These Small Towns in The Southern United States Come Alive in Summer
The country with rich natural offerings puts forth some of its best in the southern reaches, around the quaintest towns. Its nature wakes up before its northern counterpart, from pristine shorelines to varying landscapes inland, like lush forests, rugged mountains, and deserts stricken by scenic rivers. Find the best hospitality, foodie delights, and weather right here and most concentrated through the small towns that wake up more noticeable than any other. The most sought-after summertime destination in the South is not overrated, with unique southern flair in everything. Visit one of these ten towns through many states with easy access for the summer's hottest days, to end the summer on a high note, or to return and wake up with nature the next season.
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
This one-of-a-kind, charming town comes alive like no other in the state with nature but virtually no crowds, allowing you to enjoy a crowdless beach getaway along its glorious white-sanded stretch just 51 miles away from New Orleans. The embayment along this, aptly called Mississippi's "Secret Coast," feels remote yet friendly amid the warm Gulf of Mexico waters. Bring your pet to the beach for bonding and relaxing sunbaths, fishing, shoreline strolls, or even kayaking with fanning waterways. Bay St. Louis, chock full of pride in its Southern hospitality, offers a revered seaside escape or vacation spent in a glorious summertime's embrace with views. Just off Beach Boulevard, find Bay St. Louis vibrant downtown with its prized Old Town full of vintage storefronts to browse on an afternoon stroll through each unique beach boutique, art gallery, and local eatery.
There's the French Potager for all your antiquing desires, a cute flower shop, as well as a giant art walk every month on the second Saturday. Visit in time to start a weekend getaway on a high note with music, even more local merchants, and events for all. Start the next morning at the artsy Mockingbird Café with a fancy coffee concoction or a plate of Chicken and Waffles, or sleep in until the lunchtime "Health and Beauty" menu. The Blind Tiger is the first post-Katrina waterside business that is a definitive evening must-stop with a short and sweet menu for an open-air marina-facing meal or drinks. Stay-wise, the thematic Bay Town Inn lets you wake up every morning along with the bay's nature from its outdoor white Adirondack chairs.
Bella Vista, Arkansas
Nestled in the picturesque embrace of the Ozarks Mountains, the beautiful Bella wakes up every summer in Arkansas as a regional small town destination for golfers, cyclists, hikers, and nature enthusiasts. Visit Bella Vista, along the Missouri border, to wake up every beautiful morning with the town and enjoy the slower pace of life that locals hold close to their hearts. Find a variety of amenities for every taste with the same Southern hospitality and real natural paradise surrounding you with views from the doorstep.
From top-notch golf facilities to easy and challenging hiking trails, the breathtaking scenery will be in your constant shadow and a backdrop for relaxation or photoshoots. Venture down Tanyard Creek Nature Trail or the Blowing Springs Park Trail, both equally scenic landscapes replete with local wildlife. The downtown awaits to immerse you in culture on a stroll, browsing local hotspots, and around the vendors at Bella Vista Farmers Market. For the real spirit of the town, stop by regular outdoor concerts at the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel, among other cultural events in the stunning mountain scenery, during one unforgettable summer experience.
Bull Shoals, Arkansas
The small town on the White River turns bustling during the summer with tourists comprising fishermen, respite seekers, and sightseers. Visit for the serene ambiance in Bull Shoals, like nowhere else, and follow the thin crowd to the stunning White River shores with plentiful space for everyone's peaceful relaxation. From days spent swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, and hiking around to the evening waterfront meals, Bull Shoals is a real respite for feel-good moments.
Take on the waters in your favorite way or learn a new skill at Gaston's White River Resort, with a complementing stroll to the engineering marvel, the significant Bull Shoals Dam. Find a lively and inviting environment downtown, extending the vibrant atmosphere around for all your favorite nature ventures. Bull Shoals-White River State Park Visitor Center invites you for a nature stroll with intriguing insights.
Carolina Beach, North Carolina
The classic American resort town of Carolina Beach is a culturally rich destination during the summertime. Find scenery around each picturesque corner and along the Carolina Beach Boardwalk. Enjoy daily strolls along this renowned pedestrian-only promenade with browseable hotspots for unique home and outfit items, in between infinite bars, restaurants, arcades, and more of your favorite entertainment.
Rent a bike or surfboard from the shops for the beaches and trails around, or spend a family day at the exciting amusement park, which has delighted locals and visitors since the late 1800s. A donut from Britts Donuts is an absolute must-try, a family-perfected business since 1939. The people and vibrant attractions are only the start of your best summertime escape, with nature awakening at Carolina Beach State Park over a variety of hiking paths. Take the Flytrap Trail for wilderness in action with cool sights of the Venus flytrap, a native of the area.
Cherokee Village, Arkansas
This picturesque lakeside village thrives through the summer months as an eco-friendly destination with serene trails around seven lakes. Enjoy a summer full of recreational hikes for every level, cooling dips, relaxation, and water-based fun along the scenic shores. With a choice of Lake Thunderbird, Lake Aztec, Lake Sequoyah, Lake Cherokee, Lake Omaha, Lake Navajo, and Lake Chanute, the waterside opportunities disperse crowds for the best natural enjoyment. Embrace the wakened nature together with a close group of friends or just the living and breathing environment around you as your only companion.
