Small Towns In The South For Romantic Getaways

Highlands, North Carolina

A true choose-your-own-adventure destination, the mountains of western North Carolina are a romantic weekend waiting to happen. Take yourself on a hike to a waterfall, spend a day at the Biltmore Estate, or cozy up in an inn with a flickering fireplace. Try Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands, where you can relax by fire pits, sleep in in a beautifully appointed room, and book spa appointments to unwind with your loved one.

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Beaufort, North Carolina

See the North Carolina coast with a kayak or stand-up paddleboard outing courtesy of Beaufort Paddle. After a busy morning, you can satiate your appetite with a guided culinary tour with Hungry Town Guided Tours. Cap off your evening with a toast at a waterfront cafe before retreating to your B&B, like Victorian-style Pecan Tree Inn or the Inn on Turner, complete with a garden-side fire pit.

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Abingdon, Virginia

Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA — Hector Manuel Sanchez

When it comes to romance, Abingdon has it in spades. Start your trip with a bike ride on the Virginia Creeper Trail, then take in a show at the historic Barter Theatre. Book a stay at The Martha Washington Inn and Spa, and you'll have a home base close to all the charm that Abingdon has to offer. An indoor pool, lavish dining room, and beautiful grounds will start your visit off just right.

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Williamsburg, Virginia

Founded in 1638, the history, architecture, and welcoming locals of this small town make it easy to fall in love again. Treat yourself to a session at The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg or a horse-drawn carriage ride around town before tucking in for the night. Book a room at the Williamsburg Inn for a luxury experience with old-world charm. Plus, if you can time your stay right, get a ticket for the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra for a night with Beethoven or Bach?

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Nags Head, North Carolina

Few places in the South offer as much relaxed romance as North Carolina's Outer Banks. The strip of islands on the Atlantic have beach towns aplenty, and a cottage rental in charming Nags Head will put you and your sweetheart in the path of bikeable streets, salty breezes, and small-town draws. Don't miss Nags Head Woods Preserve for walking, and sightsee at Bodie Island Lighthouse and Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

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Beaufort, South Carolina

When in Beaufort, do as the locals do: Take leisurely walks beneath moss-draped oaks, take in the charming Lowcountry architecture, and eat fresh catch at neighborhood restaurants. Don't miss nearby Hunting Island State Park for nature walks, Scout Southern Market for shopping, Waterfront Park for taking in the scenery. You can enjoy all of this from a room at The Beaufort Inn, a lovely spot in the historic district, or the Anchorage 1770, a boutique hotel with all the amenities.

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Oxford, Mississippi

You'll feel far removed from city life in this bookish, northern Mississippi town located just an hour outside of Memphis. Begin your literary love affair by visiting William Faulkner's estate, Rowan Oak, and follow it up with a trip to the University of Mississippi Museum. In town, browse Square Books for something to read during the car journey home. To round out your couples' getaway, book a reservation at one of the Graduate Oxford restaurants to taste some Southern classics.

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Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Replicate the thrill of a classic carnival ride at The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel. After hiking one of the Smokies' forested trails and taking in a picturesque view, your tired limbs earned a well-deserved rest. Book a couple's massage at the St. Somewhere Spa at the Margaritaville Island Hotel to pamper yourself. Hungry? The Local Goat serves dinner for two, where the chocolate peanut butter pie will be a talking point for years to come.

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Jekyll Island, Georgia

This barrier island has all the staples of Southern charm, including live oaks draped in Spanish moss, golden salt marches, and a resort that may have leaped off the pages of a Gilded Age novel. The Jekyll Island Club Resort is an oceanfront hideaway with bike rentals, croquet, and even expertly packed picnic baskets to make your getaway sweet and simplified. Grab some books and a blanket and snuggle up on Driftwood Beach, which is regularly named the "most romantic beach" in the South.

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Leiper's Fork, Tennessee

Just outside of Franklin in this town of 650 residents, there's an unofficial rule that all restaurants and businesses must offer a porch, rocking chairs, and fire pits—perfect places to take in the scenery and enjoy s'mores, of course. Explore the village's art galleries and shops during the day, dine at the new restaurant 1892 at night, and toast your love at Leiper's Fork Distillery or over drinks and open-mic sessions at Fox & Locke in the later evening hours.

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Georgetown, South Carolina

Start your vacation with a stroll along Front Street and the Harborwalk as you browse high-end furniture shops and funky boutiques. Let Cupid kindly guide you on a boat ride through the area on Lowcountry Tours. For your accommodations, book a room at 620 Prince, an elegant bed and breakfast in a renovated 19th-century home with a dreamlike oak-tree-lined facade.

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Ellicott City, Maryland

If your idea of romance counts corn hole and craft beer amongst its ranks, this Maryland city is calling your name. For this beer-and-game combo, visit Manor Hill Brewing, where rolling hills and fragrant hops set the perfect backdrop for an anniversary or Valentine's Day celebration. Take a 15-minute drive or Uber to The Iron Bridge Wine Co. in nearby Columbia for dinner. This tiny bistro is a gateway to a traditional European atmosphere with the warm glow of candles and the smell of mushroom risotto and duck cassoulet. Make your home base Turf Valley Resort for fun in the countryside.

