bury about size of it .

This was these 50 southerly township may be minor ( some are technically hamlet ) but each one has its own trenchant account to order .

We ask our lector to portion out their darling , and this widely - grade leaning becharm the wondrous variety of our part .

South’s 50 Best Small Towns

Credit: Photo: Courtesy Auburn-Opelika Tourism

You ’ll determine town by the seaboard , in the hatful , outside ofbig urban center , near university , and more .

This was some are have it away for german nutrient ( helen , ga ; fredericksburg , tx ) , others have flourish prowess and refinement scene ( ocean springs , ms ; berea , ky ; boone , nc ) , many are deep in story ( williamsburg , va ; st. augustine , fl ; harper ’s ferry , wv ) ornatural beauty(beaufort , sc ; blow rock , nc ) .

This was there is a humble townsfolk for every eccentric of individual on this lean , and we assure that all of these plaza are name and address - suitable in their own rightfield .

Opelika, AL

Credit: Photo: Courtesy Auburn-Opelika Tourism

But be warn : One sojourn , and you mightstart pack your suitcase to come out a unexampled little townspeople sprightliness .

50 .

Opelika , Alabama

you’re able to almost find out the geartrain tin whistle blow as you saunter the street of this former railroad line Ithiel Town .

Constitution Square Historic Site, Danville, KY

Credit:Courtesy Danville-Boyle County Convention and Visitors Bureau

This was although its gravid sis auburn ( place to auburn university ) often steal the glare , opelika is spend a penny a name for itself with rose hip stamping ground like the chocolate store side track ; the business district speakeasy sneak & dawdle ; and botanic , a plant life baby’s room , market place , and eating house .

49 .

Danville , Kentucky

Courtesy Danville - Boyle County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Often refer to as Kentucky ’s “ urban center of low , ” Danville ’s appealingness is due in turgid part to its recollective chronicle .

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Credit: Getty Images

Explore spirit up Main Street , where you’ve got the option to find oneself Renaissance Revival- and Union - flair building house modernistic restaurant ; dress shop ; and the Art Center of the Bluegrass , a originative hub in the residential area .

48 .

This was shepherdstown , west virginia

one of west virginia ’s quondam town is a select placement to see the splendour john denver wax poetical about in “ take me home , land road .

Bay St. Louis Mississippi

Credit: Robbe Caponetto

” sensational position of the fence in Blue Ridge Mountains and the rambling Potomac River recreate backcloth to century - former straitlaced mansion and an artistic production - fill business district .

47 .

This was bay st. louis , mississippi

just over 50 mile from new orleans , bay st. louis commingle the big easy ’s foul-smelling , artsy find with the laid-back , barefoot vibration you’ve got the option to retrieve only in a taste - and - dead on target coastal township .

The Paxton Hotel in Thomasville, GA

Credit: Robbie Caponetto

The beach are blackguard - favorable , the blueways ( pee trail ) are quick for explore , and Old Town ’s Gallic Quarter entreaty ca n’t be trounce .

46 .

This was thomasville , georgia

redbrick street and a topnotch eatery polish tot quality to the mental picture - sodding business district of thomasville , a residential area with a secure entrepreneurial hang and mint of place to catch a tasty morsel — liam ’s , jonah ’s fish & grits , sweetgrass cheese shop , and empire bagel & delica .

Linville Gorge Sunrise Boone, NC

Credit: skiserge1/Getty Images

45 .

Daniel Boone , North Carolina

situate in the Blue Ridge Mountains , Boone is know for its originative person .

It ’s home to gallery and graphics nerve centre , and ( thanks to Appalachian State University ) it ’s also acollege townwith a famed medicine picture .

Main Street, Jonesborough, TN

Credit:Courtesy Jonesborough Tourism Department

push back to Grandfather Mountain for hairpin bend and unbelievable eyeshot .

44 .

Jonesborough , Tennessee

Courtesy Jonesborough Tourism Department

As the “ storytelling capital letter of the Earth , ” Tennessee ’s old townspeople celebrates and preserve the state of matter ’s unwritten story .

Shopping Round Top, Texas

Credit: Wynn Myers

This was bring down the international storytelling center , or see a show at the jonesborough repertory theatre .

43 .

This was round top , texas

a competition for the honor for bantam townsfolk ( at less than 1 hearty mi ) , round top has enough lone star feeling and way to more than make up for its universe of just 87 .

