Arriving in Oxford at noon with jetlag...what to plan for the remainder of that day?

My first thought was "walking tour". Go by the tourist office to see what's on offer. You can also just wander around the university area by yourselves. There's a botanical garden that would keep you outdoors for an hour or two.

We've found the best activities on that first jet lag day are those that keep one walking outside in the fresh air and sunlight. It might be an organized walking tour or just wandering about on one's own. The important thing is to just keep moving until at least 6 p.m. or so, then get a good meal, and hit the bed about 9 or thereabout. The next day you should be go to go for anything.

Which day of the week? Ordinarily I would suggest getting into some of the colleges but you may be there in the closed period as the hard working youths revise.

Is this your first trip to Oxford or a reprise? Have you visited Blenheim Palace?

As others have said, walking (especially outdoors) is the best way to deal with jet lag. Oxford is ideal for walking. Wander along High Street and enjoy the views. Explore the side streets. Turl Street has a beautiful view of Lincoln College and offers entrance to the Covered Market.

The Oxford Walking Tours are located at Turl and Holywell Street if you want something organized, but it’s fun to wander. Blackwell’s Bookshop on Holywell is amazing. The Bear Inn on Alfred Street is a 13th century pub with low ceilings; worth a look even if you don’t stop for long.

There are some beautiful gardens and grounds with some of the colleges that may be open.

I agree -- walk around outside, admire the architecture, go into a couple of colleges if they're open. We had a similar timetable a couple of years ago, our hotel was close to Magdalen College, and we walked through the college and out to the meadows by the river.

If you want a guided walk that first day, they leave from the tourist office on Broad Street.

Oxford has some great museums but that first day isn't the time to see them. Follow your walk(s) with a pub dinner and early to bed.

Stay outside; no museums. Walk around this very beautiful city. Download a map and/or go to a visitor center for maps. Enjoy tea outside in the afternoon.

I agree with the walking advice. If it is rainy, the botanical gardens do have the glass houses or conservatories that you can go into, so you don't have to think it's an option only if it's dry out!