I cannot recall how many times I have heard the phrase “the only things to do in Starkville are party and drink.” I think I have heard that comment a hundred times by now, and while Starkville is no doubt smaller than many places, it is not without its own activities.
Here are some options for people who do not party or drink and need a few suggestions on what to do.
Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge
For the outdoorsy person wanting to explore more of Starkville’s wildlife, the refuge is a great place to start. With plenty of fishing, hiking, hunting, biking, bird watching, canoeing and kayaking, the refuge offers multiple activities.
For fishing, one can try Bluff Lake, an 800 acre lake that is home to several fish species. However, this is not the only spot for fishing. The refuge also has Noxubee River, Borrow Pits, Loakfama Lake and Ross Branch Reservoir.
There are several trails for hikers here with varying lengths, including the Beaver’s Dam Trail, the Woodpecker Trail, the Scattertown Trail, the Prairie Trail and more. Along these trails are various informative signs indicating plants and wildlife for those who are interested.
Katie Gibson, a sophomore elementary education major at Mississippi State University, enjoys the scenic views the refuge offers.
“I’m a big sunset person, and I truly think the refuge is the best place in Starkville to watch it,” Gibson said. “It reflects off the water, making a perfect warm glow. Plus, for a breath of fresh air, it is the perfect place to picnic or have walks with friends. There are different lookout points to give the best scenery Starkville has to offer.”
Even if some of these activities are too much for some people, the refuge is a wonderful place for idly passing the day with a good picnic.
Downtown Starkville
The less outdoorsy person may still like to get out and walk a little bit, and Starkville’s downtown is the perfect area for them.
With plenty of shopping, food and events, Starkville’s downtown area is wonderful for those who would like to get away from campus. This area has an array of different restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops to choose from.
The Central Station Grill, Restaurant Tyler, Bulldog Burger, BIN 612 and The Little Dooey are good dinner options, while Nine-Twentynine Coffee Bar, Strangebrew, The Coffee Depot and Starkville Cafe are good breakfast options.
Beyond food, there are plenty of art galleries, boutiques and fun shops to stop by. The Starkville Area Arts Council art gallery, the Partnership art gallery and the Visual Arts Center gallery feature various artworks. VACE Clothing, Merle Norman and Luna Bella, Two Flamingos Gift Shop, Reed’s, I Just Have to Have It, L.A. Green and B-Unlimited are great boutiques with plenty of clothing options. Magnolia Soap and Bath Co., the Book Mart and Cafe and Montgomery’s Jewelry are other shopping options for those not looking for clothes.
Starkville’s downtown area also hosts several events, including the Cotton District Arts Festival, Downtown at Sundown, Holiday Bazaar, King Cotton Crawfish Boil and the SOUPER bowl.
So next time there is a free weekend, or a boring weekday, consider putting on a fun outfit to spend the day frolicking around downtown. My roommate and I consider this a more fun version of therapy.
Starkville Community Theater and Starkville Community Market
The Starkville Community Theater is a theater where local Starkville members put on various plays throughout the year.
Over the years, this theater has put on many productions including “Pride and Prejudice,” “Into the Woods,” “The Addams Family,” “Sanders Family Christmas,” “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane,” “Bright Star,” “Little Women” and “Alabama Story.”
“Clue” and “39 Steps” are two upcoming plays and are sure to be worth the watch.
The Starkville Community Market is open in late April and goes into early November. This outdoor community market has multiple different vendors offering fresh produce, homemade baked goods and handmade jewelry and soaps.
The market also has live gardening and cooking demonstrations, live music from local bands and musicians and plenty of arts and crafts for kids. There is also a book corner, where people can pick up a few books for free.
Elizabeth Frye, a sophomore elementary education major at Mississippi State University, loves the variety the market offers.
“You get to experience and buy anything from good food, flowers, vegetables, soap, honey and art. Everything is local and it’s a great way for people to come together and support small businesses,” Frye said.
Even if this is not a typical idea of fun, both the theater and the market offer unique chances to meet local businesses and new people who share similar interests or hobbies.
Rick’s Cafe
Even though Rick’s is technically a bar, customers do not have to drink to enjoy their time there. I am sure most people in Starkville know about Rick’s, but sometimes I forget that it has more than just drinks to offer, much of this being music.
If you are looking for a fun atmosphere to jam out to live music, Rick’s Cafe is a great place to start.
Rick’s has multiple artists and bands that come to perform, including Chris Lane, Caleb Shirley, Paxton Peay, Mustache the Band, The Jason Miller Band, Take 12, U.S. and Mason Ramsey.
Rick’s also hosts themed events, such as the ever-so-famous Taylor Swift Nights, where Swifties can sing their hearts out to Taylor Swift songs, and Boot Scootin’ Boogie, which is a night filled with 90s country music and line dancing.
There are many events and places Starkville has to offer that do not revolve around partying and drinking. For those who are like me and need something else to do, I hope this list can help.
