7 Offbeat Towns to Visit in the Southern United States
From the Smokies to the Blue Ridge, with spectacular foliage in Blowing Rock or Duck's extensive waterways, there is a charming town ensconced in nature, drumming to its own, offbeat. Tune into your favorite vibe, like "a place apart"—Bay St. Louis, Fairhope's historic elegance and its nature's generosity, referred to as the "jubilee," or join the love affair with Faulkner in Oxford's youthful vibe!
So behold: a box of Southern delights with a twist for each taste, and one right in your backyard of the southern region! With a greatly varying history and landscape, come discover what makes these towns, the real Southern Belles, unlike any other in the nation.
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
This small town of roughly 11,000 markets itself as "a place apart"—an offbeat vibe that permeates the atmosphere. Embracing heritage and forward-thinking residents make for a special blend, discerning at this tip of the promontory facing its namesake bay, historic vestiges, yet modern boutiques, cafes, and attractions with new-age flair. Take the wonderful Smith & Lens art gallery, the cool Social Chair, officially the best gift shop in the state, and the upbeat vibe outdoors at the local favorite, Blind Tiger, for a coffee, bar service, or dinner in the sea breeze!
Moreover, many of these small-town businesses in the vintage downtown area were named "best" in their respective categories. Now add beautiful beaches to the whole affair, and you will quickly discover why this town, bursting with sights and experiences, is the seascape of your dreams! Ranked the nation's coolest by Budget Travel, Bay St. Louis is a memorable place for strolls along the shores, beach lounging, and a feast at the Starfish Cafe. There are acres of nature and parkland with trails and camping, while Fields Steak & Oyster Bar and Sycamore House are both a hop from the sands for a sunset!
Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Exuding natural beauty and Southern charm as one of the prettiest in the South, Blowing Rock really delivers in every category of a touristic pursuit, starting with its natural off-beat wonder—the namesake precipice. Sticking out like a huge, sore thumb, the 4,000-foot cliff standing erect above a beautiful gorge appears to be floating up, making unique sounds from the wind. With a lush forest below, visitors can admire autumnal colors from the top or enjoy a fall foliage hike during this festive season in town. Allegedly, author Jan Karon's fictional town of Mitford is Blowing Rock, North Carolina.
She started writing her novels here, mentioning many of the popular attractions, like the lush Blue Ridge scenery, in her heartwarming stories. "The pause that refreshes," as she described the fictional town in her 1994 novel At Home in Mitford, hits home, and more similarities through her 14 beloved book series based on the area. Queue for ice cream from Kilwin's in the summer—worth the one-scoop that looks like three! From there, vie for the traditional spot to savor it from a comfy bench at Blowing Rock Memorial Park, devour your teat, and go on a shopping spree for gifts at the purple boutique, Take Heart, or funky pieces for your home at Neaco!
Duck, North Carolina
Really an odd duck, this extensive town in the revered Outer Banks region is a getaway like no other in the South. Putting up a veil as your average NorCar classic town, Duck never fails to surprise visitors with its vast expanse of beaches, waterways, and endless bike trails in the sea breeze. As a pet-friendly place, you can enjoy downtown strolls, including aesthetic streets with dog fountains, quintessential finds through boutiques, and distinctive eateries. After a hike through the 11-acre maritime forest with varied wildlife trails, dine at The Village Table and Tavern and hit the sack at one of the cozy or luxurious vacation rentals, like the Sanderling Resort.
You will feel torn along the rustic wooden boardwalks for strolls and photoshoots, with beachy pleasures to one side and unique shopping venues to the other. The scenic North Carolina Outer Banks town along the Atlantic Ocean features a great drinking scene and filling options post-hike, including many waterfront restaurants! Duck is the place to introduce your kids to vacations from your childhood with splashing in the bay's shallows or on a cruise along boundless waters. Friends can enjoy adventurous maneuvering along the waterways in a kayak between small islets and marshlands, with a terrace drink in the evening at NC Coast Grill & Bar!
Fairhope, Alabama
Founded in 1894, Fairhope is a quintessentially old, elegant town with all kinds of wonders for visitors to discover on a truly one-of-a-kind escape in the "Heart of Dixie"—the unofficial moniker of the state! Known for its natural seaside beauty, there’s even more to Fairbanks than meets the eye, namely its annual shellfish phenomenon when crabs, flounder, and shrimp flood the bay. Abundantly swarming the shallows makes for the easiest local fishermen's day and a real phenomenon in the eyes of tourists, who are welcome to join nature's generosity, referred to as the "jubilee" here!
