The Most Picturesque Small Towns in the Mid-South

The Mid-South sits at the crossroads between many states, extending to a small portion of many states, including South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, and more. While the Deep South often gets more attention due to the large states of Texas and Florida, the Mid-South is no slouch when it comes to small towns with fascinating history and beautiful landscapes. These small towns also have a lot of scenic vistas ranging from river towns to historic buildings to mountain towns. Here are 8 of the most picturesque small towns in the Mid-South you can visit.

Nashville, Indiana

South of the state capital of Indianapolis, Nashville is a charming town with great art, boutiques, and nature trails to explore. The Brown County State Park is a truly scenic place in Nashville, featuring gently rolling hills, miles of trails, and more that has earned it the nickname Little Smokys for its resemblance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Nashville is an artist's colony, which is reflected in its many art studios, including Eli's Gallery and Framery, The Emerald Pencil, and several antique shops in town like the Esprit Antiques and Franklin Street Shoppe. Nashville also has one intriguing hidden treasure: Story Inn, known as the world's most inconvenient inn, located in the historic village of Story, Indiana, just outside of an old ghost town. Rumor has it this inn is haunted as well, making it a perfect Halloween getaway.

Mountain View, Arkansas

In the Ozark Mountains, this delightful Mid-South town earns its name for its great views of nature. The best spot in town is the Blanchard Springs Campground within the Ozark National Forest. At an elevation of 400 feet, the campground features caves, hiking trails, swimming, birdwatching, and much more. For bikers, the Syllamo trail is a must-see, as you will see beautiful views of the White River and North Sylamore Creek Valley. Speaking of the White River is one of the top spots for trout fishing. If you're looking for something a bit more relaxing, visit the Ozark Folk Center Crafts Village, which features more than 20 artisans who specialize in knife making, quilting, doll making, candle making, and more.

Tupelo, Mississippi

This picturesque town was home to the king of rock'n'roll himself: Elvis Presley. You can visit the two-bedroom house where he was born at the Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum, or you can go to the Tupelo Hardware Company, where he received his first guitar as a present when he was 11 years old. There's more to see than just Elvis in town, such as the Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo, Gumtree Museum of Art, and Oren Dunn City Museum. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Natchez Trace Parkway is a must-visit. On the site of an 8,000-year-old Native American trail, you can find many trails and overlooks, including the Tupelo Trail, Twentymile Bottom Overlook, and more.

Bardstown, Kentucky

Bardstown was the birthplace of a famous American drink: bourbon whisky. Today, this delightful Kentucky town produces some of the finest bourbon in the country from many distillers in town, such as Lux Row Distillers, Log Still Distillery, James B. Beam Distilling Co. and many more. You can take a tour at any of these distilleries and try samples of bourbon, or you can also explore some of Bardstown's other attractions, including the My Old Kentucky Home State Park, My Old Kentuck Dinner Train, and the Kentucky Railway Museum in nearby New Haven. The Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest in nearby Clermont is another must-visit spot, as it features beautiful forest trails and forest giants made of recycled materials.

Oxford, Mississippi

There's more than one famous Oxford, and Ole Miss is a very quaint small town that has earned the title of Cultural Mecca of the South. Home to the famous U.S. author William Faulkner, Oxford has a lot of history both at the University Museum and the many historic buildings in town, including Rowan Oak, Cedar Oaks, and L.Q.C. Lamar House. The town earns its reputation as a cultural Mecca with its many art galleries, such as Southside Gallery, Gallery 130 at Meek Hall, The Powerhouse Community Arts Center, and more. To get away and relax, consider visiting the John W. Kyle State Park and Wall Doxey State Park or go fishing at nearby Sardis Lake. This quaint town has a little something for everyone.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Speaking of the Smoky Mountains, one of the best towns in the Mid-South to see these mountains up close is Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This charming town is home to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which offer breathtaking views both on drives through the park and hikes on many trails such as Clingman's Dome, Alum Cave Trail, Laurel Falls Trail, and more. In Gatlinburg itself, there are many fun activities and museums ranging from the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, Ober Mountain Adventure Park, and the SkyBridge, the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America suspended 140 feet in the air. There is also an artist's colony called the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, which offers locally made Appalachian crafts for purchase.

Branson, Missouri

Located within Southwestern Missouri in the Ozarks, Branson, Missouri, is a beautiful town of just under 13,000 people with a lot of places to explore. Table Rock Lake is widely considered one of the best places to visit in town, with its more than 100 resorts, campsites, and beaches. In the Ozarks itself, you can get a scenic view of the countryside at 165 Scenic Overlook or atop a 40-foot tall viewing tour at the Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area. Another great attraction in Branson is the Silver Dollar City a 19th century themed amusement park, featuring thrilling rides like the wooden roller coaster Outlaw Run, 100 local craftsmen and Marvel Cave, a beautiful place named as a National Natural Landmark.

Lynchburg, Tennessee

In south-central Tennessee, Lynchburg is famous for being the home of the Jack Daniels distillery, a world-renowned whisky maker. The distillery itself is a great place to try some hard spirits, but there's more to discover in town as well. For history buffs, the Lynchburg Historic Square and Lynchburg Old Jail Museum are great spots. The jail itself was in operation from the 1800s to 1990, and today, it houses many artifacts and jail cells. In addition, Miss Mary Bobo's Boarding House & Restaurant serves home-cooked meals in a historic building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For candy lovers, the Lynchburg Cake and Candy Co. and Lynchburg Candy Company provide delicious treats.

Discover Hidden Gems in the Mid-South

The Mid South might not be the most well-known vacation spot, but there are plenty of places that are perfect for a getaway or day trip to explore a quaint small town. Whether you are looking for an artist's colony, a historic district, famous landmarks, or beautiful national parks, the Mid-South has it and more. These scenic small towns are ideal for any vacationer looking for something off the beaten track. Lastly, with its many distilleries, you'll never lack for a good drink.