12 Coolest Small Towns in Southern United States for a Summer Vacation
The southern United States is a sought-after summertime vacation destination, with a warm climate and a variety of landscapes, from lush forests to rugged mountains to the seascape, deserts, and rivers in between. It includes 16 states and Washington, DC, encompassing a region with unique history from other sections, particularly in slavery abolition, as well as a longer growing season for fruit trees, berry fields, and wineries.
Experience all of this and more cool things at one of the smaller towns in the south of the US on your next summer vacation. From warm southern hospitality to art and music scenes and beaches galore, you will be wishing for an endless summer.
Asheville, North Carolina
This small town, easily one of the state's most beautiful, sits just outside of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It comprises a great stop or a weekend to unwind, as well as an endless summer of pursuing the boundless nature. Enjoy North Carolina’s most authentic mountain town with plenty of cool things to linger for, like mountainous scenery with lovely views on a stroll downtown or from one of the terraced cafes and restaurants.
Inhale the fresh mountain air in pleasant anticipation of adventures ahead as you explore the beautiful park via endless hiking trails with various natural wonders, like streams and waterfalls. Return to Asheville for the rowdy buzzing craft beer scene and make a day of checking out the many unique, locally owned shops amid historic attractions downtown, like the opulent Biltmore Estate.
Blue Ridge, Georgia
This cool northern Georgia town is a quintessential getaway from Atlanta, with a charismatic downtown surrounded by beautiful nature reminiscent of its name. Check out the string of small local boutiques, breweries, restaurants, and ice cream shops, and stop by the popular Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Enjoy seasonal activities like hikes in the magnificent Appalachian Mountains and the refreshing Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest or picking fruit, berries, and even sunflowers during farm harvests.
You are in the perfect town to drink up Georgia's renowned wine scene, with easy access to over 40 independent wineries in this part of the state, with tastings and live music. Choose among a number of cozy, family-run B&Bs with cool porches to unwind with a glass of your chosen bottle, like cabernet franc, as you inhale fresh mountain air and feast your eyes all around.
Dahlonega, Georgia
Dahlonega is another wine-country town in Georgia, but people love it most for its true southern heart, which lives through hospitality, businesses, and local artisans. Step into the town square and see why it is the self-proclaimed center of America’s first gold rush. The nearby University of North Georgia’s idyllic Dahlonega Campus emanates a lively vibe throughout town. Stop by the famed Dahlonega Gold Museum within the 1836 Lumpkin County Courthouse, which tells the story of how Dahlonega rose through railroads to fame and tourism. Stop for breakfast at the Corner Kitchen and a midday pick-me-up at the Fudge Factory, which has been open for forty years.
This gem town, a star of several Christmas movies, is prepped with historic buildings, art galleries, and restaurants amid antiques markets and cute B&Bs to call it a night. Check off the most worthy local businesses, like the Crown & Bear store dedicated to all things British with an adorable corgi mascot. The locals call their home "magical," successfully capturing the picturesque enclave within the North Georgia mountains, with wineries and vineyards all around. Seek out a Dahlonega winery for every mood, like Wolf Mountain, with a cozy porch and incredible views to enjoy that brut rosé.
Duck, North Carolina
Duck is one nostalgic town that you will return to time and again, with many cool things for every visit and every taste on a weekend getaway or a vacation. Find the town amid the scenic North Carolina Outer Banks of the Atlantic Ocean, dotted with lovely homes and luxurious vacation rentals, as well as waterfront dining galore. Explore the boundless waters around small islets and marshlands, or take a sunset cruise over the bay shallows for a memorable pastime in any season.
Visit in summer for the expansive beach scene and shaded bike trails, where dogs are allowed off-leash, along with water fountains around town for your four-legged friend. Enjoy strolls with the sea breeze in your face along the rustic wooden boardwalks, through an 11-acre maritime forest, willow swamp trails, or through the lovely Downtown Duck, filled with various shopping venues.
