Top 25 Weekend Getaways in the Southern US

Mark your map, pack your seersucker, and practice your “hey, y’alls.” It’s time to explore the South — a place where live oaks meet Atlantic-washed shores, extraordinary caverns lie below the surface, blues and jazz clubs blare music ’til late, and a glass of bourbon is never too far off. We’re here with 25 potential additions to your travel wish list — southern edition — from limelight-loving cities to under-the-radar small towns. Here are the best weekend getaways in the South.

1. Savannah, Georgia

With well-preserved architecture and oaks dripping with Spanish moss, Savannah is easy to fall in love with. A spotlight has been thrown on the city’s dining scene in recent years; splashy new openings like The Grey and Common Thread have impressed diners with their Southern hospitality and memorable takes on Georgia-grown ingredients.

2. Bowling Green, Kentucky

For some, Bowling Green’s appeal can be summed up in two words: cars and caves. At the National Corvette Museum, even non-auto geeks might drool at the mint-condition models and prototypes of America’s most famous car. Schedule an assembly plant tour to see these vehicles in production. Then transition from man-made beauty to natural: take the underground boat tour of the Lost River Cave, an area that has been a Native American hunting ground, Jesse James’ hideaway, and even a nightclub in the 1930s. If you’re interested in shimmying down into the longest-known cave in the world, Mammoth Cave National Park isn’t too far from here.

3. Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga is currently enjoying a renaissance. This scenic riverside city leaves a mark on visitors with its stunning mountain scenery and booming downtown filled with hotels, barbecue joints, and hot spots like Easy Bistro & Bar, a French restaurant and raw bar that makes full use of Southern ingredients (regulars rave about the charcuterie board). At Lookout Mountain, you can behold an underground waterfall and test your nerves on one of the world’s steepest passenger railroads.

4. Wilmington, North Carolina

Dawson’s Creek and other TV and film productions may have put Wilmington on the map, but there’s so much more to this lively riverfront city than Hollywood ties. Stroll the Riverwalk to the skylit Old Wilmington City Market and the rambling Cotton Exchange, a shopping and dining complex spread over several historic buildings. Get tickets for Airlie Gardens in advance to see 100,000 azalea trees and a live oak dating back to the 1500s. Wrightsville Beach is just 10 minutes away by car, and many other powdery island options are further afield. We recommend staying at Dreamers Welcome, a charming design-forward boutique hotel and vacation home.

5. New Orleans, Louisiana

The birthplace of jazz, Sazeracs, poker, and po’boys, New Orleans has never lost its groove. NOLA’s staying power can be attributed to its unique architecture, which reflects a mix of French, Spanish, and Caribbean influences, its pleasure-seeking spirit, and a lively music scene. Between Tipitina’s, Preservation Hall, and countless other jazz bars, you can enjoy live music pretty much every night of the year. NOLA is also a must-visit food capital; indulge in Creole gumbo, oysters Rockefeller, muffulettas, and red beans and rice alongside your cocktails.

6. Natchez, Mississippi

Natchez is steeped in history. Spend time at the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture and the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, a museum park featuring prehistoric Native American mounds. Riverboat gambling and annual festivals celebrating literature, film, and music are also big draws. The Natchez Trace, heralded as one of the most beautiful routes in the country, begins here for its scenic journey to Nashville.

7. Asheville, North Carolina

This bohemian small city in the North Carolina mountains has been a favorite getaway for over a century. The best Asheville itinerary? Eat, hike, eat again, shop indie, drink a microbrew, repeat. Seasonal and sustainable fare is front and center on local menus, with popular spots like Rhubarb, Sovereign Remedies, and Cucina 24 making the most of the Appalachian bounty. To work off a meal (and build your appetite back up for the next), try Craggy Pinnacle, a hike popular for stunning views from its summit, especially during the colorful fall foliage.

8. Hot Springs, Arkansas

You might think everything to know about Hot Springs is right there in the name. Yes, you’re probably here to “take the waters” in Hot Springs National Park. Yet, there are plenty of non-aquatic activities like hiking throughout the national park’s 26 miles of trails, exploring the scenic Garvan Woodland Gardens, and going on a self-guided downtown Art Deco tour.

9. Charleston, South Carolina

If Southern hospitality had an absolute epicenter, it’d be Charleston, South Carolina. The city encompasses everything remarkable in one walkable package, featuring candy-colored homes framed by palmettos and lush gardens shaded by oaks. While rich in history, Charleston’s culinary and shopping scenes are dynamic, and there’s always a new hotel to check out.

10. Louisville, Kentucky

If you like baseball, bourbon, bluegrass, and horses, Louisville is your destination. Hop on the bourbon trail at Stitzel-Weller Distillery, a historic venue offering tastings and mixology classes. Then, switch the rich aroma of distilleries for the fresh greenery of Central Park or the cool air of Louisville Mega Caverns, where you can embark on an underground zip line above the canyon floor. Consider staying at museum hotel 21c or the trendy Grady Hotel, a chic new boutique hotel housed in an 1883 building whose past despite its charming setting will surprise history buffs.

11. Bryson City, North Carolina

The town of Bryson City may be small (population: 1,500), yet it is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Nestled just south of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Bryson City serves as a charming mountain hub for hiking, horseback riding, zip lining, brewery hopping, and riding the scenic steam train. Don’t miss The Bistro at the Everett Hotel, situated in the main square; their local trout cakes and meatloaf are perfect post-adventure meals.

