8 Off-The-Beaten-Path Towns In The Southern United States
The Southern United States is a versatile landscape. It is a large expanse of states including Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. They all vary heavily in climate, industry, and culture. A traveler driving across the southern states will encounter everything from the bayous of Louisiana to the coastal hotspots of Florida. Everywhere in between lie small towns of hospitality. If you’re looking for off-the-beaten-path towns that maintain their unique allure, you will find it in any one of these eight communities.
Luckenbach, Texas
With a population of 3 and a hallowed history of live music greats, it doesn’t get much more “off-the-beaten-path” than Luckenbach. The Luckenbach, Texas, General Store, Bar & Dancehall has been hosting live music since 1849. It is 13 miles away from Fredericksburg and a hot spot for weekends of music with the best-known artists in the Texas music scene. The Luckenbach Feed Store is a must-stop for lunch or dinner with Carolina-style pulled pork sandwiches. While Luckenbach is off the beaten path, many visitors choose to stay overnight in Fredericksburg and do a day trip over to Luckenbach for a live show. The Full Moon Inn Bed & Breakfast is a popular choice.
Dunedin, Florida
Dunedin, pronounced done-EE-din, is a small town with world-famous beaches like North Beach and Oasis Beach. The Gulf Coast is filled with bustling cities that cater to a party beach crowd, but Dunedin maintains its poise. Honeymoon Island State Park is just 5 miles away from town. It is an unspoiled beach with everything from birding to sunbathing. Dunedin is the spring training destination for the Toronto Blue Jays, so attending games is a favorite pastime in the area. Bicyclists love the access to the Pinellas Trail, a fully paved multi-use trail that extends for a whopping 45 miles.
Broken Bow, Oklahoma
Broken Bow is a nature lover’s retreat. Remote and surrounded by wilderness, it serves as an excellent getaway outside of the norm. Anglers will find the Mountain Fork River to be a great spot to spend a day. It flows in and out of Broken Bow Lake, a mountain lake surrounded by national forest. Many visitors spend time at Beavers Bend State Park for picnics or camping. There are also cabin rentals at the Lazy Dayz Resort, along with its own boat ramp and bar and grill, BoonDockz. Families enjoy Chili Dippers Golf Club, an 18-hole miniature golf course right in the middle of town.
Sykesville, Maryland
20 miles west of Baltimore and 40 miles north of Washington, D.C., Sykesville is a central location while still maintaining its “off-the-beaten-path” status. It has a small-town feel while also being accessible to the major cities. In spring and summer, the town hosts concerts at Cooper Park and on their Main Street. They also host family-friendly festivals throughout the year, like the Merry Main Street Celebration. In the summers, tubers and anglers flock to the Patapsco River for floating and/or catching a variety of fish. Head to the Sykesville Gate House Museum for historical exhibits and artifacts of the town.
Banner Elk, North Carolina
Banner Elk is a year-round destination among the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. In warmer months, hikers will thoroughly enjoy the nearby trails at Grandfather Mountain. Families can cross the mile-high swinging bridge, take part in wildlife habitats, and wander the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. Banner Elk is central to both Beech Mountain Resort and Sugar Mountain Resort for winter skiing and snowboarding. For a culinary treat of the mountains, travelers should check out Artisanal, a fine dining, farm-to-table experience in a converted barn. They serve a rotating menu of American cuisine dependent on the season.
Walhalla, South Carolina
Meaning “The Garden of the Gods” in Norse mythology, Walhalla is a beautiful small town in the northwest corner of South Carolina. Nearby Sumter National Forest, as well as the Yellow Branch Falls Trail, is popular among hikers in the Southern Appalachians. Views include waterfalls on trails like Big Bend Falls and the Foothills Trail. Within the downtown district, history buffs will enjoy a visit to the Museum of the Cherokee in South Carolina or the Oconee Station State Historic Site. Art enthusiasts can view galleries at the End of the Road Studios or the Farmhouse Gallery. To top off a downtown wander, travelers can stay overnight at the Lofts Over Main, which is dedicated to 19th-century design and memorabilia.
St. Francisville, Louisiana
35 minutes north of Baton Rouge, St. Francisville lies along the Mississippi River. It is a historic town established in 1807, with nature preserves, and is home to the largest bald cypress tree in North America. The Afton Villa Gardens are perfect for wandering through the flora of Louisiana. Visitors can tour historic plantations like the Myrtles or Rosedown. Head to the Magnolia Café for some classic Louisiana fare, as well as burgers and pizza, before heading to the Greenwood Plantation for a one-of-a-kind overnight stay. This bed and breakfast features comfortable rooms with porches overlooking the beautiful grounds.
Fairhope, Alabama
Fairhope is a delightful southern town along the Gulf Coast of Alabama. The Fairhope Municipal Pier is a favorite swimming area with a quarter-mile pier, walking trails, and rose gardens. Downtown Fairhope is flower-lined with excellent restaurants like Gambino’s Italian Grill or Sage Lebanese Cuisine and Café. The Eastern Shore Trail is popular with bicyclists, with 22 miles of varied surface trail. A stay at the Grand Hotel is the icing on the cake that is Fairhope. It houses a variety of menus at Bayside Grill and Southern Roots, has a 20,000-square-foot spa, and has 36 holes of golf at Lakewood Golf Club.
The South is alive and well with these little towns off the beaten path of main attractions and cities. A stopover or stay at any of these towns will appeal to travelers of any kind, each offering a vast array of attractions. From the gorgeous mountain views surrounding Banner Elk, North Carolina, to the white sandy beaches of Dunedin, Florida, the South has something for everyone. Versatility in landscape and hospitality from the locals will always be present when greeting tourists and newcomers.