Fairhope, Alabama
The Gulf Coast town atop bluffs overlooking Mobile Bay is really cool, with the chill atmosphere you desire on a summer vacation or quick getaway where you are never too far from the water. Feel the laid-back vibe along the scenic, flower-filled streets over feel-good pursuits like perusing local businesses like charming art galleries, gift shops, and excellent seafood restaurants. Fairhope is made for biking along the winding coastal trails and through beautiful historic neighborhoods. Check out hotspots like the Rock Creek Golf Course, Eastern Shore Art Center, Before & After Gallery, and Fairhope Brewing Company.
This Mobile Bay town, surrounded by parks and panoramic views, is an idyllic escape for a taste of natural history and enjoying the sunsets. Rejoice in nature through the 260,000 acres of one of the country's most beautiful and diverse ecosystems, the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, just 30 minutes from Downtown Fairope. The Bartram Canoe Trail is great for scenic strolls, bike rides, horseback riding, and canoeing through the cypress swamps and marshes, with bald eagles, kingfishers, turtles, and alligators.
Fredericksburg, Texas
Located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg makes a common appearance on the nation's coolest lists for a reason. With deep German roots, hence the name, the town proudly displays its unique culture amid Bavarian sights along the main drag. You will love the unique feel and experience of visiting another land on home soil, happily beelining for the fantastic food scene. Visit some biergartens and check out over 100 wineries in the surrounding area.
Stroll through the beautiful downtown with its authentic vibe and history coursing through the town's veins amid many alluring boutiques, art galleries, upscale lodging options, and world-class museums. Relish in nature amid lush wildflowers in the spring and the town's renowned juicy peach scene during the summer. Enjoy time alone with nature by foregoing hotels for camping, with the best stargazing at the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, a Texas International Dark Sky Park.
Gaitlinburg, Tennessee
The town in the scenic heart of the Smokies is your portal to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a classic gateway for outdoor adventurers. Immerse yourself in nature on explorative hikes at the park, replete with wildlife sights like black bears, elk, and deer, or enjoy some fishing, rafting, horseback riding, and even year-round ice skating.
Dive into cool summer vacation activities and fun family bonding time at the riverwalk, engaging amusement parks, and museums. The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community of over 100 craftspeople and artists is the largest of its kind in North America, spread around an eight-mile loop. This is pretty cool, considering that Gaitlinburg is only two by five miles and fits an impressive variety of local restaurants, from Southern-style pancakes to locally caught trout to steak dinners.
Harper's Ferry, West Virginia
Harper's Ferry is a cool getaway near the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, encompassing two of the most sought-after worlds: a quiet townscape of only 300 locals and the National Historical Park, with 400,000 annual visitors each year. The tranquil mountain town, a 19th-century dream set amid dense deciduous forest beneath rocky cliffs, is full of picturesque history to explore. The Appalachian Trail runs directly through the main drag in the area designated as a national historical park with its mountain and river views and role in the Civil War. Venture deep into the national park via popular trails like the Maryland Heights Trail, the Loudon Heights Trail, the Lower Town Loop Trail, and the Murphy-Chambers Farm Loop Trail.
Find the original armory guard house near the river, reminiscing of an unsuccessful 1859 abolitionist revolt, and the nearby ancient moss-speckled staircase, part of the Appalachian Trail. Take it to the top with St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church in all its 1833 Victorian Gothic glory of stained-glass windows, a dramatic spire, and a stone façade, mostly spared during the Civil War. Find the scenic Thomas Jefferson’s Rock and imagine how the president stood there, declaring the spectacular panoramic outlook "worth a voyage across the Atlantic." It really is, with the colorful Victorian rooftops of Harpers Ferry’s Lower Town, lined by 150-year-old buildings with modern restaurants, stores, and living history museums, as well as two bridges. The town amid natural beauty is a real shining Mountain State gem with overwheming Appalachian charm.
Hendersonville, North Carolina
The town just north of the South Carolina border is a real dream come true for the wild at heart, set surrounded by forests. Choose from the Dupont State Forest, the Pisgah National Forest, or the Green River Game Lands for a refreshing escape. From unique sights on hikes and scenic picnics to your favorite water fun and summertime camping, you can immerse yourself in the cool nature all around you. Enliven a weekend trip on a stroll along the first-rate Downtown Hendersonville with museum visits, shopping, and cute bakeries and yummy restaurants galore.
