October is one of my favorite months to plan a Southern road trip. The summer heat begins to fade, downtowns get dressed up for fall and mountain towns start showing off their beautiful colors. Whether you want a weekend filled with hiking and waterfalls or boutiques, good food and a beautiful hotel, these small Southern towns offer plenty of reasons to pack your bags.
Not every Southern town experiences peak foliage at the same time, which means you can enjoy fall throughout the month by choosing your destination carefully. Higher elevations usually begin changing earlier, while towns farther south may not reach peak color until late October or early November. You don’t have to plan your entire trip around the leaves, though. A charming downtown, a comfortable place to stay and time with your favorite people are more than enough reasons for a little getaway.
1. Oxford, Mississippi
Oxford is one of the easiest October getaways from Memphis, and fall is a wonderful time to experience it. The historic Square is filled with locally owned boutiques, restaurants and Square Books. October also brings cooler weather, football weekends and plenty of energy around the University of Mississippi campus.
Spend time browsing the Square, tour William Faulkner’s Rowan Oak and walk through the Ole Miss campus. A football weekend is exciting, but accommodations and restaurant reservations can be harder to secure. Choose an away-game weekend if you want to experience Oxford at a slower pace.
Where to Stay in Oxford
The Oliver Hotel is my first choice in Oxford. I’ve shared this hotel many times over the years, and it is a favorite for family trips, couples’ weekends and girls’ getaways. Its location makes exploring the Square easy, and Kingswood restaurant gives you a wonderful option for dinner without leaving the property. You can read more about our stay in my family-friendly Oxford guide.
Approximate drive from Memphis: 1 hour
Best for: Food, shopping, literature and football weekends
2. Franklin, Tennessee
Franklin combines historic Southern charm with a downtown that makes you want to park the car and spend the afternoon wandering. Main Street is lined with boutiques, restaurants and beautifully preserved buildings that look especially pretty decorated for fall. The surrounding countryside also offers farms, pumpkin patches and scenic drives.
October often brings seasonal events such as PumpkinFest, while nearby farms offer pumpkins, corn mazes and other fall activities. You can also drive part of the Natchez Trace Parkway and stop near the Double Arch Bridge. Check current event schedules before choosing your dates, especially if you want to plan your trip around a festival.
Where to Stay in Franklin
Southall Farm & Inn is a countryside option I’ve included in my guide to family resorts in Tennessee. Its farm experiences, outdoor activities and dining make it worth considering when you want the property to be part of your getaway. For a stay in historic downtown, The Harpeth is another option with easy access to shopping and restaurants. Choose Southall for a slower countryside escape or The Harpeth for a weekend centered around downtown.
Approximate drive from Memphis: 3 hours
Best for: Shopping, history, family activities and couples’ getaways
3. Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Eureka Springs is tucked into the Ozark Mountains and filled with winding streets, Victorian architecture and independently owned shops. October adds colorful mountain scenery and a little spooky-season atmosphere, making it a fun choice for a couples’ weekend or girls’ trip.
Spend the day exploring downtown, book a spa treatment or head to Lake Leatherwood for time outdoors. Eureka Springs is also known for its ghost tours, so you can mix daytime sightseeing with an evening experience that fits the season. Leave room in your itinerary for a scenic drive through the surrounding Ozarks.
Where to Stay in Eureka Springs
The 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa is an option to consider if you want historic character and an October stay with a spooky twist. The hilltop property offers guest rooms, suites and cottages, along with a spa and ghost tours. It is especially fitting for travelers who want their accommodations to become part of the weekend’s activities.
Approximate drive from Memphis: 5–6 hours
Best for: Couples, girls’ trips, fall foliage and spooky-season fun
4. Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez offers a different type of October escape with Mississippi River views, historic architecture and a slower pace. More comfortable temperatures make it easier to walk through downtown and explore the city’s historic properties. Look at the local calendar for seasonal tours, music and events during your visit.
Spend your weekend touring historic homes, browsing local shops and watching the evening light over the river. You can also drive a portion of the Natchez Trace Parkway. Because Natchez is farther south, I would choose it for the history and atmosphere rather than expecting early October mountain foliage.
Where to Stay in Natchez
Monmouth Historic Inn & Gardens is worth considering for a stay that complements the town’s historic setting. The property includes a historic mansion and 26 acres of gardens, creating a peaceful setting for a romantic weekend. It is a good fit if you enjoy architecture and want time to relax between sightseeing stops.