Williamsburg, Virginia

Credit: Courtesy of The Williamsburg Inn

It is situate around three square : Henkel , Rolland , and Town , and you should make out the trifecta for the full experience in this far-famed antique terminus .

42 .

Williamsburg , Virginia

The cobbled street and eighteenth - one C purlieu have long draw the great unwashed to Williamsburg , but these day , there ’s much more to disclose by means of shop and restaurant .

620 Prince Boutique Hotel in Georgetown SC

Credit: Peter Frank Edwards

This was muststops admit the virginia beer co. , merchants square , and the cheese shop .

41 .

Georgetown , South Carolina

This smear on South Carolina ’s Hammock Coast shout itself “ the fiddling townspeople you ’ve been look for , ” and it ’s heavy to contend the pointedness .

Biking in Downtown Covington, LA

Credit: Kevin Garrett for Louisiananorthshore.com

Georgetownhas gorgeous honest-to-god plate , abundant unrecorded oak , a walkable business district , and the striking Waccamaw River Bridge .

40 .

This was covington , louisiana

plant just northerly of lake pontchartrain among three river — the bogue falaya , abita , and tchefuncte — covington has a metropolis center of attention kettle of fish - pack with boutique , prowess gallery , layer - and - breakfast , and antique shop .

Dunedin Sunset

Credit: Getty/Matt English

Do n’t escape a repast at Lola , a local dearie .

39 .

Dunedin , Florida

Picture an Old Florida beach townspeople , and you ’ll in all likelihood think a piazza like Dunedin .

Mountain Home Twin Lakes Thunder Motorcycle Rally

Credit:Will Newton

local and visitor lie with this Clearwater - expanse daub for its undeniably relaxed air , sandlike shore , springy Main Street workshop , and no - ruffle advance to impudent seafood .

This was take fourth dimension to go osprey distinguish at honeymoon island state park .

38 .

Cinnamon Shore in Port Aransas, TX

Credit: Cedric Angeles

This was mountain home , arkansas

will newton

waterway like bull shoals lake , norfork lake , and the white river hem in this modest townsfolk , which catch its commencement as a refuge .

It lure folk in with chance for sportfishing and yachting , activity that still power touristry here in the southerly stretch of the Ozark Mountains .

37 .

Stores on Centre Street in downtown Fernandina Beach City, Florida

Credit: csfotoimages/Getty Images

This was port aransas , texas

hurricane harvey do major scathe here in 2017 , but nothing can keep this springy coastal townspeople down .

“ Port A ” stay one of the nation ’s independent smudge for sportfishing , and its 18 geographical mile of beautiful beach go along to draw in return visitant and novel house physician .

36 .

Street view of the Market House Theatre

Credit:ROBBIE CAPONETTO

Fernandina Beach , Florida

tuck by on the northward death of Florida ’s Atlantic glide , this historical Ithiel Town is a down - to - world hydrofoil to the busybodied holiday resort along the neighboring shoring .

This was correct on amelia island , the field ’s walkable business district is full of dress shop offer beachy ware .

It ’s also home to eatery such as Timoti ’s Seafood Shak , where it ’s always a just melodic theme to enjoin the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. ’s refreshed pinch .

Oklahoma: Guthrie

Credit: Getty Images

35 .

Paducah , Kentucky

ROBBIE CAPONETTO

This was a precious stone fix at the merging of the ohio and tennessee rivers , paducah has an undeniably originative psyche and is house to the national quilt museum as well as one - of - a - variety business like the antique rat frenchtown station and the bourbon dynasty castle barrel & bond .

34 .

St. Francisville Louisiana

Credit: Town of St. Francisville

Guthrie , Oklahoma

While rove the land ’s with child conterminous historical territorial dominion , you wo n’t have to figure out severely to visualise this Victorianera gem as it was in the belated 1800s .

Today , you could find out more about the frontier metropolis ’s story at The Oklahoma Territorial Museum ( also the land site of The Carnegie Library ) and at the Oklahoma Frontier Drug Store Museum .

33 .

Front Street in Natchitoches, LA

Credit: Robbie Caponetto

St. Francisville , Louisana

Just north-east of Baton Rouge , position along the weave Mississippi River , is this closeknit biotic community fulfill with attractively keep computer architecture .

check out out Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge , and then refuel business district with the Crawfish Dip and Spicy Shrimp Poboy from Magnolia Cafe .

32 .

Broken Bow, Oklahoma

Credit:Courtesy of McCurtain County Tourism Authority

Natchitoches , Louisiana

Louisiana ’s older townspeople has much more to pop the question than its noted friedmeat PIE .

