Oxford's small commercial centre sits at the top of a gentle rise, which is why locals call it "uptown" rather than downtown. The main blocks along High Street and Court Street contain a mix of independent shops, restaurants, and bars in 19th- and early 20th-century commercial brick buildings. It is the kind of main street that has largely disappeared from the Midwest, kept alive here by the university.
On a football Saturday in autumn the uptown area is packed; on a summer weekday it is quiet enough to appreciate the architecture. A few antique shops and a good independent bookstore round out the offerings. This is where you eat, drink, and get a sense of the town between campus walks.