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If you’re looking for a few last-minute weekend getaways from Memphis, there’s no need to book a flight. Within a four-hour drive, you’ll find a surprising number of delightful spots that offer just the right blend of character, culture, and Southern charm. Join us for a short stroll through a few noteworthy destinations that may not be on your radar!

A family walks along a brick sidewalk past shops and plants on a sunny day in Memphis, with a sign for Cynthia’s Ristorante visible overhead—perfect scenery for spontaneous weekend getaways.Pin
We always love a weekend in Nashville, Atlanta, New Orleans, Little Rock, and Birmingham. But on this trip, we’re focusing on smaller getaway spots you can reach in four hours or less by car — like charming Paducah, KY!  Image: Kentucky Tourism

Alabama

Huntsville

Estimated drive time: just over 3.5 hours

Huntsville is home to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. It’s a perfect weekend destination for kids, but adults love it, too! Enjoy the 112-acre Huntsville Botanical Garden, the visual arts at Lowe Mill ARTS and Entertainment, live music, and a thriving local restaurant scene.

A stone pathway surrounded by blooming pink, red, and purple azalea bushes in a lush, green woodland garden—perfect for relaxing weekend getaways near Memphis.Pin
Is there anything more delightful than bright, blooming flowers? You can get your glorious fill of nature at the Huntsville Botanical Garden. Image: Facebook

Muscle Shoals

Estimated drive time: 2 hours, 40 minutes

Muscle Shoals is the quintessential bucket-list destination for music lovers. Visit the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and Helen Keller’s Birthplace in nearby Tuscumbia, tour iconic FAME Studios, and explore the outdoors at several surrounding parks, including Pickwick Lake.

Arkansas

Hot Springs

Estimated drive time: just under 3 hours

Hot Springs is famous for historic Bathhouse Row and Hot Springs National Park. Nestled in the stunning Ouachita Mountains, the town offers beautiful scenery, hiking trails, and water sports at Lake Hamilton and Lake Ouachita. Visitors can dig for quartz crystals at nearby Ron Coleman Mining or explore the backcountry trails of Ouachita National Forest on guided ATV and UTV tours. You’ll also find Arkansas’s only Forbes Four-Star rated spa, the Astral Spa. And if you’re feeling lucky, head to  Oaklawn Racing Casino for thoroughbred horse racing!

A person walks past Buckstaff Baths, a historic building with blue-and-white striped awnings, on a sunny day in Hot Springs, Arkansas—a charming spot for weekend getaways from Memphis.Pin
Stroll along Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs to admire the architecture of eight historic bathhouses. Relax and enjoy a traditional thermal water bath at Buckstaff Baths, the only bathhouse on the row to operate continuously for over a century. Image: Facebook

Heber Springs

Estimated drive time: 2.5 hours

This lakeside gem combines natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and small-town charm. At the heart of the town is Greers Ferry Lake, known for its crystal-clear waters and opportunities for swimming, boating, and scuba diving. Anglers are drawn to the Little Red River, while hiking enthusiasts appreciate trails like Sugarloaf Mountain, Mossy Bluff, and Bridal Veil Falls. This getaway also boasts a charmingly historic downtown with a traditional square, antique shops, and much more.

Mountain View

Estimated drive time: just under 3 hours

Home to sweeping panoramic views and natural wonders like Hell Creek Natural Area, Mountain View boasts natural beauty and cultural heritage. Known as the “Folk Music Capital of the World,” this small town has preserved its rich musical legacy through the beloved Ozark Folk Center State Park, which showcases live music and arts history. Don’t miss the Arkansas Craft Guild’s downtown gallery — the state’s largest craft cooperative — for handmade treasures.

A rocky gorge with layered stone formations, a small creek, and green foliage surrounding the area under a cloudy sky—perfect for weekend getaways from Memphis.Pin
Tucked into the Ozarks, Mountain View is home to Hell Creek Natural Area, a stunning landscape filled with caves, waterfalls, and rare wildlife, including the only known population of albino cave crayfish. Image: Facebook

Wilson

Estimated drive time: 45 minutes

Wilson may be small, but it packs a big punch. The town’s Tudor-style architecture lends a distinctive charm to its historic square. The Hampson Archeological Museum displays archeological findings and immerses visitors in a cultural and historical treasure trove. For culinary delights, the Wilson Wine Experience offers themed dinners and tastings, celebrating global wine cultures. Visitors can stay at The Louis Hotel, a stylish boutique retreat that blends Southern hospitality with modern comfort.

Kentucky

Madisonville

Estimated drive time: just under 4 hours

Madisonville offers a relaxing blend of local charm and outdoor adventure. Bring your hiking boots and head to nearby Lake Pee Wee or Mahr Park Arboretum for trails, water views, and picnic-perfect scenery. Downtown Madisonville features locally owned restaurants and a beautifully restored performing arts center — the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts — for a dose of culture.

