9 Southern United States Towns With A Slower Pace Of Life

You can get sick of frenzied lanes packed with whirling cars, billboards that yank your attention when you just want to rest and dream, or ticking deadlines and acrimonious phone calls. Once in a while, everyone deserves to kick back and relax, to wander through uncrowded, cobblestoned streets, and to explore towns with no traffic lights. You need to escape to a place where the soft breeze parts your hair as you sip a delicious Pinot Noir and tap your feet to the sound of live music. Fortunately, many towns in the Southern United States provide this kind of experience. Starting with Fairhope, Alabama, discover nine towns in the Southern United States with a slower pace of life.

Fairhope, Alabama

Fairhope’s feel and restful rhythm can make you forget you are in Alabama. The mood is somewhat akin to the Outer Banks region of North Carolina. Photogenic. Tranquil. Almost unreal. There is fresh seafood to enjoy, beautiful water scenes, and art. You will find wealthy estates, especially near the water; cool neighborhoods with oak tree canopies; and lots of pretty spots. Fairhope’s Public Library, which sees almost 200,000 annual visits, has been called the town’s Taj Mahal. It is the first library built in Alabama specifically for its intended function. Others are repurposed. Amble through the Fairhope Municipal Pier, take a walk through the Fairhope Beach and Park, learn about America’s oldest single tax colony at the Fairhope Museum of History, and finish with a delicious meal at the Grand Hotel, where you can sit in the back area on the boardwalk and catch a magical sunset.

Fredericksburg, Texas

Fredericksburg, Texas, is all about quiet mornings, relaxed countryside living, and peach orchards. Keep in mind that you are in the Texas Hill Country, a region that produces award-winning wines that have earned honors around the globe. You can enjoy live Texas country music at places such as Hondo's on Main, which is touted as “a Family-Friendly Honky-Tonk,” dabble in some Hill Country driving (the Willow City Loop features some of most unique geology in central Texas), or climb the massive pink granite dome everyone calls the Enchanted Rock. Even as you kick back with a glass of wine, remember the area around Fredericksburg is ground zero for Stone Age artifact hunting.

Beaufort, South Carolina

Beaufort — or “beautiful fort” — has calm surroundings, spellbinding nautical charm, and quiet, shaded streets lined with moss-draped oaks. Also, many people know Beaufort for its amazing collection of Antebellum homes. This could be debatable, but Beaufort could be boasting more antebellum homes than Charleston or Savannah. The best part? They are almost all original. The story is that during the Civil War, Union soldiers arrived in Beaufort only to find it deserted of all but slaves. That is the reason the town’s historic architecture was largely spared from destruction. Places to explore here include Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, where swings along the waterfront help keep the pace slower; USCB Center for the Arts, which often stages fantastic live performances; and the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, for a glimpse into the town’s pivotal role during the post-Civil War period.

Oxford, Mississippi

Oxford, Mississippi, is a small, beautiful town of less than 30,000, but quite a big name in America’s vacation landscape. It is in this laid-back environment that America’s literature took several giant leaps forward, one of the town’s most famous sons keeping pace with some of the best literary minds across the Atlantic. Oxford was the hometown of William Faulkner, widely regarded as among the greatest writers of the 20th century. Rowan Oak, which many consider a must-visit, was Faulkner’s home for several years. It is here that he penned Light in August and Absalom, Absalom! You will find students of Ole Miss — a stunning campus to explore — strolling through Oxford’s historic town square, residents sipping sweet tea on a porch, and diners enjoying delicious sushi at places such as Jensei, a cherished name loved for its warm and comfortable environment.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

You just have to slow down in a town where streets are narrow, winding, and in many cases, steep and spiral. One of Eureka Springs’ most interesting features is that it does not have traffic lights, an aspect that makes it ooze slowness, relaxation, and a step-back-in-time vibe. The entire town, and you don’t find this often, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Eureka Springs Historical Museum teleports you into the early days of the town and should be a crucial stop when in the area, as is the Crescent Hotel and Spa, which bills itself as “America’s Most Haunted Hotel.” The Grotto Wood-Fired Grill and Wine Cave is not a secret, although it is located in a cave-like area under buildings on the Eureka Springs Main. The asparagus at Grotto is sweet and seasoned like you have never experienced before, and your mouth will water just thinking about the meal you enjoyed there.

