8 Most Scenic Small Towns in the Mid-South
The Mid-South region of the US has many scenic and interesting small towns for any traveler looking to book a new vacation. With dozens of commercial locales and natural or historical landmarks to explore for newfound adventure within states like Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Kentucky, there is enough motivation for tourists to form new itineraries. From Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to Jasper, Arkansas, these scenic towns are guaranteed to bring enjoyment to anyone unfamiliar with the region!
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
A spirited eastern Tennessee town, Gatlinburg is home to 3,743 residents. It is well known as a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in southeastern America with Southern Appalachian cultural vibes. Ober Mountain provides more mountainside amusement with skiing, friendly mini-golf encounters, and a vibrant shopping mall overlooking a scenic view of the entire town! Even further, natural splendors can be found at Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook, which offers downtown viewpoints and misty nighttime vibes that make travelers feel like they are in a fantasy world.
For architecture and 407-foot-tall observations, one can visit the Gatlinburg Space Needle, where 360-degree panoramic views of the Great Smoky Mountains and other parts of town are visible from an outdoor tower balcony. The Hollywood Star Cars Museum is another option for tourists who love vintage and modern Hollywood cars from famous movies and television. As for travelers seeking something bizarre yet fascinating in town, the Salt & Pepper Shaker Museum has more than 20,000 globally known salt and pepper varieties!
Bardstown, Kentucky
Known as the "Bourbon Capital of the World," Bardstown is home to 13,899 residents. For travelers seeking historical scenery, Spalding Hall is a wonderful museum with 1820s architecture and a local history of whiskey production. Old Bardstown Village & Civil is another landmark recognized for its American Civil War heritage and colonial-era cabin life. The Basilica of Saint Joseph Proto-Cathedral makes itself known with its distinguished Roman Catholic parish scenery and 18th-century congregation rooms.
At Lux Row Distillers, one can find the best whiskey brands and bourbon wine-tasting experiences around town. The My Old Kentucky Dinner Train is a popular diner with vintage railroad dining and includes a scenic two-hour journey across the Kentuckian countryside! As for evening entertainment shows, The Stephen Foster Story is a performance show featured at the J. Dan Talbott Amphitheatre, a weekly hotspot for anyone wanting even more than bourbon tourism satisfaction.
Paris, Arkansas
A gorgeous town in Arkansas with 3,197 inhabitants, Paris is a top contender for beauty and scenery. Mount Magazine State Park has some of the most amazing views of town with its rappelling line sights, scenic picnic stops, and sweeping hiking trails. Cove Lake Recreation Area has summer sights as a 160-acre mountain lake with pretty swimming spots and fishing activities. Logan County Museum has local history heritage and exhibits full of preserved relics from the 19th century.
The Cowie Wine Cellars and Vineyards locale also has natural splendors for anyone who craves a mix of fancy wine tasting with family-owned delights and museum atmospheres. At Eiffel Tower Park, one can experience French influence and 18-foot-tall architecture resembling the Eiffel Tower as a town square scenic stop. Stirling Roastery has some of the tastiest tart cocoa for coffee and chocolate lovers!
Oxford, Mississippi
A college town in Mississippi with 27,373 inhabitants, Oxford is a mainstay for history and natural beauty. At William Faulkner's famous Rowan Oak estate, one can find 1930s poetry, Bailey Woods property trails stretching about 3,000 feet across, and antique bookshelves that pay tribute to Brazilian artists. The University of Mississippi Museum has impressive Greek and Roman antiquities with tasteful works of folk artists. Even further, Greek revivalism can be found at Cedar Oaks, a venue full of 1850s Union history with tranquil cedar and scenic oak tree scenery.
At Lamar Park, tourists can enjoy serenity through lakeside footpaths and cozy picnics. Thacker Mountain Rail Trail has wildlife sightseeing and shady relaxation spots as a hidden gem in town! The Square Books is a commercial bookstore in town with some of the liveliest and most hospitable staff who like to greet guests with knowledge about famous writers of literary fiction.
