20 Spectacular Free Tourist Attractions in the Southeast
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
From the enchanting Appalachian mountains, to the white sand Florida Gulf Coast beaches, to rich historical cities, there is something interesting to see and do in the Southeast no matter your travel destination. Thus far, I have lived in Asheville, Upstate South Carolina, and Florida. I have explored many free attractions in and around these regions, plus taken so many roadtrips to interesting places nearby. Below I have featured 20 of my favorite tourist attractions in the Southeast, all free to visit! Of course, there is much more to see and do in this beautiful region of the country, but hopefully this list will give you a great starting point for your first roadtrip!
1. Florida Gulf Coast beaches
The gorgeous clear water beaches of Florida are amongst the most beautiful in the country. If a beautiful cool-to-the-touch white sand beach (that you can dig your toes right into) is what you are after, then Florida Gulf Coast beaches will not disappoint (check out my favorites!). The calm, shallow waters are perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, and water sports. Whether you are seeking a quiet place to read and sunbathe, a shelling hotspot where you can leave with a bucket full of treasures, a gorgeous walk along the water, or a lively party destination, you can find it all. Tampa, Sarasota, Ft. Myers, and Naples are all gorgeous base destinations for exploring these beaches, plus many other cultural and recreational attractions. A few of the best freebies!
- Siesta Key – Sarasota stunner known for its’ sugar-like 99% pure quartz white sand. This beach stretches on for 8 miles giving you plenty of room to relax.
- Indian Rocks – This Quiet gem with an attractive absence of big business and resorts. The surrounding community is colorful and home to many great local coffeeshops and cafes.
- North Redington/Redington Shores – Gorgeous destination for a long quiet walk. Overlooked by tourists.
- Naples Beach – 7 mile long gem featuring smooth white sand and a 1000 foot fishing pier.
Check out my beach getaway guides:
2. Blue Ridge Parkway
“America’s Favorite Drive,” as it is commonly referred to, is a stunning 469 mile long stretch of road between the Great Smokies of Tennessee and Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Besides enjoying gorgeous views of the Blue Ridge mountains throughout, there are many memorable hikes, waterfalls, and attractions to enjoy along the route. The drive is split into several regions – one of the most scenic being the Pisgah (miles 339.5-469.1). Asheville is a wonderful base for exploration, offering a convenient place to stay, plus many amenities of its’ own.
Pisgah region highlights:
- Crabtree Falls (339.5) – The most scenic waterfall on the Parkway. Gorgeous fall foliage.
- Mt. Mitchell (349.9) – At 6684 feet, it’s the highest peak east of the Mississippi.
- Craggy Gardens (364.6) – One of the most stunning overlooks. Gorgeous rhododendrons in June.
- Folk Art Center (382) – Dedicated to Appalachian arts and crafts. Daily craft demos.
- Graveyard Fields (418) – Easy quarter of a mile hike to one of the Parkway’s most scenic falls.
- Devil’s Courthouse (422.4) – Steep half mile climb to a stunning overlook where you can see 4 states!
- Richard Balsam (431) – Hike 6410 ft to the highest summit on the Parkway through a gorgeous spruce fir forest.
3. Transylvania County waterfalls
Western North Carolina is home to hundreds of magnificent waterfalls. Considering the easy accessibility and beauty of the falls, it’s definitely one of the top regions in the country for waterfall lovers. Transylvania County and nearby Brevard has been nicknamed “The Land of Waterfalls.” You will find over 200 beauties in this region. The Pisgah, Dupont, and Gorges State Forest are all home to incredible secluded hiking trails where you can get lost in nature for an hour or several days. Here are a few of the best waterfalls to seek out! Also check out my full WNC Vacation Guide for more ideas.
- Triple Falls – 3 gorgeous waterfalls & a covered bridge in the lovely Dupont State Forest. Accessible via a 2.5 mile moderate hike.
- Looking Glass Falls – Gorgeous 60 foot waterfall in the Pisgah. Located right off US 276. No hike required!
- Moore Cove Falls – 1 mile easy nature trek through the Pisgah to one of the only waterfalls you can stand beneath.
- Courthouse Falls – Secluded gem in the Pisgah. 45 foot cove waterfall drops into a large pool.
- Upper Whitewater – The tallest waterfall in the state at 411 ft.
- Rainbow Falls – Hard, yet rewarding 1.5 mile hike leads to beautiful 150 footer in Gorges National Park.
4. Congaree National Park
This wonderful free national park (one of only a handful to not charge admission) is often overlooked by anyone not living in South Carolina and surrounding states. This is a shame as it is quite beautiful and super easy to get to (easy daytrip from Columbia or Greenville). Most notably, the park is home to the largest intact old growth bottomland hardwood forest in the US. A 2.4 mile boardwalk trail will take you past some incredible trees including 500+ year old cypress trees, and even a few Champion Trees (the largest in their species). Congaree is home to the tallest loblolly pine – which comes in at a whopping height of 169 feet!
5. The Great Smoky Mountains
Like Congaree, The Great Smokies are another wonderful free national park to explore. The massive 522,427 acre park in the beautiful Appalachian mountains is divided almost equally between the states of Tennessee and North Carolina. With easy accessibility from many major cities in the South, it’s no wonder why tourists flood the region all summer long. Gatlinburg is a touristy city located just outside the park and offers a number of amenities of its’ own. There’s lots to do in the Smokies region for free including beautiful hiking trails, wildlife watching (so many black bears!) scenic overlooks, waterfalls (check out my top picks), and incredible drives. A look at a few of the best free attractions.
- Clingman’s Dome – Short but steep paved trail leads to the highest point in the Smokies (6643 ft).
- Roaring Fork Motor Nature drive – Scenic 5.5 mile drive through old growth forest. Lots of streams and options to hike and enjoy waterfalls along the route. Check out Grotto Falls (3 miles RT).
- Laurel Falls – Moderately steep 1.7 mile paved trail leads you to the park’s most scenic waterfall, 80 foot Laurel Falls.
- Deep Creek Triple Waterfall trail– See 3 incredible waterfalls via a short 2.5 mile hike near Bryson City. The most scenic best bang-for-your-buck hike on the NC side of the Smokies.
