9 Of The Most Welcoming Towns In Mid-South
Mid-South, an arbitrarily defined US region comprises parts of Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama, and Oklahoma. The Memphis-Clarksdale-Forrest City Combined Statistical Area is believed to anchor the Mid-South region and is considered its cultural and commercial center. Tourism contributes greatly to the economy of the region, drawing more than 8 million people annually for tourist-related activities in the Memphis metropolitan area. With beautiful landscapes, historical landmarks, unique cultures, outdoor recreations, and a perfect blend of Midwestern charm and warm Southern hospitality, the Mid-South communities offer vacationers a treasure trove of unforgettable experiences.
Oxford, Mississippi
Lafayette County’s seat, Oxford, a dynamic college town around 75 miles south-southeast of Memphis, is partly home to the University of Mississippi’s (aka “Ole Miss”) main campus. Christened after the university city of Oxford in England, this Northern Mississippi hamlet is best known for its centuries-old architecture and a bustling town square chock-full of old departmental stores like the J.E. Neilson Co., art galleries like the Southside Gallery, multilevel bookstores like Square Books, smart boutiques like Cicada, hotels like Graduate Oxford, and an array of family-friendly restaurants like Big Bad Breakfast, Boure Restaurant, etc. Oxford’s other notable attractions include the Lafayette County Courthouse, Lyric Theater, Gertrude Castellow Ford Center for the Performing Arts, University of Mississippi Museum, Burns-Belfry Museum, Rowan Oak Mansion, Ammadelle House, and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. For some relaxing time amidst the greens, outdoor lovers must tour Lamar Park, Bailey Woods Trail, and the neighboring Holly Springs National Forest.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
A popular mountain resort town at the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee’s Sevier County, Gatlinburg is located about 39 miles southeast of Knoxville. Surrounded by high ridges on all sides and having tons of world-class attractions, Gatlinburg has something for everyone. Apart from participating in the fishing, horseback riding, hiking, rafting, and skiing activities, tourists can hop onto the Gatlinburg SkyLift that takes visitors high up to the top of Crockett Mountain or ride an elevator to the 407 ft tall observation tower of the Gatlinburg Space Needle for panoramic views of the downtown and Smoky Mountains. Every year, the town hosts the Fourth of July Midnight Parade, Gatlinburg Winter Magic Celebration, Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival, Gatlinburg’s Festival of Trees, Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair, and Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Eureka Springs, originally called “Little Switzerland of the Ozarks,” is situated in Northwest Arkansas’s Ozark Mountains in western Carroll County, near the state boundary with Missouri. The town’s historic commercial downtown features well-preserved Victorian-era buildings and numerous fine shops, boutiques, art galleries, bed & breakfasts, and eateries along the steep winding streets. Some prominent points of interest include the Blue Spring Heritage Center, Thorncrown Chapel, Intrigue Theater, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, Statue of Christ of the Ozarks, Eureka Springs Historical Museum, Lake Leatherwood Park, Crescent Hotel & Spa, and Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway. Revelers can partake in many annual events like the Eureka Gras Mardi Gras Extravaganza, Eureka Springs Food & Wine Festival, and May Festival of the Arts.
Bardstown, Kentucky
Initially settled in 1780 by European Americans, Bardstown occupies Central Kentucky’s outer Bluegrass region at the junction of U.S. Route 31E, U.S. Route 62, and U.S. Route 150, in the north-central part of Nelson County. Nicknamed, “Bourbon Capital of the World,” this primary stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail has three operating distilleries: Barton 1792, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., and Lux Row Distillers. The Old Talbott Tavern, Civil War Museum, Bardstown Historical Museum, Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey, Wickland Mansion, Bardstown Historic District, Basilica of St. Joseph’s Proto-Cathedral, Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest, and My Old Kentucky Home State Park are Bardstown’s must-visit sites. Bourbon lovers from all over the globe descend here yearly for the annual weeklong Kentucky Bourbon Festival which celebrates the history and art of crafting bourbon whiskey, with bourbon barrel relay, food & craft vendors, tasting events, historical tours, and cooking demonstrations.
