There’s just something about being by the water.
Whether it’s the relaxing sound of ocean waves crashing against sand, the rush of whitewater river rafting or the joy of wakesurfing on a lake, a getaway to a waterfront paradise is always in season. The South is a water-lover’s playground, with easy access to oceans, lakes, rivers, wetlands and hot springs. Here are a few Southern cities that put groups on the water or at its edge.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama
Coastal Alabama’s trademark white, powdery sands and warm ocean waters provide the perfect backdrop for a relaxing and fun beach escape. At Gulf Place Public Beach in Gulf Shores, groups can enjoy fun in the sun, plus walkable access to nearby restaurants and shops. Not far away, Gulf State Park Beach offers pristine, natural beachfront, plus a covered event space, picnic tables and boardwalk access to the beach — as well as more than 25 miles of trails ideal for birding, hiking or biking.
Local outfitters, including Zeke’s Landing & Marina and Caribe Marina, make it easy to rent kayaks, pontoons or jet skis to enjoy a day on the water. The area’s many guided fishing charters deliver another ideal way to unwind on ocean time while on the hunt for red snapper, speckled trout, amberjack and more. Additionally, providers like Sail Wild Hearts and Cetacean Cruises offer popular dolphin tours to educate guests about Alabama’s rich coastal marine life.
Visitors seeking a fun adrenaline rush can also book a parasail outing from Orange Beach Parasail or try eFoil surfing through guided lessons with instructors at Foil Gulf Coast. The area’s many family-friendly attractions — including putt-putt, go-karts and the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo — ensure there’s plenty to explore beyond the beachfront, as well.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
While it may have become famous for its natural hot springs, the area around Hot Springs, Arkansas, is also a lake-lover’s dream, thanks to three lakes with abundant opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming and a host of other water sports.
Lake Hamilton, just minutes from downtown, features 7,200 acres for water enjoyment, plus beautiful lakeside shorelines dotted by recreational marinas and resorts. Nearby Lake Catherine, just a short drive away, features its own idyllic spots for fishing, boating and other water fun. Lake Ouachita, also close by and famous for its exceptionally clear water, draws scuba enthusiasts excited to explore its 40,000 acres and the many aquatic species — including freshwater jellyfish — that call the area home.
As Arkansas’s largest lake, Lake Ouachita is also a haven for bass fishing and frequently hosts major fishing tournaments, including events for the Bassmaster Open. State parks near Lake Catherine and Lake Ouachita feature spots for camping and areas for hiking, biking and horseback riding, making the entire region an outdoor enthusiast’s wonderland.
Savannah, Georgia
The Savannah River has played a central role in shaping Savannah, Georgia’s heritage since the city’s earliest days. Today, the modern, bustling Port of Savanah — on the Savannah River, roughly 18 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean — remains a beacon for water commerce, serving as one of the busiest container ports in the United States.
Groups can learn about the city’s deep river heritage with a sightseeing cruise aboard Savannah Riverboat Cruises’ 1,000-passenger Georgia Queen or its smaller, 600-passenger Savannah River Queen. The cruise line offers brunch, lunch, dinner and sunset sightseeing itineraries. Themed cruises, including a popular gospel dinner cruise, provide an added dose of fun.
Savannah’s inviting River Street is packed with shops, galleries, dining and nightlife along its historic, cobblestoned promenade, providing another means to soak in the city’s waterfront charm.
Greater Savannah also delivers on beachside fun thanks to nearby Tybee Island, just a 30-minute drive away. There, sandy shores mix with rich local history, allowing groups to enjoy fun in the surf alongside sightseeing at stops like the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum, Fort Pulaski National Monument and the Tybee Island Marine Science Center.
Biloxi, Mississippi
Biloxi, Mississippi, offers a unique mix of white sand beaches, historic attractions and 24-hour casino entertainment, making it a perfect choice for groups with wide-ranging interests. For beach lovers, Ship Island, roughly 12 miles south of Biloxi and part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, is a true hidden gem. Visitors can enjoy access to the island’s Civil War-era fort and pristine beaches — perfect for swimming and shelling — via a one-hour ferry ride with Ship Island Excursions, based in Gulfport. On the way there and back, travelers should keep an eye out for possible dolphin sightings.
For another bucket-list marine experience, group can climb aboard a working shrimp boat with Biloxi Cruise Company. The guided, 70-minute Biloxi Shrimping Trip combines hands-on learning with insights into the region’s rich commercial seafood heritage. Passengers can get up close as the ship’s captain identifies everything caught in the crew’s nets that day, from shrimp and blue crabs to flounder, squid and more.
On shore, many visitors enjoy fresh local seafood at McElroy’s Harbor House and learn more about Biloxi’s coastal and ecological history at the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, home to displays on boatbuilding and the history of shrimping in the area. Not far away, tours of the historic Biloxi Lighthouse, built in 1848, offer panoramic views of the Mississippi coastline.
Richmond, Virginia
The James River runs through the heart of Richmond, Virginia, and meanders through a mix of smaller, charming communities across central Virginia on its eastward path from the Alleghenies to the Chesapeake Bay.
The James flows fast and strong some portions of the year, making Virginia’s capital city one of the few spots in the U.S. where Class III and Class IV rapids can be spotted running through an urban center. Area companies including Riverside Outfitters and RVA Paddlesports offer guided rafting tours of the area’s intense natural rapids. Other local companies rent kayaks, canoes and paddleboards for those who wish to navigate less robust portions of the riverway on their own.
The James River Park System, which flanks both sides of the river, includes roughly 20 miles of hiking and biking trails. Visitors can also overlook the river via the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge, where a pedestrian walkway is perfect for bird-watching. Brown’s Island, a 6-acre riverfront park, also delivers picturesque river views and plays home to the Richmond Folk Festival, held each October.
When it’s time to dine, The Lilly Pad restaurant — located in nearby Henrico County at the Kingsland Marina — greets guests with a menu of Southern comfort staples and coastal favorites served alongside sweeping riverside vistas.
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Located at the point where the Potomac River and Shenandoah River meet, Harpers Ferry in West Virginia is an ideal destination for water-loving adventures of all types. The city’s exceptional river access routinely draws whitewater rafters, tubers, kayakers and canoers who hope to experience the beauty of the Mountain State via its storied waterways. Local outfitters like River & Trail Outfitters and River Riders can match groups with the necessary gear and guided tour options for a memorable day of fun, whether that’s a relaxing tube excursion or a high-adrenaline whitewater adventure.
In addition to guided river access, River Riders Family Adventure Resort also offers an inflatable water park plus a zip-line canopy tour and an aerial ropes course that’s fun for all ages.
Not far away, the banks of the Shenandoah River within Harpers Ferry National Historical Park are a popular fishing destination, offering anglers access to large- and smallmouth bass, catfish, sunfish and more. The park also offers plenty to explore beyond the river’s edge, including miles of hiking and biking trails. While there, groups can tour John Brown’s Fort, the site of the historic 1859 abolitionist raid, as well as Schoolhouse Ridge, where the Battle of Harpers Ferry was waged in 1862.
