Discover Ten Southern Small-Town Escapes

St. Francisville, LA: The allee leading to Rosedown Plantation.

St. Francisville, LA: Myrtles Plantation’s front porch.

St. Francisville, LA: A row of rockers on Myrtles Plantation’s wide porch.

St. Francisville, LA: Lunch is served at the Magnolia Cafe.

St. Francisville, LA: Locals hang out at Birdman Coffee and Books.

St. Francisville, LA: The well-stocked Wine Parlor at the St. Francisville Inn.

St. Francisville, LA: Local storefront.

Bluffton, SC: The waterfront Church of the Cross.

Bluffton, SC: The Fripp House in the town’s historic district.

Bluffton, SC: Stunning views of the May River.

Bluffton, SC: Old Town Dispensary.

Bluffton, SC: Snacking on blackberries in Bluffton, SC.

Bluffton, SC: The Midnight Bakers’ pastry chef Robert Plantadis.

Bluffton, SC: Art on display along Calhoun Street.

Bluffton, SC: Rodney Heyward totes a bushel of May River bivalves at Bluffton Oyster Company.

Franklin, TN: The Franklin Theatre, restored to its 1930s glory.

Franklin, TN: Steakhouse-style dining at Cork and Cow.

Round Top, TX: A local barn.

Round Top, TX: Country comfort at the Round Top Inn.

Round Top, TX: Penny and Micheal Cie, owners of Hotel St. Vinzent.

Round Top, TX: Royers Cafe’s welcoming porch.

Round Top, TX: The rolling hills of Round Top.

Round Top, TX: A warm Royers cherry pie.

Round Top, TX: Antiques abound.

Round Top, TX: City limit sign.

Round Top, TX: Vintage pink Suburban parked out in front of the Junk Gypsy.

Round Top, TX: Funky home goods shop Junk Gypsy.

Round Top, TX: Pecan pie a la mode at Royers Cafe.

Round Top, TX: Patrons enjoy lunch at Royers Cafe.

Round Top, TX: Shops at Hemkel Square.

Round Top, TX: The entrance to designer Rachel Ashwell’s Shabby Chic boutique.

Round Top, TX: An afternoon snack at Prost Wine Bar.

Davidson, NC: Shaded downtown sidewalks.

Davidson, NC: The Main Street Swizzle at Kindred.

Davidson, NC: Fresh veggies at the town’s Saturday farmers’ market.

Chestertown, MD: Historic homes along the Chester River.

Chestertown, MD: The Brampton Inn’s deep porch oozes with charm.

Winter Park, FL: The town’s brick-paved downtown.

Winter Park, FL: Prato executive chef Brandon McGlamery.

Winter Park, FL: Makr Carry Goods designer Jason Gregory.

Winter Park, FL: The Alfond Inn doubles as a contemporary art museum.

Winter Park, FL: Anna and Nathan Bond launched Rifle Paper co. in 2009.

Winter Park, FL: Inside the Rifle Paper Co. shop.

Winter Park, FL: Inside the Rifle Paper Co. shop.

Winter Park, FL: The shaded balcony at the Park Plaza Hotel.

Winter Park, FL: The town is also home to Rollins College.

Winter Park, FL: Chef James Petrakis’ flagship restaurant, the Ravenous Pig.

Winter Park, FL: Cocktail hour at Cask & Larder.

Winter Park, FL: Contemporary interiors at Alfond Inn.

Winter Park, FL: Suzy and Mindy Spang, co-owners of park Plaza Hotel.

Water Valley, MS: Lunches to go at B.T.C.

Water Valley, MS: Valley Vinyl stocks an impressive collection.

Water Valley, MS: An old-fashioned Coke float at Turnage Drug Store.

Water Valley, MS: B.T.C. Grocery, open for business.

Water Valley, MS: The view up Main Street.

Water Valley, MS: Local beers at Yalobusha Brewing Company.

Water Valley, MS: Yalobusha Brewing Company owner and brewers (left to right): Amos Harvey, Andy O’Bryan, and Tony Balzola.

Water Valley, MS: A Coke float at the Turnage Drug Store counter.

Water Valley, MS: Man about town, Snooky Williams and his pooch Pedro.

Water Valley, MS: Welcoming booths at B.T.C. Grocery.

Ellijay, GA: Mountain views from the Martyn House.

Ellijay, GA: Stop by the Martyn House in Towne for an excellent espresso.

Ellijay, GA: Sleep Swiss Family Robinson-style at the Martyn House.

Ellijay, GA: Inside one of the Martyn House’s tents.

Ellijay, GA: Rivers near Ellijay promise plenty of whitewater.

Ellijay, GA: Martyn House in Towne turns into a live music venue in the evenings.

Middleburg, VA: The Red Fox Inn’s stately flagstone exterior.

Middleburg, VA: The inn’s on-brand door knocker.

Middleburg, VA: Riders, horses and hounds prepare for the chase.