9 Perfect Destinations for a Long Weekend in The Southern United States
Southern hospitality is alive and well across its landscapes, from the vastness of Texas to the mountains of West Virginia. Across these towns are many hidden treasures waiting to be uncovered. Learn more about the origins of the American Civil War at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, or explore one of its major battlefields at Vicksburg, Mississippi. There is plenty to be discovered in the culinary and art scene in these towns as well, from the Bavarian village of Helen, Georgia, to the Bourbon Capital of the World in Bardstown, Kentucky. For the truly adventurous, check out a town where the pirate Captain Blackbeard landed.
These towns also have grand accommodations, from top-rated boutiques to mansion B&Bs. You won't want to miss out on these perfect destinations for a long weekend in the Southern United States.
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
For Civil War buffs, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, is an essential bucket list vacation spot. In 1859, the abolitionist John Brown seized the government armory here in an attempt to start a slave revolt. He was captured during the raid, tried for treason in nearby Charles Town, and hanged on December 2, 1859, but his actions would become one of the sparks that led to the American Civil War. At Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, the doomed raid is immortalized at John Brown's Fort, where he made his last stand, and at the John Brown Museum, which details his life and struggle for the abolition of slavery.
Later during the Civil War, the town would see significant fighting between Union and Confederate forces. At Bolivar Heights, see the spot of the largest surrender of Union forces when Stonewall Jackson defeated the Union forces at the Battle of Harpers Ferry in September 1862. Harpers Ferry is also a part of the larger Appalachian Trail, and one of its best outlooks is Jefferson's Rock. It is named after Thomas Jefferson, who stood here in 1783 and would later call this view "one of the most stupendous scenes in Nature." There are several inns to stay at in the small town, including the 1799 Inn Harpers Ferry, and The Town's Inn.
Mountain View, Arkansas
This Ozarks town is a splendid backcountry retreat. The name Mountain View speaks for itself, as it sits amid the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, with nearby wild areas like the Leatherwood Wilderness and the Blanchard Springs Recreation Area in the Ozark National Forest.
The White River is one of the most popular natural places in Mountain View, especially for fishing, where anglers can catch brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. If you visit Mountain View in March or November, listen to local Bluegrass musicians at the Mountain View Bluegrass Festival. To get the full Mountain View experience, rent a mountain cabin through Ozark Mountain Stays (a local rental company formerly known as Ivy Vacations).
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is one of the most popular weekend destinations in the Mid-South, as it is a gateway to the most beautiful Southern US: the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This Appalachian Mountain destination is named after the misty mountain peaks seen throughout its many scenic drives. Within the park, ascend to the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains at the Clingman's Dome Trail, or explore the lower valleys at Cades Cove. This valley has a multitude of historic pioneer buildings and a native Black Bear population.
Within the town of Gatlinburg itself, there are a large number of tourist attractions, such as the Ole Smoky Distillery, a producer of moonshine drinks, and the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, an 8-mile loop with more than 80 local artists and craftsmen selling wares from wood carvings, candles, leather products, and more. Rent a cabin for a long weekend trip at Bear Feet.
Helen, Georgia
You don't need to book a flight to the Alps to see a beautiful Bavarian-style town. Just visit Helen, Georgia. This Appalachian Mountain village is modeled after a Bavarian village, which includes multiple German-style shops and restaurants. Purchase an authentic German clock or stein from Bavarian Clockworks or browse German holiday ornaments at the Christmas Shoppe. Helen has German cuisine at the Hofbrauhaus Restaurant and spicy Thai food at the Bangkok Haus. Just like any great alpine town, there are multiple mountain trails to explore.
First off is the Appalachian Trail, a 2,100-mile footpath going from Georgia to Maine. A nearby mountain trail is Mt. Yonah, a challenging 2.7-mile trek that Army Rangers use for training. For those who like getting the royal treatment while they travel, stay at the Uhuburg, Eagle Owl Castle. This Bavarian Renaissance-style castle has several guest chambers available for your stay.
Bardstown, Kentucky
Bardstown is one of the best towns in Kentucky for a long weekend trip, as it offers Bourbon distillery tours, extensive Civil War Museums, and a giant-filled forest. Bardstown is at the center of the Bourbon Trail, a network of distilleries. For touring, there are several options, from the Bardstown Bourbon Company to the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience. Just off Main Street is the Old Bardstown Village & Civil War Museum, featuring 10 colonial log cabins and a massive collection of Civil War artifacts from the often-overlooked Western Front.