Natchez, Mississippi
Named after the indigenous Natchez tribe, this Adams County seat of government is one of the Lower Mississippi River Valley’s oldest and principal European settlements. Natchez captivates tourists with its dozens of carefully maintained antebellum structures besides the Auburn Museum & Historic Home, Rosalie Mansion, Longwood, Stanton Hall, Melrose Mansion, Natchez Museum of African American History & Culture, etc., some of which remain open for public tours year-round or especially during the fall and spring pilgrimages. Additionally, browse the uncountable retail stores, boutiques, microbrews, and eateries at the Natchez Under-the-Hill site or enjoy a bike ride on the Natchez Trace Parkway. The town also hosts the Mississippi Bluff Blues Heritage Festival, Natchez Festival of Music, Natchez Balloon Festival, Longwood Music Fest, and a pow-wow by the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians at the Emerald burial grounds.
Paducah, Kentucky
Paducah, the administrative center of McCracken County, is situated midway between Nashville, Tennessee, and St. Louis, Missouri, at the meeting of the Ohio and Tennessee rivers. Being a part of the “UNESCO Creative Cities Network,” this small Western Kentucky town is an acclaimed creative hub of artists, craftsmen, world-class quilters, performers, and authors. Receiving more than 35,000 visitors annually, the National Quilt Museum celebrates the town’s quilting repute by displaying a vast collection of contemporary quilts and rotating fiber art exhibits in its 30,000 sq. ft gallery space. Walk through Paducah’s historic downtown and witness its 19th-century architecture, art galleries, craftsmen studios, locally-owned shops, entertainment spaces like the Paducah School of Art & Design campus and Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center for the Performing Arts, and cozy restaurants like Freight House, Flamingo Row, and Kirchoff Deli & Bakery. Do not forget to see the colorful floodwall murals painted by internationally recognized muralist Robert Dafford and his team that tell tales of Paducah’s rich heritage.
Jonesborough, Tennessee
Tennessee’s oldest town, Jonesborough is located at the confluence of the Watauga and Nolichucky River watersheds in the state’s extreme northeastern part. Ringed by broad ridges and low hills, the Washington County seat lures thousands of heritage lovers to the Jonesborough Historic District which contains countless carefully preserved 18th to 21st-century structures in various architectural styles. The Washington County Courthouse, Brownlow House, May-Dishner House, Academy Hill, Jonesborough United Methodist Church, Christopher Taylor House, Chester Inn, Holston Baptist Female Institute, and the Jonesborough-Washington County Historical Museum at the Jonesborough Visitors Center are some of the town’s well-known places of interest. Furthermore, the Southern Appalachian Mountains offer plenty of outdoor activities like hiking, hunting, whitewater rafting, golfing, rock climbing, cycling, zip lining, etc., while the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre hosts many educational workshops as well as producing community theater. On the first full weekend of October every year, the International Storytelling Center hosts the National Storytelling Festival which attracts thousands of spectators from around the world.
Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Siloam Springs, a quaint Benton County town is placed atop a plateau in the Ozark Mountains at the western end of the Northwest Arkansas Metropolitan Area. Admired for its stunning natural beauty, the town is best known for the scenic John Brown University campus and the perennial Sager Creek that flows through the downtown area. Lining the streets of the downtown are abundant boutique shops, antique stores, coffee shops, and restaurants serving lip-smacking meals. Throughout the year, Siloam Springs hosts several festivals and events like the Dogwood Festival, Homegrown Festival, Siloam Springs Rodeo, Siloam Springs Music Games, City Fireworks Presentation, and Light Up Siloam Christmas Parade.
Townsend, Tennessee
One of the gateways to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this tiny Blount County community is located in the Tuckaleechee Cove at the northern base of the Great Smoky Mountains. Home to only 550 inhabitants as per the latest US Census, Townsend is the place where visitors head to tour the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center and the Little River Railroad & Lumber Company Museum to learn about the region’s history; do whitewater rafting at the Little River; visit Davy Crockett Riding Stables for a family-friendly equestrian adventure; bike the paved 10-mile Townsend Historical Trail connecting to the Townsend River Walk & Arboretum; and explore the adjacent Tuckaleechee Caverns cave system. Also, drive along the Foothills Parkway where the various overlooks provide magnificent views of the Smokies, Cumberland Plateau, and Tennessee Valley. Throughout the year, a variety of festivals such as the Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival, Grains & Grits Festival, Tuckaleechee Pottery Festival, and Townsend Christmas Parade are held in the town.
From the high-spirited college town of Oxford, Mississippi, to the picture-perfect Eureka Springs, Arkansas, each small town in the Mid-South region attracts vacationers with its distinctive allure. Whether you are in search of a locale to embark on adrenaline-pumping adventures, soak in the warmth of Southern hospitality, or spend a romantic time with your loved ones, look no further than these welcoming towns in America’s Mid-South region.
