10 Affordable Summer Vacation Spots in The Southern United States
The sunny personality of the Southern United States citizens will welcome you with friendly towns and inexpensive attractions; one can't resist their Southern charm. From the sweeping Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country, with its adventurous and affordable lodging options, to the Gold-Rush era town of Dahlonega, with its explorable mine for a bargain, to the Tabasco Brand Pepper Sauce origins in the heaven corner of Avery Island, it will be easy to get used to the Southern way of living. These spots grant an escape into Southern comfort with a low entry price.
Gulf State Park, Alabama
Washed by Gulf of Mexico waters, the large Gulf State Park spans across the Orange Beach Islands. Entry into the park is $2 per vehicle. Encompassing the Shelby Lakes, the park provides a swimming and paddling setting. On that note, the close-by Gulf shore allows for thrilling parasailing experiences, boating, and jet skiing along the two miles of beaches. Renting a kayak costs about $35 for 2 hours. Among the many trails available to explore, the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail allows hikers to meander down lanes lined with towering pines, scrub oak, palmetto, and thick, green deer moss.
This extensive trail showcases the enchanting sandy landscape of the Gulf coastline and the outstanding biodiversity this park can offer. Gulf State Park is notorious for its fauna. Here, one can find crocodiles, giant turtles, bobcats, deer, and brown pelicans. To acquire more details, the park's Nature Center is free to enter and allows visitors to participate in daily educational programs by knowledgeable Naturalists.
Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country, Texas
Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country is a Texas-sized retreat on the Guadalupe River. It grants many lodging options, from a beautiful RV site for $115 a night to a diverse selection of cabins ranging from $200 to 400 during high season and cheaper tent sites for a more adventurous and cheap stay at $70 per night. The camp extends for two miles and provides access to a pool with private cabanas, limo carts to get around, a mini-golf course, a playground, hot tubs, and restaurants with craft brews, as well as pickle ball, volleyball, tennis, and basketball courts all included in your stay.
For those seeking adrenaline, the close-by Guadalupe River rapids offer an adrenaline rush while sitting on a floating doughnut for $22. Vino enthusiasts will want to pay a visit to Hill Country wineries, just a few minutes away, and sample some of the best wines before spending a night at the oldest dance hall in Texas: Gruene Hall, for a variable entry fee depending on the event.
Linville, North Carolina
Atop Linville Peak in the Grandfather Mountain State Park, the 70 years old America's highest suspension footbridge swings across an 80-foot chasm; only the bravest decide to cross it. To explore Grandfather Mountain, adult tickets are $24. This Linville landmark is one of the best places to observe the breathtaking views of the Southern Appalachians, considered a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and is freely explorable.
The Wilson Center for Nature Discovery provides a great collection of artifacts and hosts live exhibits in the adjacent wildlife habitats, guided by highly knowledgeable staff; admission is included with your entrance ticket. Cave enthusiasts will love to venture into Linville Caverns inside the nearby Humpback Mountain for just $13 for adults, where a rare trout species lives in an underground stream.
St. Francisville, Louisiana
On the northern bank of the Mississippi River and 30 miles from Baton Rouge, the friendly village of St. Francisville provides visitors with a healthy dose of Southern small-town living. Store owners will wave you in as if you were already part of the community. For example, the staff at Magnolia Cafe can advise on the specialty of the day, which could include tortillas and dips, allowing for some glorious cheese pulls with their Nacho Supreme.
Just a short walk away, the close-by West Feliciana Parish Parks have no entry fee and grant ample lawns with football, soccer, tennis, and baseball courts. It also provides the West Feliciana Sports Park Trail with its towering oaks dripping in Spanish moss. For history buffs, the West Feliciana Historical Society and Museum tells the story of the old Spanish West Florida that once enclosed St. Francisville; exhibitions are free.
Dahlonega, Georgia
The settlement of Dahlonega once dazzled with gold. Today, it allows tourists to explore the old gold mine and museum. The Consolidated Gold Mine provides visitors with a 40-minute tour over 20 stories underground for just over $20 per person. Gold panning instructions are offered for an additional $30 fee, where experienced panners will teach the panning art and give you the opportunity to try your luck on a gold sample and keep your findings.
If one is in the mood for a story, the Dahlonega Gold Museum tells the tale of thousands of prospectors who flocked into the Cherokee Nation during the first Gold Rush in 1829. Entry fee ranges from $6 to 8.50 depending on age. Outdoor lovers can take advantage of the Appalachian Trail's initial section that runs through the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains, which provide breathtaking open vistas that are free to explore.