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Blue Ridge, Georgia

For a secluded mountain getaway, try Aska Lodge Bed & Breakfast, which you'll quickly want to make an annual tradition. If you can peel yourself away from the seclusion of a mountain inn, go for a hike or scenic drive. Revisit your high school dating days with a show at the Swan Drive-In Theatre and be sure to indulge in modern Southern fare at Harvest on Main.

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Deep Creek Lake, Maryland

How does a fairy tale ski resort in Maryland sound? Every day at Wisp Resort brings something different. You can ski, snowshoe, or ice skate to your heart's content, or, if you're not staying at Wisp, indulge in a bed and a breakfast at Lake Pointe Inn. While in town, be sure to hike to Muddy Creek Falls, which freezes in the winter, for a panoramic view unlike anything you've ever seen.

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Wimberley, Texas

Only 45 minutes outside of Austin, you'll feel like you're in another universe when you visit this inviting small town. It's known for Jacob's Well, an artesian well roughly 140-feet deep, and it's now a destination with lots going on. Get the adrenaline pumping with Wimberley Zipline Adventures, or enjoy a more leisurely day at Wimberley Valley Winery or Middleton Brewing. For memorable accommodations, kick your feet up at Blair House Inn, where you'll never want to say goodbye after you've spent a day relaxing in spa treatments.

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Dillard, Georgia

Julep Farms in Dillard, GA — Robbie Caponetto

Book a stay at Julep Farms in Dillard, Georgia, for a romantic getaway in the North Georgia mountains. Surrounded by rolling hills, this modern farm resort has all you need for a quiet weekend away. You can enjoy evenings in your own cottage and dine at Julep Kitchen (save room for the Pecan Praline Bread Pudding) on the property. It's a perfect place to breathe deeply in the Georgia mountain air.

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Fredericksburg, Texas

It's a no-brainer that Texas wine country is ideal for a couple's trip. Fredericksburg's German-influenced architecture, welcoming hospitality, and wine prove it. Visit the Tuscan-inspired Grape Creek Vineyards or grab a rocking chair and stemware to make yourself at home at the Hoffman Haus. This bed and breakfast has a Sweetheart Special that includes two massages, a floral arrangement, champagne, and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

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Harrodsburg, Kentucky

The Beaumont Inn had us at "personalized bourbon tasting with the innkeeper." It will also have you planning a trip once you hear about its sprawling grounds, outdoor tree swing, and award-winning food. Try kayaking or canoeing on the Kentucky River to observe the conservation of a rare Bluegrass State ecosystem. During the winter, you can stroll around the downtown art galleries and shops or book a stay at the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.

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Greenwood, Mississippi

Venture to this Mississippi Delta town where you can unplug from your devices and dial into the peaceful Tallahatchie Flats experience, which includes a group of bookable cabins on the river bend. After perusing the offerings at Turnrow Book Co., form a reading circle with your better half at the café. When that five o'clock thirst sets in, visit a local vineyard to sip on Delta wines as you contemplate extending your trip for just one more day.

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Daufuskie Island, South Carolina

Daufuskie Island in South Carolina — Courtesy of Haig Point

Go for a special horseback tour of the island, complete with white sand beaches, wooded trails, and plenty of wildlife in Daufuskie Island. Clink glasses with your partner at the Daufuskie Island Company, a distillery perched on a picturesque pond. Under the watchful eye of oak trees, check out art galleries and restaurants before tucking into a vacation rental—which could be a lavish oceanfront mansion or an isolated villa.

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Washington, Virginia

For a romantic getaway, it doesn't get much better than the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Especially in "Little Washington," where time has a way of slowing down. The small town's historic district houses horses, a flock of sheep, chickens, and a llama in an ornate adobe complete with stained glass windows. Book your stay at Le Fay Cottage, a quick stroll away from Little Washington Winery and Brewery. You can't go wrong with dinner at the Inn at Little Washington, especially when paired with a show at Little Washington Theatre.

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Blowing Rock, North Carolina

This Blue Ridge town even has romantic folklore. For two peas in a High Country pod, make pit stops at the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum before eating at the Bistro Roca or the Restaurant at Gideon's Ridge. Beginner skiers may also enjoy Appalachian Ski Mtn, which has a vertical drop of 365 feet and the longest run clocking in at an approachable half-mile (both clothing and equipment rental are on-site). Luxuriate in a spa treatment and the indoor heated pool at Bob Timberlake Inn at Chetola Resort before watching the flames flicker in your in-room fireplace.

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Key West, Florida

Florida: Key West — Meinzahn/Getty Images

Few places can conjure the brand of romance that Key West has perfected over decades. When you're there, you feel like you're really away from it all. That's partly because of its location, an island just 90 miles from Cuba, and the relaxed atmosphere you'll find on quiet side streets. (Head to Duval for the bustle if you want the true tourist experience). Stay at The Marquesa for a gracious and picturesque experience away from the main drag, or book a beachy cottage beneath palm trees, and spend your days sauntering the sidewalks, basking in the sun on the beach, and shopping through the town's boutiques, like Vignette and Besame Mucho.

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Paducah, Kentucky

This walkable town in Western Kentucky is located at the convergence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers, and it's a good spot for a romantic getaway too. Walk along the river to see the sunset, amble the historic streets, and see all that Paducah has to offer. Stop into Maiden Alley Cinema for a movie, drop into The Foxbriar Cocktail Bar around the corner for drinks, and see a show at Market House Theatre. For a romantic dinner, find a table at Stella's or Cynthia's Ristorante.

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