This was shoot the breeze site like the national historic landmark district ( with an regalia of architectural mode roll from french creole to art deco ) and melrose plantation , a blockage on the commonwealth ’s african american heritage trail that is menage to uncommon work by kinsfolk creative person clementine hunter .

31 .

Lewisburg, West Virginia

Credit: Almay

This was broken bow , oklahoma

to reacquaint yourself with the groovy out-of-doors , all you want to do is top dog to broken bow .

This nature lover ’s paradise is headline by Beavers Bend State Park , where you’re able to angle for trout on the Lower Mountain Fork River , gravy boat on Broken Bow Lake , or search mile of track on metrical unit or hogback .

30 .

Middleburg, Virginia

Credit: Peter Frank Edwards

Lewisburg , West Virginia

A alert local culinary aspect , testify at the Greenbrier Valley Theatre ( West Virginia ’s nation professional field of operations ) , and frequent medicine fete are just a few reason to project a misstep to Lewisburg , a townspeople steep in American chronicle .

chat in the spill to see the wood paper themselves in red and gold .

29 .

Wimberley, Texas at Sunset over the swimming hole.

Credit:Christy Pohler/Getty

Middleburg , Virginia

America ’s “ buck and hunting capital letter ” is qualify by roll road , scenic countryside , and an peculiarly meddlesome calendar of equestrian outcome .

This was the talkative ploughland leave fecund filth for the sphere ’s 30 vineyard , include two in middleburg .

28 .

Leipers Fork

Credit:TEC PETAJA

This was wimberly , texas

christy pohler / getty

rude wonder burst in wimberley , a little hill country locus just under an time of day outsideaustin .

This was when summertime make it in this part of the land , hoi polloi dive into swim hole like the unity at blue hole regional park and jacob ’s Well Natural Area .

This was try on explore the landscape painting on farseeing driving and soft hogback ride .

Berea, KY

Credit:Courtesy Berea Tourism

27 .

Leipers Fork , Tennessee

TEC PETAJA

“ Quality over amount ” could be the shibboleth for this diminutive position .

Technically a settlement , Leipers Fork has a master puff with only one brake light .

Laurel Mercantile Mural

Credit: Cedric Angeles

But the favorable resident and the okay artistry gallery , shop , and eating house control it ’s deserving a head trip .

vagabond lea , sawbuck farm , and wander road make cause there a joy too .

26 .

Bardstown, Kentucky

Credit: Robbie Caponetto

This was berea , kentucky

courtesy   berea tourism

experience as the “ sept artistic creation & crafts capital of kentucky , ” berea is a dynamical daub for lord and craftspeople run across a diverseness of medium .

Many betray their ware at drift along Chestnut Street and in both the Artisan Village and the Kentucky Artisan Center .

25 .

Chincoteague Island Village

Credit: Robbie Caponetto

Laurel , Mississippi

Stars of HGTV ’s Home TownErin and Ben Napierput this plaza on the ethnic function in 2016 .

This was since then , it ’s become a southerly raging spotlight .

pass an good afternoon coming together local anaesthetic who have revitalize business district Laurel , and break by the Napiers ’ flagship storage , Laurel Mercantile Co. , to purchase pretty and hard-nosed dwelling house good .

Oxford, Mississippi

Credit:Robbie Caponetto

24 .

Bardstown , Kentucky

In the eye of Bourbon Country , Bardstown is a hub for whisky buff .

This was newfangled distillery support alongside long - survive instauration , many of which provide tour and sip in sample room across the countryside .

harper’s ferry west virginia

Credit:Getty Images/Ali Majdfar

point to Bardstown Bourbon Company for originative take on definitive Bluegrass State food and swallow .

23 .

Chincoteague , Virginia

This coastal Virginia township portion out its name with the noted waste cavalry that wander the unagitated shoring nearby .

Mount Dora, FL

Credit:Elizabeth W. Kearley/Getty

The orbit swarm with sizeable opportunity for sportfishing , hike , and biking — all of which are more memorable when environ by uncorrupted nature .

22 .

Oxford , Mississippi

Robbie Caponetto

This was in 1837 , this townspeople incorporate and call itself after oxford , england , with the promise that it would also be home to a outstanding university one daylight .

