7 Cutest Small Towns In the Southern United States To Visit In 2024
The South is known for its charm, hospitality, and rich history. Still, it is also home to some of the cutest small towns in the country in beautiful states like Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, South Carolina, Arkansas, and Georgia. These seven small towns offer relaxing getaways, rich cultural venues, outdoor adventures, and great Southern food to visitors across the region in 2024.
Maysville, Kentucky
Maysville is in northeastern Kentucky, along the Ohio River banks. The small town of less than 9,000 residents is approximately 60 miles southeast of Cincinnati, Ohio, and 60 miles northeast of Lexington, Kentucky. Its proximity to major cities and its picturesque location along the river make it a charming destination for visitors exploring “The Bluegrass State.”
What is cuter than miniatures? A must-see for any visitor to Maysville is the Kathleen Savage Browning (KSB) Miniatures Collection at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center, home of the world's largest collections of museum-quality miniatures. Imagine a perfect replica of a gold-gilded Naderman harp that can play actual musical notes and thousands of other pieces. The town is also home to the Russell Theatre, an atmospheric theater designed to evoke a time and place to engage audiences in the setting, and the Victorian-era Washington Opera House, built in 1860 as a venue for live performances, including opera, theater, and music.
A short drive from Maysville is the Old Pogue Distillery on the same grounds as the historic HE Pogue Distillery. The Pogue Family owns the distillery today and proudly produces small batches of Rye and Bourbon whisky using the same ingredient combinations and methods found in the recipes of their ancestors.
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Named after the Ocean Springs Hotel, which opened around 1853, Ocean Springs has morphed into an artsy coastal destination along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. It is known for its arts and festivals, walkable downtown, and scenic waterfront, including Fort Maurepas Park—a significant historical landmark in Ocean Springs. The park commemorates the original French settlement established in the area in 1699. Today, Fort Maurepas Park offers visitors a serene waterfront setting with beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico. Interpretive signs and historical markers throughout the park provide insights into the area's colonial past.
Artists can ignite their creative passion in Ocean Springs by visiting the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, the Hillyer House Artisan Gallery, Shearwater Pottery, or the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center. Ocean Springs also hosts the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival, the largest arts festival on the Gulf Coast, from November 2 to 3, 2024. The festival features painting, sculpting, pottery demonstrations, live music, food vendors, and a children’s art market.
For foodies, Aunt Jenny’s Catfish Restaurant still serves all-you-can-eat catfish and shrimp in a historic antebellum house built in the 1800s. Stop by Anthony’s Under the Oaks for steak, seafood, and a view of historic Fort Bayou. Or cool off at the beach with an artisan Margarita ice “poptail” at Pop Brothers.
Sevierville, Tennessee
Sevierville is tucked in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, close to the popular tourist destinations of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. The town is known for its charming downtown area, where visitors can stroll along historic streets lined with shops, restaurants housed in restored buildings, and multiple Dolly Parton-themed murals—a tribute to the country singer and philanthropist, Dolly Parton, who was born and raised in the area. Visitors can check out The Pines, which was originally The Pine Theatre when Dolly sang her first gig there in 1956 and is now an entertainment club featuring duckpin bowling, retro video games, and shuffleboard. Or stop and pay tribute to the country music queen at the bronze Dolly statue on the lawn of the historic Sevier County Courthouse. Visitors can fill up on Dolly merch at Jolene’s on Bruce St. or book an “Islands in the Streams” spa package at Wanderlust.
Nature lovers will appreciate Sevierville's proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Explore scenic hiking trails, view wildlife, and enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing and picnicking. Visit nearby Douglas Lake, rent a kayak, and discover hidden beaches in coves and islands along its 550 miles of shoreline—over 80 percent of which is undeveloped.
Abingdon, Virginia
Abingdon is a historic town in the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia. Known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and natural beauty, Abingdon offers visitors a unique blend of small-town charm and outdoor adventure. One of its main attractions is its downtown area, which features beautifully preserved buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries along its historic 20-block Main Street. Cute shops and restaurants line the street like Chellas On Main, Camella’s Remember When Tea, and The Tavern—the oldest bar in Virginia and the 8th oldest bar in the nation. With so many historic inns, like the Martha Washington Inn and Spa (once the Martha Washington College) or 1840s-era A Tailor’s Lodging, staying overnight in this cute town is tempting.
