6 Serene Towns In The Southern United States For A Weekend Retreat
There's no better way to discover the charm and hospitality of the American South than in serenity, with no distractions, and to really focus on authentic Southern experiences for every taste. Home to a peaceful atmosphere downtown, Franklin is an architectural treasure trove, while Marble Falls offers the serene environment of five pristine lakes abundant in wildlife to enjoy fun pursuits.
These six unique small towns, tangled in picturesque landscapes and the rich cultural heritage of the South, are perfect for an upcoming late spring, summer, or fall getaway. Exuding warmth with history and the pleasant weather could not be a more perfect blend to vibe with the ambiance of each. Start planning your getaway to decompress serenely.
Bluffton, South Carolina
Much like its name suggests, find Bluffton, a historic riverfront town atop a bluff, just across the border from Savannah, Georgia. Overlooking all the commotion above the pristine May River. Full of antebellum charm and southern hospitality, the first town in southern Beaufort County exudes serenity from every pore. Tourists know Bluffton as a place to really relax, finding a dose of vibrancy in its unexpectedly new hip culture and rich art scene, as well as dining on its world-famous oysters straight from the river. Once a summer resort village-turned-commercial center, Bluffton did not lose its peace but was chosen as the top non-beach alternative for a summer getaway by The Huffington Post.
Both entertaining and educational, the Bluffton Shell Art Trail is a fun outdoor hunt for the whole family, including 21 giant oyster shells throughout town, each painted uniquely by local artists. Don't miss the waterfront Oyster Factory Park with a nature trail conveniently within the Old Town for natural and historic vibes on a single stroll. From Native American Yemassee Indians to the Lords Proprietors of the Carolinas, the Revolutionary War and the Civil War left the town half-rummaged in 1863. Among the 17 intact structures remaining, visitors can admire the Campbell Chapel AME Church and the Church of the Cross in the town's Historic District. There's also "The Store" building from 1906, while the town's Welcome Center, Heyward House, is an 1840 early Carolina farmhouse.
Franklin, Tennessee
Franklin, a cozy Tennessee town full of serenity, is fail-proof at beating the city blues, melting stress away, and relieving shoulder tension. Just off the Main's many handsomely restored Victorian-era buildings, Biscuit Love is a great place to start the day over an alternative milk latte or some drip with a Southern Benny in a Queen Anne-style building from 1892. Unwind on a peaceful stroll along the 16-block historic downtown district, with its old-fashioned and decidedly modern local businesses that feel a world away from the big-city chains. This charming town with a rich Civil War history just outside Nashville inspires a time warp.
Landmark Booksellers features old and new titles within one of the state's earliest Greek Revival-style structures, while the 1900s White's Mercantile building, under the helm of singer-songwriter Holly Williams, sells the most diverse array of gifts for yourself, decor, and friends, and the Tin Cottage, circa 1897, occupies the former mercantile and furniture store. Don't miss the iconic, restored Franklin Theatre for an evening live music performance or a movie in its original Art Deco grandeur from 1937. The hygge vibes extend into the outdoors, from the first breath of spring until the fall air turns crisp, when the locals stay outdoors, with no better time to visit for a quiet cabin stay in the woods, leaf-peeping, and farm stands selling apple cider doughnuts.
Grand Coteau, Louisiana
Home to only around 1,000, the locals like to call this little town, once home to two bakeries but nine brothels in the 19th century, sleepy. And while its sinful days may be behind, Grand Coteau offers over 70 gorgeous, historically significant buildings from its heyday. The striking Church of St. Charles Borromeo is a vision of serenity, designed in 1879 by New Orleans' own James Freret in empire style with a mansard roof. The annual Festival of Wordstakes in November features readings and workshops by local musicians, authors, and poets, a free feast for the ears of both adults and children. Founded in 1821, the Academy of the Sacred Heart is the oldest continually operating Sacred Heart School in the world that didn't even close during the Civil War. It is the "miracle zip code" (70541), where the only recognized miracle in the US by the Vatican occurred when, in 1866, a novice nun was healed by the apparition of the Blessed John Berchmans.
Visitors can learn more in the museum, the historic chapel, and the Cemetery of the Religious of the Sacred Heart about how the holy heart of St. John Berchmans traveled from Belgium to the Academy of the Sacred Heart, with St. John Berchmans becoming the official patron saint of Grand Coteau. All that historic charm inspires a fairytale, but this modern town with excellent antiquing takes bits and pieces of the state's best and throws them into the crowdless streets to discover in a small, historic town on a serene getaway. From great shopping to Cajun culture, Petite Rouge Antiques & Organics offers beautiful decor and one-of-a-kind jewelry, furniture, and glassware. Lanie Sue's Boutique sells bathtime pleasures, while the Kitchen Shop is all about that special touch for your home, like linens, wines, kitchenware, and its chef and owner Nancy Brewer's sweet dough pies. During the Sweet Dough Pie Festival in October on the grounds of the Jesuit College, visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the aforesaid cemetery in between live music, art vendors, and more sweet dough pies!
