Southern Living ranks Fairhope + Wetumpka as some of the best small towns in the South

Best Small Towns
Head to the water. (Miranda Shaffer / The Bama Buzz)

Lifestyle magazine, Southern Living, is celebrating some of the must-see destinations in the South by curating a list from their readers’ votes. For this year’s best small towns in the South, Fairhope and Wetumpka have made it to the top. Keep reading to find out how this happened.

Fairhope

Sandra'S Place, Fairhope Best Small Towns In The South
Sandra’s Place, Fairhope. (Liv George / The Bama Buzz)

Located right off Mobile Bay, Fairhope has become a vacationer’s must-go travel destination. From romantic restaurants to stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico, there’s a reason this small town is beloved by many.

According to Southern Living, Fairhope ranks third on their list. They consider Fairhope one of the best towns because of its laid-back and inviting atmosphere where you can explore piers, shop at cute shops and bike along oak-lined roads.

Wetumpka

The Big Fish House In Wetumpka
‘The Big Fish’ house in Wetumpka. (The Bama Buzz)

Ranked as the 14th best small town in the South, this charming town has dazzled the hearts of Southern Living’s readers. Wetumpka’s appeal has recently been brought to the spotlight from HGTV’s “Home Town Takeover.” It was also awarded “best small towns of the year” by Alabama Tourism Department.

Check out some of the things Southern Living considers the best features of this small town:

  • Canoe or kayak on the Coosa River
  • Hike the Swayback Bridge Trail
  • Bird watch at Corn Creek Park
  • Enjoy local florals William Bartram Arboretum

(BONUS) Huntsville ranked as the South’s 5th best city on the rise

Monte Sano Views
The view from Monte Sano. 😍 (Summer Guffey / The Bama Buzz)

It seems like in barely five years, Huntsville has grown into a popular, bustling city. Despite all this growth, Huntsville still manages to have that homey, small-town feel. It’s probably due to the expansive layout, the growing entertainment industry and friendly atmosphere that make Huntsville one of the best cities on the rise.

According to Southern Living, the influx of engineers and scientists is also a part of what makes Huntsville so interesting.

Not only is the Rocket City science-driven, but has a deep appreciation for the arts. Events like Panoply embrace the arts and Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment creates a space for creatives to share their artistry.

Do you agree that Fairhope + Wetumpka are some of the best small towns in the South? Tag us @TheBamaBuzz to let us know.

Summer Guffey
Summer Guffey

Lover of Weiss Lake in the summertime and camping at Cheaha in the autumn.

Articles: 76