LaGrange, GA
LaGrange, Georgia, named for Lafayette's family estate, keeps its 1828 courthouse square as a fountain plaza an hour southwest of Atlanta. The Callaway family built the gardens at Hills & Dales and the 2,500-seat Sweetland Amphitheatre; Kia builds cars 15 miles south; West Point Lake holds 525 miles of shoreline at the edge of town. Main Street restaurants, a college on the hill and housing priced below most college towns. A working town with a stage.
Blue Ridge, GA
Blue Ridge, Georgia, the Trout Capital of Georgia, is a North Georgia mountain town built around a 1906 railroad depot where the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway still departs for a 26-mile ride along the Toccoa River. About 115 shops, galleries and breweries line East and West Main Street, Lake Blue Ridge sits three miles out, and Mercier Orchards has pressed apples since 1943. A second-home town with a weekend economy, a local hospital and a long drive to a specialist. Read it with a fly rod in mind.
Ashland, VA
Ashland, Virginia, the self-styled Center of the Universe, is a Hanover County college town about 15 miles north of Richmond where CSX and Amtrak trains roll straight down the middle of downtown. Randolph-Macon College faces the shops across the tracks, the Strawberry Faire fills the campus each June, and the paved Fall Line Trail begins at Carter Park. Come for the trains. Stay because they keep coming.
Floyd, VA
Floyd, Virginia is a town of fewer than 500 people on the Blue Ridge Plateau, a few miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway and a hub on The Crooked Road, Virginia's Heritage Music Trail. Every Friday night the Floyd Country Store, open as a store since 1910, hosts the Friday Night Jamboree. Galleries, a nationally known coffee roaster and county-wide gigabit fiber round it out. Bring your dancing shoes, or at least your ears.
Middleburg, VA
Middleburg, Virginia, the Nation's Horse and Hunt Capital, is a town of fewer than a thousand people in Loudoun County hunt country, founded in 1787 on the road between Alexandria and Winchester. Washington Street holds an inn that has taken guests since 1728, a national sporting library, oyster bars and galleries, with wineries and a Five-Star resort at the edges. Dulles is 21 miles away. Bring boots, and book December early.
Travelers Rest, SC
Travelers Rest, known simply as TR, is a foothills trail town nine miles north of downtown Greenville, South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbit Trail runs right beside Main Street, Furman University sits inside the city limits, and on Saturday evenings from spring through fall the lawn at Trailblazer Park fills up for free concerts. Crepes to start the day, a James Beard-nominated kitchen to end it, and waterfalls less than half an hour away. Bring a bike. You will use it.
Valdese, NC
Valdese was founded in 1893 by Waldensian colonists from the Cottian Alps of northwestern Italy, and this Burke County town still tells that story out loud: on the Trail of Faith, in the summer outdoor drama From This Day Forward, and at an August festival that draws more than 15,000 people. Add 300 wooded acres of trail on Lake Rhodhiss and Charlotte a little over an hour away. Old-world roots, foothill pace, no pretense.
Rockport, ME
Rockport, Maine is the quiet harbor village between Camden and Rockland on Penobscot Bay, home to about 6,500 people. Its National Register lime kilns frame the harbor park, a statue remembers Andre the Seal, and Aldermere Farm keeps the country's oldest continually operated Belted Galloway herd. Add a summer chamber music festival at the Opera House and a world-known school for photographers and filmmakers. Small village, deep roots, and not in a hurry.
Brevard, NC
Brevard is North Carolina's Land of Waterfalls, a Blue Ridge college town beside Pisgah National Forest and within reach of DuPont's famous trails. White squirrels, a walkable independent downtown, and the nationally respected Brevard Music Center give the place a character beyond outdoor adventure. Come for the singletrack and waterfalls. Stay when the orchestra starts.
Covington, GA
Covington centers on a courthouse square where restaurants, shops and galleries sit within a few walkable blocks. Beyond that compact downtown, the town spreads out, so expect to drive between neighborhoods and everyday errands. About 35 miles east of Atlanta, it balances a recognizable small-town center with access to the city. Television fans know the square as Mystic Falls from The Vampire Diaries; residents use it for dinner and catching up.
