The South is home to more than just famous cities and well-known historic landmarks. Scattered across its rolling hills, riverbanks and cobblestone streets are small towns brimming with history, mystery and charm. These places tell their own stories — of boomtowns, battlefields, literary legends and ghostly pasts — offering visitors a rich, immersive experience unlike any other.
For groups that want to go beyond the well-trodden paths, these small-town tours provide a deeper connection to Southern heritage. Whether it’s walking through underground tunnels, following in the footsteps of Mark Twain or driving past Creole plantations, each experience offers a glimpse into a forgotten or hidden past.
Underground Walking Tours
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is a town built on mystery, magic and the promise of healing waters. Hidden beneath its Victorian-era buildings and winding streets lies a network of underground pathways that tell the story of its boomtown days in the late 19th century.
The Downtown-N-Underground Tour peels back the layers of this historic town, taking visitors beneath the sidewalks and into a world of secret passageways, Prohibition-era speakeasies and forgotten storefronts. Led by knowledgeable guides, the tour shares how Eureka Springs’ natural hot springs attracted visitors seeking miracle cures.
“This tour runs year-round and offers an exclusive look beneath the surface — both literally and historically — into the hidden world of Eureka Springs’ underground springs, architecture and legends,” said Jackeline Wolven, director of Main Street Eureka Springs.
Visitors hear tales of con artists selling bottled “healing” water, the engineering challenges of building a town on a mountainside, and the hidden stories of outlaws and drifters who once passed through. In addition to learning how shifting street levels turned first-floor storefronts into today’s underground passageways, Wolven said there are plenty of stories to be told about outlaws, Prohibition-era secrets and the resilience of a town built into the Ozark hills.
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Civil War-Inspired Tours
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Few towns in the South are as steeped in Civil War history as Vicksburg, Mississippi. Known as the “Key to the South,” Vicksburg was the site of a crucial 47-day siege that turned the tide of the war. Today, visitors can step into the past with tours that explore its battlefields, antebellum homes and Civil War-era landmarks.
The Vicksburg National Military Park Tour takes visitors through the preserved battlefields, where more than 1,300 monuments and markers tell the story of the Union siege. Groups can arrange guided tours with historians who bring the battle’s strategy, sacrifices and turning points to life. The park also features the USS Cairo, a restored Civil War ironclad that was sunk by Confederate torpedoes and later recovered from the Yazoo River.
For a different perspective, the Old Court House Museum Tour offers a look into the social and political climate of the time, showcasing artifacts from Jefferson Davis, Ulysses S. Grant and other Civil War figures.
Mark Twain-Themed Tours
Hannibal, Missouri
Few American writers are as beloved as Mark Twain, and the town of Hannibal, Missouri, preserves his legacy with immersive, interactive tours. As the birthplace of Samuel Clemens (who took the pen name Mark Twain), Hannibal is the setting that inspired Twain’s most famous novels.
The Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum Tour lets visitors step inside the home where Twain grew up, wander through the Becky Thatcher House, and explore interactive exhibits featuring handwritten manuscripts and personal artifacts.
“We have eight properties that are included in the price of admission,” said Mark Schneider, development and marketing manager for the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum. “Visitors can tour the home and other historic properties that inspired the iconic stories ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’ and ‘Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.’”
Guests can also tour the homes of the real-life people who would eventually be depicted as Becky Thatcher, Huckleberry Finn and Aunt Polly in the American classics.
“The interpretive center and museum gallery have interactive exhibits for everyone in the group,” Schneider said. “Visitors can step into Twain’s beloved books by exploring a cave with Tom, catching a raft with Huck and Jim, and serving as a knight in King Arthur’s Court. Guests can even step behind the captain’s wheel and be the pilot of a Mississippi riverboat.”
Cane River National Heritage Trail
Natchitoches, Louisiana
The oldest town in Louisiana, Natchitoches, is rich in Creole culture, plantation history and Southern charm. One of the best ways to experience its heritage is by driving the Cane River National Heritage Trail, a scenic route that winds through historic plantations, Creole churches and breathtaking landscapes. For groups, this can be done with step-on guides who offer in-depth insights into the area’s history and culture.
One of the most fascinating stops along the way is the Melrose Plantation, where visitors can walk through beautifully preserved rooms, hear stories of its Creole owners and learn about the famed artist Clementine Hunter, who once lived and worked there. The site offers guided tours that focus on plantation life, Creole culture and Hunter’s celebrated artwork.
Other highlights along the trail include the Cane River Creole National Historical Park, which showcases preserved homes, former slave quarters and historical exhibits detailing Louisiana’s complex past. Groups can arrange private tours at many of the plantations for a more in-depth experience.
Civil War, Legends and Ghost Tours
Franklin, Tennessee
Franklin, Tennessee, is a town with a past that refuses to fade. Known for its pivotal role in the Civil War, it also carries a reputation for eerie legends and ghostly encounters. Groups can explore both sides of its history through a range of walking tours that bring its stories to life.
“Our most popular public tour is our nightly Grim and Ghostly,” said Alicia King Marshall, owner of Franklin Walking Tours. “This covers our true crime and haunted history. Private group versions of this can be arranged with tamer content, a visit to our historic cemetery or a less scary day walk.”
Groups can also book specialized tours, such as the Legends and Lore tour, which explores local myths, famous residents, and forgotten tales from Tennessee’s past.
“We tailor our private tours to fit each group,” King Marshall said. “That said, most visitors want an overview of the Battle of Franklin with a walk down our charming Main Street. We don’t hold back. We not only tell our guests what happened on that fateful day in 1864, we also walk them past the houses that were turned into field hospitals where soldiers were lost and saved.”
For first-time visitors who want to discover the “lighter” side of Franklin, King Marshall said their guides love leading the VIP History and Shopping Spree.
“It’s pretty much a party walk through our historic district,” she said. “Local shop owners offer our guests special perks, discounts and gifts with purchases. We share bits of history as we go. Your group can expect to go home with unique books, clothing, jewelry, art and treasured photos, too. There’s a reason so many films, music videos and commercials have been shot here — we have the best backdrops.”
Historic and Nature Tours
Front Royal, Virginia
Tucked away in the Shenandoah Valley, the town of Front Royal, Virginia, offers a mix of historical walking tours and nature excursions, making it a perfect destination for history lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
The past comes alive with tours that explore its Civil War history and architectural heritage. Groups can explore significant sites such as the Warren Rifles Confederate Museum and historic Main Street buildings dating back to the 18th century. These tours highlight key locations where battles were fought, spies operated and soldiers marched, offering a vivid glimpse into the town’s role during the Civil War.
Beyond its war-torn past, Front Royal also serves as the gateway to Shenandoah National Park, and guided nature tours lead groups to stunning overlooks, waterfalls and wildlife-filled trails.
