September is here and fall is finally upon us! After the hustle and bustle of back-to-school time, a quick fall getaway is just what you need to refresh your mind before the holiday season. Schools incorporate fall breaks into the schedule, so a quick weekend fall getaway is within reach.
The East Coast gets a lot of attention for its fall beauty, but we Southerners know that the South is also a stunning place to be! Check out our top Deep South destinations for a quick fall getaway.
Alabama
If you’re looking for a quiet mountain getaway in the heart of Dixie, look no further than northeastern Alabama. Towns like Mentone, located at the top of Lookout Mountain, the same mountain ridge that overlooks Chattanooga, Tennessee, and parts of northwestern Georgia, are smaller and less crowded than the more well-known mountain tourist destinations of the Smoky Mountains like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. That doesn’t mean Mentone and other towns like it have less to offer. Mentone has quaint shops and restaurants to browse along with many experiences for those seeking the great outdoors.
Another beautiful town along the Appalachian Mountains in Alabama is Scottsboro, Alabama. This town is nestled between Guntersville Lake and the southernmost mountains of Appalachia. The town’s motto is “where the mountains meet the lakes” and it could not be more fitting. There are picturesque views all around, and with the many outdoor opportunities, you won’t be short on views of the changing fall foliage. Scottsboro is also home to the famous Unclaimed Baggage store, a perfect spot for a rainy day.
Multiple airports across Northeast Alabama are just a short drive to any of the destinations mentioned above. The closest to Mentone and the beautiful towns nearby is Isbell Field Airport in nearby Fort Payne. Northeast Alabama Regional Airport in Gadsden is also a short drive from the area. Gadsden is another neat town to visit while you’re in Alabama, which makes it ideal for landing at the regional airport. Northeast Alabama Regional Airport is only 1.5 miles away from I-59 so you can easily hop on the highway and head to your destination. While you’re at the airport, stop in and visit the Warbirds South Flying Museum! For more information, click here
Scottsboro has its own municipal airport at Word Field which is located two nautical miles from the city’s central business district. Another airport in the region only a short drive from Scottsboro is Huntsville International Airport. It’s considered one of the best small airports in the US and Huntsville is home to the International Space Center and is nicknamed “Rocket City.” Read more about Huntsville’s airport here.
Arkansas
Arkansas is home to the Ozark Mountains and offers several great destinations for enjoying the best of fall weather. Hot Springs is a popular choice for rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation with their renowned spas and hotels nestled in the Ouachita Mountains. Bathhouse Row along Hot Springs National Park boasts 8 bathhouses from the 18th and 19th centuries and features thermal baths fed by the famous hot springs the town is named after.
Petit Jean State Park is another beautiful place to land in Arkansas for views of fall foliage. Known for its hiking trails and the historic Mather Lodge, this state park is ideal for outdoor and recreational activity enthusiasts. It’s also only a short drive from Little Rock, a fun city for everyone.
These are just a couple of good stops to make in Arkansas for fall. Known as the Natural State, Arkansas is filled with many more opportunities to see nature in the fall between these two destinations–from waterfalls to caves to breathtaking mountain vistas. The regional airports make reaching these beautiful locations easy.
Hot Springs has its own airport at Memorial Field and is one of only six commercial airports in the state. You can fly commercially from Memphis or the Dalla/Fort Worth airports. There are two airport options in Morrilton, Arkansas, the town where Petit Jean is located. The first is Petit Jean Park Airport, located at the park and eight miles from Morrilton’s central business district. The second airport is Morrilton Municipal Airport, just two miles from the city center.
Florida
The beach may not be your first thought when it comes to beautiful fall destinations, but we’d challenge you to find a more lovely time of year to visit the sandy beaches of Florida. It’s still warm enough to frolic on beaches across the state, from the 30A towns like Panama City and Seaside to the historic southern coast cities like St. Augustine and St. Petersburg. There are many small, beautiful beach towns all along the coast of Florida.
Our favorite beach towns along the Florida panhandle and 30A highway include Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Grayton Beach, and PCB. You can fly into this area by way of the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport or the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. Northwest Florida Airport offers general aviation services along with a host of amenities right inside the airport. Learn more about Northwest Florida Airport’s services here. Destin-Ft. Walton Beach Airport is a bit larger and located at Eglin Air Force Base. It’s one of three airports that are part of Okaloosa County’s airport system. The other two airports, Bob Sikes Airport and Destin Executive Airport, located in Crestview and Destin, respectively, are small general aviation airports.
Of course, the Eastern Coast of Florida has much to offer. Amelia Island is located about an hour and 15 minutes from St. Augustine and has some of the most beautiful golf courses in the state.
Fly into Amelia Island by way of Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport, whose facilities look unlike any other small general aviation airport we’ve seen. It’s designed to look like an airplane! The airport’s FBO is Bent Wing Flight Services, which offers a host of amenities for pilots.
Further south, between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Sunny Isles draws in tourists to Acqualina Resort & Spa, Condo, the most stunning waterfront hotel in the country. Both the North Perry Airport and the Miami-Opa-Locka Executive Airport are a very short drive away from the Acqualina.
Georgia
You’ll find fall mountain views a-plenty in northern Georgia towns like Dahlonega. During October, you can get spooked during the town’s annual ghost tours in the evening while taking in the spectacular views and tasting wine from one of the vineyards in North Georgia’s Wine Country. You can fly straight into Dahlonega at Wimpy’s Airport on Camp Wahsega Road.
