11 Most Underrated Towns In The Southern United States
The American South is a large, distinctive region with a unique cultural and historic heritage, from early European colonial settlements to the Confederacy during the American Civil War. Choose one of these towns to spend the second half of summer with a bang, or visit anytime after for warm weather and the locals alike.
While the Southern US is an ideal destination in the nation for warmth-loving souls seeking a respite from the city, many of its towns go wildly overlooked. Choose one of these towns over the common getaways with quality services, great family attractions, and pristine nature to enjoy with your favorite peeps.
Avalon, California
Made famous by Stepbrothers, Santa Catalina Island, part of the California Channel Islands, with its only incorporated city of Avalon, is often underrated. The southernmost town in LA County offers many free and affordable experiences and is unfairly perceived as just a luxury destination. However, a wealth of sights doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot, as Avalon is accessible to everyday tourists. Explore Avalon and the stunning Santa Catalina Island, which has something for everyone, including unique California adventures and a luxurious ambiance created by its scenery.
Begin creating lifelong memories right from the start as you arrive at Avalon by ferry from Long Beach, with dolphins playing in the sparkling waters nearby. Instead of golf or scuba diving, which aren't for everyone, try the Glass Bottom Boat Experience. Bring a picnic for a day filled with sun, sand, and sea, including swimming and sunbathing, and enjoy sunset strolls each evening for breathtaking views. Venture inland for even more excitement, such as cool bison tours, ziplining, rock climbing, falconry, and camping. Stay active and indulge in abundant seafood, choosing a water-side dining experience as a special treat on your last day of vacation or getaway.
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
This small, unique town of 11,000 forward-thinking residents embraces its history, creating a distinctive blend of historic relics and modern flair that few realize. With beautiful beaches included, it becomes a highly underrated must-visit destination full of sights and experiences that will create lasting memories. Stroll along the shores in the sea breeze, explore the vibrant downtown with vintage buildings and small businesses, eight of which have been named "Best" in their categories. Visit the wonderful Smith & Lens art gallery and the outdoor local favorite, Blind Tiger, while the trendy Social Chair is officially the best gift shop in the state.
Enjoy convenient access via Highway 90 from inland areas to the picturesque seascape the town offers, recognized as the nation's coolest by Budget Travel. While Bay St. Louis has its devoted fans, it mostly remains "a place apart," situated at the tip of the promontory overlooking its namesake bay. Dive into the small-town atmosphere and indulge in uncrowded downtown spots, savor food at the Starfish Cafe, and explore the surrounding parkland that offers miles of nature and camping options. Refresh yourself at Fields Steak & Oyster Bar after a hike or enjoy an elegant dinner at the Sycamore House, just a short drive from stunning sunset views on the beach.
Blue Ridge, Georgia
Visit this cool town in the northern part of the state for a quintessential getaway into the alpine atmosphere and Georgia's renowned wine scene. From the most charismatic downtown to the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains, the scenery will follow you everywhere, like through over 40 independent wineries with tastings and live music. Just imagine the tranquility after a vineyard stroll with a glass of your favorite wine under the watchful eye of those peaking giants, and start packing your bags for the easiest getaway from Atlanta.
If beer is more your style, you'll find plenty of breweries and restaurants serving world cuisine rather than craft beers. Create lively, cherishable moments with your family, such as visiting ice cream shops, boutique shopping, and the popular Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Enjoy seasonal activities like breathtaking hikes in the Appalachians or exploring the refreshing Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, as well as picking fruit, berries, and sunflowers during farm harvests. Choose from many cozy, family-run B&Bs with inviting porches to breathe in the crisp mountain air.
Deerfield Beach, Florida
Deerfield Beach is an underrated Sunshine State gem, perfect for a charming summer escape or a lively season finale along Florida's acclaimed coastline. This delightful small town exudes Old Florida charm, boasts pristine beaches, and offers numerous water activities suitable for all ages and preferences, all with fewer crowds. Whether it's modern leisure activities, the nostalgic downtown vibe, or the surrounding natural beauty, visitors consistently gather at the stunning 976-foot fishing pier for scenic views and photo opportunities.
