checks her Instagram while sitting at 929 Coffee Bar.
