Marvelous Main Streets
There is nothing more quaint and charming than a cobbled main street with brick buildings, local shops and fabulous restaurants. Southern hospitality only adds to the allure of such scenic locales.
Hot Springs, AR
This city of less than 40,000 people is a hot spot in Arkansas, and not just because of the springs. Full of historic hotels and buildings from the 1920’s, downtown Hot Springs has something for the entire family. The Magic Springs Water and Theme Park features roller coasters, water slides and rides for the family. The National Park Aquarium houses the state’s largest fish and reptile exhibit and the Mid-America Science Museum is home to over 100 hands on exhibits. Or learn the history of notorious gangsters and their haunts at the Gangster Museum of America. In addition to a variety of restaurants, cafes, and shops, downtown Hot Springs is also home to the Hot Springs Mountain Tower, a 216 foot observation tower. Take a stroll down the Grand Promenade to enjoy the Central Avenue Historical district and Bathhouse Row.
hotsprings.org/
Fredericksburg, TX
Founded in 1846 by German immigrants, Fredericksburg is a west Texas city of Southern charm and beauty. At the Pioneer Museum, artifacts from original settlers’ homesteads, emphasizing the town’s German heritage. The town square is home to the Marktplatz and further down Main Street sits The National Museum of the Pacific War, featuring a recreated combat zone. Home to over 50 vineyards and wineries, Fredericksburg and the surrounding Hill Country is a well known destination for wine lovers.
visitfredericksburgtx.com
Saint Francisville, LA
The parish seat of West Feliciana, St. Francisville is home to historical plantations, gardens, and numerous homes. Visit the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum to learn more about the area’s history. Locations like Afton Villa Gardens, The Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site, and the Audubon State Historic Site are just a handful of destinations open to the public. St. Francisville is also home to one of the most haunted homes in America, The Myrtles Plantation. Situated on a hill, the Creole-style cottage from the 1790’s is also rumored to have been built on top of an ancient Tunica Native American tribal burial site. The Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge is home to the bald cypress tree and was created to conserve, run and restore the natural habitat for endangered species of plants and animals. St. Francisville’s downtown is recognized on the Register of Historic Significant Sites.
http://www.stfrancisville.net
Winchester, VA
Located in northern Virginia in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester is a beautiful historic town. The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley imparts the history of the town and region and features the 1790s Glen Burnie House and its immaculately maintained gardens. Within the 45 block National Register Historic District, sits Old Town Winchester, a hub for dining and entertainment. The Loudoun Street Pedestrian Mall features specialty retail shops, cafes with al fresco seating, family centric activities, and farmer’s market. Heritage is paramount in Old Town Winchester and the area is overflowing with over 250 years of history.
visitwinchesterva.com/
Beaufort, SC
With a rich history over 500 years, Beaufort is a charming town on the Port Royal Island of South Carolina. In the centrally located downtown, the Visitor’s Center is in the historic armory built in 1798. The area was much sought after by the Spanish, French, English, and Native Americans and Fort Fremont was a prominent battleground during the Spanish American War. The Penn Center, founded in 1862, is the site of the first academic school for freed slaves. The Maritime Center contains exhibits for the whole family, including a life-sized Megalodon jaw and a 3,000-gallon aquarium of local marine life. Beaufort has been used as the backdrop for a multitude of films such as The Big Chill, Forrest Gump, The Prince of Tides and many more. Seafood is a staple in this charming coastal town, with such restaurants like the Shrimp Shack, a favorite amongst locals and movie stars alike. The Kazoobie Kazoo factory is a family favorite with tours of the factory to see how kazoos are made, the history of the kazoo, and even the opportunity to make one.
beaufortsc.org
Bath, NC
Located on the Pamlico River, Bath was North Carolina's first port of entry, and became a trade post in naval stores, furs, and tobacco. The pirate, Edward Teach aka Blackbeard settled in Bath in 1718 after receiving a royal pardon. Approximately a little over a square mile, the historic attractions are easily accessible by foot and in the spring and summer, visitors will marvel at the stunning gardens and pristine landscaping adjoining all of Bath's historic stretches of homes. Bath’s coastal location make it the perfect place for some fresh, straight-from-the-water seafood, like blue crabs, oysters, and shrimp.
