13 Affordable Summer Vacation Spots In the Mid-South
From the western side of South Carolina to northeastern Alabama and from the southern part of Kentucky to northern Georgia, there is a plethora of summer vacation spots in the region of the United States known as the Mid-South. Many of these places have reasonably priced lodging, dining, and activities. Others possess a slightly more expensive price tag, though it is well worth it when you get there and see it for yourself. Below are some of the best spots for a summer vacation in the Mid-South, without spending too much money and still having an awesome time.
Aiken, South Carolina
Home of Aiken State Park, the Hopelands Gardens, and Hitchcock Woods, as well as being named after William Aiken, the president of the South Carolina Railroad, the friendly town of Aiken has approximately 30,000 residents, yet nature still shines through. Aiken State Park, located only a few miles away from town, offers camping for a low price, fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking, and hiking, while the Hopelands Gardens and Hitchcock Woods are both wonders to behold, from the Labyrinth and Oak Alley in the gardens to Kalmia Trail and Willie Barton’s Springs in the forest. For inside enjoyment, the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame, at Hopelands Gardens, connects modern-day with Aiken’s history in equestrian sports.
Guntersville, Alabama
Situated on the eastern edge of the southern end of the Tennessee River in the majestic state of Alabama, the town of Guntersville is a great place to take the family for an affordable summer vacation. Lake Guntersville State Park offers camping in the form of lodge rooms, cabins, and even tents, depending on what you prefer, and has many amenities, like swimming, fishing, picnicking, and access to Wi-Fi. These are inexpensive, free, or included in the original price. There are even some great things to do with the family in downtown Guntersville, including visiting the Guntersville Museum, which is free, and checking out the North Alabama Sailing Marina.
Marianna, Arkansas
Located on the northwest corner of the St. Francis National Forest, in Lee County, the small town of Marianna is a gem in the wild. From the St Francis National Forest, which offers a plethora of fun activities, like hiking, viewing wildlife in its natural habitat, and picnicking, to the Mississippi State Park, which has reasonably priced camping (RV or tent), Marianna has outdoor enjoyment covered. There are also several attributes that downtown Marianna is known for, including the Robert E. Lee Monument, Jones Bar-B-Q Diner (the first restaurant in Arkansas to receive the James Beard Award), and Miller Park, commonly used for everything from extreme frisbee, to tai-chi, to walking the dog.
Clarksdale, Mississippi
The town of Clarksdale, situated on the Sunflower River in Coahoma County, is a great spot for an inexpensive summer vacation, whether you are traveling alone or with family. Along with several reasonably priced lodging options, like Quality Inn (at less than $100 a night), there is also the Shack Up Inn, a renovated bed and breakfast that is quite reasonable at just over $100 a night, with live music playing on some evenings and a great southern breakfast awaiting you in the morning. There are also a variety of activities to do in town, including visiting the Delta Blues Museum (general admission $14) and stopping by Deak’s Mississippi Saxophones and Blues Emporium.
Henderson, Tennessee
Located in Chester County in the southwestern part of Tennessee, the town of Henderson is a great spot for an affordable summer vacation for the family. Not only is the Chickasaw State Park and Forest there, offering chances at swimming, paddle-boating, fishing, hiking, and camping (with no entrance fee) on and around Lake Placid, there are several opportunities in town that won’t cost too much. Henderson Antique Mall and La Von’s Timeless Treasures are perfect for some away-from-home window shopping, and there are several restaurants in and near town that offer excellent food for a reasonable price, like the Lion’s Pride and Snookum’s Steakhouse on Main Street and The Wall on Church Avenue.
Burnsville, North Carolina
Hidden in the shadow of Mount Mitchell and on the edge of Mount Mitchell State Park, the town of Burnsville has a plethora of natural attractions that won’t cost an arm and a leg. Roaring Fork Falls and Summit Trail are both excellent for the entire family and Bare Dark Sky Observatory is reasonably priced and offers a view of the night sky most people don’t get to experience. There are also several inexpensive things to do in town, like the Yancey County Farmer’s Market and window-shopping at the Monkey Business Toy Shop. Plus, if you are saving up for an activity that will astound friends back home, the Snakeroot Eco-Tours are highly enlightening.