Grab a morning brew at the Black Bear Coffee Co. and drive down the scenic Laurel Park Highway with spectacular views of Jump Off Rock, a stunning overlook with panoramic vistas of mountains and forests. There are great places for photo ops, picnic benches, and nearby trails to stretch your legs. Henderson is a breath of fresh air in the mountainous western part of North Carolina with an intriguing aeronautical history of the state. Join the celebration in the "First in Flight" state and visit the Western North Carolina Air Museum in town, opened in 1989. Mezzaluna serves the best Italian cuisine, while the Shine awaits for cocktails on a roof terrace.
Marathon, Florida
The cool town in a cool state of beaches and the Miami scene spreads along smaller keys in between the Magic City and Key West. Marathon is a 10-mile-long family-friendly community amid the surrounding sandy beaches and mangroves, a great place to interact with the local wildlife. Visit the Dolphin Research Center, where you can swim with the dolphins or feed stingrays at Aquarium Encounters.
Stop by the cool Turtle Hospital for a unique experience of releasing turtles back into their natural habitat for a memorable family pastime that couples love alike. Marathon is a lesser-known dream destination for eco-tourism and water sports enthusiasts looking for uncrowded pursuits and water explorations via boating, fishing, jet skiing, paddle boarding, or kayaking. Take a hike through Curry Hammock State Park with birdwatching trails and learn about Marathon's railroad at the town's sites.
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Ocean Springs screams "My downtown's cooler than your downtown" from its quaint community setting along the coastal Mississippi. Take a stroll through the vibrant, historic center with artistic flair in the all-encompassing small-town atmosphere your heart desires on a vacation getaway from the city. Visit the nationally accredited Walter Anderson Museum of Art and the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Arts Center downtown, and stop by the old school-cool Aunt Jenny’s Catfish Restaurant with a speakeasy in the cellar. There are over 200 independent shops, galleries, and restaurants like the award-winning Vestige, along with a century-old family-owned Shearwater Pottery store of incredible figurines, decorative tiles, and ceramic delights to add to your collection or bring home as a souvenir.
Find the Front Beach's dig your toes in-worthy sands, just a short walk from downtown, along with great swimming waters, walking trails, and many places to bask in the sun over a private gathering. Check out the fishing pier for beautiful views and enjoy a sunset picnic spread by the famous Coastal Picnic & Company with gorgeous options for any group and a taste of food and beverage under a fringed umbrella. The Gulf Islands National Seashore is your outdoorsy kingdom, with everything from waterside recreation to hiking, biking, bird watching, fishing, and camping. Return to the colorful, modern townscape for the art along the streets and fun festivals like the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival, Mississipi's largest fine arts event.
Sedona, Arizona
The iconic red rock town, with its sturdy and intricate formations right amid homes, is one cool place to visit in the desert-laden state. Escape to Sedona, one of America's most beautiful towns, on a weekend or spend a whole vacation with so much to see and do for any activity level. Enjoy epic outdoor recreation and pursuits amid all the natural sights, or check out the town's healing spiritual vortexes, crystal shops, and Native American cultural sites.
The memorable desert town, surrounded by some two million acres of national forest for refreshing hikes, is a sunny oasis awaiting your return. Treat yourself to a fancy resort, or choose from one of the cute vacation rentals for a local vibe. You can also stay close to nature on a camping trip under the starry skies of some of the US' clearest skies. Spend a day on a culture stroll through some art galleries, or choose a nearby winery for tastings and tours, and dine or refuel post-nature at one of Sedona's many high-end restaurants.
Experience the unique Southern identity of the great nation on the coolest summer escape in a town from this list. These small towns are best at maintaining traditional values through scenic history and warm hospitality, amid warm weather, to enjoy the refreshing nature through cool pursuits.
Relish in the slower pace of life, southern cooking, music, and arts like no other. You will love the perfect blend of unique culture with renown South US attractions like beaches, seafood, and wineries encompassed in a small town vibe and with southern flair.
