9 Of The Friendliest Towns In the Mid-South

Nothing quite matches the charm of meandering through a bustling avenue, where an amiable “hello” graces your ears from every passerby and an  impromptu rendezvous for exchanging sweet nothings about the weather and weekend escapades brings light to an otherwise ordinary day. Strangers suddenly look like some long-lost friends and a town you had never set foot in before now feels like home. Much has been spoken about Southern charm and hospitality while many swear that the friendliness you will encounter in the Midwest is like nowhere else in the country. But what about the Mid-South, the part of the country anchored by the Memphis metropolitan area? 

Oxford, Mississippi

Oxford is a charming, vibrant town of about 27,500 nestled in the rolling hills of north-central Mississippi about 75 miles southeast of Memphis, Tennessee. The town was named after the world-famous university town of Oxford, England. Among the similarities the town shares with her England namesake is that while her counterpart across the Atlantic is home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world, this American town plays host to the oldest university in Mississippi. Both, therefore, are essentially friendly college towns. Often regarded as the Cultural Mecca of the South, William Faulkner’s home town boasts a charming town square that features such attractions as Neilson's Department Store, arguably the oldest department store in the South, an art gallery, and some of the finest independent bookstores in the United States.

Leipers Fork, Tennessee

Part village; part town, Leipers Fork is among the towns in the Mid-south that will easily warm your heart. Located minutes from downtown Franklin, on the scenic Natchez Trace Highway, Leipers Fork’s few residents will immediately make you feel at home. Of course, Tennessee has a long reputation for friendliness. A survey by the travel website Big 7 Travel, for instance, ranks it as the friendliest state in the United States after Minnesota. Well, Leipers Fork could just be the friendliest representation of Tennessee. A first-time visitor will want to get a souvenir at Props Antique, pick some outstanding art at the Leiper's Creek Gallery, or enjoy some delicious barbecue at Fox & Locke — amid scenes and sounds of live music. 

Hendersonville, North Carolina

While North Carolina boasts many friendly towns, many of which ooze warmth and charm, quite a few can hold a candle to Hendersonville, a town of about 15,100 where life’s hectic pace will suddenly come to a stop. This heart warmer is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and is encircled with such breathtaking scenery as will put color in every face and make the face cheerful and ruddy. First-time visitors will enjoy the beauty of the area and the hospitality of the residents. You will love Hendersonville’s pedestrian-friendly downtown with its extra-wide sidewalks, its thriving culinary scene, its many historic buildings, including the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site — and its treasure-laden museums.

Senoia, Georgia

Senoia boasts a historic main street and beautiful neighborhoods that are often peaceful and quiet. This cute Georgia secret is home to less than 5,000 residents and was incorporated in 1860, just a year before the first shots were fired at Fort Sumter, the event that would trigger the Civil War. Nestled along a major railroad line, Senoia would be used as a supply point for Confederate forces. If you want o explore the city from a hotel that is rich in history, you will hardly go wrong with The Veranda Historic Inn, located within walking distance of the downtown area. It was here that Confederate soldiers and their families would gather in meetings filled with evocative memories. Thrust to the limelight by the film industry, Senoia was the setting for the award-winning movie The Walking Dead.

Germantown, Tennessee

Exuding an ambience that is simple, yet upscale, and populated by a community that is vibrant and lively, a first-time visitor will agree that Germantown deserves a spot among the friendliest towns in the Mid-south. Germantown is about 21 miles southeast of downtown Memphis — and is regarded as a suburb of Tenessee's second-most populous city. However, Germantown, as the name suggests, is a town in itself. While Germans are known as a bit cool and reserved —and while Germantown was to a large extent founded by German emigrants — its current residents nonetheless exude incredible warmth and friendliness. If you want to taste the delicious vibrance of Germantown, the Germantown Performing Arts Center, with its rich acoustics, is a place you will not want to miss. Then again, just a stroll along the Wolf River, which meanders through the charming town, is an activity that will lift anyone’s mood.

Somerville, Tennessee

Sommerville is a town of about 3,500 located about 45 miles east of Memphis. One of the friendliest towns in the Mid-south exudes a sparse suburban feel such as will warm the heart of any first-time visitor. While the town is small and may not tempt a driver to pull over, from a close encounter, however, Somerville is Instagram-worthy and a delight to the senses. This little Tennessee secret plays host to more than 75 historic homes that appear on the National Register of Historic Places. Since food is a major part of an adventure, you may want to enjoy some crisp bacon, or any other Southern fare, at a friendly restaurant called Main Street Eatery.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Almost hidden in the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas, and home to just about 2,200 residents, Eureka Springs is a storybook town whose appearance is among the most picturesque in the country. Known for its world-famous bathhouses, healing springs, and numerous spas, this Arkansas gem has earned a top spot in the country’s vacation landscape. Yet Eureka Springs is not just known for its incredible beauty. Many regard it among the most friendly and welcoming — not just in the Mid-south — but in the country. Bookings.com, for instance, ranked Eureka Springs among the most welcoming places in the United States in 2022. In that ranking, Eureka Springs sits in an impressive fourth position. Only three towns: Newport, Rhode Island; Madison, Wisconsin, and Homer, Alaska — are considered more welcoming than Eureka Springs.

Abilene, Kansas

Because of the indeterminate nature of America’s regions, you will find that some towns are both in the Midwest and the Mid-south. One such example is Abilene, Kansas. Nestled slightly more than an hour west of Kansas' capital Topeka, Abilene is home to about 6,500 residents. One of the town's claims to fame is that it was the hometown of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the decorated war general who also served as the 34th president of the United States. Many Americans, including readers of TravelAwaits, consider this Kansas gem the friendliest small town in the country. If you love American history, you should consider checking out the Eisenhower Presidential Library where you will learn fascinating details about a president whose authentic geniality played a key role in helping the Allied Forces defeat Hitler. 

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Embracing the spirit of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg is a town alive with energy and adventure. Though petite with a population of around 3,600, it surprises with a bustling downtown area. Imagine yourself meandering through unique souvenir shops, like the Ranger Bob's Trading Post with its locally crafted offerings or The Honey Pot with its whimsical clocks and quirky wine holders[1]. Absorb breathtaking views from the towering 407-foot Gatlinburg Space Needle. And it doesn't end there! Explore antique shops, delight in local restaurants, or immerse in the town's nature through accessible hiking trails. Activities like fishing, golfing, and thrilling whitewater rafting await, promising a memorable adventure.

The Takeaway

If you are a solo traveler, there is nothing as disconcerting as touring a town where you can feel you are not welcome. On the flip side, if you are visiting a new place and everyone just wants to greet you and show you around, you will quickly be disarmed and feel at home. Fortunately, the Mid-south region of the United States is home to many such towns. From Oxford, Mississippi, a vibrant college town which is home to the oldest university in Mississippi, to Abilene, the cute, Kansas stunner which was Esseinhower’s hometown, the friendliest towns in the Mid-south travel the whole gamut.