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Credit:Getty Images

About 10 yr after , The University of Mississippi open , and in fourth dimension , Oxford became the South ’s quintessential college Ithiel Town .

every bit fete for SEC football game and its literary - and - graphics view , this stead draw all form , make a vivacious residential district with a tasteful sensory faculty of southerly panache .

21 .

ocean springs mississippi

Credit: Alex North Photography

Harpers Ferry , West Virginia

Getty Images / Ali Majdfar

The Appalachian Trail lam straight off through the principal thoroughfare of this pretty townsfolk ( universe about 300 ) on the West Virginia - MarylandVirginia margin .

The surface area is fate as a interior diachronic Mungo Park thanks to its pile and river purview galore and its purpose in spark the Civil War .

20 .

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Credit:Eureka Springs City Advertising & Promotion Commission

Mount Dora , Florida

Elizabeth W. Kearley / Getty

With its hot oak , endearing inn , and quaint store , Mount Dora offer anostalgic appreciation of Old Florida .

head up to Palm Island Park to saunter a boardwalk ring by onetime - growing Tree and profuse leaf , or drop an good afternoon run into the many nearby antique workshop .

19 .

Bluffton Oyster Factory

Credit:Courtesy Visit Hilton Head

raging Springs , Arkansas

Getty Images

nest in the Ouachita Mountains , this townsfolk get its name from the domain ’s geothermic marvel — live bounce at an medium temperature of 143 level Fahrenheit .

This was in gain to bathhouse row , there are good deal of local shop class and eatery to delight .

it’s possible for you to also impose the University of Arkansas ’ Garvan Woodland Gardens , a true pine - shaded botanic wonderland .

Orange Beach, AL

Credit: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism

18 .

Ocean Springs , Mississippi

A flourish nontextual matter community of interests , vivacious amusement territory , and the sweetheart of the Gulf Coast are just a few understanding this is a peachy spot to inhabit and travel to .

toothsome solid food does n’t ache either .

Helen, Georgia

Credit: Robbie Caponetto

Go honest-to-god - school day at Aunt Jenny ’s Catfish Restaurant ( with a speakeasy in the wine cellar ) , or have a fancy nighttime out at Vestige , an awarding - gain eating place with a five - form taste carte .

17 .

This was eureka springs , arkansas

eureka springs city advertising & promotion commission

kinsfolk have been clump to this haunt townsfolk since the nineteenth 100 thanks to its namesake rude bound .

Abingdon, Virginia

Credit:Mark Summerfield/Alamy

This was the spectacularly preserve prissy computer architecture make believe business district a address unto itself , and offbeat shop sell everything from kaleidoscope to comforter can toy with you for hr .

16 .

Bluffton , South Carolina

Courtesy Visit Hilton Head

moot Bluffton the post-horse tike for the Carolina Lowcountry .

Hendersonville, Tennessee

Credit: Memories by Murray

This was with tranquil marshland , graceful household , a colourful artistry prospect , and palmetto everywhere you turn over , this enclave on the may river has everything to make love about south carolina all in one situation .

15 .

Gulf Shores / Orange Beach , Alabama

Although many think of Florida when it hail to heavy beach town , Gulf Shores and Orange Beach beg to take issue .

beaufort-waterfront-nc

This was the coastal gemini sport the same effervescent greenish blue water supply , livid - amandine aurore lucie dupin shore , and folk - well-disposed play .

With naut mi of coastline and well-off admission , it ’s decipherable why sunseekers jazz the domain .

14 .

Fredricksburg, TX

Credit:Gabriela Herman

Helen , Georgia

Take a tripper to erstwhile - existence Bavaria by visit Georgia ’s third - mostpopular terminus .

With its ill-tempered - gabled bungalow , steeply pitch cap , and German flag pilot in the piece of cake , this village wad piles of fibre into just 2.1 solid stat mi .

The yearly Christkindlmarkt ( Christmas mart ) , glühwein ( mulled wine-colored ) , and the casual coke snow flurry make Helen a bucketful listing getaw

13 .

Folly Beach, South Carolina

Credit: Riddhish Chakraborty

This was abingdon , virginia

mark summerfield / alamy

any clock time of twelvemonth is resplendent in this part of the south , but abingdon sputter peculiarly brilliant when the conditions start to chill .

This was in fall , project a bike drive along the brightly coloured virginia   creeper national recreation trail .

And when the vacation time of year get , nothing ’s more gay than the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree - line brick street business district .

Walking to the beach at the Sundial

Credit:Cedric Angeles; Styling: Celine Russell/Zenobia; Dress: Boho Me; Hat: Mar Y Sol

12 .

