Top Three Reasons the MKY is the Sweetest College Town
Murray has officially placed in the Top 3 in the USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards for the Best College Small Town! The city couldn’t have done it without the community, university students and everyone who voted! To celebrate, we’ve compiled a list of our Top 3 Reasons to Love the MKY.
1. Tasty Bites Anytime of Day or Night
The MKY is brimming with delicious food that’s just as quirky and fun as its residents! Start your day off with breakfast at Rudy’s diner, which has been serving up classics since 1942, and claims the title of crispiest Coke in town! If you’re looking for something that’s off-the-beaten path but still serves traditional breakfast favorites, head down to Hih-Burger for a customizable omelette or breakfast sandwich and finish off your morning with a sweet slice of chocolate meringue pie.
While there are plenty of tasty breakfast and coffee options, Murray really shines when it comes to lunch spots. Right off campus, the Burrito Shack is beloved by students and residents alike for their Caribbean-inspired menu full of tasty options. Build your own burrito, quesadilla, taco or nachos and don’t forget a side of fresh and crispy chips and a cup of salsa. If you aren’t sure where to start, you can’t go wrong with Burrito Shack’s Basic Beach Menu and pineapple salsa, which have been locally loved for years. Further into town, Dumplin’s is a local favorite lunch spot, but make sure you reserve an hour or two for this stop, you’ll want plenty of time to order, catch up with friends over their refreshing fruit tea and work up a second appetite for one of their decadent desserts located in the display case at the check-out counter. No meal at Dumplin's is complete without one of their soft, yeasty rolls. We prefer to pair it with their traditional chicken and dumplings or get one on the side of a fresh and crispy chicken tender salad.
If you’re looking for a casual late-night bite, head back near Murray State’s campus to Tap 216 and grab one of their shareable appetizers while checking out karaoke! Tap 216 brings students and residents together for a great time almost every night of the week, between hosting trivia nights, karaoke and great live music on the weekends, Tap is the late-night hangout in the MKY. We recommend snagging an order of their savory Buffalo Chicken Dip and trying one of their seasonal drink specials if you’re of age!
With a wide array of cuisines for all times of day, our local restaurants support our community’s economy and contribute to our local traditions and small-town charm. Don’t be surprised if you spot someone you recognize at lunch or see large groups chatting together at dinner; Murray’s local restaurant scene brings the whole town together for some tasty bites.
2. Friendly Faces Around Every Corner
The city of Murray is brimming with small-town charm and southern hospitality. No matter where you are in the MKY, a friendly face isn’t far from you! The city of Murray is the friendliest small town in America for a reason, and that spirit of welcoming hospitality bleeds into the student culture on Murray State’s Campus. As the locals don their blue and gold, and you hear the whole community chant with one voice during an intense game, it’s apparent that college pride means more here; Murray treats every member of Racer Nation like family. Seeing a smiling face everywhere, from the grocery store to a basketball game, makes Murray feel like home, whether you're a student, visiting for a weekend, or relocating. It's no wonder that no matter where you end up, from Chicago to Florida, if you sport Murray State gear, you’ll always bump into someone ready to throw you a “Shoes Up” and a smile!
3.Unexpected Traditions & Adventures
When university culture has been ingrained into a city for 100 years and counting like Murray, some long-term town traditions are to be expected. But the MKY’s best adventures are built on more than just rich history; they’re built on community unity, and enhanced by the creativity and vibrance that can only be found in a college town! From university events like All Campus Sing and Homecoming, where Racer alumni travel from far and wide just to be back in the MKY, to community traditions like Main Street Merriment and the Citywide Yard Sale, where the students come out of their dorms and into the city, Murray has adventures around every corner! MSU’s All Campus Sing is a city-wide celebration of campus talent where student organizations perform elaborate song and dance routines on the steps of the historic Lovett Auditorium.
Locals and visitors alike pack Murray State’s quad for an afternoon of lively music, impressive performances and plenty of Racer pride, all in order to raise money for local and regional charities! All-Campus Sing has brought music to MSU’s quad every spring for over 65 years thanks to community sponsors, talented students and a region full of fans.
Murray’s Citywide yard sale brings together bargain hunters from all over the region to shop, socialize and connect! Anyone is able to participate, and student organizations often join up to host some of the most impressive sales in the region, all while giving back to the community at affordable prices. Community-rooted events like the Citywide Yard Sale bring the students off campus and into their community, and give them a chance to experience the wonderful people who make Murray America’s friendliest small town. Murray is lucky enough to be located just a short drive away from the stunning Land Between the Lakes National Park, which works with various university student groups and provides endless outdoor adventures for students and locals alike. Between the comfortable adventure of the drive-through elk and bison prairie, stunning exhibits at the Golden Pond Planetarium, and the exciting hiking trails for all levels, the hardest part is deciding where to go first.
As Murray’s locals pour support, compassion and kindness into their beloved university, students are empowered to introduce their talents, ideas and innovations back into the city, and leave with lifelong connections both within the university and within the community!
Written by Isabella Shevetz
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