Boone, NC
Boone sits high in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina — a college town with the bones of a mountain town and the pulse of a place that never quite empties out. Appalachian State University anchors downtown, the Blue Ridge Parkway curves just south, and three ski resorts are inside a 30-minute drive. It's about two hours to Charlotte, one hour to Winston-Salem, and a world away from either.
Dahlonega GA
Dahlonega, Georgia blends a charming historic downtown with Blue Ridge adventure—think courthouse-square strolls, gold rush history, nearby vineyards, and waterfall hikes. Just over an hour from Atlanta, it’s an easy weekend getaway with great local restaurants, live music, and outdoor access that makes the town feel both relaxed and alive.
Hendersonville, NC
Hendersonville, NC is a walkable mountain town near Asheville with a lively downtown, classic brick storefronts, and an easy rhythm for weekends or longer stays. Nicknamed the City of Four Seasons, it’s rooted in apple-country and delivers more than scenery: local museums, a strong performing-arts scene, and a restaurant lineup that punches above its size. Come for the views—stay for the Main Street energy.
Opelika, AL
Opelika, Alabama exudes a delightful blend of Southern charm and modern growth, with nearly 31,000 residents calling it home. Nestled in east-central Alabama, it’s a stone’s throw from Auburn University and offers easy access to the Atlanta metro. Opelika’s historic downtown, emerging craft breweries, and inviting green spaces make it an appealing destination for those seeking a welcoming, community-focused small town with big opportunities.
Lexington, VA
Cradled between lush rolling hills and steeped in American history, this charming Shenandoah Valley gem blends collegiate vitality from Washington and Lee University and Virginia Military Institute with classic Southern grace. Brick sidewalks and storied architecture meet vibrant boutiques, acclaimed eateries, and artisanal breweries, creating a lively yet refined atmosphere cherished by young families, savvy entrepreneurs, and active retirees seeking sophisticated comforts in a small-town setting.
Discover
Perfect for a weekend getaway, this historic enclave offers charming inns like the Abigail Inn and the Georges, and culinary standouts including The Red Hen and Haywood’s. Adventure seekers enjoy scenic hikes along the Chessie Nature Trail or kayaking the Maury River, while history enthusiasts relish tours of iconic Civil War sites. Best visited in autumn’s vivid foliage or during spring blooms, evenings sparkle with entertainment at Lime Kiln Theater’s outdoor performances beneath starlit skies.
Southport, NC
Where the Cape Fear River meets the Atlantic Ocean, Southport, North Carolina, is a charming coastal gem with a population of about 4,000. This picturesque town boasts a rich maritime history, stunning waterfront views, and a laid-back Southern atmosphere that captivates visitors and residents alike. Southport's tree-lined streets, historic architecture, and vibrant community spirit make it a true hidden treasure.
Camden, SC
Camden is a charming blend of rich history and modern vibrancy. Known as the "Steeplechase Capital of the World," this town offers a unique mix of equestrian culture, Southern hospitality, and progressive sophistication. With tree-lined streets, historic architecture, and a thriving arts scene, Camden is where tradition meets opportunity—a place where the past is always present, and the future looks bright.
Beaufort, NC
This vibrant coastal town steeped in over 300 years of history. blends maritime charm with a thriving community of just over 4,400 residents. Of course it does swell a bit in the summer months. Located along Beaufort Inlet and surrounded by waterways, it offers a rich tapestry of historic sites, fresh seafood, and breathtaking waterfront views. From the Rachel Carson Reserve to its renowned maritime museum, Beaufort is a haven for adventurers, history buffs, and those seeking coastal serenity.
Woodstock, VT
Set in the scenic Green Mountains of Vermont, Woodstock is a picturesque small town known for its charming 19th-century architecture, vibrant local shops, and stunning natural landscapes. Woodstock offers a unique blend of rural tranquility and cultural richness. Its historic significance as a thriving village makes it a central place in New England’s heart.