The South's Best Small Towns 2018

Aiken. Oxford. Fairhope. St. Augustine. Even their names sound charming. Small towns in the South have their own beating hearts and their own unique traditions. Small Southern towns have neighbors who gather on front porches to drink sweet tea and watch the sun dip below the horizon. These tiny, tight communities have celebrations that everyone, both young and old, anticipate like parades, block parties, garden tours, and holiday markets. They are tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities, and they're bursting with warmth, personality, and history. And while some of their selling points are the same– the tree lined cobblestone streets, an Instagram-worthy town square, a Main Street with a general store and an ice cream parlor–we promise these towns are wonderfully different. As we celebrate this year’s top ten winners, which were chosen by all of you, we recognize that some of these towns do have a lot in common. Some more than others. (Here’s looking at you Beaufort, South Carolina, and Beaufort, North Carolina.) But behind each winner are the people, from the shop owners to the homeowners, who create the real personality of the town. From St. Augustine, Florida, to Fairhope, Alabama, we’re celebrating the most spectacular small towns in the region and the communities that give them their true spirit. Never before was there a better time to plan a small town getaway in our region. Prepare to be enchanted. 

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1. Aiken, South Carolina

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2. Fairhope, Alabama

Photo: Benjamin Callahan

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3. Oxford, Mississippi

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See The Winners

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4. Southport, North Carolina

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5. Williamsburg, Virginia

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6. Beaufort, South Carolina

Robbie Caponetto

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7. Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Photo: Courtesy Amanda Lugenbell/Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority

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Fredericksburg, Texas

Robbie Caponetto
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9. Beaufort, North Carolina

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10. St. Augustine, Florida

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