2024's 7 Most Beautiful Small Towns in the Mid-South
The Mid-South cuts through a diverse pocket of the United States, ranging from the eastern sections of Kansas and Oklahoma to Tennessee and the western edges of North Carolina and Virginia. Although it often isn't as familiar to travelers as the deep southern states of Florida and Texas, there are many scenic destinations in this region, including the Ozark Mountains, Bull Shoals Lake, the Mississippi River, and more. As a result, there are plentiful, gorgeous towns in the Mid-South that are certainly worth a visit. Discover seven of the most beautiful Mid-South small towns to check out in 2024.
Hannibal, Missouri
This charming Mid-Southern small town was the childhood home of Mark Twain and was the inspiration for several of his books, including Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. With its location on the Mississippi River, Hannibal, Missouri, is an idyllic place to visit. Visitors can learn more about Mark Twain at the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum Properties or go exploring at the Mark Twain Cave Complex, which he explored as a boy.
In addition, the Sodalis Nature Preserve is just outside of downtown, with a beautiful walking trail. The downtown area has a lot of fun shopping centers like the Mississippi Marketplace, Alliance Art Gallery, and more. Before you leave town, consider taking a cruise on the Mississippi River on the Mark Twain Riverboat, which offers dinner, lunch, and sightseeing.
Cottonwood Falls, Kansas
Located East of Wichita, Cottonwood Falls, Kansas is just off the Flint Hills National Scenic Byway. As a ranching community, it is a beautiful small town with waterfalls, antique stores, and museums to explore. Chase Lake Falls, located at Chase State Fishing Lake, is a serene destination with three tiers of cascading waters. The fishing lake itself is an excellent spot to cash catfish, black bass, bluegill, saugeye, and much more. For history lovers, there are many locales to visit, ranging from the Chase County Historical Society Museum to the Chase County Courthouse and the Calvary Historic Barn, which previously housed the 114th Cavalry.
For places to shop, consider Tallgrass Antiques for hidden gems and Calico Rose Fabric and Quilts. To get the full ranch experience, visit Bar U Ranch, which features cattle drives, horsemanship lessons, photos, and more.
Tupelo, Mississippi
Hannibal isn't the only town in the Mid-South that was home to a famous American. Tupelo, Mississippi, was the birthplace of one of America's most famous personalities: Elvis Presley. It was here where he first learned to play guitar and set off on an adventure of a lifetime. You can follow in his footsteps at the Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum, the Elvis' 1956 Homecoming Statue, and Tupelo Hardware Store, where his mother purchased his first guitar for him for his 11th birthday.
There are several other spots to explore in Tupelo, like Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo, Ballard Park, and the Oren Dunn City Museum. For nature lovers, the Natchez Race Parkway Headquarters & Visitor Center is a must-visit, as it serves as the gateway to the 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway, which has many hiking, biking, and horseback riding opportunities, and scenic drives on a 10,000-year-old Native American trail.
Branson, Missouri
For lovers of lazy days at the lake, there is nowhere better to be than Branson, Missouri. There are three lakes in town: Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, and Lake Taneycomo. Table Rock Lake is known for watersports and bass fishing, while Bull Shoals Lake has scuba diving opportunities, and Lake Taneycomo has an idyllic boardwalk and kayaking.
There are many other adventures to be had in Branson, including Silver Dollar City, an 1880s-themed amusement park, and the Titanic Museum Attraction. And if the lakes aren't enough for you, Branson is also nestled right along the Ozark Mountains, which offers plenty of hiking trails at destinations like the Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area and the Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area.
Santa Claus, Indiana
The Mid-South also cuts through the southern half of Indiana, which delivers southern charm in a Midwestern state. No town better reflects that charm than the adorable small town of Santa Claus, Indiana. Named after St. Nicholas, it's Christmas year-round in this town, especially at the Santa Claus Museum & Village, which has a spot for visitors to write letters to Santa in the original post office. The Santa Claus Christmas Store offers ornaments, fudge, and cookies all throughout the year.
The area is rich in history, and the nearby community of Lincoln City houses the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, where the president spent his formative years. You can go for a hike at Lincoln State Park, or if you are up for thrilling rides, check out Holiday World, which offers great wooden roller coasters and free soft drinks.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is renowned in the Mid-South as the best spot to take a vacation, and it's easy to see why due to its location within the scenic Smokey Mountains. As the gateway to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, there are 150 trails to hike, ranging from simple ones like Indian Creek Falls to strenuous adventures such as Cove Mountain or Rich Mountain Loop. In the Cade's Cove area of the park, you will have a chance to see black bears in their natural habitat (from a safe viewing distance).
Other than the park, the town itself has many fun activities ranging from the Ober Mountain area, which is accessible via Aerial Tramway, to Ripley's Believe it or Not Aquarium and the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, an organization of artisans offering handmade arts and crafts.
Bardstown, Kentucky
Bardstown, Kentucky, is a scenic destination that was the birthplace of one of America's oldest drinks: Bourbon whisky. Many visitors come from around the globe to sample bourbon and tour the many beautiful distilleries ranging from Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience to Bardstown Bourbon Company, and the Willett Distillery.
Beyond just bourbon, there is a hidden spot in town that is a must-see: My Old Kentucky Home State Park. This Federal Style mansion is named after Stephen Foster's song by the same name, but the house's history itself goes back further to the early 1800s. As the site of a 1,300-acre plantation, there is plenty to learn and explore at this park. Bardstown was also a major railway hub, which means there are several historic trains you can see at the Kentucky Railway Museum.
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and there is certainly a lot to behold in these towns. From the lakes of Branson, Missouri, to the scenic trails of Gatlinburg, Santa Claus, and Cottonwood Falls, you can spend a whole day and more getting lost in these small towns. Whether you want to learn more about famous figures in American history or just kick back and chill out, these beautiful small towns in the Mid-South are ideal to visit in 2024.