The unique town of Helen, Georgia is another fun and gorgeous place to visit with its classic German architecture and cobblestone streets making up much of the town. The town celebrates an authentic Oktoberfest from September through November and is also located in North Georgia’s Wine Country. Although there is no airport in Helen, you can fly into nearby Habersham County Airport.
Head to the eastern coast town of Savannah for a truly Southern Gothic autumn adventure. This historic city is known for its haunting past and quaint town squares. There are plenty of outdoor experiences and historic landmarks to visit throughout the city. Fly privately into Midcoast Regional Airport at Wright Army Airfield.
Tennessee
Of course, Smoky Mountain towns like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge make great fall trips, but we also know there’s much more to see in Tennessee than only these areas. Chattanooga, located along Lookout Mountain and the Tennessee River, is the perfect destination for families. From fun mountainside attractions like Ruby Falls and Rock City to family-friendly hotspots like the Children’s Discovery Museum and the Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga offers it all.
If you’re looking for somewhere quieter to stay but is still close enough to drive into Chattanooga for a day, we recommend flying in just a little bit further south to Marion County Airport, where you can stay in nearby Jasper or rent a floating cabin on Lake Nickajack in Guild.
The Cherohala Skyway in Eastern Tennessee is another favorite for fall views. This scenic byway stretches from Tellico Plains, Tennessee to Robbinsville, North Carolina, and offers some of the most stunning scenes in the South. Tellico Plains offers a small municipal airfield not very far from the Cherohala Skyway. Or, if you’d like an airport with an FBO, fly into Monroe County Airport up the road in Madisonville, TN.
Across the state in northwestern Tennessee is Reelfoot Lake State Park. If you’re looking to escape to nature, Reelfoot Lake should be at the top of your list. There, you can enjoy fall foliage pontoon cruises, kayaking, camping, fishing, and adventuring. You won’t have to look far for the nearest airport. Reelfoot Lake has its own airport right next to the lake.
Mississippi
One of our favorite spots in our home state to visit during the fall is Tishomingo County. The most northeastern county in Mississippi is home to Tishomingo State Park, known for its hiking trails and access to Bear Creek. Up the road, a piece in Iuka are Mill’s Creek, Eastport, and JP Coleman State Park, all of which offer cabins, RV campgrounds, primitive camping, and boat ramp access to Pickwick Lake. Rent a pontoon at Eastport or JP Coleman and see the autumn riverside scenes along three different states as you cruise through Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee by way of the lake which merges with the Tennessee River. There are two airports in Tishimingo County–the Iuka Airport, which is closest to Pickwick Lake, and the Tishimingo County Airport near the state park.
Another fall hotspot is Oxford, Mississippi. Home to the University of Mississippi, better known as Ole Miss, Oxford is one of Mississippi’s oldest and most historic towns. It’s also home to William Faulkner, one of America’s most renowned literary figures, and you can enjoy some of the best shopping in the South on Oxford Square. You’ll want to fly in via the University-Oxford Airport, or if it’s full for gameday, fly into the nearby Panola County Airport or Holly Springs - Marshall County Airport.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention hitting the Natchez Trace Parkway for a look at the best fall foliage in Mississippi. Spanning from Natchez, Mississippi in the southwestern portion of the state all the way to Nashville, Tennessee, the parkway is most beautiful during this time of year. There are plenty of great towns along the Trace to stay and dine in and, of course, it’s rich in history with numerous historic landmarks to stop at.
Tupelo Regional Airport is one airport along the Trace that’s in the center of North Mississippi’s largest city (and the birthplace of Elvis!). There are several stops along the Trace in the Tupelo metro area. Tupelo is the halfway point between Natchez and Nashville, TN along the Trace.
Another great place to hop on the Trace is at the Southern Terminal itself, Natchez, MS. Get there by way of the Natchez-Adams County Airport. Natchez is located along the banks of the Mississippi River and is just a short drive away from Mississippi’s Secret Coast.
Louisiana
Think there’s nothing fall-like to see in the bayous and swamplands of Louisiana. Think again! One of our favorite spots is Chemin-a-Haut State Park, where the cypress trees are almost magical as they turn to their autumn splendor. You can get there via the Morehouse Memorial Airport in Bastrop. If you’re catching an LSU game in Baton Rouge, take time to admire the foliage around University Lake.
Lake Bistineau, about an hour away from Shreveport, also offers stunning views and incredible sunsets. Of course, if you want a getaway filled with fun fall activities, New Orleans is the place to be during October. There are a few ways to get to Baton Rouge and New Orleans by air. Of course, there are the international airports–Baton Rouge Metro Airport and the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. But if you prefer to fly privately, you can fly into the False River Regional Airport in Pointe Coupee Parish near Baton Rouge. Or, if you’re heading to New Orleans, fly into the Port of South Louisiana Executive Airport. If you’d like to fly somewhere in between the two port cities, fly into Louisiana Regional Airport in Ascension Parish.
The best thing about each of these getaways is that with the many small airports near each destination, you don’t have to worry about dealing with the busyness of the international airports. Now that you’ve got a few places in mind, it’s time to start planning that Deep South fall getaway right away!