Holly Springs, Mississippi
The town of Holly Springs, located in Marshall County, is home to Chewalla Lake Recreation Area, which costs $5 a day and offers tent camping for as low as $7 a night, as well as the Strawberry Plains Audubon Center, Wall Doxey State Park, and Holly Springs National Forest. If you would rather be inside, Holly Springs also has several fine lodging choices, like Court Square Inn Bed & Breakfast and Heritage Inn Bed & Breakfast, and some restaurants that are inexpensive in cost and excellent in quality of food, including the Chicken Coop and Annie’s Home Cooking, both located on Memphis Street. Plus, right around the corner, is Coffee in Holly, offering great caffeinated drink choices for a low price.
Bramwell, West Virginia
Concealed in the very southern portion of West Virginia and at the most northern point of the Mid-South, the cool town of Bramwell, in Mercer County, is home to the Pinnacle Rock State Park. Though this almost 400-acre state park is only for day use, which includes checking out the rock formations, hiking, picnicking, and fishing, there are a variety of places to stay outside the park that won’t cost an arm and a leg. River’s Bend Bed & Breakfast is relatively inexpensive and there are several ATV resorts in both Bramwell and nearby Bluefield. Plus, in Bramwell, there are restaurants that offer great food for a good price, like Honeycomb Café and the Corner Shop.
Marion, Virginia
The town of Marion, in Smythe County, has several outdoor activities that are enjoyable to the entire family without dampening the yearly budget. The Hungry Mother State Park, which has a low entrance fee of $7, has all the amenities common to most state parks, plus even some other amenities available through its close proximity to Hungry Mother Lake, which is a 100-acre lake. Marion is also near Mount Rogers National Recreational Area, which is free to enter and offers opportunities to hike, bike, ride horses, watch birds, picnic, swim, and fish. Both places have available camping on-site for as little as $20 to $25 a night.
Rolla, Missouri
Located in Phelps County, just outside one of the larger patches of the Mark Twain National Forest, the town of Rolla is a hidden gem that captures the heart without overcharging it. Along with all of the amenities of the National Forest, including swimming, fishing, hiking, and camping, downtown Rolla also offers Fugitive Beach, Stonehenge at Missouri S&T, Ber Juan Park, and Mule Trading Post. Plus, if the family gets hungry, Rolla has a variety of restaurants, from the higher-priced but still reasonable Matt’s Steakhouse and Randy’s Roadkill Bbq & Grill to Ay Caramba Mexican Restaurant and Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, the latter two not threatening to break the bank.
Linden, Tennessee
Linden is home to a plethora of outdoor activities that won’t hurt the wallet yet will provide exhilarating fun for those who experience them. Mousetail Landing State Park is close by and offers everything from fishing and swimming to hiking and biking. There are also two ways to camp for the night in Mousetail Landing. While the main campground, starting from about $25 a night, has everything from a bathhouse to laundry facilities to running electricity, the primitive campground is also available, costing as little as $9 a night, which has no electricity or modern amenities.
Slade, Kentucky
The Red River Gorge, located in Slade, Kentucky, is the perfect place to vacation if you and that special someone want to get away for a summer vacation without spending a ton of money. Entrance into the gorge is free, and the permit pass is only $3 a night and $5 for three nights. Hidden within Daniel Boone National Forest, there are several affordable amenities in the Red River Gorge as well. From checking out Muir Valley and its rock-climbing potential, to stopping by Mill Creek Lake swimming hole, to riding one of Red River Gorge’s zip lines, adventure is around every corner. Plus, first thing in the morning to get that pick-me-up, stop by the Daniel Boone Coffee Shop.
Ellijay, Georgia
The small town of Ellijay, with around 2,000 residents, is seeped in history and excitement for the whole family. Located in Gilmer County, this “apple capital of Georgia” has several activities that will cost little to nothing yet keep the kids talking about the fun they had for a long time. Along with Mountain Valley Farm, Panorama Orchards, Ott Farms, R & A Orchards, and Red Apple Barn for the children to enjoy, there are also several vineyards and breweries for when it is the adults’ turn to have some fun. And, before going back home, check out the Reece Apple House, offering a u-pick apple orchard, rubber duck races, and a petting farm for as little as $8 a person.
So, whether you are taking the family out for a vacation this summer, or you and that special someone are looking for a romantic getaway, or you just want to get away from the hustle and bustle of work, here are "a baker’s dozen" options of vacation spots in the Mid-South. While some will allow you to save money on lodging, others are more economical in food, and still, others relate more to inexpensive activities, these places will, in one way or another, save you some of that hard-earned cash.
