Between Birmingham And Atlanta Near The Georgia Border Is A City With Lake Fun And A Walkable Downtown

Alabama has a few tricks up its sleeve. One of these is revealing enticing cities where you might otherwise imagine nothing but highways, fields, and forests. Oxford, a fast-growing city on the edge of Talladega National Forest, is a prime example. It's one of the first cities you encounter after crossing the border from Georgia into Alabama if you're coming from Atlanta and heading towards Birmingham. (The former is about 90 miles east of Oxford, while the latter is roughly 60 miles west.)

Oxford began as Lickskillet, a small settlement that emerged in the county back in the 1830s. These days, the small but growing city provides numerous experiences for visitors. The surrounding state parks and national forests appeal to outdoor lovers, but parks and lakes within Oxford do a similarly top-shelf job entertaining active kids and adults. Oxford also has a character-rich, walkable downtown centered around its historic Main Street, which earned it official Main Street Alabama designation back in 2014. Many buildings downtown capture the city's heritage, while its shops, restaurants, cultural attractions, and community events feel grounded in today's prosperity.

You needn't go far for a day by the water, as Oxford Lake is only a five-minute drive from downtown. Considered one of the top three best things to do in Oxford on Tripadvisor, it's a bit of a local gem, with a fishing pier, picnic pavilions, and an encircling walking path. There's a sense of history here, too: A covered bridge from the 1850s called Coldwater resides on the lake's southern shore, passing over a small creek. A centennial marker also explains the importance of Oxford Lake for local recreation in the city since 1889. You can't swim in the lake, but the surrounding area has a swimming pool and a splash pad for hot days, as well as sports courts and a playground. The lake also hosts the city's annual Fourth of July celebration, Freedom Festival, concluding this family-friendly day with fireworks.

Another visit-worthy local park is just down Choccolocco Creek from Oxford Lake, about 10 minutes' drive away — and, appropriately, it's called Choccolocco Park. Covering over 300 acres, it's first and foremost a state-of-the-art sports complex with some of the region's best baseball, softball, soccer, and athletics facilities. But it also caters to more leisurely pursuits like walking, cycling, disc golf, and kayaking. The latter sees you paddling down Choccolocco Creek (fun to say, and explore), while walkers and cyclists can meander around a 33-acre lake with informative history markers. If you want to explore beyond the city limits, drive 10 minutes to Talladega National Forest for mountain views, camping, and trails.

Oxford's Main Street is about a 15-minute walk from one end to the other, but the majority of its downtown shops, restaurants, and attractions occupy only four blocks along that strip, making it easy to explore. It's no wonder Main Street's walkability has been highlighted by Main Street Alabama and WorldAtlas (via City of Oxford). Start by seeking out Broadway shows, stand-up comedy, and live music at Oxford Performing Arts Center, just off of Main. The multifaceted performance venue occupies a rejuvenated former city hall and 1920s schoolhouse, adding a 1,200-seat theater but retaining its original facade.

Shopping downtown takes a local point of view, with stores like Cotton Antiques & Collectibles feeling very true to time and place. It's an official Antique Trail member and contains multiple sections where you'll find vintage clothing, framed paintings, crockery, glassware, furniture, and more to tickle your old-world fancies. Just around the corner is Longleaf Books & Bindery; new, used, and rare books line the shelves of this mother-and-daughter-owned bookshop. Downtown also comes alive during Oxfordfest, an annual celebration on the first Saturday of October. On this day, Main Street makes way for arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, and stages where local musicians entertain crowds.

Oxford's community spirit and nature are two reasons Calhoun County is such an enticing place to retire in Alabama. But they're also why people enjoy visiting here, even for a weekend. You can reach Oxford by car in under two hours from Atlanta or just over one hour from Birmingham. The latter is also known as Alabama's "cultural capital," so it might be worth checking out. Oxford has motels and hotels clustered close to downtown and slightly farther out near Choccolocco Park.