Highlands, North Carolina
Highlands, in the state's Nantahala National Forest, at the highest crest of the Western North Carolina plateau, is above all the noise and bustle despite its easy driving distance from the Southeast's Charleston, Nashville, and Charlotte. Once the prime hunting ground for the Cherokee, its revered location attracted settlers in the late 1800s from around the US, and in 1875, Kansas developers mapped this town at the route intersection of New Orleans to New York City and Chicago to Savannah. While commerce and trade went to the bustling city of Atlanta, Highlands boasts its own great music scene and top-tier dining for post-adventures.
Highlands, home to around 1,100, is an outdoor lover's paradise, a great retreat for this summer to enjoy year-round hiking in low humidity, waterfall chasing, art, and southern hospitality. Having tasted fame in the 2023 World's Best Awards, Highlands remains humble and serene, although the featured Old Edwards Inn and Spa, Half-Mile Farm, and Skyline Lodge, the "best resorts in the South," experience a popularity spike. Highlander Mountain House, the Wells Hotel, and The Outpost Inn offer more serene, top-notch stays, or, as the owner of the latter put it, an "immersive, peaceful experience" and a "basecamp to the outdoors."
Hot Springs, North Carolina
This small Madison County mountain town along the banks of the French Broad River holds its own against the nearby outdoors and culture hub of Asheville. Home to the only place in North Carolina with geothermal springs, the resort town of Hot Springs, with the Appalachian Trail right through its heart and nearby Pisgah National Forest, is a jet set for scenic drives, picturesque waterfall chasing, and some of the state's best hiking areas. First discovered by Native Americans, the town built around the hot springs remains laid-back, home to only around 500 locals. Still a tourist magnet, thanks to the attraction built into its name, Hot Springs has been drawing wellness-seekers and vacationers since the late 1700s to the allegedly healing mineral waters.
Whether you're in for quick rejuvenation or to destress, Hot Springs has enough for a whole relaxing vacation in the surrounding picturesque area, with alluring destinations that are not just the hot springs. Wake up for a hike along a part of the Appalachian Trail with other early birds and rough mountaineers passing by, or have a coffee from a local cafe and browse local artisan crafts with serene views right from downtown. After a forest hike or a climb to the bald Max Patch, the 5,000-foot mountain for panoramic views and a picnic, nothing feels better than a dip at Spring Creek, great for some serene tubing and kayaking, or the renowned springs to soothe your sore muscles.
Marble Falls, Texas
This outdoorsy town near five picturesque lakes lives and breathes sereneness. Abundant in wildlife, the area attracts nature lovers; even its cultural hub, equipped with an amphitheater, is an outdoor one, with something for everyone at Johnson Park along the pecan-shaded trails. From hiking and biking to the green spaces with open-air pavilions, playgrounds, barbecue pits, picnic tables, and even a puppy play area, it stays serene until Mayfest or the Howdy Roo Chili Cookoff. Start your day over a coffee at the non-descriptive-looking Blue Bonnet Cafe, an iconic venue in the state. Nearby Lakeside Park, right on Lake Marble Falls, is every water baby's dream, great for swimming, fishing, boating, and beach volleyball.
Don't miss the granite Falls Creek Park for skaters and rollerbladers, while the 400-acre Turkey Bend Recreation Area doubles up as a primitive camping area, no reservations required, with mountain biking trails and access to lakeside pursuits. A jet set to visit some of the state's most picturesque sights, Marble Falls is a summertime paradise to explore and cool off, while it gets really serene and spooky at the immense limestone cave—Dead Man's Hole, with roots dating back to the civil war. All the outdoor opportunities disperse crowds to enjoy time with your loved ones at the water park, Lake LBJ Marina, or swimming in the crystal-clear Krause Springs.
These towns and villages strewn throughout the South have a distinct story to tell, like the only recognized miracle by the Vatican in the US in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. Highlands and Bluffton, literally above the noise and commotion, are a nature lover's paradise and cultural hub, respectively, in different states, while Hot Springs, with the main attraction built into its name, is home to 500 locals and the bald Max Patch, a 5,000-foot mountain for a 360-degree panorama in North Carolina.
