6 Best Lakeside Towns in the Southern United States
Loved for its mild weather and sunny skies, many vacation along the southern beaches. But even the locals seek to escape the region's notorious summertime humidity. Southern lakeside towns offer a reprieve from the sweltering days, often closer than their oceanfront counterparts. You will find the same extraordinary sunsets, adventurous coastal landscapes, and even salty breezes.
Mandeville is home to the iconic Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, which stretches to New Orleans across the nation's second-largest inland saltwater body, ringed with parks. From the unspoiled rolling hills to the jagged lakeshores, each hums in tune with the natural surroundings and bursts with Southern delights at the historic heart.
Clarksville, Virginia
It is surprisingly tough to find a populated lake area in Old Dominion. Stepping up to the task, the state's only lakeside town is a hub for outdoor enthusiasts. Here, the Roanoke River turns into Kerr Lake for a few heartbeats along its swift flow through the state. Clarksville is armed with a regional airport, a marina, and many hotels. Occoneechee State Park is right across the highway bridge on Buggs Island Lake, with fishing, camping, hiking, and horseback riding trails over a 2,698-acre nature area. Afterward, the town's teal-toned Buggs Island Brewing Company offers to unwind on the waterfront.
Stop by the war memorial to pay honor to those lost in battles from every US war, including the Revolutionary War. The Cottage Bar, an ice cream shop, is unmissable on a warm summer day, while Clarksville Regional Museum is open two days a week in the off-season. Down the highway, Longwood Park is a favorite camping area within the river inlet. It is kid- and pet-friendly for a budget getaway with lots of trees around and spread-out campsites. Lake Life Live Stage presents a summer concert series, while Pizza Pub dishes out huge pies and other entrées in a spacious setting.
La Grange, Georgia
Find this warm, welcoming town near the border with Alabama along the western stretch of West Point Lake. The intricately shaped lake calls to dust off your boats and explore the nooks and crannies of Highland Marina. The landbound can meander along the jagged shores, with peaceful water views and picnic benches to relax until sunset. La Grange hosts a family-friendly feel with many cultural landmarks specific to this area. From Lamar Dodd Art Center to Pure Life House of Music, a music venue, the time will fly by. The 1916 Hills & Dales Estate is a neoclassical manor and museum with tours, 35 acres of gardens, and a visitor center.
Historic Bellevue Mansion occupies the former home of Civil War-era State Senator Benjamin Harvey Hill. Drop by the Biblical History Center for insights into the Bible and the ancient world with artifacts, events, and archaeology. Troup County Archives and Legacy Museum on Main offers rotating exhibits on local history, plus a historically themed mural. Lafayette Fountain crowns the main square along with LaGrange Art Museum, a showcase of local and international talent within an 1890s Victoriana that was once a jail. Don't miss Callaway Memorial Tower to the south, and when it's time to eat and drink, Beacon Brewing Co. & Tutto Pepe Dining Room will cover you for the evening.
Lake Lure, North Carolina
Lake Lure is an alluring lake and town on the highway along its southern shore. The amoeba-like mountain lake is fun to explore the nooks and crannies in a boat or kayak. Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park attracts thousands in the summer for the 315-ft. granite monolith with hiking trails, supervised rock climbing, and the nearby beautiful Hickory Nut Falls. Other summertime attractions include Lake Lure Beach and Water Park, which has a wide traditional beach and a kids' park. Drop by the Hatchling Coffee House by Grey Hawk for your morning brew to get exploring. To the north, the Rambling Bald portion of the park is open with hiking trails, bouldering, and river angling.
Although it gets busy, the tiny town offers unparalleled access to the outdoors in the forested hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Explore along the river west to Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, a historic landmark from 1925 turned flower garden in 2011. There are cool accommodation options, like a treetop cottage. For something luxurious, the 1927 Lake Lure Inn and Spa was featured in the film "Dirty Dancing" and is a four-minute walk from the state park. The next-door La Strada At Lake Lure is an Italian place that serves pizzas, red-sauce authentic fare, and some American food, with a large covered patio on the lakefront. Drop by Grey Hawk Bar & Gardens for an evening brew.