Theater lovers can visit the Barter Theatre, which opened its doors on June 10, 1933, announcing, “With vegetables you cannot sell, you can buy a good laugh.” Admission was only 35 cents or an equivalent amount of produce. Today, the theater celebrates Barter Days every June, and proceeds go to Feeding America Southwest Virginia. The 2024 theater season is well underway, with summer performances of The Wizard of Oz and the Shawshank Redemption.
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Called the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina,” Murrells Inlet is 14 miles south of the hustle and bustle of Myrtle Beach on the Hammock Coast. While life in the small fishing town may move slightly slower, it’s still a destination for fishing, water sports, and eating fresh seafood at local restaurants. Visitors can indulge at any of the waterfront eateries dotting the shoreline, like oysters at The Claw House’s raw bar, Wicked Tuna’s “Hook to Plate” fresh local seafood caught by the restaurant’s own fishing fleet, and or drinks and Woof Woof Wings at the Dead Dog Saloon.
Garden enthusiasts will love exploring the grounds at Brookgreen Gardens—a stunning combination of botanical garden, sculpture park, and wildlife preserve. Spanning over 9,100 acres, it is one of the most significant public gardens in the Southeastern United States. One of the highlights is its extensive collection of American figurative sculpture. The garden is also a haven for wildlife, home to diverse native species, including birds, butterflies, reptiles, and mammals.
Batesville, Arkansas
Batesville, Arkansas, is a charming city on the White River, providing ample opportunities for fishing, boating, and kayaking. Anglers flock to the area to fish for rainbow trout, large and smallmouth bass, sunfish, and other species. At the same time, outdoor enthusiasts can explore the river's picturesque shores and surrounding woodlands. Poke Bayou and the popular summertime swimming hole “The Rocks” feed into the magnificent White River and have become a leading tourism draw. Visitors can explore the natural beauty of the bayou by kayak or canoe from nearby Poke Bayou Outfitters. From catching a fish to catching a movie at the historic Melba Theater, originally constructed as a mercantile store before closing and returning in Art Deco style in 1940 as one of Arkansas' first cinemascope theaters.
Nature lovers will appreciate the city's proximity to outdoor attractions such as Blanchard Springs Caverns and the Ozark National Forest. Go underground to tour The Living Cave’s rock formations, which change from visit to visit. There are also three different cavern tours: the Dripstone Trail, the Discovery Trail, the Discovery in the Dark Headlamp Tour, and the cavern's newest trail, the Wild Cave Tour.
Thomasville, Georgia
In South Georgia near the Georgia-Florida state line, Thomasville offers visitors a delightful blend of small-town allure and cultural sophistication. Visitors can familiarize themselves with the town’s storied history with a visit to the Thomasville History Center, which has guided tours of seven historic buildings, including a bowling alley built in 1896, a courthouse, a playhouse, and a garage. Go on a self-guided tour of any of the nine historic districts and be in awe of the stately Southern mansions along the way.
Arts and culture admirers will love visiting The Bottom, the city’s arts district and home to the Thomasville Center for the Arts, which hosts community dinners, Artist Talks, and other events. Eclectic food shops abound in the area, like The Local Kickstand, which grew from a food truck into a casual eatery, Empire Bagel, serving New York-style deli food, or The Juice Box.
Finally, outdoor enthusiasts can get out in nature in nearby Red Hills, a 436,000-acre area known for its red clay soil and, what else, its rolling hills. Over 300 miles of paved and unpaved roads wind their way through the Red Hills, giving travelers a glimpse of a landscape that has remained virtually unchanged since the late 1800s.
Seven cute Southern towns offer diverse experiences for travelers seeking charming getaways. Maysville boasts miniature collections; Ocean Springs invites art lovers to galleries and festivals, while Sevierville has Dolly. Raise a toast to Abingdon in Virginia’s oldest bar, or eat fresh local seafood right off the boat in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. Catch trout in Batesville’s White River, or soak in the rich history of Thomasville. A visit to any of these towns in the Southern United States in 2024 will leave visitors wanting to return.