Sebring, Florida
Hugging Lake Jackson, the charming lake town of Sebring is nicknamed "The City on the Circle" for its uncommon circular shape that puts the lakeside as its focal point. This small town embodies the historical appeal of Florida through its galleries and museums, like the Sebring Historical Society museum, where one can find information about Dr. Charles F. Weigle, one of the founders of Sebring.
Motorsport enthusiasts will recognize Sebring as the famous annual 12-hour endurance race setting. Hosted in the close-by Sebring International Raceway, this World Endurance Championship round is not the only race; one might find weekly entertainment at the circuit for a variable price depending on the event. Staying in town and strolling by the city center, hunger might ramp up, but don't despair. Sebring Diner provides delicious homemade pot roast with fresh mashed potatoes at a modest price.
The Waterfall Trail, West Virginia
The Waterfall Trail runs all across the Mountain State and is free to explore. Recently, it received a significant expansion, adding nine new locations bringing the total up to 38 stops. Those looking to explore waterfall wanderers will be surprised by the overwhelming natural beauty this trail grants. This adventure will allow sightseeing the many layers of cascading waters at Mann's Creek Falls in Babcock State Park or the 30-foot drop on Pipestem Creek. Following the wooden steps, the roaring waters guide the way as the summer leaves hide the falls from the road.
Sugar Camp Run Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls at Babcock State Park, where water rushes between several rock formations creating a distinguished flow. This trail has enough natural scenery to fill a book.
Avery Island, Louisiana
Avery Island is a salt dome bounded by the Bayou Carlin seaport. Primarily known as the birthplace of Tabasco Brand Pepper Sauce, lush flora and towering oaks cover this geological oddity. Avery Island is one of five "islands" rising atypically above south Louisiana's flat coastal marshes. Many visitors to the island come to take a factory tour, which costs $15.50. The tour details the Avery family, who settled there in the 1860s, and the McIlhenny family, which started the Tabasco company in 1868 and handed down the company for five generations.
Exploring the surroundings, the 170-acre botanical gardens stand out as fascinating treats in the middle of Avery Island. These Jungle Gardens possess an oriental vibe that attracts visitors from all around the country. For nature lovers, Bird City is another popular attraction. Edward Avery McIlhenny, one of the Tobasco founder's sons, created this sanctuary after plume hunters nearly wiped out the snowy egret population. This nature refuge was once referred to as "the most noteworthy reserve in the country" by President Theodore Roosevelt. The entrance fee to the Bird City Sanctuary is $8 for adults.
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Enclosed between Deer Island and Biloxi Bay, Ocean Springs enjoys a quiet coastline. The town has a long tourism history, and it first developed in the 1850s. Ocean Springs got its name from The Ocean Springs Hotel, which opened in 1854. If one seeks a relaxing stroll into nature, Fort Maurepas City Park & Nature Preserve grants ample green space with a picnic pavilion, a playground, and access to Ocean Springs Beach.
For art lovers, Mary C O'Keefe Cultural Arts Center, known locally as "The Mary C," offers travelers a tour of two art galleries and the opportunity to attend a concert, performance, or play at the theater. The entry fee is $15, not including the variably priced event tickets. After a day of exploring parks and listening to good music from local creatives, one can fulfill their hunger at one of the many fine eateries found in Ocean Springs' center, like Buzzy's Breakfast Downtown. It is a small restaurant that consistently provides delectable bacon and eggs, a classic perfect for a cheap but tasteful breakfast.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Tucked along the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas, Eureka Springs is primarily known for its preserved Victorian buildings in its Historic District. Moreover, the Palace Bath House, Basin Park Hotel, and Crescent Hotel are all built around the city's natural springs. Outdoor fun awaits at the nearby White River, which provides a setting for canoeing, kayaking and is also famous for trout fishing. Kayak rental is often offered for around $75 for the entire day.
Beaver Lake grants $30 camping sites and free hiking trails; birdwatchers often observe the various birdlife from the dense forest surrounding the lakeshores. Eureka Springs is also part of the Oz Trails system providing a vast range of trails suitable for mountain biking enthusiasts of all skill levels. Whether you're a novice seeking a scenic ride through the Ozark Mountains or an experienced rider searching for professionally designed routes, there are plenty of options.
The warming hug of the Southern United States would melt anyone's heart. This expansive region boasts many secluded spots, each allowing for an affordable summertime getaway. Discovering the wild biodiversity in Gulf State Park in Alabama or exploring the countless falls along The Waterfall Trail in the mountains state, the Southern United States has activities and attractions for all tastes. Remember, fun is free!