Paducah, Kentucky
A scenic destination in western Kentucky with 26,548 locals, Paducah is known for its museums and antiques. The National Quilt Museum is a hotspot with its 1980s quilting displays and cultural history that keeps this town happy. The Lloyd Tilghman House & Civil War Museum is another historic stop with its downtown workshops and Greek revival architecture that was once used in the 1900s to support African-American settlers. William Clark Market House Museum has an abundance of 19th-century artifacts and gifts reminiscent of the old days with drugstore ambiance.
Yeiser Art Center has over 300 artworks dedicated to the 1950s and fun art workshops for visitors. The copper-themed Silent Brigade Distillery has fancy craft beer and an old 19th-century warehouse history. At Paducah Antique Mall, travelers can shop for Czech pottery and vases, vintage tables, and Louisville-inspired trinkets. The Stuart Nelson Small Dog Park has more outdoor scenery with its comforting softball fields and picnic shelters, as well as a gracious dog park setting for tourists and residents to mingle while dog-walking!
Townsend, Tennessee
Another Tennessee gateway town with 649 residents, Townsend is a graceful tourism destination. It is commonly visited because it connects visitors to Cades Cove, an 11-mile loop with natural mountain scenery and roaming wildlife such as wild turkeys, groundhogs, coyotes, white-tailed deer, and other species. The Tuckaleechee Caverns is also around for nature fans who want to witness the "Greatest Site Under the Smokies," where travelers get to observe some of the oldest subterranean waterfalls and rock carvings that have been around for over 20 million years!
The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center has a historical foundation built on Appalachian culture and has an interactive amphitheater for tourists who want to experience the heart of mountain culture visually. At Captain Dave's Little River Artistry, one can explore log cabin artworks and memorable fireplace memorabilia made by a welcoming owner. The Swinging Bridge is also a natural landmark worth seeing with its riverside sights and movement thrills that are worth the return trip! As for hikers, Spruce Flats Falls may be preferred with its lush forestry and swimming holes that make for scenic photography.
Somerset, Kentucky
A Kentuckian town with 12,467 residents, Somerset is known for its fine balance of commercial locales and historical landmarks. Lake Cumberland is one major natural spot worth visiting with its scenic fisheries and houseboat tourism! Somerset Cemetery is a historical stop that remains popular today because of its Civil War trenches and memorial activities.
Museum enthusiasts may enjoy the Paranormal Roadtripper's Nightmare Gallery for spooky exhibits of Bigfoot and other unexplained creatures. For science fiction fans, the International Paranormal Museum and Research Center has cool collections of alien phenomena artifacts and space travel ornaments! The Mole Hole may appeal to chocolate lovers who want to experience downtown gift shopping and bourbon treats in a vintage setting.
Jasper, Arkansas
An Arkansan small town with 515 locals, Jasper is perfect for nature travelers. It has scenic landmarks like the Arkansas Grand Canyon, a must-see for spectacular views of steep valleys atop looping trail mountains. Horseshoe Canyon Ranch has iconic Ozark Mountain sights and Buffalo National River proximity, making it an amazing stop for those who love mountain biking through over 900 routes of boulders and rugged terrain!
Round Top Mountain Trail and Indian Creek Trail are viable alternatives for any trekker who wants to take pride in seeing quiet or solitary waterfall trails near cave systems. For commercial stops, Cliff House Inn offers hospitable lodging and fancy dining with an outdoor cabin view of the Arkansas Grand Canyon. Scenic Point Gift Shop has tourists covered with splendid candy souvenirs and crafts, alongside overlooks that make seeing the Buffalo River Canyon easier.
These small towns all capture the essence of the Mid-South for tourists. With endless ways to experience this region of the US, no one may ever feel left out when exploring and traveling. Discovering the most scenic towns in the region guarantees travel success for anyone wanting to experience scenic states like Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, or Kentucky!
