Horn Island named one of USA TODAY’s most treasured views
Explore Horn Island in Mississippi, named one of USA TODAY’s Most Treasured Views in America for 2025.
Looking for a new place to visit or want to go back to an old favorite that operates at a slower pace? Mississippi has plenty of small towns brimming with charm, great food, shopping, entertainment options and historic buildings to visit.
World Atlas has put together a list of the “10 Most Scenic Towns in the Southern United States” that can make your choice to vacation or staycation easier.
“The American South is also more complex, shaped by a collection of factors, spanning from a multifaceted series of historical events to its rich cultural and architectural heritage,” World Atlas wrote.
“Even the layout of the land has shaped the towns and peoples. Antebellum architecture, trees draped in Spanish moss, and the gentle hum of crickets at night remind visitors of a peaceful day down by the water.”
Oxford and Natchez made the cut. These iconic Southern small towns are brimming with history, art and culture and have some of the most beautiful buildings you can find.
Here’s what we know about the list, what you can look forward to if you take a trip close to home.
Oxford is home to education, culture, great food
Nicknamed “the cultural Mecca of the South,” the town draws award-winning chefs and is a hub for art and literature.
“The town has made a commitment to preserving its antebellum and Victorian-era architecture, giving the area a timeless feel,” World Atlas wrote.
USA Today called The Square, its town square, one of the Top 5 best public squares in the country. The landmark is surrounded by Square Books and restaurants, including City Grocery, St. Leo, Ajax and Tico’s.
It’s also home to Ole Miss, so sports fans can tailgate before games at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium or catch a game at The Pavilion. Travel + Leisure calls Oxford the best small college town in the U.S.
“Ole Miss is one of the most beautiful campuses in the country with lots of 19th-century Greek Revival architecture like William Faulkner’s Rowan Oak, which is open for tours through the university museum,” according to Travel + Leisure.
World Atlas previously highlighted Oxford as one of the 12 best retirement town in the South, and HGTV listed it among charming Southern Towns.
Natchez offers walk through Mississippi history
The oldest continuously inhabited city in Mississippi is Natchez. It was founded in 1716 by French settlers as Fort Rosalie. It went on to serve as the capital of Mississippi twice before Jackson.
Now, the city on the bluff is a tourism destination, known for its pre-Civil War homes.
According to Visit Natchez, the city has more than 1,000 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
“Most of the homes in Natchez survived the Civil War and their history flows in abundance along the Mississippi, while the memories leave a haunting tale,” Visit Natchez wrote.
World Atlas recently listed it among the best places to live in the South. And Travel + Leisure named it one of the best places to retire in the Southeast.
“The oldest city on the Mississippi River, Natchez is known for its history as well as its variety of attractions — with everything from museums and historical sites to live music, flower shows, and theater performances,” Travel + Leisure wrote.
What are the Top 10 most scenic towns, cities in the South?
According to World Atlas, these are the most scenic, charming towns in the South.
“In these American South towns, history comes alive through preserved architecture and a distinct cultural heritage. … The area resonates with echoes of African, European, and Native American traditions, and these towns paint a portrait of the South’s rich culture,” World Atlas wrote.
- Beaufort, South Carolina
- St. Augustine, Florida
- Gatlinburg, Tennessee
- Fairhope, Alabama
- Oxford, Mississippi
- Waynesville, North Carolina
- Natchez, Mississippi
- Helen, Georgia
- Abingdon, Virginia
- Dahlonega, Georgia
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.