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| Escape to the South: 25 Charming Weekend Getaways |
From live oaks dripping with Spanish moss to caverns that lie beneath the surface, the American South is filled with natural wonders, rich history, down-home hospitality, and no shortage of comfort food.
We're highlighting 25 weekend getaway destinations across the South that capture the region's distinctive culture. From Savannah's grand antebellum architecture to the neon-lit honky tonks of Nashville, here are the best places to visit for a true taste of the South.
1. Soak up Savannah, Georgia's Southern Charm
With its cobblestone streets, manicured squares, and historic homes, Savannah oozes old-world sophistication. The city's dining scene has blossomed in recent years, with restaurants like The Grey and Common Thread putting a modern spin on Lowcountry cuisine.
Must-see attractions include the live oak-shaded Forsyth Park, the Italianate Savannah Theatre, and ethereal Bonaventure Cemetery featured in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
2. Bowling Green, Kentucky: Cars, Caves, and More
Home to the National Corvette Museum, Bowling Green is a mecca for auto enthusiasts. Take a guided tour of the adjacent production plant to witness these iconic sports cars being built.
The city also boasts fascinating geological formations like the Lost River Cave and is a short drive from Mammoth Cave National Park, home to the world's longest known cave system.
3. Outdoor Adventure in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Nestled along the Tennessee River with a backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains, Chattanooga delights outdoor lovers. Marvel at the underground waterfall and soaring views at Lookout Mountain, then replenish with a meal at Easy Bistro & Bar. Don't miss the show-stopping aquarium, art galleries, and riverwalk, either.
4. Wilmington, North Carolina: Coastal Living
This port city along the Cape Fear River provided the backdrop for Dawson’s Creek and other Hollywood productions. Today, Wilmington shines in its own right thanks to attractions like the Battleship North Carolina museum, the antebellum Bellamy Mansion, and family-friendly Wrightsville Beach.
5. The Big Easy: New Orleans, Louisiana
The birthplace of jazz possesses an irresistible joie de vivre. Wander the storied French Quarter, catch live music on Frenchmen Street, and feast on Creole/Cajun specialties like gumbo, muffulettas, and beignets.
Don't leave New Orleans without a visit to bohemian neighborhoods like the Garden District or the elegant St. Louis Cathedral, the city's most recognizable landmark.
6. Step Back in Time: Natchez, Mississippi
On a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, Natchez transports visitors back to the antebellum era. Tour historic houses like ornate Rosalie Mansion and Stanton Hall built by cotton merchants and plantation owners in the 1800s.
The Museum of African American History and Culture and Natchez Trace Parkway also warrant a visit.
7. Asheville, North Carolina: Arts and Outdoors
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the funky city of Asheville woos travelers with its creative spirit, farm-to-table fare, and boundless outdoor recreation.
Go gallery-hopping in the River Arts District, hike to panoramic views at Craggy Pinnacle, or tour the palatial Gilded Age estate Biltmore. Excellent craft breweries and hip hangouts like The Orange Peel round out Asheville's appeal.
8. Hot Springs, Arkansas: Taking the Waters
True to name, Hot Springs National Park contains natural hot springs best experienced during a thermal bath in renovated Bathhouse Row along glimmering Lake Hamilton. Beyond soaking in the springs, Hot Springs offers 26 miles of hiking trails, Garvan Woodland Gardens' stunning landscapes, and fascinating Art Deco architecture.
9. Charleston, South Carolina: Southern Hospitality at Its Finest
Charleston dazzles visitors with its cobblestone streets, historic homes, palmetto-lined Battery overlooking the harbor, and bountiful Lowcountry cuisine. Must-see attractions include the slave-built Old Exchange Building, the maritime-focused Charleston Museum, and Magnolia Plantation's lush gardens.
10. Louisville, Kentucky: Bourbon, Baseball & Beyond
As home to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Louisville delivers an intoxicating taste of Bluegrass State culture. Learn about native son Muhammad Ali at his namesake center downtown or tour the Louisville Slugger baseball bat factory. Afterward, sample bourbons during a distillery tour along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
11. Bryson City, North Carolina: Outdoor Playground
This tiny mountain town south of Great Smoky Mountains National Park comes alive in warmer months. Go tubing, ziplining, hiking, fishing, or paddling, then refuel at hometown eateries like barbecue joint Cork and Bean Bistro.
Don't skip the rail-themed Smoky Mountain Trains Museum or scenic rides aboard the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad along the Little Tennessee and Tuckasegee rivers.
12. Nashville, Tennessee: Music City Magic
Nashville needs no introduction—it remains one of America's top entertainment hubs. Two pilgrimage sites for music buffs are the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry, where legends still take the stage.
Beyond country western, Nashville boasts a dynamic culinary scene, young creative class, pro sports teams, and spots like Printer's Alley with rollicking late-night music.
13. Georgia's Golden Isles: Saint Simons Island
On the southern end of Georgia's chain of Golden Isles, Saint Simons Island delights beachgoers and nature lovers alike with its unspoiled shoreline, coastal marshes, and towering oak trees. Attractions range from the 104' tall Saint Simons Lighthouse to antebellum Hamilton Plantation.
14. Amelia Island, Florida: Breezy Beach Escape
For a more low-key Florida beach getaway, head to Amelia Island near Jacksonville, where you'll find windswept dunes, salty breezes, and a charming shrimping village Fernandina Beach.
Top attractions include Fort Clinch State Park, Amelia Island Museum of History, and the Omni Amelia Island Resort.
15. Roanoke, Virginia: Culture in the Blue Ridge
Nestled in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, Roanoke shines with small-town charm and natural beauty. Take the Art Deco-style Mill Mountain Star elevator up to panoramas of the surrounding peaks then explore trails and gardens at Mill Mountain Park.
