30 Gorgeous (and Warm!) Weekend Getaways in the South (2024)

Looking for the ultimate small town main street? You'll find it in Danville, along with all the shops, restaurants, and galleries you could ask for. Pro tip: Sync your trip dates up with the Kentucky State BBQ Festival.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

You'll want to check out the springs for which this peaceful town is named, of course, but that's not where the relaxing vibes end. Hot Springs also offers multiple wellness clubs, spas, and saunas. Perfect for a weekend trip!

PLAN YOUR TRIP

You won't have to wonder why Flat Rock was added to the National Register of Historic Places back in 2015. This friendly town is only 30 miles away from Asheville, and it's a wonderful place to see fall foliage.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Bardstown isn't just the "Bourbon Capital of the World"—though that'd be reason enough to pay this quaint locale a visit. It's also the second-oldest city in Kentucky. Take a trip to the Maker’s Mark and Jim Beam distilleries, or just check out the main square.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Seaside allure gets muddled with artistic soul in this groovy southern town that you'd probably just drive right past on your way to New Orleans if you weren't in the know (most aren't). While in town, you can relax with your posse during a restorative class at Treehouse Yoga, which offers just as much whimsical and free-flowing fun as its name might hint at.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

This is the North Carolina that small town mountain fantasies are made of. You could easily spend all day in a rocking chair, soaking up views of the lush wilderness, but we suggest hitting the road to check out the breathtaking vistas on the Blue Ridge Parkway aka "America's favorite drive." Make a pitstop at renowned Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, for a quick but memorable visit to the craft center, before heading onto Canyons for some tasty grub and unreal mountain views. Rest your weary feet at Chetola Resort—where your gang might have a hard time prying themselves away from the sauna—or at the elegantly restored Green Park Inn. (Fun fact: Margaret Mitchell spent time penning Gone With the Wind there!)

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Groups looking for off-the-beaten path thrills will be more than satisfied with a weekend in this Bluegrass State prize of a town. You can finally use the word "spelunk" in everyday conversation as you tour the world's longest cave at Mammoth Cave National Park (you'd never guess you're just an hour north of Nashville!). Then, you can make the kiddos back at home jealous when you and the ladies take some classic cars for a spin at the National Corvette Museum. Finally, enjoy a fun night out at the 1869 Boyce General Store, where you can take a canning or baking class, or simply enjoy some live music at its "Pickin' on the Patio" event every other weekend in the summer. Slip into bed at the funky-yet-elegantly outfitted Kentucky Grand Hotel, which offers a cool Prohibition-era vibe.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Nestled in central Virginia's wine country, there's a million reasons you won't want to say goodbye to the Keswick Hall & Golf Club (wine definitely being one of them, thanks to the resort's vineyard). Perhaps start your day with the 3 Bs—birdwatching, bocce ball, and badminton—and end your night in the energy-infused streets of downtown Charlottesville. Since there's likely still one or two Dave Matthews Band Crash-era devotees in your throng, raise a pint at Miller's (ask for the DMB brew), where Dave himself tended bar when the band's biggest shows were at UVA frat houses and the 900-person Trax nightclub. (And you thought you were cool because you caught them on your local amphitheater's lawn back in '97...)

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Call the luxurious and rejuvenating Cheeca Lodge Resort & Spa, located on the islands of Islamorada in the Florida Keys, home base for your next girls' getaway. (Islamorada means "purple islands," a name that will click upon arrival). There, you and the gaggle can indulge in the true joy that is the adults-only pool, book a treatment (or two) at the spa, and eat way too many sushi rolls at the resort's lauded Nikai Sushi Bar. Should you choose to take your retreat off-property, try backcountry skiffing with Bud N'Mary's for some of the best sport fishing the country has to offer.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Pulsing with a vibrant, artsy energy, downtown Columbia is sprinkled with enough bakeries, boutiques, restaurants, and coffee shops to set the backdrop for RGMs (Really Good Memories). Remember The Andy Griffith Show? This Palmetto State treasure emits a "Mayberry-esque" quality, despite its fast growth in recent years. Nest up at the Inn at USC where you can spend hours relaxing on the wide wrap-around porch and feeling far removed from the hustle of city life, even though you're only a few blocks from plenty of dining options and attractions, like the industrial Hunter-Gatherer Brewery and Alehouse. While in town, assemble the gals for an afternoon trip to West Columbia (it's a quick 10-minute jaunt across the river) where you'll find the Old Mill Antique Mall, a two-level historic building that houses over 75 dealers with some of the coolest antiques, furniture, and vintage finds around. After, congregate at Cafe Strudel, a zany pour-your-own coffee bar, to dish about your vintage bounty.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Abandon any preconceived notions you may have about what spring break in Florida is like, and get ready to unwind on the picturesque beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel Island. Fans of the culinary arts will be excited to sink their teeth into the incredible Peruvian-Argentinian-Italian fusion at El Gaucho Inca or conquer the daunting yet delicious portions at Farmers Market Restaurant, which specializes in homey, southern cooking. Then burn off all that grub by exploring Sanibel and Captiva Islands, which offer some of the world's best shelling (and have no buildings higher than a palm tree).

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Worthy as a destination in itself, the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort in Point Clear is a gorgeous resort and spa tucked away on 550 sprawling acres along the Alabama coastline. Studded by 36 holes on its esteemed golf course and a member of the Historic Hotels of America, the hotel was founded in 1847. It now offers outdoor and indoor swimming pools, an art gallery, and daily tea-and-cookie service in the lobby. Relax at the spa before heading to the daily historic cannon- firing ceremony (seriously!). As you stroll around the nearby town of Fairhope, you'll wonder why you didn't take an extra vacation day. Oh well, Sunday Jazz Brunch awaits...

