8 Most Inviting Towns In The Southern United States
The Southern United States is home to towns established centuries before Thomas Jefferson coined the term “United States of America.” “Southern Hospitality” — that every living American has heard about is not just cliche. Southerners are known to be incredibly genial. In some places, they'll give you the shirt off their backs if you need it. Then, there is a range of awe-inspiring natural parks, from Shenandoah to Dry Tortugas. Often, the scenery here is just as inviting as the people. From St Augustine, Florida — to Jonesborough, Tennessee — discover eight of the most inviting towns in the Southern United States.
St Augustine, Florida
Known for its bewitching, old-town feel, St Augustine is easily among the most inviting towns in the Southern United States. St Augustine was founded in 1565, almost 80 years before the landing of the Mayflower at Plymouth harbor. Because of its age, it brims with Gilded Age relics, such as the Oldest House Museum Complex, a captivating destination that provides a glimpse into the history of the town. Besides, there is the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse on St. George Street, arguably the oldest wooden school building in the United States.
On the culinary front, The Floridian is phenomenal and makes every other restaurant look average. Also, check out the Medieval Torture Museum to appreciate what amount of suffering human beings can inflict in the name of justice.
Spartanburg, South Carolina
While there is an academic environment here (this area boasts the highest per capita college student population of any major city in the Palmetto State), Spartanburg boasts other alluring features. It is among the fastest-growing cities in the country and features a buzzy downtown area that overflows with specialty shops, awesome dining spaces (check out Cribb's Kitchen On Main), as well as top-notch art spaces, including Chapman Cultural Center, the town’s premier theater venue.
Away from red bricks, beautiful architecture, and charming buildings, one can explore the beautiful 10-acre Hatcher Garden, which provides a serene reprieve from Spartanburg’s bustle. On the culinary front, Heirloom, inspired by the tradition of milltown families gathering at one table for meals, serves melt-in-the-mouth fried chicken tenders and a range of other delectable menu items.
Oxford, Mississippi
Billed as “the Cultural Mecca of the South,” Oxford, Mississippi, is among the most inviting towns in the Southern United States. It is tucked away in the Hills of North Mississippi and hosts the University of Mississippi, fondly called “Ole Miss.” Oxford, like its European namesake, boasts a rich literary heritage. For example, William Faulkner, the 1949 Nobel Prize for Literature recipient, made his home here. It is here that the novelist penned “As I Lay Dying” and “Sanctuary.” Neilson's, which provides the latest and greatest in fashion trends for homewear, was established in 1839 and is the South's oldest department store.
Also, while not as celebrated as Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia, Oxford’s Confederate Cemetery is just as evocative. It is a lonely and solemn venue where Confederate soldiers who died after the Battle of Shiloh in 1862 sleep. “The past is never dead. It’s not even past,” William Faulkner once wrote. Today, Rowan Oak, the home of William Faulkner for 30 years, is a time capsule. It houses numerous memorabilia, including the author’s writing desk — just as he left it.
Dahlonega, Georgia
Quiet, quaint, and personable, Dahlonega is a warm, dainty town nestled in the foothills of the Blueridge mountains. It says something about Dahlonega that Southern Living ranked it as Georgia's Best Small Town for 2023. One steps into the town square and immediately smells a magical element. No wonder Dahlonega often serves as the setting for Christmas movies. The Dahlonega Gold Museum, housed in the 1836 Lumpkin County Courthouse, commemorates America's first gold rush.
A few steps away, the University of North Georgia’s Dahlonega Campus is gorgeous and presents architecture at its finest. It is one of only six senior military colleges in the United States. A visitor can tingle her taste buds at Bourbon Street Grille, a culinary establishment in the town square that offers well-known Cajun-Creole dishes and patio seating — or step out of town a little and enjoy tastefully curated meals at the picturesque Wolf Mountain Vineyards, a recipient of more than 200 medals in major U.S. wine tasting competitions.
Eureka Spring, Arkansas
In America’s vacation map, Eureka Springs is up there with the nation’s finest. A beautiful mountain town with small-town charm and an artsy twist, Eureka Springs is hands-down among the most inviting towns in the South. To a large extent, Eureka Springs owes its spellbinding allure to the surrounding natural beauty of the Ozark Mountains. It was founded in 1880 as a Victorian-era resort town due to the abundance of natural springs in the area.
Today, one can taste this historic side of Eureka Springs at spots such as the landmark Palace Bath House, the last of the original Eureka Springs bathhouses still in operation today. It was built in 1901. Alternatively, a first-time visitor may want to walk about ten minutes away to the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, billed as "America's most haunted hotel." Black Bass Lake City Park will come in handy for a serene walk in secluded settings. That said, a hearty breakfast at Mud Street Cafe should set one up for the day.
Abingdon, Virginia
Abingdon was where about 400 men met under the command of Colonel Isaac Shelby and embarked on the historic march to Kings Mountain. Thomas Jefferson called the battle "The turn of the tide of success." Colonel Shelby emerged as a hero in the war and would later become Kentucky’s first governor. Today, the 9-acre Abingdon Muster Grounds celebrates that tide-turning feat and is often worth checking out. Also, this is the starting point of the 330-mile Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. Barter Theatre, where residents bartered a hearty laugh for farm foods, a fantastic invention during the difficult Great Depression years, is the longest-running professional theater in the United States.
That said, one can jump into the seductive world of art at the William King Museum of Art, housed in a historic 1913 former school building — or stroll Abingdon’s tree-shaded Main Street, where antique shops such as Shady Business sell unique boutique gifts.
Fredericksburg, Texas
You have heard about it. No doubt. Founded by German immigrants in 1846, Fredericksburg is known for its wineries, gasp-inducing Texas Hill Country scenery, the mystical aura of the Enchanted Rock, and of course, live country music. Almost everything about Fredricksburg is rustic. Inviting attractions here include the Museum of the Pacific War, which provides the most comprehensive account of World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific theater. It may sound cliche, but Germans are known to have perfected the art of beer production. At Altstadt Brewery, German-style beers are brewed on-site, and yummy pretzels are served soft and light.
Kickstart your adventure at the Old German Bakery & Restaurant, where yummy German pancakes are served hot, fresh, and sizzling. Fredericksburg is a wine destination, so don’t pull the plug on your trip before sampling the picturesque wineries in the area, including the phenomenal Grape Creek Vineyards, which specializes in French and Italian varietals.
Jonesborough, Tennessee
Jonesborough boasts a beautiful, tree-lined downtown area, which features the International Storytelling Center, the first facility anywhere in the world devoted solely to the tradition of storytelling. But the town is a beautiful story as well. Founded in 1779, just three years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Jonesborough is the oldest town in Tennessee. It lies west of the Cherokee National Forest just 7 miles from Johnson City.
Stay at the Historic Eureka Inn, originally constructed in 1787, spend a relaxing hour at the Jimmy Neil Smith Park, catch a rib-cracking show at the one-of-a-kind Jonesborough Repertory Theatre, or just amble through the streets — gawking at buildings that date back to the 18th century. To set you off, The Corner Cup is a kitschy little coffee shop that serves yummy scones and a good selection of Java-based beverages.
The Takeaway
There are many reasons the Southern United States should be on the bucket list of every American. Tasty sceneries (think of Northwest Arkansas), historic charm (think of St Augustine, Florida), and literary heritage (think of Oxford, Mississippi) — are features no one should exchange for the world. While tastes differ, and human perception is not often designed to appreciate uniformity, towns such as Spartanburg, South Carolina; Dahlonega, Georgia; and Eureka Springs, Arkansas, are some of the most inviting towns in the Southern United States.