Bluffton, South Carolina

Bluffton, a small but lively town that styles itself as “a State of Mind,” is tastefully positioned on the windswept bluffs overlooking the pristine May River, a beautiful waterway that gives the town a rustic feel and timeless charm. Bluffton is eccentric, artsy, and invitingly slow-paced. No wonder it bills itself as “the last true coastal village of the South.” If food is high on your list of things to do, Bluffton Oyster Factory Park is all about fresh shrimp, fresh oysters, and stunning views. It is a beautiful place to relax and sip cool, waterfront views, especially during the final minutes of daylight. Pass by Bluffton’s Church of the Cross, and look at walls that have stood tall for almost 170 years. Alternatively, visit the well-curated Heyward House Museum, an interesting slice of 19th-century Lowcountry life.

Abingdon, Virginia

Considering how every other American town is quickly becoming Anytown, America, places with no colour or character, it is difficult to believe that a town such as Abingdon still exists. Abingdon has a stunning downtown, boasts a solid restaurant scene, especially for a town its size, and is attractively layered in nature in a unique and beautiful way. First-time visitors often rave about the Creeper Trail, Barter Theatre, and a cute little restaurant called White Birch. If you are into freshly squeezed juices, the kind that bursts with natural flavour and vibrant colour, White Birch provides an unmatched experience. On the flip side, the Virginia Creeper Trail winds through the beautiful scenery of Southwest Virginia and features 47 trestles and bridges, all of which provide scenic views of the region's dramatic landscape. Finally, even if you don't love stage shows, you will want to check out Barter Theatre for its interesting history. We are talking about the nation's longest-running professional theatre.

Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

If you love magical sunsets where the rays hit the water and an iridescent reflection sweeps through the area, where pastel cottages exude charm and draw mesmerized attention, or where a chill, artsy vibe is a noticeable feature, Bay St. Louis beckons. One of the best things to do in Bay St. Louis is walking. Fortunately, this is also the finest way to spot cute family-owned restaurants and unique mom-and-pop shops. Enjoy the shimmering view of the ocean, stop at Blind Tiger for a melt-in-the-mouth burger, or sit down to a filling breakfast at Mockingbird Cafe. And if you thought New Orleans is the only place that celebrates Mardi Gras, brace yourself for a surprising revelation. Several small towns along the Mississippi Gulf Coast often stage fun-filled parades. To appreciate this aspect of the town's heritage, you will see a lot of Mardi Gras costumes at the Bay St. Louis Historic L & N Train Depot, a 1928 building that also houses the Visitors Centre.

Natchitoches, Louisiana

Natchitoches is a deserving victim of clumsy mispronunciations, but it is not a deserving victim of underappreciation. The Cane River, a picturesque waterway that doubles up as a unique oxbow lake, flows through the town and adds a mist of rustic charm to an already beautiful spot. Natchitoches served as the setting of the 1989 hit movie Steel Magnolias, an achievement that speaks to its postcard beauty. December comes with beautiful fireworks over the river and is usually a nice time to visit. You can’t miss the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum, an awesome space filled with so much history and wonder, and the Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, a replica of a French colonial fort built in the 1700s. Alternatively, stroll through the Natchitoches Historic District and experience its time-kissed feel and beautiful architecture, or the old cemetery, a tranquil environment with several interesting and unconventional headstones.

The Takeaway

If you want to trade the chaos of traffic jams for something slower and softer, you will find several towns in the Southern United States that are unhurried and slow-paced, as they are beautiful and charming. In some of these locations, skyscrapers give way to moss-draped oaks, the hum of Turbo-charged engines to the whispers of a refreshing breeze, and blinking street lights to magical sunsets. Whether you choose Fairhope, Alabama, or Fredericksburg, Texas, you cannot miss finding a town with your name on it.