10 Undisturbed Towns To Visit In The Southern United States
The American South is a vast and diverse region within the United States. It includes states such as Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee, among others. Due to its size, visitors will find natural sights across the region, from the Atlantic Ocean coast to the vistas of the Smoky Mountains. Within this part of the country are many towns known for their undisturbed natural beauty, their clear portrayals of the past, and their quiet environments. These qualities make them appealing destinations to visit or live.
St. Augustine, FL
Undisturbed views of the Atlantic Ocean can be enjoyed in St. Augustine. The nearby Vilano Beach Nature Boardwalk is a popular spot for those who want to walk along the shore while taking in the surrounding marshes and local wildlife. Guests will find a few shops and places to eat close to the shore. Surfside Kitchen is a pleasant spot to enjoy views of the palm trees while having American fare and feeling the ocean breeze.
Back in town, visitors can walk along the Matanzas River as they head to a cultural and historic area. Historic Downtown is surrounded by buildings with histories that reach into the far past. The Governor's House Cultural Center and Museum has served as a center of government since the 16th century and today portrays the history of the region from colonial times to the present. Numerous historic destinations are nearby. One example is the Oldest House Museum Complex, just off the river and known as the state's oldest surviving Spanish Colonial house.
Mount Dora, FL
A combination of history and natural beauty sets Mount Dora apart, making it a calm destination for peaceful retreats. Those who want time on the water can head out with Rusty Anchor Mount Dora. The most popular cruises take guests through the surrounding cypress swamps for birdwatching or out onto the lake to watch the sunset while touring spots along the shore. Those staying on land can enjoy the water from Grantham Point, where visitors can walk along the shore as they make their way to the town's landmark lighthouse.
Further inland, the Mount Dora Historic District offers quiet days spent walking between shops and restaurants. Visitors will also find historic structures, such as The Renaissance Building, a purportedly haunted hotel that has stood since the 1920s and now serves as a restaurant and art studio.
Beaufort, SC
Undisturbed riverside life can be found in Beaufort, which sits among a series of creeks and waterways that wind through the town. The Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park is a popular destination for both visitors and residents. Along the waterfront, the park has a walkway and hosts some of the town's most attended events, including the Beaufort Shrimp Festival. Guests will find several quiet spots by the water where they can dine and take in the scenery.
Bay Street meets Carteret Street just outside Wood Memorial Bridge, and spots like Saltus River Grill serve steak and seafood with views of the water. Steps away, those who want to learn more about the area can visit the Verdier House. First built between 1801 and 1805, the house now hosts docent-guided tours that discuss the history of the home, from its original construction to its role in the Civil War and into modern times.
Gatlinburg, TN
Unparalleled natural beauty surrounds Gatlinburg, a small mountain town in eastern Tennessee. Gatlinburg is the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where guests can see elk and black bears while hiking through the forest and past waterfalls. Hikers, bikers, and horse riders will find many paths that wind between natural areas and historic buildings that were constructed when the region was first settled.
In town, visitors can relax over local drinks and spirits, including regional moonshine brewed at the Sugarlands Distilling Company. Nearby, shopping and dining destinations line Parkway Road. There is also the Hollywood Stars Cars Museum, which displays well-known automobiles from television history, such as the General Lee and the 1966 Batmobile.
Paris, TN
The city of Paris has a character found in few other places. Visitors come to Paris almost always for one site, the Paris Eiffel Tower. Located within Eiffel Tower Park, the tower is a 60-foot steel replica of the Eiffel Tower. It is a clear photo spot at one of Tennessee's most recognizable landmarks. Afterward, guests have quiet grounds to walk. Those who prefer to stay active can use the sand volleyball courts, as well as the tennis and pickleball courts.
Not far away, Back Alley Paris runs through Downtown and features murals that can be seen while walking between nearby shops and dining locations. Down the street, the Paris Henry County Heritage Center sits on stately grounds and houses a museum in Cavitt Place, a mansion completed in 1916 that presents the town's history through its artifacts and exhibits, along with renovated halls that reflect the mansion's original appearance.
Blowing Rock, NC
Undisturbed natural beauty appears in the forests and mountains around Blowing Rock. The nearby Bass Lake Trail winds around the lake and branches into different paths. The trail is part of the larger Moses Cone Park Trails that move through the surrounding forests. Hikers can travel to Flat Top Lookout Tower, a route that takes visitors through meadows before they reach the fire tower. These paths also move through Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, which includes The Cone Manor, a 3,500-acre estate with a Colonial Revival mansion that has stood since 1901.
Those staying closer to town will find Chetola Lake in the heart of Blowing Rock and Broyhill Park around Mayview Lake. Broyhill Park has a gazebo beside the lake, creating a calm setting for time spent in town.
Boone, NC
Boone is a destination where visitors can enjoy peaceful outdoor time in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Guests can spend calm days in town at the Daniel Boone Native Gardens, which include a wide range of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers native to the region. On-site staff are available to discuss the gardens and the native flora maintained there.
Just outside town, bikers can spend a day in the sun and in the shade of forest trees at Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park. The park's trails move over log bridges and rocky vistas. Alternative hiking trails are also available in the area. A short distance away, Boone Outdoor Adventures maintains campgrounds where visitors can spend the night. Guests can also rent tubes and kayaks to drift along the nearby New River.
Fairhope, AL
Fairhope's reputation as an undisturbed destination comes from its small-town atmosphere and active art scene. Visitors will find a cluster of shops and dining spots along Fairhope Avenue. They will also find several art galleries, such as Seeley's Gallery by the Bay, where visitors can view and purchase the work of local painters, jewelers, and other artists.
Around the corner is the Fairhope Museum of History. The museum documents the town's history from the time of its native inhabitants to its role in the Civil War and World War II. To complete a calm day in Fairhope, visitors can head down the avenue to Henry George Bluff Park. Nearby, they can walk onto Fairhope Municipal Pier for a day of fishing or take a dip in the nearby beaches.
Dahlonega, GA
Dahlonega is a historic and peaceful town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Known as the Heart of Georgia Wine Country, visitors to the area can spend long days at the nearby Trattoria Di Montaluce. Set against the North Georgia Mountains, the trattoria has vineyard views that can be enjoyed over drinks and a meal.
Those staying in town can take casual walks through downtown with Dahlonega Walking Tours. These tours come in several forms, from ghost tours to tours of nearby tasting rooms. Visitors learn about historic Downtown as they walk through the area. For a direct look into the city's heritage, the Dahlonega Gold Museum presents the days of the gold rush that drew some of the earliest settlers to the region.
St. Francisville, LA
The town of St. Francisville is a place of undisturbed history, with many plantations spread across the land. Among the most notable is the Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site. Along Alexander Creek, the plantation was known for its fertile soil, which supported intensive farming. Plantation tours discuss the complex history of the site, including the lives of the upper-class families who lived in the main house and the enslaved workers who were forced to labor on the land.
St. Ferdinand Street is a walkable area for history lovers, with several historic markers along the lane and Grace Church, first established in 1827 and still in operation. Those who want to learn more about the region can visit the West Feliciana Historical Society and Museum, where artifacts and exhibits depict the town's history from its roots as a plantation site to the development of the local railroad and its role in regional conflicts.
Undisturbed Beauty And Culture
The many small towns and cities of the American South are calm destinations for those seeking peaceful days outdoors along with cultural and historic surroundings. Places like the Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site give clear views into the past, and the Moses Cone Park Trails guide hikers through meadows and forests. Across the region, visitors find quiet streets, natural settings, and steady connections to local history. These shared qualities shape the sense of serenity that defines these towns and make them notable places to visit in the South.