Approximate drive from Memphis: 5 hours
Best for: History, architecture, romantic weekends and Mississippi River views
5. Mentone, Alabama
Mentone is a tiny town on Lookout Mountain and a lovely choice when you want a quieter fall trip. Its location near DeSoto State Park and Little River Canyon National Preserve gives you access to waterfalls, overlooks and wooded hiking trails. Plan a weekend with a little exploring and plenty of time to enjoy the scenery.
Spend a morning hiking in DeSoto State Park, visit Little River Falls and take a scenic drive through Little River Canyon. Check the town’s calendar for fall events during your travel dates. Mentone has fewer lodging options than larger destinations, so it helps to reserve your stay early.
Where to Stay near Mentone
For a trip focused on nature, consider the cabins and chalets at nearby DeSoto State Park. These accommodations offer a wooded setting with access to the park’s outdoor activities, while Mentone is a short drive away. A cabin is a natural fit here when your ideal weekend includes hiking, waterfalls and a quiet evening together.
Approximate drive from Memphis: 5–5.5 hours
Best for: Waterfalls, hiking, cabins and a peaceful mountain trip
6. Blue Ridge, Georgia
Blue Ridge is a beautiful choice for a fall mountain getaway. Downtown has boutiques, galleries and restaurants, while the surrounding area offers cabins, waterfalls and hiking trails. October is a popular time to visit, so planning ahead gives you more choices for accommodations and activities.
Ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, browse downtown and plan a waterfall hike or scenic drive. Look for seasonal events such as Fall Arts in the Park when choosing your dates. You can fill your days with exploring or leave the schedule open and enjoy a slower weekend in the mountains.
Where to Stay in Blue Ridge
For a couples’ fall getaway, consider The Dogwood Inn, an intimate, adults-only boutique mountain inn near downtown Blue Ridge. Its peaceful setting makes it a lovely option for a weekend of exploring the mountains, browsing shops and enjoying quiet evenings together.
If you love historic charm, Blue Ridge Inn Bed & Breakfast is another option to consider. This Victorian inn offers Southern breakfast, gardens and inviting porches where you can slow down over your morning coffee. It is a charming choice for travelers who enjoy a smaller property with plenty of character.
Approximate drive from Memphis: 6–7 hours
Best for: Cabins, mountain views, shopping and family getaways
7. Dahlonega, Georgia
Dahlonega sits in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is known for its gold-rush history. Its historic square is filled with shops and restaurants, while the surrounding countryside offers mountain scenery and opportunities to get outdoors. It is a good destination when you want a little history mixed into your fall weekend.
Gold Rush Days is one of the town’s signature fall events, so check the current schedule if you want to attend. You can also tour a former gold mine, hike in the Chattahoochee National Forest or spend an afternoon exploring downtown. The mix of activities makes Dahlonega work for both couples and families.
Where to Stay in Dahlonega
The Dahlonega Square Hotel & Villas is an option to consider for historic character close to the square. Staying nearby makes it easy to browse shops, stop for dinner and enjoy downtown without driving between every activity. It is particularly convenient if the town’s restaurants and seasonal events are central to your plans.
Approximate drive from Memphis: 6.5–7 hours
Best for: History, festivals, mountain scenery and couples’ trips
8. Helen, Georgia
Helen’s Bavarian-style buildings make it one of the South’s most distinctive small towns. Its mountain setting and Oktoberfest celebration create a lively fall atmosphere. October weekends can be busy, so decide whether you want to join the festivities or visit during the week for a quieter experience.
Walk through downtown, browse the shops and make time for the surrounding scenery. Anna Ruby Falls and Unicoi State Park offer ways to spend part of your visit outdoors. Helen also works well as one stop on a longer North Georgia trip if you want to explore more than one mountain town.
Where to Stay in Helen
Riverbend Hotel and Cabins offers accommodations along the Chattahoochee River with downtown dining within walking distance. Consider a hotel room for a straightforward weekend stay or compare the cabin options if you want additional living space. Its location makes it convenient for enjoying town while keeping a riverfront setting as your home base.
Approximate drive from Memphis: 6.5–7 hours
Best for: Oktoberfest, waterfalls, festive weekends and groups
9. Highlands, North Carolina
Highlands combines mountain scenery with a polished downtown filled with boutiques, galleries and restaurants. It is a wonderful option when you want waterfalls and scenic drives during the day followed by a nice dinner in the evening. October is popular, so reserve accommodations early if your dates are firm.
Visit Dry Falls, explore the area’s hiking trails and leave time to browse downtown. The higher elevation can bring fall color earlier than lower mountain towns, although the timing changes each year. Pack layers so you can comfortably enjoy both daytime exploring and cooler evenings.
