As summer turns into fall, the southeastern United States becomes an ideal weekend escape. Temperatures cool from painstaking heat to balmy beach weather, perfect for exploring historic small towns or lounging on the sand.
There’s a destination in the South for everyone, from the charming streets of Charleston and lush gardens of Savannah to energetic New Orleans, bursting with Cajun flavor and lively Nashville, with its legendary music scene.
These are the best destinations in the South for a weekend adventure:
Savannah, Georgia
Grand oak trees drip with Spanish moss along Savannah’s cobblestone streets and squares, painting a gorgeous picture of the Georgian city. To truly appreciate Savannah’s natural grandeur, stroll through Forsyth Park to glimpse its iconic fountain or spend the better part of a Saturday at the Wormsloe State Historic Site. Savannah’s beauty becomes haunting at Bonaventure Cemetery, a less conventional landmark.
Spookiness is entwined in Savannah’s history, which includes everything from Civil War sites to haunted mansions. The city’s eerie ghost tours will satisfy visitors with a penchant for the supernatural as the sun goes down. Fuel up before you go with traditional Southern comfort food—Savannah’s dining scene is brimming with crispy fried chicken, buttery biscuits, and fresh seafood straight from the coast. If ghastly activity isn’t your thing, settle into one of Savannah’s cozy jazz bars or take a moonlit stroll along River Street.
St. Augustine, Florida
New England tends to get credit for America’s beginnings and original settlements, but St. Augustine takes the crown as the country’s oldest continuously inhabited settlement. The city in Florida was established in 1565 by Spanish admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés. To this day, you’ll feel transported to a Spanish colonial village on St. Augustine’s cobblestone streets. The Castillo de San Marcos, a massive stone fortress overlooking the Matanzas Bay, is the city’s crown jewel.
Anastasia State Park offers miles of pristine, unspoiled beaches where you can soak up the sun, swim in the Atlantic, or go paddleboarding or kayaking. For a livier atmosphere, St. Augustine Beach has beachfront bars, seafood shacks, and plenty of spots to catch the perfect wave.
Bryson City, North Carolina
Deep in the Smoky Mountains, Bryson City is a breath of fresh air for outdoor enthusiasts (literally) and one that’s friendly for all ability levels. Take Deep Creek, for example, which is an easy hike to three different waterfalls. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the 11-mile out-and-back Alum Cave Trail leading up Mount LeConte is a challenging trek with rewarding views. In the fall, these sweeping vistas are even more worth the effort, saturated with shades of red and orange.
If hiking isn’t in your wheelhouse, hop on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, which will carry you through the scenic mountains without the need to lace up boots.
The Tuckasegee River, loaded with trout, runs through the town, calling out to fishermen looking for a leisurely day. For something more thrilling, the rapids of the Nantahala River, a short drive away, are suitable for both whitewater rafting beginners and seasoned pros. As night falls, Bryson City’s quiet charm is on best display at warm campfires, down-to-earth breweries, and when slowing down to observe the clear sky full of stars.
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville’s eclectic, artsy community encased in the Blue Ridge Mountains feels worlds away from the stress of everyday life. Hiking and waterfall chasing in the mountains are top activities during the day, enhanced by a spectrum of leaf colors in the fall. In town, the River Arts District is a must-visit. Here, old industrial buildings have been transformed into studios and galleries. Street performers and buskers add to the neighborhood’s diverse creativity.
On the weekend, Asheville’s dining scene comes alive with innovative farm-to-table restaurants like Jargon and Chestnut, sky-high rooftop bars, and a robust beer scene. Asheville has more breweries per capita than any other US city, earning it the nickname “Beer City, USA.” Highland Brewing Company, Burial Beer Co., and New Origin Brewing Company are among the best.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Move over Seattle, Gatlinburg has a space needle all of its own. Though Gatlinburg’s Space Needle towers 407 feet over the town, the best views of the Smoky Mountains surrounding it may be from the aerial cable car spanning over two miles from downtown Gatlinburg to the Ober Gatlinburg ski resort. Visit as the leaves start to change color for incredible fall foliage viewing.
When not exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park, stroll Gatlinburg’s main strip for old-school attractions, kitschy shops, and American classics like homemade fudge at throwback candy shops and towering flapjacks at Pancake Pantry. After hours, unwind from a day of whitewater raftering or hiking by imbibing at a moonshine tasting from one of the town’s local craft distilleries.
Oxford, Mississippi
Oxford may be most known for being home to the University of Mississippi (belovingly called “Ole Miss”), but college town reputation aside, is an appealing city for a weekend trip in the South. Start with the heart of Oxford: the eye-catching Square. Settle into the slow, sweet cadence of life here as you walk through historic buildings, boutique shops, and quaint bookstores. Bibliophiles can continue to Rowan Oak, William Faulkner’s antebellum home, where he penned his Southern Gothic tales.
Spend Saturday night catching a blues band at a local bar or laying back at an outdoor concert—Oxford’s live music scene rivals cities twice its size. On Sunday morning, wake up with a classic Southern breakfast of buttery biscuits, grits, and perfectly cooked bacon. It’s the fuel you’ll need to get through a raucous Ole Miss tailgate at The Grove or another day of exploring everything Oxford has on display.
