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Charm and hospitality are just some of the characteristics that attract visitors to these 10 small towns in the South, voted as the best by readers. Even better, they also offer plenty of history, culture, attractions and, of course, delicious Southern food. Here are the 10 best small towns in the South for 2023.
Photo courtesy of Silver and Chalk Images / iStock / Getty Images Plus
No. 10: Beaufort, South Carolina
Located on Port Royal Island (part of the state’s Sea Islands), Beaufort is one of the few places to experience Gullah culture up close via festivals that incorporate dance, music, storytelling, local cuisine and more. To further pique your interest, Beaufort has an enchanting historic district and plenty of other opportunities to experience the city’s past, including at the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park.
Photo courtesy of Provided by FloridasHistoricCoast.com
No. 9: St. Augustine, Florida
You won’t find another town in Florida with as much Spanish history as St. Augustine – known as the nation’s oldest city. Founded in 1565, you’ll find plenty of notable sites to take in, from Castillo de San Marcos, to Fort Matanzas, to Ponce de Leon’s supposed “Fountain of Youth." Given its history, there’s also plenty of spooky ghost tours to take in, plus the Medieval Torture Museum for those who love a touch of the macabre while on vacation.
Photo courtesy of Charles Davis Smith
No. 8: Marfa, Texas
This quirky Texas gem was once home to minimalist sculptor Donald Judd, who helped create the artsy vibe that remains in Marfa today. But unique celebrations also draw tourists to this Southern town, including the Marfa Lights Festival (which revolves around an unexplained phenomena of colorful lights that appear in the evening sky at a certain time of year), the Marfa Open Arts Festival, and the Trans-Pecos Festival of Music + Love, which features live music, workshops, sandlot baseball and more.
Photo courtesy of Eureka Springs City Advertising & Promotion Commission
No. 7: Eureka Springs, Arkansas
This picturesque community is anything but sleepy, boasting plentiful activities and attractions, from the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge to the Intrigue Theater and more. Outdoor enthusiasts can find plenty of fun hiking or zip lining around the Ozarks or exploring War Eagle Cavern, while others can enjoy art galleries, a historical museum and even opera in the summertime. Bonus: Eureka Springs is heralded as an inclusive, LGBTQ-friendly destination.
Photo courtesy of Liz Nance
No. 6: Bryson City, North Carolina
This serene mountain town welcomes visitors from all over to explore its eclectic shops, local artist galleries and all things nature, thanks to its proximity to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Drop by the Swain County Heritage Museum to find out more about its past, or learn more about local culture at The Storytelling Center of the Southern Appalachians. Afterwards, you can choose your own adventure, from perusing the works at Sawmill Creek Pottery, to hiking at Deep Creek, or simply having a beer at Mountain Layers Brewing Company.
Photo courtesy of Lori Duckworth/Oklahoma Tourism
No. 5: Pauls Valley, Oklahoma
The small hamlet that is Pauls Valley is big on heart and simple delights. A visit to the Toy and Action Figure Museum can amuse children and the young at heart, while history buffs and train fans will love checking out the Santa Fe Depot Museum. Just don’t forget to stop and pick up some sweet treats at Field’s Pies Factory before heading to Pauls Valley Lake for some boating under the sun.
Photo courtesy of Sam Dean
No. 4: Abingdon, Virginia
This historic Virginia town is nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering a quiet getaway with plenty of charm. Stay at the Martha Washington Inn and Spa (once the Martha Washington College), walk along their historic 20-block Main Street and do a little shopping, or get yourself a guide and enjoy learning about the town’s past via a History Alive Tour. And for the theater lovers, nothing beats a performance at the Barter Theatre, open since 1933.
Photo courtesy of Two Upright Tray Tables
No. 3: West Monroe, Louisiana
You may recall hearing about West Monroe some years back, thanks to the popular television show "Duck Dynasty," but there’s so much more to this northern Louisiana community. Among its surprising delights are Landry Vineyards, as well as the nearby Biedenharn Museum & Garden. A number of parks and wetlands make this an excellent, family-friendly getaway.
Photo courtesy of Shackleford-Photography // Getty Images
No. 2: Alexander City, Alabama
Just north of the sprawling Lake Martin reservoir, Alexander City is a quiet Southern town with plenty of shoreline for a lakeside getaway with family or friends. Swimming, fishing and boating are favorite local pastimes, and local Chimney Rock has become a hot spot for cliff jumping. Main Street also draws in locals and tourists, with boutique shops, restaurants, a summertime farmer’s market, and the Wellborn Muscle Car Museum, home to the nation’s largest high-performance Dodge collection.