Discover unique activities in this northern town in the state, such as free surfing and stand-up paddleboard lessons on Saturday mornings, "Full Moon Paddle Tours," and cove-like beaches along the Atlantic. Explore Deerfield Island Park with hikes through a natural wonderland featuring trails and mangrove swamps. Enjoy fun and excitement for everyone at the unmissable Splash Adventure Water Park, with thrilling water slides, splashing, and refreshing swims. With so much to see and do, the Charm City Burger Company will satisfy your hunger, as will JB's on the Beach with seafood or the Little Havana Restaurant with authentic Cuban cuisine.
Duck, North Carolina
Much like its name suggests, Duck appears predictable but is like no other getaway in the whole nation. From expansive beaches and shaded bike trails to downtown strolls in the sea breeze, Duck is a pet-friendly, quintessential small-town experience. Take a hike through the unique, 11-acre maritime forest with unique nature trails and hit the aesthetic streets with dog fountains, cozy and luxurious vacation rentals, unique shopping venues, and rustic wooden boardwalks by the beach.
The lovely town in the scenic North Carolina Outer Banks of the Atlantic Ocean adapts to your taste on a getaway into nature with many cool hotspots and restaurants to appease every taste post-hike, including waterfront dining galore. Duck induces nostalgia as an image that you could not summon with your words but fits exactly your mind's eye's dreamy vacation. Visit any season for splashing in the bay's shallows, cruising the boundless waters, or the water trails dotted with small islets and marshlands to maneuver in a kayak for memorable times.
Fairhope, Alabama
This town along Alabama's Gulf Coast is tucked away, perched atop bluffs overlooking Mobile Bay. Visit Fairope for a peaceful, crowd-free beach retreat with scenic views for miles and a vibrant downtown vibe to relax in. The small-town feel surrounds you with endless sights and places like the Eastern Shore Art Center, Before & After Gallery, and Fairhope Brewing Company. Take a stroll along the scenic, flower-filled streets and browse local businesses like charming art galleries and gift shops, leading to beaches with winding coastal trails.
Explore around for panoramic views and wildlife, and recharge at excellent seafood restaurants through the various neighborhoods comprising Fairhope. From enjoying sunset strolls to exploring the 260,000 acres of one of the country's most beautiful and diverse ecosystems, the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, just 30 minutes away, Fairhope is a real naturalist's fantasy come to life. Take on the wildlife-ridden Bartram Canoe Trail on a stroll, bike ride, horseback, or in a canoe down its water trails through the cypress swamps and marshes, and you will not be remiss at sightings of bald eagles, kingfishers, turtles, and alligators.
Havana, Florida
The truly quintessential town of Quincy is a masked Floridian gem, some dozen miles north of Tallahassee at the border with Georgia's renown wine scene. Its own Quincy Historic District reveals an impressive array of scenically old buildings and structures. Havana is a former railroad stop in beautiful Gadsden County. Today, it is a full-of-feel-good vibes agricultural community with an appealing streetscape of historical sights like architecture and antiques.
Explore Havana on foot with its refreshed shopping scene comprising unique boutiques, antiquing, and local shops dotted throughout vibrant neighborhoods. Shop for wines, collectibles, home decor, furniture, jewelry, and art, and choose a family-run restaurant for authentic flavors. Visit its iconic Gadsden Arts Center, a former hardware store turned vibrant art center with an eye-catching exterior and ogle-worthy works by famous local and national artists, free of charge.
Juno Beach, Florida
Find Juno Beach, another hidden gem along the Sunshine State's coastline bordering the Atlantic, between Jupiter and West Palm Beach. There's never the wrong time to land in this town full of family-friendly pursuits like beaches, but come from May through October for the cute and insightful spectacle of the world's densest sea turtle nesting ground. Take a tour through the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, which rehabilitates sick or injured but resilient sea turtles; it also offers guided beach walks and the cool release of hatchling reptiles.
