19 Charming Southern Towns Everyone In the U.S. Should Visit

Pristine beaches, historic architecture, and quirky shops and restaurants should make this town one of your top destinations in North Florida. If you’re not ready to move but still want a taste of Fernandina Beach life, book a few nights at the Florida House Inn. This charming 1857 boarding house claims to be the oldest standing hotel in Florida.

Besides enjoying the distinction of being Tennessee’s oldest town, this community is steeped in small town southern charm. It offers plenty in the way of nature excursions, authentic southern eats, and shady spots to sip some iced tea and watch the world go by.

The jewel in the crown of Warrior is the Fred Hallmark Farm, located just off Interstate 65 southbound near exit 280. Its classic red and white barn gives the area a charming, quaint vibe. With a population that hovers around 3,000 and a close-knit community, this is a true southern small town gem.

This historic town in the center of the state is nestled on the banks of Bayou Rouge. It hosts the annual Cottonport "Christmas on the Bayou" Pageant and retains much of its 19th century architecture and charm.

This modest East Tennessee resort town has become a bit of a tourism hot spot in recent years, but still retains that small town coziness. Property prices here are steadily rising, so you better snap up some dirt in this scenic spot while you can. If you’re just passing through, be sure to spend a day or two exploring the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Only around 1,000 people call this sleepy small town home, but what it lacks in population it makes up for in historic charm. Grand Coteau is one of the few primarily rural districts on the National Register of Historic Places. In its 19th century heyday, this little community had only two bakeries….but nine brothels. Grand Coteau offers over 70 gorgeous structures deemed historically significant, including the striking Church of St. Charles Borromeo.

This lovely small town can boast of some pretty stunning scenery: the magnificent Bald River Falls in the nearby Cherohala Skyway is a major beauty mark on the area. If you’re looking for a peaceful mountain town (of less than 900 people) and some true natural splendor, look no further than Tellico Plains.

Beaufort is a seaside community and the third oldest town in the state of North Carolina. Located in the "inner banks", this coastal gem is quite close to popular local swimming spots. Though the legendary pirate Blackbeard once cruised the waters off of Beaufort, today the charming town is known for its scenic waterfront and friendly people.

Bluffton is a unique mix of historic southern charm and newfangled hip culture. This charming town has quite a few historical homes and buildings, including "The Store," built in 1906. Besides having one of the lowest crime rates in the south and being chosen as the #1 non-beach alternative for a summer getaway by The Huffington Post, this town is seriously just downright lovely to look at.

Tucked away in the countryside, this colorfully named town is noted for its many preserved and restored Victorian homes, shops, and churches located in and around downtown, as well as being a center for classic southern crafts such as quilting and weaving. With a main street that looks straight out of the movies, you’ll fall in love with this sweet and creative small town.

Forty miles outside of Asheville you'll find the sweet small town of Saluda. This quaint community has a population of only 500, which makes it one of the best hidden gems in the state. Browse Saluda’s scenic main street for cozy coffee shops, family-owned restaurants, and lots of excellent people-watching. You can even stop by the train station to see a genuine 19th century caboose.

Also known as Little Sweden, Lindsborg is highly regarded for its spirited heritage festivals, historic landmarks, and friendly community. If you couldn’t guess, many families in this charming town have Swedish roots, and their darn proud.

This idyllic town was a "Hunger Games" filming location, and it’s obvious why: Triple Falls in Dupont State Forest is a waterfall worthy of the silver screen. When you’re done exploring the beauty of the local wilderness, head into downtown Brevard for a classic southern main street experience.

This idyllic town was a "Hunger Games" filming location, and it’s obvious why: Triple Falls in Dupont State Forest is a waterfall worthy of the silver screen. When you’re done exploring the beauty of the local wilderness, head into downtown Brevard for a classic southern main street experience.

This pleasant town has a town square that positively oozes community and small town spirit. Besides feeling frozen in time (in the best way), Catlettsburg is a great spot to find lots local, family-owned business and traditional diner-style eateries.

Starr Mill's Waterfalls in Fayetteville is just one of the beautiful country scenes you can find in this idyllic small town. Located south of Atlanta, Fayetteville was named once of the best places for young families and retirees Nerd Wallet and Forbes, respectively. This town has less than 15,000 residents, but oodles of charm.

Smithfield was named one of "America’s Happiest Seaside Towns" by Coastal Living in 2015. On top of that, The Virginia Review also referred to Smithfield as "without a doubt, one of the prettiest towns in Virginia." And it’s no wonder. With concerts in the park, community BBQs, and countless other local events, this town makes the most of its stunning historical downtown. This lovely little town actually goes by another name: "The Ham Capital of the World". Smithfield Foods is a Fortune 500 company and the world’s largest pork processor and hog producer in the U.S.

Farmville sits just south of the geographic center of the state, meaning that it is truly the heart of Virginia. Home to Longwood University, one of the nation’s oldest public institutions, Farmville is filled with history, undeniable charm, friendly people and an exceedingly high quality of life. The town was recently recognized by Cities Journal as one of Virginia’s best small towns. Stop by in May for the wonderful Heart of Virginia Festival, when vendors and musicians from around the country come together to sponsor arts and crafts, traditional foods, music and fireworks.

Amazing weather (read: not too humid) and classic Georgian natural beauty make this locale an incredibly charming southern small town. Though living in this community is on the pricey side (the median home price is over 400k), we definitely recommend a day trip to this pleasant spot.

Acting as the county seat of Calloway County, Fulton boasts 67 buildings on the historic registry. Even though it’s a small town, Fulton is full of things to do and see. Notable attractions include the National Churchill Museum and the Kemper Center for the Arts. However, a simple stroll around the cheerful downtown area would make for a perfectly charming afternoon.