Charleston, South Carolina
Few cities embrace Southern charm like Charleston. The port city in South Carolina is lined with a pastel rainbow of gingerbread-like homes and towering palm trees like something out of a storybook. One of the best places to take in the city’s architecture is the Battery, a seawall and promenade, where you’ll be met with the coastline on one side and historic homes on the other.
Get out on the water with a harbor tour to learn more about the city’s history, or book a kayak safari to discover aquatic life. Beaches are plenty in the Charleston area, such as those on Kiawah Island and Sullivan’s Island. On land, gastronomic dining, cute boutiques, and horse-drawn carriages await.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Weekends in New Orleans are often synonymous with jazzy nights on chaotic Bourbon Street and mornings spent recovering. Yet, a getaway in the city can be kept to a more low-key vibe by people watching over beignets piled high with powdered sugar and chicory coffee at Cafe du Monde, leisurely walks through the Garden District’s leafy oak trees and sprawling mansions, and exploring the New Orleans Museum of Art or New Orleans African American Museum.
New Orleans is a coming together of cultures best understood by feasting, proven by the gumbo and jambalaya served at its many Creole and Cajun restaurants, such as Commander’s Palace and Cochon Restaurant. The city’s large Vietnamese population has added to this fusion with inventions like bánh mì po’ boys and Vietnamese-Cajun crawfish boils. It’s at a Vietnamese bakery, Dong Phuong Bakery, where you’ll find the best king cakes in the city, a staple during Mardi Gras.
Book that late-night flight home—sticking around until Sunday afternoon in New Orleans means witnessing swinging second-line parades in the French Quarter and Treme neighborhoods, where brass bands turn streets into all-out parties.
Roanoke, Virginia
“America’s Favorite Drive,” the Blue Ridge Parkway, runs right through this laidback city in Virginia. If you’re cruising the 469-mile-long drive for its scenic views, make time to spend a weekend in Roanoke. Simply pull over to a roadside overlook to take in a view or rise to new heights by conquering the McAfee Knob. It’s one of the Appalachian Trail’s most photographed spots for its panoramic views of the Catawba Valley and surrounding mountains.
You could easily spend your entire weekend hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains, but you’d miss out on Roanoke’s emerging art scene. Start your visit at the Taubman Museum of Art, which houses a collection of work spanning from ancient times to the present day. After your visit, take a photo at the Roanoke Star nearby—standing 88.5 feet tall, it’s the world’s largest man-made star and offers incredible views of the city, especially at night when it’s all lit up.
Palm Beach, Florida
Exquisite estates, glitzy shopping, and historic landmarks rule Palm Beach Island, an idyllic escape separated from Florida’s mainland by the Lake Worth Lagoon. Here, iconic American fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer found inspiration while selling juice on the roadside of her husband’s orange grove.
Palm Beach has come a long way from its orange grove days but hasn’t lost its zestiness. Spend Friday night at a fabulous restaurant such as Buccan or Swifty’s, go sightseeing on Saturday by exploring the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum and shopping on Worth Avenue, and then wake up to a lavish brunch on Sunday morning at The Breakers.
Nashville, Tennessee
Dubbed the “Music City,” Nashville doesn’t shy away from boisterous bands at live music bars on Broadway, its Honky Tonk Highway, or at the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium, legendary venues for emerging and established talent alike. Visitors crowd the bars on the weekends, spilling onto the sidewalks. During the day, the Country Music Hall of Fame highlights some of the industry’s most illustrious talent—many of whom got their start in Nashville.
If music isn’t enough reason for you to visit Nashville, the food might be. This city is the birthplace of hot chicken. Hattie B’s is one of the top spots in town for tender, crunchy chicken. Across town, you’ll find both traditional and contemporary take on Southern comfort food along with farm-to-table restaurants. Weekend trips to Nashville lend themselves to leaning into the city’s thriving brunch scene, filled with fluffy biscuits smothered in gravy. Walk off the heavy comfort food by touring vibrant Nashville murals and get that souvenir photo before you go.
Macon, Georgia
Whirl through Cherry Street’s beautifully preserved historic homes or indulge in heaping plates of barbecue at a local eatery, and you’ll realize why this city in Georgia embodies the Southern spirit.
Macon, known as the birthplace of Southern rock, has a deep music history. Otis Redding, Little Richard, and the Allman Brothers Band have all called the city home. Fill your weekend by learning about it at the Big House Museum, where the Allman Brothers lived and jammed, or at the Otis Redding Foundation, which pays homage to the King of Soul. At night, you can experience this tradition of music firsthand by hanging out at a live music bar.
The next day, get outside by heading to The Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. Here, you’ll find Native American earthen mounds dating back to 1000 AD and a museum with over 2,000 artifacts from indigenous cultures that once thrived in the area.
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Hilton Head boasts some of the cleanest stretches of sand you’ll find anywhere in the South. The Atlantic Ocean that surrounds the island is calm, warm, and perfect for swimming or paddleboarding. With over 60 miles of bike trails, you can explore everything from the beach to the forest without ever getting in your car. Rent a bike and cruise through the Sea Pines Forest Preserve, where you’ll encounter lush landscapes, serene lakes, and local wildlife.
Keeping with the island’s leisurely pace, Hilton Head is a golfer’s dream come true, boasting more than 20 championship courses designed by legends like Robert Trent Jones and Jack Nicklaus. 18 holes in the morning, paired with dinner over fresh fish tacos or melt-in-your-mouth crab cakes is a purely relaxing way to spend the day.
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Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