12. Nashville, Tennessee

The Nashville revival remains strong. Neon-lit honky-tonks, where the party continues into the wee hours, country superstars performing at the Grand Ole Opry, and a booming food scene range from beloved hot chicken recipes to celebrated Southern cooking. Nashville’s appeal keeps growing. Check in at the newly revitalized Hermitage Hotel and hit the ground running.

13. Saint Simons Island, Georgia

Drive an hour and a half south of Savannah, and you’ll find Saint Simons Island, part of Georgia’s Golden Isles chain. Here, Mother Nature holds sway, with rivers and creeks surrounded by salt marshes, live oak trees draped in moss (best seen at Avenue of the Oaks), and stunning beaches along the Atlantic coast. You can fill your days with scenic golf, biking, fishing, and exploring a variety of historic sites.

14. Amelia Island, Florida

Welcome to the quieter side of Florida. This beautiful barrier island offers shimmering quartz beaches, towering sand dunes, peaceful bike paths, and kayak-ready waterways amidst a charming historic downtown. The relaxed lifestyle is dominant here, though things become lively during annual events like the car show and shrimp festival.

15. Roanoke, Virginia

Nestled in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Roanoke, known as “Star City,” showcases small-town charm, Appalachian heritage, and breathtaking mountain views. Mill Mountain Park features a zoo, wildflower gardens, hiking trails, and a towering mountaintop star, illuminated and visible from miles away. A short distance will bring you to the antique cars and trains at the Virginia Museum of Transportation.

16. Ocracoke, North Carolina

Reaching Ocracoke requires a bit of effort, as it lies in North Carolina’s remote Outer Banks and is only accessible by boat or ferry. However, those who make the journey are rewarded with sugar-white sands and a bustling coastal village, constituting a true escape as most of the island is protected within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

17. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Hikers, drivers, birders, backpackers, anglers, equestrians, and stargazers alike will find something appealing at Shenandoah National Park. Part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it boasts famous Skyline Drive, a dramatic mountaintop roadway, expansive wooded hollows, hundreds of hiking trails, and nearly 100 mountain fishing streams. For spectacular stargazing, consider camping or staying at the lodges near Big Meadows.

18. Macon, Georgia

The birthplace of Otis Redding and Little Richard, Macon is also known for its ties to the Allman Brothers and country star Jason Aldean. This small town is rich in musical and historical significance, featuring prehistoric Indigenous sites, thousands of National Register-listed buildings, and the Tubman Museum, which celebrates African American art and culture. It is rightfully called the “Festival Capital of Georgia,” with events celebrating music, film, Indigenous culture, and sports throughout the year.

19. Oxford, Mississippi

Oxford is renowned for being the home of Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winner William Faulkner. For decades, Faulkner lived at Rowan Oak, an 1840s Greek Revival mansion. Visitors can enjoy a self-guided tour of his home and catch a glimpse of his typewriter and other personal items. Afterward, take the scenic Bailey’s Woods trail leading to the University of Mississippi Art Museum, featuring works by artists like Georgia O’Keeffe and Man Ray.

20. Orange Beach, Alabama

While Florida often steals the spotlight for Gulf beach vacations, consider Orange Beach, a charming town just on the Alabama side of the state line. This laid-back spot offers sugar-soft shorelines along with family-friendly amusement parks, adventurous dolphin cruises, nature trails, championship golf, fishing excursions, and free concert events.

21. Memphis, Tennessee

In Memphis, barbecue and music take center stage. The lively Beale Street boasts flashing neon lights, bustling club-goers (this is the one place in the state where you can walk around with your drink), and the sounds of electric guitars emanating from the blues joints. Visitors should not miss out on Sun Records, the studio where legends like Elvis and Johnny Cash recorded, and Graceland, Elvis’s iconic home.

22. Key West, Florida

A getaway to Key West in the Florida Keys is an enchanting experience that feels unreal. This coral island, located 100 miles from the mainland, boasts a sunny atmosphere filled with tiki drinks, bike rides, Cuban sandwiches, key lime pies, and charming Bahamian-inspired cottages. It was a crucial spot for prominent writers like Tennessee Williams and Ernest Hemingway, who found inspiration in its beaches and unique character.

23. Washington, D.C.

While monuments, museums, and stunning cherry blossoms in spring might be the initial draw, visiting Washington, D.C. reveals a vibrant cultural landscape. Walker-friendly neighborhoods like Georgetown and Dupont Circle abound with charming streets, and options for hiking and picnicking at Rock Creek Park. Additionally, the food scene is surprisingly dynamic, featuring a variety of upscale dining, vibrant markets, and local eateries.

24. Gatlinburg, Tennessee

From Gatlinburg’s distilleries and amusement parks to the majestic waterfalls and wildlife of Great Smoky Mountain National Park, this location stands out as an unparalleled destination. It makes for an excellent family getaway, offering a wide array of kid-friendly trails, park activities, and attractions such as Ripley’s aquarium and the Mountain Farm Museum across the border in North Carolina, showcasing what life was like in the mountains a century ago.

25. Charleston, West Virginia

The spirit of the Appalachian Mountains is alive in Charleston. This former frontier town and state capital lures travelers with its mountain allure. Explore the fresh offerings at the Capitol Market and fill your bags with local wine and cheese; chase outdoor adventures in Kanawha State Forest; and take a scenic drive on U.S. Route 60, winding through breathtaking landscapes.