Mandeville, Louisiana
On the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, Mandeville is a place of natural beauty with sandy beaches for sunbathing, boating, and kayaking. Enjoy views of the famous causeway from the fishing pier. There are plenty of discoveries and spots for scenic relaxation, like Mandeville Lakefront. It transitions into a grassy linear park along the lakeshore with a gravel path and the wooden Lakeshore Gazebo. Mandeville Trailhead hosts an amphitheater and a splash pad, while the 1938 Old Mandeville Jail is a historic brick landmark overgrown by ivy. Don't miss Jean Baptiste Lang Creole House Museum and Children's Museum of St. Tammany, one of the best for kids in the state.
Mandeville Lakefront Splash Park attracts families for easygoing recreation with water sprays and facilities with scenic views. Just east, Northlake Nature Center draws nature lovers to imbibe the area's verdancy along a scenic boardwalk through a sprawling preserve. Maritime Museum Louisiana is a must-visit to the west, just up along the river from Tchefuncte River Lighthouse, a historic landmark. You'll cross High Bridge Canal and Low Bridge Canal, both spectacular under the colorful sunset. Neighborhoods light up in fall foliage, while Mandeville Seafood Market & Eatery is a low-key fish market, serving Cajun-Creole seafood plates, po'boys, and more.
Montverde, Florida
Montverde embraces Lake Florence at the heart, which adds to the appeal of a stroll along the impeccable streets with stunning views. Being only a half hour from Orlando, Montverde is a favorite lakeside escape on the west shore of the huge Lake Apopka. Visitors with kids enjoy nearby international attractions like Disney Springs and Walt Disney World. Lake Apopka is perfect to spread out along the beautiful shore where fishing and wildlife abound. Triskett Park is a waterfront space for family outings with grills and a picnic area under oaks. The Green Mountain Scenic Byway passes right through Montverde for hiking and biking through peaceful Central Florida landscapes.
Montverde is the site of an early Indian settlement, with burial grounds, pottery, and beads strewn around the area. Settled in 1865, “Monte Verde” is Spanish for green mountain. One of the original homesteaders, John W. Harden, received a federal land grant of 200 acres for his service during the Seminole Indian War. Incorporated in 1925, the town was served by the Tavares and Gulf railroad until 1969, exporting grapes, citrus, and vegetables. Having expanded to tourism, Bella Collina Golf, a championship golf course, was designed by the legendary Sir Nick Faldo. Biking is favored among tourists and locals alike, particularly at Pine Island, just south of downtown across Lake Siena.
White Lake, North Carolina
White Lake embraces the eponymous 1,200-acre lake supported by rainwater and natural springs. Welcoming 200,000 tourists in the summer alone, it is best to visit on the fringe of the high season. Replete with family-friendly stays and attractions, the annual White Lake Water Festival takes place in May. Goldston's Beach is a vacation-worthy spot, with lake swimming and pier access, plus plenty to do around, like an arcade, a Mexican restaurant with a bar, and another waterfront bar. Just north, the Grand Regal Beach is a pristine sand strip overlooking the other side of the lake.
It is all about the water sports here, like swimming, boating, tubing, jet skiing, wakeboarding, and more. White Lake Water Park features awesome waterslides, swimming and wading pools, plus a snack and gift shop. There is the nearby Vineyard Golf at White Lake, a picturesque 18-hole golf course in Elizabethtown under 15 minutes away. Camp Clearwater is tucked along the eastern shore. It is more than just a campground with food trucks, but an event venue with a white gazebo set against spectacular sunsets over the lake.
Where Lakeside Beauty Meets Southern Heritage
From the Sunshine State to the Blue Ridges of North Carolina, lakeside towns in the South are alluring. Take Pine Island south of Montverde in Florida, without the sweltering bodies of the more popular coastal locales. You can bike for miles through the unspoiled views and cool off in the lake.
From retro ice cream shops, antiquing, and arcades, choose a southern belle for the next escape. There are seafood shacks and breweries, wineries, and fine dining. La Grange bursts with cultural landmarks, while Lake Lure is proximate to Chimney Rock and the beautiful Hickory Nut Falls.