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Ah, where to start? Food seems like a good place to kick things off in this epicurean haven, anointed one of the New York Times' top places to go in 2017. First, there are the oldies like Grill Marks (order a boozy milkshake) and Sidewall Pizza. Then, there are the newbies, like Biscuit Head (get a Bloody Mary on the side to wash 'em down) and The Anchorage, with a focus on seasonal, local ingredients. Ward off a food coma by heading over to M.Judson Booksellers and Storytellers for a reading, or to pick up some titles for an impromptu book club with your gals. Falls Park, with its cascading waterfalls and scene-stealing gardens, seems like a good spot for the literary discussion, as do the grounds of the rustic Hotel Domestique, where you'll want to hit the hay early so you can squeeze in a group yoga class in the morning.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

You know a day that starts with yoga on the beach and ends with harborside drinks with your besties before catching an outdoor Miranda Lambert concert is a good one. Here's how to make that fantasy itinerary a reality in this underrated beach town: First, book a session at Glow Yoga, then reserve an outdoor table at Driftwood Bar and Grille, and finally, look up the concert schedule at The Wharf (or, time your trip for the ever-popular Hangout Music Fest). Of course, you'll probably need a place to stay, so score rooms at Turquoise Place, which has a lazy river and a bar with some of the best Bushwackers in town. Oh, and all roads should lead to the legendary Flora-Bama at the end of the night, a beachside mega-dive with live music straddling the Florida-Alabama line in the happiest of boozy limbos.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Step aside, Asheville. This neighboring town, tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is worthy of bucket list goals, too. Satiate your hankering for a dose of the outdoors by hiking the nearby trails, or take a stroll downtown on the extra-wide sidewalks punctuated by benches, flowers and outdoor cafes. Book a few nights at the Mélange Inn and Gardens, which serves as a convenient launching pad for adventures to countryside wineries, Sierra Nevada's massive East Coast brewery, and the famed Flat Rock Playhouse, which regularly hosts Broadway shows. Another fun fact to share with your friends: The recent remake of Dirty Dancing was filmed in Hendersonville!

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Whisk the group away to the pristine shores of beautiful Jekyll Island, a gorgeous state park that's protected from extensive development. At the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, book a package (there's a yoga retreat; murder mystery weekends; and whiskey, wine, and wildlife adventures ... just to name a few) or build your own itinerary. Whatever you choose to do, make sure Victorian tea, a day trip to the Okefenokee Swamp Park, and a guided water tour with Turtle Tides are all on your list. The property's regional southern Georgia cuisine is so good, you should expect to go on a grits kick for weeks when you return home.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Nashville may the first place travelers think to go when visiting the Volunteer State, but Knoxville makes for a spectacular getaway if outdoor activities are your group's thing. Start at the Adventure Center which offers moonlit paddles, disc golf, and mountain biking (among many, many more options). After working up a sweat, the city's downtown district has oodles of mouthwatering dining options, but we're partial to the idea of a welcome night feast at Knox Mason, where everyone will beg the chef for the pimento cheese recipe. After dinner, enjoy a nightcap at sophisticated speakeasy Peter Kern Library, which moonlights as a coffeehouse by day. Next, you can retreat to your chambers at The Oliver Hotel, or find music and fun in Market Square. Just don't overdo it if the plan is to wake up early for rock climbing at Big South Fork the next day...

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Many people don't know there's 500 miles of undisturbed shoreline less than a half-hour drive outside of downtown Columbia. Many people are missing out. At this idyllic getaway, you'll find pristine views, hidden coves, and a glassy, peaceful lake that may just be the state's best-kept secret. Visit River Runner to rent a boat or kayak, and make a day out of lazing on the water, or pitch a tent at Brickhouse Campground for a backcountry experience that offers ample opportunity to tackle trails via foot or mountain bike. Hungry? Waterfront restaurant The Rusty Anchor provides solid grub. End your days at the old-school Newberry Manor where you can peacefully count sheep before drifting off.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Picture your dream antiques-themed Pinterest board. Now picture it coming to life in the form of a small-town Appalachian town. Welcome to Lewisburg. Wander through its antique stores and galleries, like the Harmony Ridge Gallery and Robert's Antiques and Wine Shop (which houses over 600 labels of vino) before refueling on java at community gathering place, The Wild Bean. Or, spend your bonding-time staying put in one place: The Greenbrier, a sprawling historic resort which opened in 1778. If you're looking to stay closer to town, you'll be hard-pressed to find better lodging than the Historic General Lewis Inn, which offers up authentic, nostalgia-stirring southern cooking that you won't forget anytime soon.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

If you want to laissez le bon temps rouler New Orleans-style without having to deal with crazy crowds and steep prices, consider Mobile, the birthplace of Mardi Gras in America. Spend some time moseying around the waterfront's galleries and boutiques, under a charming canopy of oak trees, before taking a quick drive to famed Bellingrath Gardens and Home. Then, ditch sea level for dinner at Dauphin's, perched high over the bay—34 stories up in the Trustmark Building, specifically—where you'll want to save plenty of room for a plate of the local Gulf shrimp. Make your home away from home The Battle House Hotel, that is steeped in Dixieland elegance.

PLAN YOUR TRIP