7 Fairy-Tale Small Towns In The Southern United States
The small towns of the south are set against landscapes as diverse as the people who call them home, from tree-lined streets draped in Spanish Moss to the misty mountains and miles of endless coastline to the rolling hills and rural farmland. In among those picturesque landscapes lie secret spots as magical as the fairy-tales Southern children grew up on.
Here are seven fairy-tale small towns in the Southern United States in which to lose yourself.
Fairhope, Alabama
Fairhope, Alabama, is a coastal town on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay where whimsical attractions like the Storybook Castles create an enchanted feeling.
The Storybook Castles are a collection of three homes made by sculptor, carpenter, writer, and environmentalist Craig Sheldon and his son-in-law, Dean Mosher. Sheldon Castle is a bed & breakfast with a private Airbnb suite and is the first castle built in the 1940s. Craig Sheldon let his creative side go wild to craft the magical exterior walls using local materials like Mobile Bay stone tiles mixed with eclectic finds from cookware and bottles to old tools and Civil War shrapnel. Mismatched shingles add to the whimsy of the rolled roof design, and the iconic tower and conical roof complete the fairy-tale feel.
Mosher Castle is the work of Sheldon’s son-in-law, Dean Mosher. He transformed a dilapidated structure into his family home and studio, complete with towers, a moat, and a drawbridge. Boom Castle was Dean Mosher’s second work. The reimagined old blockhouse features handcrafted trim and stonework and a 7-foot circular door inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien. Both Boom and Mosher castles are private property, but the family welcomes visitors to admire the bespoke architecture.
Tolstoy Park is a tiny round concrete house built in 1925 by Henry Stuart. The home’s design feels like a cottage you might stumble upon in an enchanted forest with its domed roof and cozy windows. The town is currently raising money to move the structure to the Flying Creek Nature Preserve.
Helen, Georgia
Step into the pages of a Brother’s Grimm storybook in Helen, Georgia. Sitting on the Chattahoochee River tucked away in the North Georgia Mountains, the Bavarian architecture and cobblestone streets evoke images of Hansel & Gretel, Briar Rose, and Cinderella.
The town’s alpine façade is the brainchild of local artist John Kollock in answer to local business owners’ calls for ideas to help attract tourists in the late 1960s. By 1972, the reimagined storefronts began to work their magic.
Today, the Helen Arts and Heritage Center is a perfect example of alpine architecture. The center showcases the varied work of local artists in a charming Bavarian-style building, including hand-crafted pottery, paintings, and jewelry. The Heritage Center includes a short movie covering the town’s transformation from a neglected dot on the map into a Bavarian wonderland.
By day, Anna Ruby Falls in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is a spectacular, rare double waterfall, created where Curtis Creek and York Creek merge and the cascading water forms Smith Creek. Under the starry skies, bioluminescent insect larvae transform the forest into a magical fairyland!
Leaning into the romance of American literature, Scarlet’s Secret is a two-story “Plantation” style home furnished à la Gone With the Wind. The museum includes an impressive collection of movie-related memorabilia and Civil War artifacts. And it just so happens that Scarlet’s is known for its afternoon tea and delectable desserts. Book a reservation to sample their sweet delights.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Eureka Springs is nestled in the peaceful Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas. The town’s romantic Victorian homes are the things ghost stories and classic fairy tales are made of. As you walk the streets at night, you can imagine beings from the spirit world appearing before unsuspecting characters like Cienzo in the Italian classic tale, The Merchant. The town does have its fair share of ghostly legends.
The Crescent Hotel is perched like a splendid French chateau overlooking the town. The 1886 landmark is reputed to be “America’s Most Haunted Hotel.” Despite the hotel’s macabre ties, its undeniable charm and intriguing history make it a popular spot not just for ghostly night tours but also for elegant stays and indulgent spa days.
Opera in the Ozarks is an annual summer event featuring three operas performed by university students and graduates of the arts. Past performances include Into the Woods, a culmination of all the most well-known fairy tales, as well as classics like The Merry Widow and Carmen. Time your trip for their summer performances.
Imagine yourself discovering a magical lamp with a wish-granting genie while exploring the Cosmic Cavern in nearby Berryville. The secretive caves could be the home of Ali Baba and the 40,000 Thieves if it were not for the fact that you can enter without whispering "Open sesame!" Tours feature two bottomless cave lakes, stunning formations such as stalactites and stalagmites, and the untouched beauty of the transparent formations of Silent Splendor.
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is located on the Eastern Atlantic coastline and is one of the last places you would expect to find a castle. However, Castle Ottis transforms the Florida landscape into a scene right out of Camelot.
The castle was expressly designed as an “original landscape sculpture" with historically accurate architecture reflecting a 1,000-year-old Irish castle. When you spot the beautiful Abbey from afar, it is hard to fathom that the intricate stonework was constructed by just two artisans. The stillness and silence of the Abbey create a peaceful sanctuary where streaming light through 88 windows exposes the hand-crafted spiritual and historic symbols throughout. Tours are available by appointment only and tend to be limited to groups.
