6 Whimsical Towns to Visit in the Mid-South
Discover the whimsy in these eclectic small towns across the US, like Lynchburg, where getting around by horse and buggy is a great way to travel after whiskey drinking. Explore miles of underground tunnels in Cave City, Kentucky, and see the Eiffel Tower in the “other” Paris. Learn about how the tectonic plates shifted in New Madrid, sway to folk music in Mountain View, or go off searching for romance in Blowing Rock. There is something whimsical going on in these small mid-south towns.
Lynchburg, Tennessee
Lynchburg has a whimsical, small-town Americana vibe thanks to its history as the town where folk hero Davy Crockett briefly hung his raccoon skin cap. It also has a famous whiskey heritage as home to Old No. 7 and the world-renowned Jack Daniel's Distillery. Founded in 1864, the distillery is still going strong over 150+ years later, with 2023’s release of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and Coca-Cola in a ready-to-drink can. Go for tastings, tours, and lively stories about the legend himself. Don’t miss the distillery’s annual party—the Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue (known as “The Jack”).
Post-whiskey-tasting, explore historic downtown Lynchburg by horse and buggy with a tour from C & R Buggy Tours. Stop at the Moore County Old Jail Museum, which operated for almost 100 years and now showcases artifacts and the actual jail cells occupied by inmates. Visit the Lynchburg Hardware & General Store, which sells primarily souvenirs, not screwdrivers, and the Lynchburg Cake and Candy Company for boozy whiskey balls, famous Lynchburg whiskey cake, and whiskey-soaked praline pecans. For a taste of Southern hospitality, fried chicken, and okra, make a reservation at Miss Mary Bobo’s Restaurant. Don’t leave town without a visit to the Whiskey Waffle food truck.
Cave City, Kentucky
With an unusual moniker like Cave City, visitors know they are in for something extraordinary in this gateway town to Mammoth Cave National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve. Mammoth Cave in Kentucky is the world’s longest-known cave system, with over 400 miles explored. Numerous cave tours are offered throughout the year, from the half-hour Discovery Tour to the 3.5-hour extreme Intro to Caving Tour. Visitors wanting to channel their inner spelunker should book in advance as these popular tours are one of North America’s oldest tour attractions.
Above ground, Cave City is also renowned for its quirky attractions and nostalgic vibe, with plenty of fun diversions to keep the whole family busy. Check out Dinosaur World, an outdoor dino-themed park full of life-size prehistoric reptiles; the seasonal Raven’s Cross Village of Adventure, where “nightmares become real” at the Haunted Village; and the Historic Wigwam Village No 2., established in 1937 during the heyday of car road trips. Today, the motel’s neon sign still invites travelers to “Sleep and Eat in a Wigwam,” with the village listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Paris, Tennessee
Paris, Tennessee (not the one in France) is whimsically appealing, thanks to its mix of small-town charm, “je ne sais quoi” atmosphere, and playful nods to its European namesake, like an Eiffel Tower—a 70-foot replica of the real thing on the Champ de Mars along the banks of the Seine River—illuminated in a public park where visitors will also find a swimming pool, playground, disc golf, and a trout pond.
The town of Paris loves its festivals. What began as “Mule Day” in 1938, a day when farmers came to town to trade mules and other farm products, has evolved into the World's Biggest Fish Fry, a beloved and lively week-long festival that includes parades, dancing, rodeos, and over 12,000 pounds of fried catfish. As a tribute to its famous fish fest, 25 painted catfish statues are displayed around town at landmarks like the historic Henry County Courthouse, the downtown Fountain Plaza, and Eiffel Tower Park. Charming boutiques include Sweet Jordan’s Bakery, Sandy Lane’s Candy Farm, and the Olive Pit. Get out in nature at Paris Landing State Park, an 841-acre park on the Tennessee River's western shore.
New Madrid, Missouri
With a quirky history and unique location called the New Madrid Seismic Zone along the Mississippi River, New Madrid is known for its historical significance and the infamous 1811-1812 earthquakes—a series of quakes believed to be among the strongest in US history with a magnitude of up to 8.0. Amateur seismologists can learn more about the quakes that were felt as far away as New York City, Montreal, and in the White House in Washington, D.C., at the New Madrid Historical Museum.
Aside from the allure of its rumbling past, the town has plenty of historic homes to visit, like the Hart-Stepp House, which was built in 1832 and is now an art gallery, the A.B. Hunter Home with its eight stained glass windows and six hand-carved fireplaces, and the Higgerson School and the Hunter-Dawson Home State Historic Sites. The town’s position on a massive bend in the Mississippi River gives visitors up to eight miles of views of the boat traffic moving up and downstream. Head to the River Walk and the 120-foot-long Mississippi River Observation Deck for a different vantage point.
Mountain View, Arkansas
Mountain View, Arkansas, is known as the "Folk Music Capital of the World," where visitors often break out into jam sessions playing bluegrass and folk tunes on the courthouse square. The town hosts numerous music festivals throughout the year, like the Annual Arkansas Folk Festival, now entering its 63rd year, and the Mountain View Fall Bluegrass Festival in Ozark Folk Center State Park.
In addition to being home to great music stores like McSpadden Mountain Dulcimers and Mountain View Music, whose porch is often full of local musicians pickin’ and grinin',’ Mountain View is an artsy, folksy town with Arkansas’ largest craft cooperative, the Arkansas Craft Guild, headquartered there. The historic town has colorful murals, whimsical shops, and fun eateries like the Skillet Restaurant. It is also a stop on the Stone County Quilt Trail—12 quilt block representations painted on barns and houses throughout the county, each telling a different story. Outdoor adventurers can explore the Ozark National Forest on the Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail, riding over 50 miles of singletrack.
Blowing Rock, North Carolina
For storybook mountain charm, romantic tales, and breathtaking natural beauty, head to Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The town gets its name from the legend of The Blowing Rock, a cliff formation where, according to folklore, the winds blow so strongly that a gust of wind once reunited long-lost lovers. Indulge in a romantic dinner and drinks in Blowing Rock with a visit to Bistro Roca and Antlers Bar, or book a table for dinner at the Gideon Ridge Inn, a historic former private residence, with breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounding landscape.
If the kids are in tow, there are plenty of family-friendly fun things to do in Blowing Rock, like Tweetsie Railroad, a Wild West theme park with a historic steam locomotive, amusement rides, and a Deer Park Zoo, or Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine and Amusements where the whole gang can play a round of Paleo Putt-Putt while learning about the historical geology of the Appalachian Mountains.
Visiting whimsical towns like Lynchburg, Tennessee, with its quirky whiskey heritage and charming local attractions, or Paris, Tennessee, with its playful Eiffel Tower replica and lively festivals, offers travelers a chance to reconnect with their inner child. These unique destinations provide joy and wonder through imaginative experiences, helping relieve stress and inspire creativity while offering a refreshing break from daily routine.
