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  1. Southern Living
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  3. The South’s Prettiest Towns 2018

The South’s Prettiest Towns 2018

By Southern Living Editors
March 20, 2018
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Fairhope, Alabama
Credit: Photo: Benjamin Callahan
There’s not just one thing that makes the South so beautiful. It’s the breathtaking mountain vistas, beaches that belong in a screensaver, fields of wildflowers that stretch to the horizon, iconic desert landscapes in Texas, and marshes that look like a movie set. Whether you’re a lake person or a beach person, prefer the mountains or wide-open plains, the South is full of small towns, filled with charm, nestled among such enchanting scenery. From tropical Key West, Florida, to mountainous Cashiers, North Carolina, our small towns are hidden gems, populated by friendly faces and plenty of reasons to stay longer than a quick pit stop. In Franklin, Tennessee, you can check out a few of its 70 shops (all within 16 blocks) while escaping the bustle of Nashville. In Madison, Georgia, you can witness the power of tireless historic preservation efforts and take in the glory of old Southern architecture—from Greek Revival to Victorian, this town showcases all the great architectural styles. The list doesn’t end there. Read on for more of the South’s prettiest small towns—chosen by you.
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1. Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Blowing Rock and Blue Ridge
Credit: Photo: Courtesy Amanda Lugenbell/Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority

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2. Aiken, South Carolina

Aiken, South Carolina
Credit: Peter Frank Edwards/Redux

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3. Sanibel, Florida

Sanibel
Credit: Courtesy of The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel

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4. Sewanee, Tennessee

Sewanee, Tennessee
Credit: The University of the South

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5. Fairhope, Alabama

Fairhope, Alabama
Credit: Photo: Benjamin Callahan

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6. Cashiers, North Carolina

Cashiers, North Carolina
Credit: Stacy Redmon

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7. Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina

Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina
Credit: Robbie Caponetto

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8. Southport, North Carolina

Southport, North Carolina
Credit: Danita Delimont/Getty Images

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9. Beaufort, South Carolina

Beaufort, South Carolina Marina
Credit: Robbie Caponetto

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10. Madison, Georgia

Madison, Georgia
Credit: Courtesy of Madison CVB

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11. Beech Mountain, North Carolina

Beech Mountain, North Carolina
Credit: Robbie Caponetto

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12. Williamsburg, Virginia

College of William and Mary
Credit: Dennis Johnson/Getty Images

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13. St. Michaels, Maryland

St. Michaels, Maryland
Credit: Courtesy Josh Gibson/Orient Express

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14. Jekyll Island, Georgia

Jekyll Island, Georgia
Credit: Courtesy of Jekyll Island Authority

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15. Middleburg, Virginia

Middleburg, Virginia
Credit: Peter Frank Edwards

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16. Beaufort, North Carolina

Beaufort
Credit: Charlotte Observer/Getty Images

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17. Mentone, Alabama

Mentone, Alabama
Credit: Robbie Caponetto

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18. Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Credit: Southern Living

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19. Islamorada, Florida

Islamorada Beach
Credit: Courtesy of The Moorings Village

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20. Hendersonville, North Carolina

Hendersonville
Credit: Wolfgang Kaehler/Getty Images

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21. Key West, Florida

Key West, Florida Sunset
Credit: Robbie Caponetto

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22. Franklin, Tennessee

Franklin Main Street
Credit: Courtesy Universal Images Group/Getty Images

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23. Charlottesville, Virginia

Charlottesville, Virginia
Credit: Peter Frank Edwards/Redux

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24. Brevard, North Carolina

Brevard, North Carolina
Credit: Sean Taylor/EyeEm/Getty Images

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25. Fernandina Beach, Florida

6. Fernandina Beach, Florida
Credit: Robbie Caponetto

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1 of 26 See The Winners
2 of 26 1. Blowing Rock, North Carolina
3 of 26 2. Aiken, South Carolina
4 of 26 3. Sanibel, Florida
5 of 26 4. Sewanee, Tennessee
6 of 26 5. Fairhope, Alabama
7 of 26 6. Cashiers, North Carolina
8 of 26 7. Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina
9 of 26 8. Southport, North Carolina
10 of 26 9. Beaufort, South Carolina
11 of 26 10. Madison, Georgia
12 of 26 11. Beech Mountain, North Carolina
13 of 26 12. Williamsburg, Virginia
14 of 26 13. St. Michaels, Maryland
15 of 26 14. Jekyll Island, Georgia
16 of 26 15. Middleburg, Virginia
17 of 26 16. Beaufort, North Carolina
18 of 26 17. Mentone, Alabama
19 of 26 18. Eureka Springs, Arkansas
20 of 26 19. Islamorada, Florida
21 of 26 20. Hendersonville, North Carolina
22 of 26 21. Key West, Florida
23 of 26 22. Franklin, Tennessee
24 of 26 23. Charlottesville, Virginia
25 of 26 24. Brevard, North Carolina
26 of 26 25. Fernandina Beach, Florida

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The South’s Prettiest Towns 2018
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