This is the only time you may face crowds downtown after having spectated the miracle, but stick around just a bit longer or visit in another season for crowdless abounding pursuits, like strolls through the historic downtown. Skip the line for the famous Fairhope Brewing Company, which opened in 2012 with just two beers on tap and expanded to 14 beers and ciders, including exotic flavors like a sour ale, as well as trivia and live music nights! From the quality brewery to tons of farmers markets, this Alabama gem boasts a Museum of History and nearby Village Point Park Reserve, as well as art walks for family-cozy small-town pursuits.
Fredericksburg, Texas
Nestled in the Texas Hill Country, one of the most scenic spots in the immense Lone Star State, this adorable town transports you overseas into the old country with modern attractions and authentic experiences! For families, friends, and couples' escape, it is a fantastic way to make memories and stock up on memorabilia, whether that be a Texas-made outfit piece, a unique home decor, or a handcrafted gift for a loved one back home. Blending its heritage with the cowboy culture of the state, the Germantown of Fredericksburg is a colorful, offbeat destination in Texas! Try the new-age flair creation of Texas-style schnitzel with guacamole and Monterey Jack cheese at The Auslander, meaning "outsider."
Just a hop from Austin, you can soak up the atmosphere of German culture with friendly locals and hospitable services through lively downtown bars, breweries, and many historic museums. From strict regulation against chain stores to its renowned craft brewery scene, Fredericksburg enhances its authentic appeal with award-winning wineries and great shopping at over 150 unique boutiques. German-settled in the 19th century, the cuisine scene is second-to-none here to feast on German sausages, apple strudel, and pretzels and wash it down with authentic brews or a warming glühwein, a mulled spiced wine with cinnamon and cloves.
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Offbeat like its name, with only around 17,000 locals, this little town blends southern charm with deep history—a 33-block of it along Natchitoches’ National Historic Landmark District! With something for everyone, this oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase territory delivers drool-worthy French Creole architecture, captivating cuisine, and Southern grace, as any self-respecting oldie in the South would. From beautiful Creole townhouses to centuries-old buildings, the architectural vigilance reflects French, Spanish, African, American Indian, and Creole styles! While the blocks will give you good exercise to get through all the Queen Anne and Victorian's, the active take most delight in one very special historic feature, the end—or your start—to the legendary 2,500-mile El Camino Real de los Tejas. This National Historic Trail begins in colonial Mexico City and crosses Texas before winding into Natchitoches!
The historic Front Street converges the past with the modern along a paved cobblestone path with wrought-iron buildings, colorful shops and restaurants, and magnificent magnolia trees, all while overlooking the beautiful Cane River Lake! Don't miss Lasyone's Meat Pie Restaurant's special and, just as immersive, feed the hungry gators at Louisiana Gator Country Alligator Park, an exciting world of the American alligator with hundreds of them, which you can take selfies with! Showcasing the achievements of over 300 Louisiana sports legends, the state-of-the-art Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame's futuristic profile matches its fascinating multi-media exhibitions. Next door, in the same building, the Northwest Louisiana History Museum delights with cultural traditions, while, rounding out the year; the Natchitoches Christmas Festival is a can’t-miss event!
Oxford, Mississippi
Oxford, an acculturated, brainiac town, is renowned for its love affair with Faulkner, along the Hills of North Mississippi. Home of the University of Mississippi, visitors can watch the Ole Miss Rebels compete in regular games and visit Nobel Prize-winning author William Faulkner's stately white home, the Rowan Oak. Having based many of his works on the astounding region and culture of Oxford and Lafayette County, the town continues to inspire daily visitors, seeking to reconnect with nature through literary fantasies in his fictionalized Jefferson and Yoknapatawpha County.
Attracting many writers and other creatives, the literary reputation of Oxford is second to none, touted as the “Cultural Mecca of the South,” with former residents like Larry Brown, Barry Hannah, Willie Morris, and John Grisham! Today, its creativity abounds, with musicians, artists, and writers alike delighting visitors alongside rich history in the small, atmospheric town with a youthful ring! Try its exceptional culinary creations by John Currence, James Beard award-winning chef and owner at five restaurants, and pay homage to literary landmarks like Faulkner's home, turned museum.
Encompassing a whole wide region, there is a vibe for every taste in the Southern US, even in one single state, like the Blue Ridges and the Outer Banks region in North Carolina. Blowing Rock is a postcard-like town perched atop the Blue Ridge Mountains with breathtaking views of the sore thumb precipice and along the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway—a serene natural escape!
What is invisible to the eye is beguiling, like discovering the Germanic history of the Texas Hill Country and the blend of cultures in Natchitoches, along with some gators. You'll be pleased to relish in true Southern hospitality and discover the real meaning behind the discerning statement of what warm Southern charm is.