The Glema Mahr Center for the Arts building, surrounded by a landscaped area and tree under a partly cloudy sky, is an ideal stop for those seeking relaxing weekend getaways from Memphis.Pin
Located on the campus of Madisonville Community College, the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts develops and presents a wide range of arts programming and arts education opportunities for all ages and interests. Image: Kentucky Tourism

Paducah

Estimated drive time: 3 hours, 15 minutes

In Paducah, art, history, and riverfront views converge. As a designated UNESCO Creative City for Crafts & Folk Art, Paducah is home to the National Quilt Museum and a lively Lower Town Arts District filled with working studios and galleries. Stroll along the floodwall murals that line the riverwalk, or shop for vintage finds and handcrafted goods in the historic downtown. The town is walkable, colorful, and packed with personality.

Two people, one using a wheelchair, move along a Memphis sidewalk past shops with large windows and an "OPEN" flag—a welcoming scene for those seeking last minute getaways or weekend getaways in the city.Pin
Paducah’s Bricolage Art Collective is a cool and inviting space for artists to consign work. Visitors can find unique items for home and life! Image: Kentucky Tourism

Mississippi

Corinth

Estimated drive time: 1.5 hours

Visit adorable downtown boutiques and enjoy the symphony and theater. History buffs can explore the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center and the Corinth Contraband Camp, an amazing tribute to the Black community that thrived there during the Civil War. Bonus: Corinth is on the Slugburger Trail, thanks to spots like Borroum’s Drug Store, Mississippi’s longest continuously open drug store, and THE place to sample this Southern specialty.

Bronze statue of a woman stands next to a plaque for the Corinth Contraband Camp; two people walk away on a path in the background—a meaningful stop on Weekend Getaways from Memphis.Pin
An extension of the Shiloh National Military Park, the Corinth Contraband Camp commemorates the site where many formerly enslaved people sought freedom and safety. It features bronze life-size memorials detailing the history of the Black community that sprang up during the Civil War. Image: Visit Corinth

Oxford

Estimated drive time: 1.5 hours

A beautiful college town with a lively downtown square, Oxford offers unique shops, including the renowned Square Books and the oldest department store in the South, Neilson’s. Literary fans, do not miss the opportunity to visit the historic home of author William Faulkner. Foodies will be in heaven, as the local restaurant scene is outstanding.

Vicksburg

Estimated drive time: 3 hours, 45 minutes

In Vicksburg, you’ll find a city steeped in history and Southern charm along the banks of the Mississippi. It is well-known as the site of one of the most pivotal Civil War battles, but modern Vicksburg offers much more. The city is a stop on the Great River Road and the Mississippi Blues Trail, and offers 11 historic homes to tour. It also boasts six museums in a one-mile radius of each other in a quaint downtown that includes the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum, where Coke was first bottled in 1894.

A two-story historic house with tall white columns, a double balcony, and many doors and windows, surrounded by trees and greenery—perfect for weekend getaways just outside Memphis.Pin
The McRaven House is a historic home open for tours and operates as a charming bed and breakfast. It is reportedly Mississippi’s most haunted attraction! Image: Visit Vicksburg

Tennessee

Brownsville

Estimated drive time: 1 hour

Brownsville is an easy, fun weekend road trip. Nature lovers can explore the untamed beauty of the Hatchie River Basin and Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge. Learn more about the legendary Tina Turner at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, and check out her hometown, the nearby Nutbush. Brownsville has a cool little downtown with local restaurants and shopping.

A small white wooden building with a front porch, labeled “Plum Grove School,” sits under a clear blue sky surrounded by greenery—an inviting spot for weekend getaways near Memphis.Pin
Get a glimpse into the life of the legendary Tina Turner at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville. Visitors can explore historic Flagg Grove School, which showcases Tina’s iconic costumes and memorabilia. Image: Facebook

Franklin

Estimated drive time: 3 hours, 15 minutes

Most Memphians enjoy Nashville for a weekend, but lovely little Franklin is only about 30 minutes from the state capital and an excellent spot for those who want the delights of a charming town. Filled with boutique shopping, arts and music, and plenty of good eats, Franklin deserves a place on any list of weekend getaways. In the mood for a leisurely scenic drive? The Natchez Trace Parkway winds nearby.

Happy travels!

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Gaye Swan
About the Author
Gaye Swan

As a professional writer of over 20 years, Gaye is an avid traveler and enjoys highlighting food, culture, and attractions around the South. While Gaye is passionate about life in Memphis, she grew up in Meridian and is still a Mississippi girl at heart.