6 Mountain Getaways To Beat The Southern Heat

When the weather turns scorchingly hot, a dip in a swimming pool isn’t going to cut it. The only way you can truly cool off during these sweaty days in the South is to pack a bag and head for the mountains. 

Our region is full of mountain towns that are not only a few degrees cooler in the summer, they have plenty of waterfalls, rivers, swimming holes, and other refreshing places where you can beat the heat. Here are a few of our favorite places for easy summer getaways.

Blowing Rock, North Carolina

This mountain town’s busiest season is summer, when tourists from around the South and beyond head here for sweeping mountain vistas, ice cream cones from Kilwins, and markedly cooler temperatures. Highs often don’t reach the 80s, so you might want to pack a sweater! With plenty of cultural events, cute boutiques, nearby wineries, and family-friendly fun like the Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock is a one-size-fits-all vacation destination.

Morgantown, West Virginia

Lovely, leafy Morgantown is an under-the-radar summer destination that’s definitely worth the trip. In the warmer months, locals head to Cheat Lake for a day of kayaking, boating, swimming, and sunning. There are three restaurants at the lake where you can dock your boat and hop out for a meal. But best of all, there’s a floating ice cream truck called Mooey Buoy—just flag it down and it will deliver frozen treats right to you. Add to that a craft brewery scene, shady trails for hikes, and breezy riverfront restaurants.

Brevard, North Carolina

Any place nicknamed the “land of waterfalls” should be at the top of your summer travel list. Stand near Looking Glass Falls and let the mist envelop you to feel instantly refreshed. Or, for an even more bracing experience, head to Sliding Rock, where you can shoot down a naturally formed 60-foot-long incline of river rock (don’t worry, there are lifeguards) into an eight-foot pool. A frosty pint of beer is another good way to cool off, and this area has several great breweries where you can while away an afternoon. Or, crank the air conditioning, put on some tunes, and go for a cruise along the famed Blue Ridge Parkway for another memorable summer experience. 

Helen, Georgia

This tiny Alpine-inspired town is known for its annual Oktoberfest, but summer is also a great time of year to visit. Helen is also known for “shooting the ‘Hooch,” a.k.a river tubing along the Chattahoochee, a.k.a a very fun way to cool off. Cool River Tubing has everything you need for a fun float, including transportation to and from the river. Or check out Anna Ruby Falls, which is actually two waterfalls that you can view from an easy trail. A short drive away is Lucille’s Mountaintop Inn & Spa which, true to its name, has gorgeous views of the surrounding area, plus massages, facials, and other pampering treatments.

Elkins, West Virginia

If a thrilling ride on whitewater rapids is your preferred way of cooling off, this mountain town offers plenty of opportunities for rafting—or kayaking, canoeing, fishing, or paddleboarding, if you’re less adventurous. Elkins bills itself as “the gateway to the Monongahela National Forest” and this area is rich with outdoor activities. The town itself is cute, too. Check out the free summer concert series held downtown, enjoy dinner with epic views at Forks Inn, or take a scenic train ride on the Durbin/Greenbrier Valley Railroad.  

Blue Ridge, Georgia

Mountain towns don’t get much more all-around appealing than Blue Ridge. Outdoorsy types will love the abundance of peaceful hiking trails (there’s a trail here for every skill level) and fishing spots—Blue Ridge is known throughout the state for trout fishing. Or fill an afternoon browsing cute mom-and-pop stores and art galleries (like Multitudes Gallery) downtown. A trip to Blue Ridge isn’t complete without catching a movie at the Swan Drive-In, which still has old-fashioned car hops who can deliver an ice cream float right to your car.