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13 Last-Minute Weekend Getaways from Memphis

Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit If you're looking for a few last-minute weekend getaways from Memphis, there's no need to book a flight. Within a four-hour drive, you'll find a surprising number of delightful spots that offer just the right blend of character, culture, and Southern charm. Join us for a short stroll through a few noteworthy destinations that may not be on your radar! Pin Alabama Huntsville Estimated drive time: just over 3.5 hours Huntsville is home to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. It's a perfect weekend destination for kids, but adults love it, too! Enjoy the 112-acre Huntsville Botanical Garden, the visual arts at Lowe Mill ARTS and Entertainment, live music, and a thriving local restaurant scene. Pin Muscle Shoals Estimated drive time: 2 hours, 40 minutes Muscle Shoals is the quintessential bucket-list destination for music lovers. Visit the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and Helen Keller's Birthplace in nearby Tuscumbia, tour iconic FAME Studios, and explore the outdoors at several surrounding parks, including Pickwick Lake. Arkansas Hot Springs Estimated drive time: just under 3 hours Hot Springs is famous for historic Bathhouse Row and Hot Springs National Park. Nestled in the stunning Ouachita Mountains, the town offers beautiful scenery, hiking trails, and water sports at Lake Hamilton and Lake Ouachita. Visitors can dig for quartz crystals at nearby Ron Coleman Mining or explore the backcountry trails of Ouachita National Forest on guided ATV and UTV tours. You'll also find Arkansas's only Forbes Four-Star rated spa, the Astral Spa. And if you're feeling lucky, head to Oaklawn Racing Casino for thoroughbred horse racing! Pin Heber Springs Estimated drive time: 2.5 hours This lakeside gem combines natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and small-town charm. At the heart of the town is Greers Ferry Lake, known for its crystal-clear waters and opportunities for swimming, boating, and scuba diving. Anglers are drawn to the Little Red River, while hiking enthusiasts appreciate trails like Sugarloaf Mountain, Mossy Bluff, and Bridal Veil Falls. This getaway also boasts a charmingly historic downtown with a traditional square, antique shops, and much more. Mountain View Estimated drive time: just under 3 hours Home to sweeping panoramic views and natural wonders like Hell Creek Natural Area, Mountain View boasts natural beauty and cultural heritage. Known as the 'Folk Music Capital of the World,' this small town has preserved its rich musical legacy through the beloved Ozark Folk Center State Park, which showcases live music and arts history. Don't miss the Arkansas Craft Guild's downtown gallery — the state's largest craft cooperative — for handmade treasures. Pin Wilson Estimated drive time: 45 minutes Wilson may be small, but it packs a big punch. The town's Tudor-style architecture lends a distinctive charm to its historic square. The Hampson Archeological Museum displays archeological findings and immerses visitors in a cultural and historical treasure trove. For culinary delights, the Wilson Wine Experience offers themed dinners and tastings, celebrating global wine cultures. Visitors can stay at The Louis Hotel, a stylish boutique retreat that blends Southern hospitality with modern comfort. Kentucky Madisonville Estimated drive time: just under 4 hours Madisonville offers a relaxing blend of local charm and outdoor adventure. Bring your hiking boots and head to nearby Lake Pee Wee or Mahr Park Arboretum for trails, water views, and picnic-perfect scenery. Downtown Madisonville features locally owned restaurants and a beautifully restored performing arts center — the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts — for a dose of culture. Pin Paducah Estimated drive time: 3 hours, 15 minutes In Paducah, art, history, and riverfront views converge. As a designated UNESCO Creative City for Crafts & Folk Art, Paducah is home to the National Quilt Museum and a lively Lower Town Arts District filled with working studios and galleries. Stroll along the floodwall murals that line the riverwalk, or shop for vintage finds and handcrafted goods in the historic downtown. The town is walkable, colorful, and packed with personality. Pin Mississippi Corinth Estimated drive time: 1.5 hours Visit adorable downtown boutiques and enjoy the symphony and theater. History buffs can explore the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center and the Corinth Contraband Camp, an amazing tribute to the Black community that thrived there during the Civil War. Bonus: Corinth is on the Slugburger Trail, thanks to spots like Borroum's Drug Store, Mississippi's longest continuously open drug store, and THE place to sample this Southern specialty. Pin Oxford Estimated drive time: 1.5 hours A beautiful college town with a lively downtown square, Oxford offers unique shops, including the renowned Square Books and the oldest department store in the South, Neilson's. Literary fans, do not miss the opportunity to visit the historic home of author William Faulkner. Foodies will be in heaven, as the local restaurant scene is outstanding. Vicksburg Estimated drive time: 3 hours, 45 minutes In Vicksburg, you'll find a city steeped in history and Southern charm along the banks of the Mississippi. It is well-known as the site of one of the most pivotal Civil War battles, but modern Vicksburg offers much more. The city is a stop on the Great River Road and the Mississippi Blues Trail, and offers 11 historic homes to tour. It also boasts six museums in a one-mile radius of each other in a quaint downtown that includes the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum, where Coke was first bottled in 1894. Pin Tennessee Brownsville Estimated drive time: 1 hour Brownsville is an easy, fun weekend road trip. Nature lovers can explore the untamed beauty of the Hatchie River Basin and Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge. Learn more about the legendary Tina Turner at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, and check out her hometown, the nearby Nutbush. Brownsville has a cool little downtown with local restaurants and shopping. Pin Franklin Estimated drive time: 3 hours, 15 minutes Most Memphians enjoy Nashville for a weekend, but lovely little Franklin is only about 30 minutes from the state capital and an excellent spot for those who want the delights of a charming town. Filled with boutique shopping, arts and music, and plenty of good eats, Franklin deserves a place on any list of weekend getaways. In the mood for a leisurely scenic drive? The Natchez Trace Parkway winds nearby. Happy travels! This article contains hotel affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links. ********** For more travel inspiration, visit our archives. About the Author Gaye Swan As a professional writer of over 20 years, Gaye is an avid traveler and enjoys highlighting food, culture, and attractions around the South. While Gaye is passionate about her home city of Memphis, she's still a Mississippi girl at heart — born and raised in Meridian, MS.