One Of The Best Small Towns In The South Is A Mississippi Gem With Historic Sites & Trails

If you're looking for a budget-friendly weekend break spot in the South, New Albany, Mississippi, should top your list. It has a cute downtown, ties to William Faulkner, and temperatures that remain in the 60s well into October, making it a fantastic spot to while away a weekend (almost!) year-round. Add to that easy access to the outdoors, and you've got yourself a classic Southern mini-break. 

New Albany sits on the Little Tallahatchie River in Mississippi's Hill Country, closer to Memphis than to Jackson. Your first stop should be in the historic downtown, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Brick storefronts with colorful awnings line the sidewalks, and you don't have to go far to find independent boutiques and a place to grab a bite. Stop in at Southern Traditions to shop for unique gifts and jewelry, and experience some of the friendliest service in the South, then fuel up at The Vintage Market, with its classic sandwiches alongside local specials. 

As you wander, you'll also spot brightly colored murals around town, which celebrate local history and culture. Check out The Nature Mural for a look at Mississippi's ecosystem, or The Musicians Mural to learn more about famous local figures. There's also a much older Coca-Cola mural, advertising a bottle for 5 cents!

One must-visit place in New Albany is the Union County Heritage Museum and the attached William Faulkner Literary Garden. This free museum showcases local history, with exhibits including a caboose, an early 20th-century doctor's office, and a 1950s auto body shop. Though Faulkner only spent the first 15 months of his life in New Albany, the town celebrates its connection to the great writer, and the beautiful literary garden is filled with plants he used in his work. Take a moment to relax on the benches and enjoy the scent of verbena and roses in the air. The museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Another must is to get outdoors on the Tanglefoot Trail, a 43-mile pathway along an old railway line and one of the many excellent rail trails in America. The trail begins (or ends) at Tanglefoot Trailhead Plaza in New Albany, and the library there rents bikes to visitors who want to explore on two wheels. Heading south from New Albany, you'll ride or walk through forests, wetlands, fields, and several charming small towns. The first you'll come to, just 6 miles from New Albany, is Ingomar, famous for the Ingomar Mounds, believed to be the oldest manmade site in the area. It's perfect for a short round-trip by bike or a longer one on foot. 

The nearest major airport to New Albany is in Memphis, which is a little over an hour's drive away. You'll want to rent a car to explore New Albany and its surroundings, as it's perfectly positioned for a wider trip in the Deep South. Mississippi is a dream road trip destination for music lovers, following the Blues Trail through Clarksdale and visiting Tupelo, where Elvis was born. New Albany is an easy trip from both. 

The best time to visit is in the spring, when temperatures are pleasant, or in the fall, when it's warm and relatively dry. Winter can be surprisingly chilly, and summer (not at all surprisingly) tends to be hot and muggy. To see the town at its lively best, visit in late September to enjoy the Tallahatchie River Fest. This free festival features live music, mouthwatering foods, and stalls with arts and crafts. Whether you're enjoying the festivals, soaking in the Faulkner heritage, or exploring more small towns along the Tanglefoot Trail, New Albany makes for a fantastic weekend getaway in the South.