Photo courtesy of City of Maysville
No. 1: Maysville, Kentucky
This charming riverside hamlet is home to plenty of small-town delights, from the Russell Theatre and Washington Opera House, to numerous art galleries, restaurants and the Old Pogue Distillery. A must-see for any visitor to Maysville is the KSB Miniatures Collection at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center, one of the largest collections of museum-quality miniatures in the world.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
Allison Tibaldi
Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based... Read More
Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based in New York City. She has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne Australia, Toronto and Los Angeles. She studied early childhood development in graduate school and firmly believes that travel is the best education. She writes for numerous publications including CNN, Travel Channel, HGTV, am New York, Emirates Open Skies, Family Traveller and Travel Weekly.
Allison Tibaldi
Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based in New York City. She has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne Australia, Toronto and Los Angeles. She studied early childhood development in graduate school and firmly believes that travel is the best education. She writes for numerous publications including CNN, Travel Channel, HGTV, am New York, Emirates Open Skies, Family Traveller and Travel Weekly.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production... Read More
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion... Read More
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and professional storyteller, she has covered topics that include wild Tahitian getaways; Sicilian wine trails, delectable Hawaiian food trends and luxury beachfront resorts. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and professional storyteller, she has covered topics that include wild Tahitian getaways; Sicilian wine trails, delectable Hawaiian food trends and luxury beachfront resorts. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Corinne Whiting
Corinne hails from the other Washington, where she... Read More
Corinne hails from the other Washington, where she caught the travel bug early on. Corinne studied abroad in Strasbourg, France (undergrad) and in Edinburgh, Scotland (graduate school). She's backpacked around Australia, taught English in Argentina and explored (so far!) countries from Cambodia and Egypt to Turkey and China. Corinne served as associate editor at Where magazine for five years; as a freelancer, she now writes for publications like National Geographic Traveler and Amtrak's OnTrak. Here in the lovely Northwest, she's attempting to debunk the rain myths, up her coffee and live music quotient and find her Zen near/on the water.
Corinne Whiting
Corinne hails from the other Washington, where she caught the travel bug early on. Corinne studied abroad in Strasbourg, France (undergrad) and in Edinburgh, Scotland (graduate school). She's backpacked around Australia, taught English in Argentina and explored (so far!) countries from Cambodia and Egypt to Turkey and China. Corinne served as associate editor at Where magazine for five years; as a freelancer, she now writes for publications like National Geographic Traveler and Amtrak's OnTrak. Here in the lovely Northwest, she's attempting to debunk the rain myths, up her coffee and live music quotient and find her Zen near/on the water.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor... Read More
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Dynie Sanderson
Dynie is the creator of NapaFoodGalTravels and has... Read More
Dynie is the creator of NapaFoodGalTravels and has been a food, wine and travel journalist and digital influencer living and indulging in life in the Napa Valley and around the world for over 25 years. She was founder, publisher and editor of GuestWest Magazine, Napa Valley’s first luxury lifestyle magazine; Food and Flavor Editor for Napa Valley Life Magazine and contributor to a variety of food and wine publications. Always seeking out the next wine region or food and wine festival to experience around the US and around the world to add to “Dynie’s Delicious Destinations.” Follow NapaFoodGal on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Dynie Sanderson
Dynie is the creator of NapaFoodGalTravels and has been a food, wine and travel journalist and digital influencer living and indulging in life in the Napa Valley and around the world for over 25 years. She was founder, publisher and editor of GuestWest Magazine, Napa Valley’s first luxury lifestyle magazine; Food and Flavor Editor for Napa Valley Life Magazine and contributor to a variety of food and wine publications. Always seeking out the next wine region or food and wine festival to experience around the US and around the world to add to “Dynie’s Delicious Destinations.” Follow NapaFoodGal on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Deborah Fallows
Deborah Fallows is a writer and a linguist. She is... Read More
Deborah Fallows is a writer and a linguist. She is the co-author with her husband, James Fallows, of the national best-selling book, Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America, published in May, 2018. Our Towns, the HBO documentary based on the book was released in April, 2021. They recently launched the Our Towns Civic Foundation to support renewal efforts of communities across America. Deb has written extensively on language, culture, travel, and China for The Atlantic, National Geographic, Slate, The New York Times and The Washington Monthly. Her previous book, Dreaming in Chinese: Mandarin Lessons in Life, Love, and Language, is based on her 3-year experience living and working in China.
Deborah Fallows
Deborah Fallows is a writer and a linguist. She is the co-author with her husband, James Fallows, of the national best-selling book, Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America, published in May, 2018. Our Towns, the HBO documentary based on the book was released in April, 2021. They recently launched the Our Towns Civic Foundation to support renewal efforts of communities across America. Deb has written extensively on language, culture, travel, and China for The Atlantic, National Geographic, Slate, The New York Times and The Washington Monthly. Her previous book, Dreaming in Chinese: Mandarin Lessons in Life, Love, and Language, is based on her 3-year experience living and working in China.
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of... Read More
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.