Synonymous with a slow pace and charming hospitality, the American South attracts visitors with its picturesque landscapes, historic attractions, outdoor adventures, and delicious food. While bustling cities like Nashville and Houston have a lot to offer visitors, the smaller towns of the South also have a lot to draw from. These are some of the best cities in the South, from Texas to Tennessee.
Duck City, North Carolina
The nostalgic town of Duck, located on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, is home to luxury vacation rentals dotting the Atlantic Ocean and beachfront dining and shopping venues. Visitors can spend their vacation along 11 acres of Marine forest and willow swamp trails with expansive beaches, shady bike paths, and rustic boardwalks. A cruise on the shallows of the Bay is ideal for toasting sunsets. Duck Beach is also one of the most pet-friendly beaches in the country – well-behaved dogs can be off-leash, and dog fountains can be found all over town.
Highlands, North Carolina
Highlands is a charming mountain town in the Nantahala National Forest at 4,118 feet above sea level. The surroundings, including the highest mountain (Mount Mitchell), the deepest canyon (Linville Canyon), and the highest waterfall (Whitewater Falls) in the eastern United States, lend themselves to a nature-filled vacation spot. Two popular parks – the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – are also within a few hours’ drive. Meanwhile, Main Street in the Highlands is home to many eclectic shops and restaurants, as well as the Old Edwards Hotel and Spa, one of the most romantic European-style resorts in the country.
Blue Ridge, Georgia
The Blue Ridge is a typical weekend getaway from the city of Atlanta. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad is the heart of its charming downtown, dotted with local boutiques, breweries, restaurants, and ice cream parlors. There are more than 40 independent wineries in northern Georgia so that you can stop by for tastings and live music. Hike the Appalachian Mountains and Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, or pick your apples, blueberries, and sunflowers at farm harvest time. There are also some cozy, family-run beds and breakfasts in Blue Ridge where you can relax on the porch, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and sip a glass of Georgian cabernet franc.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg is a classic gateway for outdoor adventures that the whole family will enjoy. From stunning mountain views and riverside walkways to engaging amusement parks and museums, there’s plenty to do in and around Gatlinburg. Some of these activities include hiking, fishing, rafting, horseback riding, year-round ice skating, and wildlife spotting – black bears, elk, and deer, to name a few. The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community gathers over 100 artisans and artists along an eight-mile loop. It is the largest gathering of its kind in North America. For a town just two miles long and five miles wide, plenty of local restaurants serve southern-style pancakes, locally caught trout, and various steaks.
Bluffton, South Carolina
This seaside town is home to an upscale resort community surrounded by old oak trees, Spanish moss, and resurrection ferns. The Palmetto Bluff community in Bluffton covers 20,000 acres. It includes marinas, nature preserves, walking and biking trails, and Jack Nicklaus’s iconic golf course. You can fish, row, paddle, and water ski if you like water sports. Stay at Montage Palmetto Cliffs, an upscale resort sporting the above golf course, a luxury spa, seven restaurants, and a racquet club. In Bluffton, you can experience Southern hospitality, hit the lowland oyster trail, or sample locally harvested seafood at the October week-long art and seafood festival.
Fredericksburg, Texas
Nestled in the Texas mountains, Fredericksburg is known for its wineries, German history, and delicious peaches. There are also attractive boutiques, art galleries, upscale accommodation options, and world-class museums. In the meantime, nature lovers can enjoy lush wildflowers in the spring and some of the best stargazing at Magic Rock State Natural Area, one of Texas’ international Dark Sky parks.
Williamsburg, Virginia
One of the first planned cities in the United States and home to the world’s largest living history museum, Williamsburg, Virginia, is a fantastic place to step back in time, explore gardens and nature trails, ride in a horse-drawn carriage, or embark on a ghost tour. Kids will love the world’s fastest multi-pass roller coaster at Williamsburg’s Busch Gardens Amusement Park. At the same time, adults can choose from a brewery, golf course, and spa. There are also plenty of great places to stay, including the family-friendly Kingsmill Resort, surrounded by 3,000 acres of nature, wildlife, and the iconic James River.
Marathon, Florida
Located halfway between Miami and Key West, the Marathon is a collection of minor keys surrounded by sandy beaches and mangroves. This 10-mile, family-friendly community offers countless water sports, including boating, fishing, jet skiing, paddleboarding, and kayaking. The eco-attraction provides an opportunity to learn about its railway history and interact with local wildlife. Swim with dolphins at the Dolphin Research Center, feed stingrays at the aquarium, release turtles at the Turtle Hospital, and bird watch at Curry Hammock State Park. Stay on the island of Beira, a Mediterranean-style seaside resort, for a relaxing escape.