Find the scenic 990-foot Juno Beach Pier at Juno Beach Park as great for scenic relaxation, saltwater fishing, and sunset strolls as it is for nature ventures through the park and to its Pier House for rentals of all kinds. Enjoy the 300 feet of guarded beach at your discretion, through the designated surfing area, picnic shelters, and shoreside strolls with views that stretch on forever. The 569-acre maritime hammock preserve of the Juno Dunes Natural Area has everything from easy hiking trails with wildlife to the highest natural point in Palm Beach County.
New Port Richey, Florida
The highly underrated town of New Port Richey is a joy to discover, with a unique story and deep background even before. Discover the town with surprising offerings and memorable times spent, just 30 miles northwest of Tampa. The shining seaside gem and suburb of St. Petersburg brims with historical charm, crowdless family attractions, and the best coastal nature, like pristine beaches. Escape the city into its scenically wild riverside embrace with an appealing streetscape, diverse culture, and charming businesses.
Boasting a sister city in the French Riviera's own Cavalaire-sur-Meropens since 1995, you can expect glorious sights downtown, like the Cavalaire Square honoring the meaningful connection. Find similar geographic features along with a great coastal shopping and restaurant scene, cultural festivities, and heritage sights. Take a hike through the ravishingly dense James Grey Preserve and dine on various cuisines at the square, where something is always happening. Take a sunset stroll in the sea breeze or visit an art venue for vibrant performances, relishing the revered small-town appeal you've been dreaming of through all your pursuits.
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Ocean Springs is a cozy and colorful town along the scenic shore of Coastal Mississippi. It is a great surprise that a lively town of over 18,000 along the renown Mississippi Gulf Islands National Seashore does not get more accolades. Visit the "City of Discovery" with charming seaside adventures on a quiet coastal escape to relax and sightsee in nature and through the historic downtown. Enjoy easy-breezy strolls, sunny beaches, and over 200 charming businesses run independently by the locals for shopping, dining, and viewing.
The small town atmosphere gets lively during the state's largest fine arts festival, the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival, presented by Blue Moon. Stop by the Ocean Springs Art Association and visit the Walter Anderson Museum of Art and Shearwater Pottery. Ocean Springs is your escape from the city cage you've been dreaming of, including tranquil lounging during the day and active outdoor nightlife like entertainment and drinks to-go as you wander around and mingle.
Sedona, Arizona
Sedona is a surreal desert town characterized by towering red rock formations. Although many pass by this oasis, it is perfect for stargazing and astrophotography, especially with its recognition as a Dark Sky Community. Within roughly two hours of driving along 120 scenic miles north of Phoenix or a brief 30-mile trip south of Flagstaff, you'll find yourself in this stunning setting. Sedona's breathtaking landscape, with its endless beauty, gives the feeling of stepping into a postcard the moment you arrive.
The town is a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with breathtaking views to explore by biking, hiking, and backpacking, such as the famous Cathedral Rock and the natural slides at Slide Rock State Park. Seek wellness and spirituality after visiting the city’s iconic sights at the beautiful Chapel of the Holy Cross cathedral or explore many energy vortexes. There are also unique boutiques, excellent dining with local flavors, and yoga studios for modern family fun activities.
This region, with its customs, literature, musical styles, and diverse cuisines, is unofficially known and sought after as the "Southern Charms." From coastal gems to Appalachian enclaves, these underrated towns in the vast and varied South, with many climate zones including tropical, offer the best natural scenery for year-round eco-tourism.
Visit anytime to enjoy the second half of summer with excitement or afterward for warm weather and local life. Experience the relaxed pace, welcoming hospitality, and unique culture, which includes various music styles, "traditional" cuisine, and literature featuring Nobel laureate William Faulkner, the renowned southern writer in 1949, as well as Mark Twain.
