Our Favorite Historic Downtowns in the South to Explore
Discover some of the South’s best historic downtowns, where local landmarks, independent shops, cultural attractions, and memorable experiences make it easy (and fun!) to plan your next getaway. Image: Elizabethtown Tourism & CVB
Historic downtowns have a special way of making a getaway feel especially memorable. Across the South, charming main streets pair local history with independent shops, restaurants, museums, public art, and unexpected attractions. While some invite you to follow a self-guided history trail, others place you within a few footsteps of the landmarks and stories that shaped the community. Ready to plan your next small-town escape? These destinations offer plenty of reasons to stay awhile!
Oldham County, KY
In Oldham County, KY, downtown La Grange offers a sightseeing experience you won’t find anywhere else in the country: freight trains traveling down the center of Main Street! Passing just feet from local shops, restaurants, and sidewalks, up to 23 trains make their way through the historic district every day. And since the CSX trains don’t follow a set schedule, spotting one is part of the fun.
For a closer look at the area’s railroad heritage, visit the La Grange Railroad Museum on Main Street, where historic artifacts, a steam engine, a 1929 dining car, an L&N caboose, and a train-yard jitney bring the past to life.
There’s plenty more to discover beyond the tracks, however. Browse boutiques like Blooms, Friends & Fiber, and PB&J Stuff, then explore AlleyLoop, an ongoing public art project tucked into downtown’s alleys. Finally, grab a coffee at LaGrange Coffee Roasters or settle in for a meal and Kentucky Bacon Pie at One Nineteen West Main.
Your history tour continues at the Oldham County History Center, where exhibits highlight notable Oldham Countians and the area’s Underground Railroad history. Visitors can also experience the Kentucky Black Trailblazers augmented reality project, which brings historical figures to life via your phone.
For a downtown outing with an unexpected twist, spend time along La Grange’s Main Street and see what rolls through.
Mebane, NC
In Mebane, NC, the best way to experience the city’s rich history is to get out and explore it. Stroll through downtown and admire the former White Furniture Company building, a recognizable local landmark that dates to the city’s industrial boom and is now home to a residential complex. As you wander, you’ll find reminders of the community’s railroad and manufacturing roots woven into the downtown landscape.
For a deeper connection to Mebane’s cultural heritage, head to Mebane Community Park to see the “Knee to Knee” brick sculpture honoring Joe and Odell Thompson, lifelong residents and cousins who helped preserve African-American old-time string band music for generations.
Music lovers can also plan a visit around the biennial Hook & Line: Thompson Music & Arts Heritage Festival (scheduled for October 2027), which celebrates the brothers’ enduring influence and the musical traditions they championed.
History buffs can learn more about Mebane’s namesake, Brigadier General Alexander Mebane, a Revolutionary War officer and former U.S. congressman, while exploring the community he helped inspire. With historic architecture, public art, cultural events, and stories around nearly every corner, Mebane offers plenty of ways to connect with its past while enjoying the city as it is today.
Ascension Parish, LA
In Ascension Parish, LA, Louisiana’s Sweet Spot, history comes to life in Donaldsonville, one of Louisiana’s oldest cities and a former state capital. The city’s Historic District is home to one of the state’s finest collections of historic structures, making it an inviting place to explore on foot and discover stories around every corner.
Get to know Donaldsonville at your own pace with seven self-guided portals throughout the Historic District, each offering insight into the people, places, and moments that helped shape the community. Among the architectural standouts is Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church, a beautiful landmark reflecting the area’s deep history and enduring character.
Continue your adventures at the River Road African American Museum, where exhibits and artifacts preserve and share the stories of African American communities along the Mississippi River. The museum offers another perspective on the people and experiences that have influenced the region.
When it’s time for a break, settle in for a meal at one of Donaldsonville’s charming local restaurants, The Grapevine Café and Gallery.
With historic architecture, cultural landmarks, and locally owned eateries, Donaldsonville makes it easy to spend a day connecting with Louisiana’s past while enjoying its present.
Elizabethtown, KY
In Elizabethtown, KY, history and small-town charm come together in a downtown district that invites visitors to slow down and explore. Start your day browsing the shelves at Birdwhistell Books or shopping for something special at Denizen and That Cute Little Shop.
When it’s time to refuel, downtown restaurants and bars offer plenty of local flavor, including J.R. Neighbors, Social Food Hall, and Waters Edge Winery & Bistro of Etown.
History is woven throughout the heart of downtown, too. Look for the historic cannonball still embedded in the side of a downtown building — a tangible reminder of Elizabethtown’s Civil War-era past. Nearby, landmarks such as the Brown Pusey House, Hardin County History Museum, and David May House offer a glimpse into the community’s rich architectural heritage and enduring history.
For a dose of history, catch a show at the Historic State Theater, a beloved downtown landmark that continues to bring entertainment and community together.
With walkable streets, independent shops, locally owned restaurants, and storied landmarks, downtown Elizabethtown offers an inviting experience that blends Kentucky hospitality with history, culture, local flavor, and charm.
This article is sponsored by Elizabethtown Tourism & CVB, Alamance County Visitors Bureau, Ascension Parish Tourism Commission, and Oldham County KY Tourism.
Brianna Goebel
Brianna is StyleBlueprint’s Associate Editor and Sponsored Content Manager. She is an avid fan of iced coffee and spends her free time reading romance novels.