The Cherokee Village itself is a lively base for fishing, swimming, boating, or seeking tranquility amid sights. Wake up to the fresh-faced Lake Omaha over a sandy beach stroll and lapping clear waters at your feet. No visit to the tiny town is complete without delving into its rich Native American history left through a legacy to explore around historical monuments and cultural activities. Visit the Cherokee Village Historical Society and stop for the storytelling events during the summer months around the traditions of the Cherokee and their folklore. The mixed-in natural beauty makes Cherokee Village a revered, enchanting, and unforgettable summer experience.
Chesterton, Indiana
Chesterton, the ideal entryway to Indiana Dunes National Park, is an incredible oasis tucked away from the city. The town cannot help but be at its most vibrant come summertime when it awakens along with the surrounding environment of sandhills, beaches, and varied biomes for every taste and level of activity. Chesterton's bewitching downtown area is an energetic hub with engaging arts and a bustling main street. From galleries and specialized stores to antique shops and modern boutiques, give into local flavor on a shopping spree and delight your tastebuds through pubs and eateries.
There's no visiting Chesterton without catching its Oz fever, like in time for the annual Wizard of Oz Festival with live shows, costume contests, and a lively parade. Combine the enchanting tale with nature when you sight a variety of winged migrants at Dunes State Park and pretend they are the flying monkeys. Choose from extensive preserve footpaths through the woodlands and mammoth dunes to the breathtaking lakeside for swims, sunbaths, and picnics along the beach.
Coronado, California
The small town, unlike any other in the Sunshine State, shines brightest in the summertime, with the beaches even more appealing and faces glowing from delightful pursuits. Enjoy scenic relaxation and recreation along the shore and venture downtown, which feels like one big outdoor festival throughout the summer. Small and lively with under 20,000 residents to its name, Coronado is a cool escape, justly ranked best for a summer vacation by Leisure & Travel magazine, with an impressive collection of shops, diners, and cultural attractions. Visit the Coronado Museum of History and Art and stroll through a pure art scene along Orange Avenue with boutiques, galleries, and theaters.
The overshadowing neighboring towns help make the small town atmosphere have a homegrown feel without a resort-like feel; the scenery and entertainment abounding beg to argue but plead for your sole enjoyment. Take in the sights from mere wanders through downtown, relaxing at the beaches, and the refreshing outdoors, all just outside of San Diego, during the easiest getaway imaginable. There is always something fun for everyone during the regular live music downtown and along the Ferry Landing, just a hop from the pristine beachfront of sun, sand, and sea that turns vibrant into the night after stunning sunsets.
Dillard, Georgia
Dillard is a lively, small Blue Ridge Mountain town that booms during the summer with city respite seekers lured by its southern charm amid a natural wonderland. From dining at locally beloved places to favorite stays boasting affordable, top-notch hospitality, Dillard has summoned state-wide loyalty as a scrumptious mountain destination for any budget on a bedazzling getaway.
The Great Smokies call with endless outdoor ventures like hikes, camping, fishing, and picnics in the alpine air, with more refreshing scenery through the wondrous 148,000 acres of National Forest. Dillard is a great town to relax or find thrills like zip lines and horseback rides. Escape the ordinary into the extraordinary in the North Georgia mountains, all under 100 miles from Atlanta, Greenville, or Asheville, and relax post-adventure while "porch rocking" with a glass of wine one-on-one with the scenery around.
Perdido Key, Florida
Perdido Key, Spanish for "lost island," is a pretty wicked summertime escape with low crowds and beautiful vestiges left by the Spaniards as a Southern sanctuary for culture and local nature. Getaway to this far western stretch of Florida's coastline, meeting the eastern shores of Alabama, for a cultural blend of tropicality and southern vibes. Perdido Key is an unforgettable destination in a remote island setting, perfect for respite seekers to enjoy its waking nature in all its summertime glory.
Relish in the island lifestyle, which tastes like perfection, particularly along Perdido Key's narrow strip of beaches. Explore the partially undeveloped shoreline on endless strolls, plops, and dips, with oh-so-calming scenery that stretches for 360 degrees to the horizon, particularly stunning during the sunset. The beaches here are cleaner and quieter under the same renowned Sunshine State weather. Find abundant wetlands, estuaries, and wildlife in the northern reaches for refreshing hikes and downtown fare overflowing with bars.
St. Mary's, Georgia
St. Marys is not only one of the best escapes in Georgia but also among the top Southern US getaway small towns. Try it and experience all the charming delights and incredible natural attractions for yourself that people rave about. Engage with nature along the fringe of beautiful coastal forests, marshes, and beaches leading into the sparkling waters of the tranquil seascape. The town welcomes the curious, the tired, and the explorers with family-friendly, thrilling adventures or plein-air relaxation. Take a unique downtown ferry ride, a popular way to make the grand entrance into this small town, which is essentially one big nature scene.
St. Mary's lures visitors with enchanting trails for hikes and bike rides through the varying scenery across diverse terrains for all levels of activity, including boat access only. Explore Crooked River State Park with low crowds and plentiful space to set up a charming picnic spread amid a serene maritime forest. The Crooked River bank, at the heart of nature, with nothing but the calming sounds of birds chirping and the tidal river, offers trails for strolls, hikes, and birding ops all around.
The 16 states and Washington, DC, comprise a region with a unique history and a giving environment of vineyards, apple orchards, and berry picking. Immerse yourself in local culture during the vibrant events and no less spectacular daily farmer market scene. Stroll along the scenic boardwalks or take a self-guided boat cruise into the open blue. The welcoming beaches and town centers that cherish the peace and serenity offer spirited outdoor pursuits and immersive cultural experiences for everyone to enjoy and fall in love with their small town feel on the best summer vacation of a lifetime.
