These Are the Best Small Towns in the South

Synonymous with a slower pace and charming hospitality, the southern U.S. lures travelers with its seriously picturesque scenery, historic attractions, outdoor adventures, and delicious food. And while the bustling cities of Nashville and Houston have lots to offer visitors, smaller Southern towns provide plenty of appeal, too. From Texas to Tennessee, these are some of best small towns in the South.

Duck, North Carolina

The nostalgic town of Duck, located in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, is home to luxurious vacation rentals dotting the Atlantic Ocean as well as waterfront dining and shopping venues. Visitors can spend their vacation on expansive 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 ideal for a toast-worthy sunset. Duck is also one of the most pet-friendly beach destinations in the country — well-behaved dogs are allowed off-leash and canine water fountains can be found all over town.

Highlands, North Carolina

Highlands is a charming mountain town nestled at an altitude of 4,118 feet in Nantahala National Forest. The surroundings, which include the highest mountain (Mount Mitchell), deepest gorge (Linville Gorge), and tallest waterfall (Whitewater Falls) in the eastern U.S., lend themselves to a nature-filled getaway. Two popular parks — the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park — are also within a few hours’ drive. Meanwhile, Main Street in Highlands is home to plenty of eclectic shops and restaurants, as well as The Old Edwards Inn and Spa, one of the most romantic European-style Relais & Châteaux resorts in the country.

Blue Ridge, Georgia

Blue Ridge is a quintessential weekend getaway from the city of Atlanta. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is central to its charismatic downtown, dotted with local boutiques, breweries, restaurants, and ice cream shops. There’s even easy access to over 40 independent wineries in northern Georgia, so you can stop for tastings and live music. Hike around the Appalachian Mountains and Chattahoochee–Oconee National Forest, or pick your own apples, blueberries, and sunflowers during farm harvests. There are also a number of cozy, family-run bed-and-breakfasts in Blue Ridge where you can unwind on the porch, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and sip on a glass of Georgia cabernet franc.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Located in the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg is a classic gateway for outdoor adventures the whole family will love. From stunning mountain views and riverfront walkways to engaging amusement parks and museums, there’s plenty to do in Gatlinburg and its surrounding areas. Some of these activities include hiking, fishing, rafting, horseback riding, year-round ice skating, and wildlife spotting — black bears, elk, and deer, just to name a few. The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community is home to more than 100 craftspeople and artists along an eight-mile loop, making it the largest gathering of its kind in North America. And for a town that’s only two miles long by five miles wide, there are tons of local restaurants serving Southern-style pancakes, locally caught trout, and a variety of steaks.