Bardstown honors the role women played in the war at the Women's Civil War Museum. Just outside of Bardstown, search for several forest giants, made out of recycled wood by Danish artist Thomas Dambo at the Bernheim Forest and Arboretum. Stay in a historic inn at The Talbott Inn, which is just a short walk away from the oldest tavern in Kentucky, the 1779 Old Talbott Tavern.
Beaufort, North Carolina
Beaufort sits in the Inner Banks region of North Carolina. As a maritime town, one of its most infamous visitors was Captain Blackbeard, who ran his ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge, on a sandbar within the town's limits. Several artifacts from this legendary pirate's ship are stored at the North Carolina Maritime Museum. Visitors can take to the high seas themselves with Crystal Coast Lady Cruises or with Science by the Sea Eco-Tours, a scientific journey that teaches about dolphins, turtles, wild horses, and other creatures that roam the Beaufort waters and shoreline.
To get a closer view of these wild horses, there is the Rachel Carson Reserve, a series of islands accessible by boat or ferry. One of the best places to stay in Beaufort is the Beaufort Hotel, which has been called the best boutique hotel in America by USA Today for its waterfront location and top-notch seafood restaurant.
Luray, Virginia
Located in the Shenandoah Valley, Luray is a tiny town that acts as a gateway to the Shenandoah National Park. Luray has plenty of great attractions of its own that stand out from the rest of the Southern US in several ways. The first is the Luray Caverns, the largest Cavern in the entirety of the Eastern United States. Walking inside the cave will feel like stepping into another world as you gaze up 10 stories at vast stalagmites. The most popular space in the cave is the Cathedral Room, named for its massive cave ceiling.
A ticket for this cave will also provide a pass to the Car and Carriage Caravan Museum, which has a 1897 Mercedes-Benz, one of the oldest cars in the US, and a recreated 19th-century farming village at the Shenandoah Heritage Village. After exploring the cave, go fishing at Lake Arrowhead or go hiking at the renowned Hawksbill Greenway, which acts both as an entry point to the Shenandoah National Park and a multi-use trail through urban landscapes. Luray has several B&Bs to stay at, such as the B&B Inn of the Shenandoah.
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Much like Harpers Ferry, Vicksburg is another must-visit town for American Civil War history buffs. This strategic Mississippi River town was the site of a huge American Civil War battle, which ended in a victory for Union General Ulysses S. Grant, effectively cutting the Confederacy in two. The Vicksburg National Military Park contains monuments, trenches, and the Vicksburg National Cemetery, with more than 17,000 troops buried here. Tragically, 13,000 of those in the cemetery are unknown.
Hit up downtown Vicksburg, uncover a rich art scene at Attic Gallery, or witness the origins of the American soft drink Coca-Cola at the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum. Vicksburg is nicknamed the Key to the South, and you can pick up a key to a mansion room by staying at the Anchuca Historic Mansion.
Canyon, Texas
You don't need to guess about what you will find in this Texan community. Canyon, Texas, has the biggest canyon in the state at Palo Duro Canyon. Located in the Texas Panhandle, this canyon descends 800 feet, offering significant hiking trails, picnicking areas, and camping to spend the entire weekend. Spend time in Canyon by enjoying a musical performance in the great outdoors at the Texas Outdoor Musical.
Tour the Creek House Honey Farm and purchase honey-based drinks and food, or get a flight of craft beer from the Pondaseta Brewing located within an old Santa Fe line train station. Instead of camping, there are several chain hotels in Canyon, including the Hampton Inn & Suites Canyon and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Canyon.
High Sea Adventures, Mountain Trails, and Civil War Battlefields
It will be difficult to choose just one place to go in the state, as they are all so different. Harper's Ferry offers views that inspired Thomas Jefferson amid climactic pre-Civil War and Civil War events. Gatlinburg inspires a diverse community of crafters in the shadow of the magnificent Great Smoky Mountains and its mountain trails. Pirate lovers can take to the high seas on the many boating tours in Beaufort and imagine they are Blackbeard pillaging the coasts of America. The best solution to this dilemma is to plan multiple trips so you can see all of these destinations in the Southern US.