Most of us are familiar with the story of Ponce de Leon’s search for the Fountain of Youth. St. Augustine is home to the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, marking the site explored 55 years before Europeans set foot on Plymouth Rock. Dating back almost 500 years, the site is a compelling journey where the history of the earliest conquistadors and the Timucua civilization collide.
The splendor of the “American Riviera” was born during America's Gilded Age. The famed Hotel Alcazar was the playground for the idle rich until it closed in 1931. The shuttered grand dame was purchased in 1946 to house the Lightner Museum. Midwestern magazine publisher and collector Otto C. Lightner required a place to house his eclectic collections designed to inspire creativity and garner new interests and hobbies for idle hands.
Burnet, Texas
Falkenstein Castle is a wondrous but unexpected sight in the Texas Hill Country. The fairy-tale castle was the vision of Bavarian King Ludwig II, who reigned over Bavaria from 1864 until 1886. The beginnings of his castle sit on a rocky hilltop, which fell into ruins when disagreements halted its construction. When Texas couple Terry and Kim Young heard of the ill-fated castle, they decided to build their own version in Burnet. If you squint, you could be in Bavaria.
Falkenstein Castle is a popular wedding venue and Airbnb. The magnificent interiors are the ultimate extravagance for a Texas getaway, offering spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
Nearby, Enchanted Rock also offers panoramic views of the Hill Country, which covers 640 acres and rises to 1,825 feet above sea level at its highest point. The dreamlike landscape is otherworldly, where you will discover Fairy Shrimp in vernal pools. As an International Dark Sky Park, Enchanted Rock offers a galaxy of twinkling stars to wish upon.
Burnet’s Fort Croghan comes to life at special events throughout the year, including Fort Croghan Day and Christmas celebrations. Meet costumed pioneers sharing the story of the fort from 1849-1852, and immerse yourself in the ingenuity of the old frontier. Brace yourself for the cannon gunfight!
For a unique way to visit Burnet, hop aboard the Hill Country Flyer for a scenic ride from the Cedar Park depot in Austin. The train departs Burnet after a two-hour stopover, offering just enough time to explore.
Montevallo, Alabama
Montevallo, Alabama, is tucked away in the quiet foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Hidden in the loveliness of a peaceful green space are the Tinglewood Carvings of Orr Park. The bewitched trees at the South’s most enchanting natural preserve reveal whimsical carvings by miner Tim Tingle, who transformed storm-damaged trees into mystical forest creatures and captivating human faces. From wizards to storybook gnomes and a dragon to a delightful unicorn, every step reveals a new discovery reflecting the artist’s creativity and talent.
The tree carvings are not the only characters you will encounter in Montevallo. The whimsical Pendleton Hydrant Parade Trail is a playful tour through the Main Street District, where painted fire hydrants range from Van Gogh’s Starry Night to firehouse dalmatians and ice cream cones to coal miners and firemen.
The American Village is inspired by George Washington’s Mount Vernon home and includes Independence Circle, Constitution Green, and a grand avenue depicting the American experience from the colonial period to the new American Republic. Interactive, immersive experiences take you into the country’s most momentous events, from Paul Revere’s midnight ride to Washington-era Army drills and meeting an Apothecary in the herb garden to discussions with historic characters such as Eliza Hamilton.
The African American Heritage Trail shares stories of the richly textured elements of Black history and culture in and around Montevallo, through a series of markers, plaques, and historic signage along the Montevallo Main Street Mile.
Danville, Kentucky
The Bluegrass region’s Danville, Kentucky, is known as the “City of Firsts” with a storied history that includes the site of the first capital of Kentucky, the signing of the first state constitution, and Kentucky’s first courthouse. While there is no magic in that, Danville’s Great American Dollhouse Museum is more than just a few pages out of a storybook.
The dreamlike settings depicted in the miniature dollhouses arouse curiosity with imaginative scenarios from cozy cottages to bedrooms fit for a princess. The intricate dollhouse façades give way to open backs where you can peer through the windows like the giant in Jack and the Beanstalk.
The ethereal glasswork of famed glassblower Stephen Rolfe Powell takes you on a different journey at the GLASS National Art Museum. Immerse yourself in a unique art experience in a darkened gallery lit only by the spotlights capturing Powell’s work. The light casts color from the glass sculptures into the surrounding environment, creating the feeling of walking through a prism or a rainbow. You can also visit the Stephen R. Powell Memorial Garden and Outdoor Classroom at Centre College in Danville, where the artist taught the art of glasswork for decades. The steel dome is adorned with shimmering glass disks that sparkle in the sunshine and are illuminated at night. Stroll the campus to discover modern outdoor sculptures, and visit the Norton Center for the Arts to browse the latest installments in the exhibition spaces.
The South offers chance fairy encounters, secret gardens, storybook castles, and enchanting spots filled with whimsy. Whether you are heading out for a day of discovery, need to reset with a weekend of enchantment, or are planning a road trip to mystical lands, the South promises to deliver this and more, along with a warm smile and a heaping serving of Southern comfort. So pack your bags, y'all, and step into the pages of these Southern fairy-tale small towns.
