Dreaming of a summer escape? Whether waterfront locales or eclectic small towns suit your fancy, we’ve rounded up six of our favorite Southern cities worth a visit this year. Browse the list, complete with fabulous sites, shops, and restaurants, then tell us about your travel plans by tagging us on social media @southernladymag.
1. Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort’s pristine waterfronts and moss-draped live oaks set the backdrop for this beguiling coastal city the late wordsmith Pat Conroy called home.
The 19th-century storefronts along busy Bay Street house locally owned boutiques such as Beaufort Belle Company and gift shops like Scout Southern Market with its signature Sweet Tea Bar. Thibault Gallery and other modern art havens stand alongside historic sites, including the John Mark Verdier House Museum.
Southern traditions, Lowcountry roots, and Gullah culture all inform the town’s flavor at top-notch restaurants like Wren Bistro & Bar and the reincarnated 1891 Ribaut Social Club. Pick up regional provisions from Lowcountry Produce, a double-duty café and market.
3. Salado, Texas
Its legacy entwined with Lady Bird Johnson and fashionista Grace Rosanky Putnam Jones, Salado’s charisma is galvanized by artists and entrepreneurs across this tiny Texas town. Trace the footsteps of cowboys, Scottish pioneers, and celebrities while experiencing the hamlet’s enthusiasm for the arts and a stay-awhile attitude.
In a 5,000-square-foot building, The Shoppes on Main houses a variety of retailers as well as owner Lara Tracy’s venture, the Marketplace Café & Crêperie. Enjoy McCain’s Bakery & Café for breakfast or lunch. Alexander’s Craft Cocktails and Kitchen presents an upscale dining experience and a speakeasy-style lounge. Its casual sister haunt, The Shed, is a family-friendly spot with a fun atmosphere and tavern fare.
2. Bowling Green, Kentucky
Colorful history, modern niceties, and abounding beauty thrive alongside the well-known car culture of Kentucky’s Bowling Green. From a first-rate food scene and locally owned shops to a landscape ripe for adventure, surprises await around every bend.
A taste of Bowling Green is easy to come by at 440 Main and Little Fox Bakery. Pick up a hand-poured souvenir from Candle Makers on the Square, then catch a show at the top-notch Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center.
Overlooking rolling hills, the Baker Arboretum showcases founder Jerry E. Baker’s vast collection of conifer and Japanese maple trees, interspersed with dogwoods, magnolias, and seasonal blooms. The adjacent Downing Museum exhibits myriad works by Kentucky-born artist Joseph Dudley Downing.
4. Davidson, North Carolina
Waterside panoramas complement the small-town charm of Davidson, North Carolina, on the banks of Lake Norman. Davidson College—the alma mater of NBA star Steph Curry, crime writer Patricia Cornwell, and former president Woodrow Wilson—is central to this community that boasts a lively entertainment scene and award-winning restaurants.
In the heart of downtown, Davidson College is home to a staggering collection of fine art, displayed in various academic buildings as well as two curated galleries and a sculpture garden. Stay at the cozy Davidson Village Inn, and stroll the brick-paved sidewalks to Summit Coffee for specialty brews and pastries. Stop by longtime staples The Village Store, Main Street Books, and The Soda Shop.
James Beard Award-semifinalist Joe Kindred and his wife, Katy, serve inventive seasonal fare at their flagship restaurant, Kindred. Inspired by their popular split-top buns, the couple has opened Milkbread café for casual eats like doughnuts and crispy chicken sandwiches. North Harbor Club’s lakefront patio can’t be beat if you’re looking for the perfect sunset view.
5. Chattanooga, Tennessee
By land, by water, but especially on foot, Chattanooga exudes an energetic vibe. Along with the renowned Tennessee Aquarium, the Scenic City’s sprawling art museum, chic hotels, and hip eateries invigorate this mountain burg long beloved by outdoor enthusiasts.
Recently, the Tennessee Riverwalk opened the final leg of its mostly paved path for pedestrians and bicyclists, connecting the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway to the 13-mile stretch along the Tennessee River. The riverside trail includes the aquarium, the Hunter Museum of American Art and its sculpture garden, and the Bluff View Art District.
Gifts stores like Plum Nelly dot the trendy North Shore neighborhood, where food trucks and an antique carousel animate Coolidge Park. Drop by Warehouse Row for upscale shopping at Embellish and posh home furnishings at Revival. Easy Bistro & Bar serves delicious French classics with Southern flair, while Italian fare awaits you at Tony’s Pasta Shop & Trattoria. Don’t miss the glitzy Jazz Age splendor of the Read House hotel, which first opened 150 years ago; treat yourself to a meal at its swanky Bridgeman’s Chophouse.
6. Tupelo, Mississippi
As the birthplace of Elvis Presley, Tupelo’s tributes to The King add to the modern-day spirit of this Mississippi gem on the Natchez Trace Parkway. Festivals throughout the year and plenty of independent ventures, new and old, entice visitors to linger.
Discover tales of The King at the Elvis Presley Center, Tupelo Hardware Company (where Elvis’s first guitar was purchased), and Relics Antique Marketplace, which is housed in the old garment company building where Gladys Presley worked. Reed’s department store has been a cornerstone of downtown for more than a century. Try the Elvis-inspired dishes at Cafe 212 and meringue-topped desserts at Sweet Tea & Biscuits Café. Kermit’s Outlaw Kitchen and Neon Pig specialize in smoked meats and robust sides, while Scarlet’s Donuts is a must for Delta hot tamales.
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