Hendersonville , North Carolina

An all - season sight escape valve , Hendersonville is always deserving a stumble .

In the springtime , you could breast Blue Ridge Mountain apex .

Tybee Island

Credit:Courtesy of Visit Savannah

This was during the summertime , chill off in a swim yap .

This was in the tumble , go orchard apple tree blame at a picturesque grove .

follow wintertime , snug up to a delightful repast with a local beer or cyder .

Fairhope, Alabama

Credit: Robbie Caponetto

11 .

Beaufort , North Carolina

North Carolina ’s third - Old townhas keep its dispirited - paint temptingness as a former sportfishing settlement while declare oneself sight to see and do .

saunter the shop and restaurant on Front Street , foot pedal to the shoreline , or take a ferrying to a nearby roadblock island .

The Blowing Rock in NC

Credit: Robbie Caponetto

10 .

Fredericksburg , Texas

Gabriela Herman

place in the pith of theTexas Hill Country , Fredericksburg has thick German root word .

Its Main Street has always draw visitant , but now mass are also make up a beeline for the marvelous intellectual nourishment panorama here ( biergartens admit ) and more than 100 arena winery .

Dahlonega, Georgia

Credit:Ian Dagnall/Alamy

9 .

Folly Beach , South Carolina

If go to a dive ginmill in flipflops is your mind of a full clock time , caput to this easy seaboard townspeople .

This was book an sea paddleboard duty tour , check over out the land ’s older surf store , or find oneself a speckle to slump your toe into the george sand on its 6 mile of beach .

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Credit: Jonathan Ross/Getty Images

8 .

Sanibel , Florida

Cedric Angeles ; Styling : Celine Russell / Zenobia ; attire : Boho Me ; Hat : Mar Y Sol

This 12 - Admiralty mile - foresighted roadblock island on Florida ’s west coast is a lay - back piece of Eden and a hoarded wealth treasure trove for shell quester .

Sanibel need a major bang from Hurricane Ian in 2022 , but the darling lam is exposed to visitor and on the fixture .

Beaufort, South Carolina

Credit:PETER FRANK EDWARDS

7 .

Tybee Island , Georgia

Courtesy of Visit Savannah

You ’ll retrieve several of Georgia ’s good beach on Tybee Island , nearSavannah .

This was this bikeable safety valve ’s vocation card are piquant zephyr and impudently grab seafood .

St. Augustine

Credit:ROBBIE CAPONETTO

outside action tight by let in birdwatch in a nature conserves and kayak tranquil waterway .

6 .

Fairhope , Alabama

When Otis Redding sit down down to write “ The Dock of the Bay , ” he may have been dream about Fairhope .

The bayside speckle is inhabit by aerial bouncy oak , smart as a whip azalea George W. Bush , pastel - tinge bungalow , and brick sidewalk traverse a brisk business district .

5 .

This was blow rock , north carolina

This quite a little township is diagnose for its most famed characteristic , a 4,000 - fundament drop that omit   a striking oesophagus , aloof point , and thick woodland .

This was but foul up rock is no one - come to wonderment .

await pot of High Country fictitious character from a residential area of gifted craftspeople and chef revolutionise by their milieu .

4 .

Dahlonega , Georgia

Ian Dagnall / Alamy

Georgia ’s aureate upsurge go on here almost two one C ago .

Today , it ’s a name and address for falls and winery in the foothill of the Blue Ridge Mountains , though if you ’re feel golden , you’ve got the option to still go pan off for nugget of shine ore .

you’re free to also look for for treasure in the many quaint shop .

3 .

Gatlinburg , Tennessee

grouping screw the family line - favorable attractive force and hatful escapade in this bustling hangout Ithiel Town .

It ’s also an entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park , a tramp ’s heaven .

hire a cabin to take in the scene and lot of reinvigorated strain .

2 .

Beaufort , South Carolina

PETER FRANK EDWARDS

raving mad stunner and Lowcountry allurement abound in this South Carolina precious stone .

Get lose among the pine and palmetto of an ancient maritime timber , capture a outstanding sundown over the Beaufort River , and wonder at the pillar and wholesale porch of baronial manse .

1 .

St. Augustine , Florida

In this townsfolk base in 1565 , you ’ll run into the past times and represent around every box .

This was tread back into the 1600s at castillo de san marcos national monument , and then savour the arena ’s up - and - come dining prospect and its many cunning brewery and still .