Where to Stay in Highlands
Old Edwards Inn & Spa is an option to consider for a luxury mountain getaway. Its Main Street setting combines access to downtown with European-inspired accommodations, dining and a spa. It would suit an anniversary or couples’ weekend where relaxing at the hotel is just as much a part of the plan as exploring the mountains.
Approximate drive from Memphis: 7.5–8 hours
Best for: Waterfalls, luxury mountain stays, couples and scenic drives
10. Brevard, North Carolina
Brevard is a charming town near Pisgah National Forest and a wonderful base for a waterfall-focused trip. Downtown offers locally owned shops, restaurants and galleries, while the surrounding area gives you plenty of reasons to spend time outdoors. It is a good choice for travelers who enjoy an active weekend with a comfortable home base.
Visit Looking Glass Falls, plan a hike to Moore Cove Falls or take a scenic drive through Pisgah National Forest. Keep an eye out for Brevard’s white squirrels while exploring town, too. Give yourself enough time to enjoy the area without trying to fit every waterfall into one weekend.
Where to Stay in Brevard
The Sunset Motel is a local lodging option to consider when planning your Brevard trip. It offers a place to stay in town while you explore the surrounding area, and designated dog-friendly rooms are available if you are traveling with a pet. Compare its room options with your needs before reserving your fall weekend.
Approximate drive from Memphis: 7.5–8 hours
Best for: Waterfalls, hiking, families and outdoor adventures
Which Southern Town Is Best for an October Trip?
Oxford is an easy choice for a quick getaway from Memphis, especially if you want restaurants, shopping and a stay at The Oliver. Franklin offers a charming downtown with access to countryside activities, while Natchez is a lovely option for historic architecture and Mississippi River views.
Choose Mentone, Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, Highlands or Brevard if mountain scenery is your priority. Eureka Springs combines Ozark views with historic character and spooky October experiences. Helen is a good fit for travelers who enjoy a lively festival atmosphere. Think about how you want to spend your days, then choose accommodations that complement that kind of trip.
Tips for Planning an October Southern Road Trip
Book accommodations early, especially for mountain towns, football weekends and festivals. Compare weekday and weekend availability before settling on your dates. A little flexibility can give you more lodging choices and a quieter experience.
Avoid relying on historical peak-foliage dates alone. Weather and elevation affect when the leaves change, so check local reports close to your departure. Plan a mix of activities so you can enjoy your weekend even if the color or weather is different from what you expected.
Pack comfortable walking shoes and layers. Mountain evenings can be cool even after a pleasant afternoon, while destinations farther south may still have warm days. A jacket and clothes you can layer will give you more flexibility.
Before booking, look at your hotel’s location in relation to your plans. A downtown hotel is convenient for shopping and restaurants, while a countryside inn or cabin may be better for quiet mornings and time outdoors. For mountain rentals, check the address, access instructions and driving distances rather than relying only on the destination name.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Southern Town for Fall Foliage?
Blue Ridge, Mentone, Highlands and Brevard are good options to consider for a trip focused on fall scenery. The best choice depends on your travel dates, elevation and current conditions. Check local foliage reports shortly before your visit.
Which Town Is Best for a Couples’ October Getaway?
Oxford, Eureka Springs, Natchez and Highlands all offer different ways to enjoy a couples’ weekend. Choose Oxford for an easy trip with shopping and dining, Eureka Springs for historic character and seasonal fun, Natchez for a slower pace or Highlands for a mountain getaway.
Which October Destination Is Closest to Memphis?
Oxford is the closest destination on this list, with a drive of roughly 1–1.5 hours depending on where you start. Franklin is another manageable option for a weekend when you want more time exploring and less time in the car.
Should I Stay in a Hotel or a Cabin for a Fall Trip?
Choose a hotel if you want convenient access to downtown restaurants, shops and attractions. A cabin can be a better fit when you want more space, quiet surroundings and evenings spent together at your accommodations. Check the location carefully so your stay works with the rest of your plans.
When Does Fall Foliage Peak in the South?
Peak color varies by location, elevation and weather. Higher mountain areas may change earlier in October, while lower elevations and destinations farther south may peak later in the month or into November. Keep your plans flexible and use current local reports when deciding where to go.
A fall getaway doesn’t have to include a packed itinerary. Sometimes a pretty town, a comfortable hotel and a few days away are exactly what you need. Whether you choose a quick Oxford weekend at The Oliver or a longer mountain trip, leave a little room to wander, enjoy a good meal and spend time with the people you brought along. Which small Southern town would you visit this October?
