10 Most Beautiful Small Towns In the Mid-South You Should Visit
Roughly following the contours of the Mississippi River Valley, the mid-South is generally defined as West Tennessee, North Mississippi, Southern Missouri, Western Kentucky, Northwest Alabama, Eastern Oklahoma, and Central, Northeast, and Eastern Arkansas. This region is known for its flat and fertile landscape and is one of the richest agricultural regions in the world. But it’s not just great food the mid-south has to offer; from beautiful historical architecture to prehistoric archaeological sites to grasslands and waterfalls, this region is full of surprises and hidden gems. These ten small towns are beautiful in their own right and a great jumping-off point for exploring the region.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
This small town will surely usher a “Eureka!” from anyone who stumbles upon it. With miles of epic Ozark hikes, an eclectic mix of architectural styles, and, of course, hot springs, Eureka Springs is brimming with natural and cultural beauty. You can lace up your hiking boots and trek up to a bluff overlook or a hidden river and waterfalls in the Ozarks, but you’ll get a workout walking up and down the winding steep streets in town anyway, earning its nickname of “Stairstep Town.” In 1970, the entire town was listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and it's easy to see why, with Victorian, Craftsman and Gothic Revival styles represented in the town’s architecture.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Known as the “Gateway to the Smoky Mountains,” the small town of Gatlinburg certainly lives up to its impressive reputation. Found at the foot of Mount LeConte and surrounded by mountains on all sides, the two-mile-long and five-mile-wide town appears like an adorable miniaturized world. A visit to the Smokies is a required activity of any trip to Gatlinburg, and a hike up to Mount LeConte is the ideal way to see the panoramic views and unique geological features of the area. You can also get views from on high by riding the glass elevators up to the top of the 400-foot observation deck of the Gatlinburg Space Needle, offering 360 views of the town and surrounding mountainous landscape.
Parkville, Missouri
Just 30 minutes outside of Kansas City, you’ll find the gorgeous riverside town of Parkville, Missouri. Stroll the 3-mile path in English Landing Park, which runs alongside the Missouri River, to get an overview of the town and even catch live music on the park stage. The beauty of the scenery is complemented by the thriving local arts and crafts scene that the town boasts. Check out the unique Cathy Kline Art Gallery in a historic train depot, which offers traditional art, jewelry, and other accessories from various local artists. And it's not just aboveground where nature’s beauty is inspiring artisanship. Strong Distilling is an underground distillery, where spirits are created in a cave, and you can tour and taste their award-winning bourbon, whiskey, gin, and vodka.
Bardstown, Kentucky
If you’re looking for top-notch bourbon, though, Bardstown, Kentucky, is your best bet in the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” This small town takes pride in the craft of bourbon-making, and a tour of the best distilleries in town, including Willett, Bardstown Bourbon, and Jim Beam, will have your tastebuds singing. But it’s not just bourbon you’ll be drinking in, but also the beautiful sites in this historic town, home to rows upon rows of historic buildings that you’ll pass by on your bourbon tour. If all that walking sounds like a chore after imbibing in all that liquor, hop on “My Old Kentucky Home Dinner Train,” where you can enjoy a meal and the gorgeous hills of Kentucky while seated on a 1940s vintage dining car pulled by a 1950s-era locomotive.
Sulphur, Oklahoma
Home to Travel and Leisure Magazine’s “Best campsite in Oklahoma,” the town of Sulphur, Oklahoma, certainly has a special place in the hearts of avid outdoorsy people. The Chickasaw National Recreation Area is where this famed campsite can be found, offering prairies, forests, lakes, and creeks for exploration or simply relaxation in nature. Get to know the people and the culture that played a pivotal role in the stewardship of this land since time immemorial with a visit to the Chickasaw Cultural Center. The center educates and inspires with performances, demonstrations, and exhibits and is one of the largest and most comprehensive tribal cultural centers in the United States.
Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Is there anything more beautiful than the sound of music? If your ears are tuned to the splendor of original songwriting and appreciate the bittersweetness of the Blues, then Muscle Shoals, Alabama, is a must-stop on any mid-South or music history road trip. This little town in the corner of Alabama, bordered by Mississippi and Tennessee, has had an immense impact on American music. Visit the charming log cabin museum where the “Father of the blues,” Christopher Handy, was born and feel the musical energy of his instruments, sheet music, and photos from the late 1800s. But the musical magic didn’t stop there. Two famed studios that started up in the 1960s, FAME Studios, and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, recorded songs by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Bob Dylan, and the Rolling Stones, and you can tour these studios to get your inspiration.
Mountain View, Arkansas
If the folk genre is more music to your ears, then Mountain View, Arkansas, the “Folk music capital of the world,” is the place to be. Bask in the acoustic live music in Town Square, or go all out and attend the Annual Arkansas Folk Festival. And if you head just outside of town, you can hear the sounds of nature, the cascading waterfalls, and bird songs in the Blanchard Springs Recreation Area. Or check out the underground scene at the Blanchard Springs Caverns, where stalactites and stalagmites abound in stunning crystalline shapes. Take a guided tour of the three-level cave system and see this phenomenon yourself.
Ozark, Alabama
Witness the understated enchantment of the grasslands in the Wireland region of Ozark, Alabama, named for its rough-texture native grasses. Found in the southeast corner of Alabama, this small town is surrounded by national and state parks where you can explore grasslands, lakes, forests, and springs. Beat the summer heat with a dip in the cool, crystal-clear springs of Blue Springs State Park, or spend a lazy day by the Choctawhatchee River. For those who appreciate the charm of a versatile and delicious crop, you can celebrate and chow down on America’s favorite nut at the National Peanut Festival in nearby Dothan or the Brundige Peanut Butter Festival.
Saulsbury, Tennessee
A rural haven, far from the hustle and bustle of Tennessee’s more popular spots, Saulsbury is a picturesque little town about an hour east of Memphis. The slow pace of life here will put even city slickers at ease, and days will consist of trips to the farmer’s market, bake sales and fish fries, and meandering walks through the fields. The community spirit can be felt at The Gathering Place, a community hall that hosts local gospel and bluegrass music and other community events. But the town's liveliness really picks up the pace during the annual Bluegrass Festival. Although many of the old downtown buildings no longer remain, a few antebellum homes built at the turn of the century are still standing and can be viewed by historical housing aficionados.
Batesville, Mississippi
The second oldest town in the state of Mississippi, Batesville has plenty to offer in terms of historical buildings, prehistoric archaeological sites, and old-time charm. Mississippi has some of the highest concentrations of prehistoric archaeological sites in the United States, including giant earthen mounds used for habitation, burials, ceremonies, and other unknown uses. The Mississippi Mound Trail is made up of 33 of these sites, and the Batesville Mounds are thought to be some of the most historically important. They were estimated to be constructed between 500 BCE and 100 CE and used by the Early to Middle Woodland indigenous groups. View the mounds or hike the 1.5-mile trail through the fields and open woodland.
Unsung Beauties of the Mid-South
A region that’s often overlooked, or even thought of as “flyover country,” only seen by most people from the air as they fly between the most populous west and east coasts, the mid-South states have much more to offer than meets the eye from an aerial view. The birthplace of blues, bourbon, and gateways to the Ozarks and the Smokey Mountains, this region has beauty to be soaked up by all of the senses, and these small towns are the ideal way to kick-start your mid-south journey!