pamlico.com/bath
Covington, GA
Known as the Hollywood of the South™, Covington is an ideal location for the entertainment industry. With its scenic landscapes, history buildings, moderate temperatures and ease of accessibility, the town has been the backdrop for over 60 film and television productions, like the Dukes of Hazzard, In the Heat of the Night, and Vampire Diaries. Founded in 1821, the charming town is one of the most picturesque areas in Georgia. Located just outside Atlanta, historic downtown Covington was recently awarded the Award for Excellence in Downtown Development, offering a wide array of retail shops, dining and entertainment options. Covington is also home to the Gaither Plantation, a historic property and the site of Civil War battles and it is said that Confederate soldiers were hidden in the attic and basement of the home. With beautiful homes, churches and gardens surrounding the historic Downtown Square, the Southern appeal and charm of Covington is a treasure to visitors and locals alike.
gocovington.com
Ocala, FL
Known as the “Horse Capital of the World” Ocala is home to the Fort King National Historic Park, an important Second Seminole War site. The Appleton Museum of Art includes pre-Columbian artifacts as well as contemporary art. To the east of the town is the Ocala National Forest and the Silver Springs State Park. Called Ocali by Timicua Indians, Ocala/Marion County’s history dates back thousands of years. In the picturesque downtown Ocala, visitors will find a variety of dining options, as well as entertainment like Ocala Symphony Orchestra, the Ocala Civic Theatre or the Brick City Center for the Arts.
ocalamarion.com/
Tuscumbia, AL
Nested in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Tuscumbia was first settled by the French in the 1700’s, only to be destroyed in 1786. The following spring, the Chicksaw Indians moved into the area and in 1822, the town voted to change the name to Anniston, after the first child of the Anglo settlers or Tuscumbia, the Chicksaw Chief. Tuscumbia won by a single vote, and it is said that after the vote, the Chief gave the girl, Anne, a pair of moccasins. But Tuscumbia’s claim to fame is as the birthplace and home of Helen Keller. Ivy Green, the Keller home, is now a museum and open daily for visitors and tours. In the summer months, the play about Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan, The Miracle Worker is performed on Friday and Saturday evenings. In the famous greater Shoals area of Alabama, Tuscumbia is home to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and the old train depot in Tuscumbia, now home to the Tuscumbia Railway Corporation and a museum of the city’s history.
colbertcountytourism.org
Clarksdale, MS
With live blues available in town every night, Clarksdale is a bustling southern city. In addition to fantastic blues clubs like Ground Zero, and the Bluesberry Café, Clarksdale is also home to the world’s first museum devoted to the blues, the Delta Blues museum. The Tennessee Williams Rectory Museum is dedicated to the great playwright's Mississippi Delta roots, in his former home, in the town that inspired his most renowned plays. A collection of Mississippi pottery, artifacts and archaeological research materials can be found at the Carnegie Public Library Archaeology Collection. Local artists and music can be found at Cat Head Blues & Folk Art, Inc and Deak’s Mississippi Saxophones and Blues Emporium.
visitclarksdale.com
Loudon, TN
With an easily walkable downtown, Historic Loudon is a charming little town along the Tennessee River filled with quaint shops, good food and friendly faces. Less than 30 minutes from Knoxville, the scenic town offers a much needed respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. The recently renovated and restored downtown is brimming with a variety of delectable restaurants, local merchants and specialty boutiques. Learn about Loudon’s history displayed at the historic Carmichael Inn. A featured stop on the Civil War Trail of Tennessee and the Appalachian Quilt Tour, Loudon is a place for history, hospitality and Southern charm.
weloveloudon.com
This summer stroll through the storied downtowns and Main Streets of the South. Treat yourself to an ice cream cone, take in the sights and sounds of these quaint towns, and step back in time learning the history of these Southern destinations.