Downtown, the free Taubman Museum of Art impresses with its striking arcing glass exterior while the O. Winston Link Museum celebrates Roanoke’s railroading history.
16. Ocracoke, North Carolina: Quaint Outer Banks Island
Accessible only by ferry, boat, or private plane, Ocracoke Island in North Carolina's Outer Banks feels wonderfully remote.
Protected as Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Ocracoke Village charms with its lighthouse, pirate tales connected to Blackbeard, award-winning beaches, and famously friendly wild ponies.
17. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia: Scenic Skyline Drive
In Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park spells adventure with its white-knuckle drives atop mountain ridges, cascading waterfalls like 93' tall Stony Man Falls, and over 500 miles of hiking trails, including popular Old Rag Mountain.
Go stargazing along the 105-mile Skyline Drive or fish for trout in the park’s cold, clear streams. The park really shines in fall when the mountains erupt in a kaleidoscope of autumn hues.
18. Macon, Georgia: Soulful Sounds
This vibrant college town overflowing with historic architecture, gardens, and museums rightly calls itself the “heart and soul of Georgia.” As the birthplace of Little Richard and Otis Redding, Macon also played a pivotal role in Southern music.
Pay homage to local legends at the Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House or catch a show at the historic Grand Opera House.
19. Oxford, Mississippi: Literary Legends
As home to Ole Miss and native son William Faulkner, a Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winner, Oxford exudes an artsy, collegiate vibe. Tour Faulkner's preserved residence Rowan Oak then walk through shaded Bailey's Woods to the museum where you can view his outline for A Fable scrawled on the wall.
The local music scene also shines with Venues like Proud Larry’s and The Lyric Oxford.
20. Orange Beach, Alabama: Sandy Shores
Orange Beach proves Gulf Shores, Alabama offers just as fabulous beaches as neighbors Florida and Mississippi. Families flock to amusement parks, nature preserves, dolphin cruises, championship golf courses, and sugar-soft beaches along the Gulf of Mexico.
21. Memphis, Tennessee: Home of the Blues
The beating heart of Memphis resides on iconic Beale Street where you'll find live music pouring from neon-lit blues clubs old and new. Essential stops for music buffs include Sun Studio, where Elvis and Johnny Cash got their start, and Elvis' kitschy personal residence, Graceland.
Beyond the music scene, Memphis woos visitors with the National Civil Rights Museum, the Memphis Zoo, and, of course, finger-lickin' barbecue.
22. Key West, Florida: Quirky Tropical Delight
The southernmost point in the continental United States, Key West marches to the beat of its own drum with a funky fusion of Caribbean and Floridian influences. Wander the pastel-hued homes and banyan trees of Old Town, drive along routes edged by turquoise waters, and soak up the sunset celebration at Mallory Square dock.
Plentiful water activities, fishing charters, literary sites connected to Hemingway and Tennessee Williams, and nightlife extending into the wee hours heighten Key West's appeal.
23. Washington, D.C.: Monuments and Memorials
While D.C. holds plenty of icons like the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, White House, and Capitol Building, look beyond the National Mall to uncover the city's contemporary side.
Go gallery-hopping in Dupont Circle, hike at Rock Creek Park, or bar and restaurant hop along 14th Street or in Georgetown's Federal-style row houses. Come spring, the cherry blossom blooms are simply magical.
24. Gatlinburg, Tennessee: Mountain Majesty
Nestled at the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg spells family fun with attractions like ziplining over the hills, wandering the shops and eateries that line its "main street," and enjoying sweeping mountain vistas.
Don't skip kid faves like Ripley's Aquarium or record-setting scenic lift, the Gatlinburg Space Needle.
25. Charleston, West Virginia: Mountain State Charm
With the regal state capitol at its heart and mountain ridges all around, Charleston exudes Appalachian spirit. Get a taste via the West Virginia State Museum then go hiking, biking, or paddling along the Elk River at Coonskin Park.
Save time for white water rafting adventures, farm trails, lakeside resorts, and great restaurants throughout the city and surroundings that surprise outsiders.
So which of these southern weekend getaways speaks to your travel dreams? Have a destination to add to the list? Let us know in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about weekend getaways in the South:
Q: What is the best time of year to visit the South?
A: The spring and fall shoulder seasons offer mild weather perfect for exploring the South's cities and nature without intense heat or crowds of summer. However, winter months remain fairly mild in coastal southern cities like Charleston and Savannah.
Q: What type of clothes should I pack for a southern weekend trip?
A: Pack light layers you can add or remove and comfortable walking shoes. In winter, ad extra layer like a light jacket or sweater for evenings. Summers tend to be hot and humid so opt for breathable fabrics.
Q: Which major airport hubs offer the most options for reaching southern weekend destinations?
A: Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando, and Houston airports serve most southern weekend trip destinations with regular direct and connecting flight options.
Q: What festivals are worth planning a southern weekend getaway around?
A: Top southern festivals include Mardi Gras in New Orleans; Charleston Food & Wine Festival in South Carolina; Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis; and Austin City Limits in Texas.
Q: Which southern towns make the best girls’ getaway weekend?
A: Fun girls' weekend picks include Savannah, Charleston, Asheville, Nashville, New Orleans, and small beach towns like Amelia Island in Florida, Jekyll Island in Georgia, and Fairhope in Alabama that offer relaxation paired with shopping and dining options.
Conclusion
With so many amazing weekend escapes across the American South, you're sure to find places that appeal whether seeking outdoor adventure, delicious comfort food, fascinating history, or musical magic.
Let us know your favorite spots and future southern travel plans in the comments below!
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