9 Best Small Towns in the South

Which Small Town In The South Is Your favorite?

There’s nothing quite like a charming small town. With sidewalks to wander, friendly faces to greet, and local shops to scan, it’s obvious what draws people to these cozy communities and keeps them visiting yearly.

Even though the South’s best small towns may seem quaint at first glance or even too quiet to keep you entertained for an entire weekend, you don’t have to worry about filling the hours.

These places have been reinventing themselves over time while still preserving what makes them special. In our favorite storybook towns, you can choose your adventure: Relax, recharge, or get out and explore.

They’re filled with vibrant neighborhoods, dynamic businesses, and long-standing traditions that combine the creative and charming to irresistible effect.

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful location for a weekend getaway or an inviting spot to put down roots, these small towns deserve a place on your must-see list.

You’re sure to receive a warm welcome regardless of why you’re there. So don’t wait any longer…these 9 southern small towns await!

McCall, Idaho

This small town is home to 3,200 residents. Located in the awe-inspiring Mountains of Idaho, this is the perfect place to pack your activewear. You’re likely to spend your days hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and waterskiing until the sun goes down.

There are also significant local draws on bird-watching, dinner cruises, whitewater rafting, and paddleboarding. After a long day of working up a sweat, kick back and relax at the Salmon River Brewery.

Be sure to head up to its rooftop beer garden that will give you the best views of Payette Lake from the downtown area. Reserve your dinner at the Clubhouse Restaurant at Jug Mountain Ranch, which has a patio dining setup ideal for sunset dining.

And for lodgings, we suggest booking the upmarket Shore Lodge or Hotel McCall.

Lewisburg, West Virginia

This artsy community has a red-brick downtown that’ll tempt you to stop and stare. But trust us, you’ll want to explore just as much.

On your self-guided historic walking tour, be sure to stop at the museums, studios, and galleries, including Lee Street Studios, Cooper Gallery, and Harmony Ridge, along the way.

When you’re ready for some down time, catch a show at Lewisburg’s Carnegie Hall, one of only four in the world. Or venture into the rich landscape of the Greenbrier Valley with a picturesque drive along the Lower Greenbrier River Byway.

While visiting this small town, if you stop for a picnic by the water, you may even be rewarded with a dramatic sunset.

Duck, North Carolina

The nostalgic town of Duck, located on the Outer Banks of this state, is home to luxurious vacation rentals dotting the Atlantic Ocean and many waterfront dining and shopping outlets.

Visitors can spend their time on the vast beaches, shaded bike trails, and rustic wooden boardwalks along 11 acres of maritime forest and willow swamp trails.

A cruise over the bay shallows is perfect for a toast-worthy sunset. This small town is also one of the most pet-friendly beach destinations, well-behaved dogs are allowed off-leash, and canine water fountains can be found all around town.

Pawhuska, Oklahoma

This small town is a place with deep-rooted history, some of which you can see at first glance.

Many of the buildings downtown are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the town is the headquarters of the Osage Nation, a Native American tribe of the Great Plains.

You’ll want to explore the tribally-owned Osage Nation Museum and natural wonders like the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, the largest protected tallgrass prairie on our continent.

Don’t forget to stop and check out The Pioneer Woman Mercantile when you’re in town.

Blue Ridge, Georgia

Blue Ridge is a quintessential weekend getaway if you live near the city of Atlanta. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is right in the middle of its charismatic downtown, dotted with local boutiques, restaurants, breweries, and ice cream shops.

You’ll even get easy access to over 40 independent wineries in north Georgia, so you can stop for tastings and live music.

Take a hike around the Appalachian Mountains and Chattahoochee National Forest, or pick your own blueberries, apples, and sunflowers during farm harvests.

There are also several cozy, family-owned bed-and-breakfasts in this small town where you can relax on the porch, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and sip on a glass of Georgia wine.

Highlands, North Carolina

Highlands is a lovely small town snuggled at an altitude of 4,118 feet in the Nantahala National Forest.

Its surroundings, which include Mount Mitchell, the highest mountain, Whitewater Falls, the tallest waterfall, and the deepest gorge in the eastern United States, lend themselves to your next nature-filled getaway.

You’ll also be just a few hours away from two popular parks: the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They’re both the perfect setting for a day of hiking.

Meanwhile, Main Street in Highlands has many diverse shops and restaurants you can enjoy. You’ll also find here one of our country’s most romantic European-style Relais & Châteaux resorts: the Old Edwards Inn and Spa.

Covington, Louisiana

Covington is a small southern town tucked away between three rivers and located on Lake Pontchartrain’s northern side. Of course, being surrounded by all that water means lots of places where you can launch a boat, right?

There’s also lots to do in the registered historic downtown with its charming boutiques, restaurants, and hang-out spots. We recommend checking out Abita Roasting Co. and nearby Abita Brewing Co., which offers guided tours and lots of food trucks for you to try out.

You can also enjoy some local music at Columbia Street Taproom and Grill or Louisiana cuisine at LOLA, where the kitchen is housed in a caboose!

Wetumpka, Alabama

Close your eyes, point your finger towards the middle of a map of Alabama, and you’re likely to land on this adorable small town.

Just north of Montgomery, this southern town is known as the “The City of Natural Beauty,” and it’s easy to see why: Visitors flock here to go canoeing and kayaking on the nearby Coosa River, and folks love the green spaces on walks and picnics.

If you’re a hiking fan, don’t miss Swayback Bridge Trail. And nature lovers will love Corn Creek Park for the birding, fishing, and waterfall-watching opportunities. Got a green thumb? Check out the William Bartram Arboretum to see some local flora and fauna.

Fredericksburg, Texas

Nestled in the Texas Hill Country, this small town is known for its wineries, German history, and mouth-watering peaches.

But while you’re there, don’t forget to check out the charming boutiques, art galleries, upscale lodging options, and history-enriched museums galore.

Meanwhile, outdoor lovers will enjoy the abundance of lush wildflowers in the spring and some of the best stargazing at night in the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, one of Texas’ International Dark Sky Parks.

We’ve given you a few incredible options to dash off for a weekend in the south. But if you know of any hidden gems of your own, be sure to drop us a comment and let us know to include them next time!

And for some more amazing getaway options, check out: 8 Low-Cost And Beautiful US Getaways, Local Recommended