10 Screen-Free Adventures For A Classic Southern Summer

By Symiah Dorsey | Published on June 1, 2025

As our grandparents always said, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” That wisdom doesn’t just apply to cornbread recipes or creaky screen doors—it holds true for how we spend our free time, too. These days, it feels like we’re expected to fill every moment with plans, apps, or some kind of upgrade. But sometimes, the simplest ways really are the best ways—the kind of timeless pleasures that have shaped Southern summers for generations.

The older we get, the more those simple moments—chasing fireflies, dipping toes in a creek, sharing a hand-scooped ice cream cone—stand out as the ones worth remembering. This summer, it’s about taking a breath, putting the phones away, and making room for the kind of easygoing fun that slows down time. Here are 10 classic, screen-free experiences perfect for a simple Southern summer.

Spend The Day At A Swimming Hole

Credit: Rush Jagoe

Before water parks and pool memberships, Southerners beat the heat by finding the nearest, clearest swimming hole. These gems, often tucked away in a rural part of your state, are a refreshing change of pace when the beach is too far (or too crowded) for comfort. Head to the famous Blue Hole in Wimberley, Texas or the fun-filled Sliding Rock in North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest—you really can’t go wrong when it comes to a classic summer swim in the South.

Camp Under The Stars

Credit: Ferrantraite/Getty Images

Many of us haven’t slept under the stars since we were children, and it’s high time we brought this simple joy back. Even one night outside can reset your sense of wonder, and you’ll find plenty of campgrounds across the South to get started. For a front-row seat to the Milky Way, head to Ocracoke, the southernmost island of the Outer Banks, where dark skies and ocean breezes make for some of the best stargazing on the East Coast. And if you’re not up for a big trip, some of the most memorable camping happens right in your own backyard.

This Southern Beach Has Some Of The Best Stargazing On The East Coast

Rent A Kayak Or Canoe

Credit: Courtesy of Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau

Gliding across still water with nothing but the sound of your paddles is the kind of slow travel we could all use more of—and thankfully, the South proudly claims some of the most scenic spots for doing just that. In New Orleans, rent a canoe or kayak at Bayou St. John, where you’ll drift beneath stone bridges and past Creole cottages, or head to Juniper Springs in Florida’s Ocala National Forest, home to one of the oldest and prettiest paddle trails in the region, complete with moss-draped canopies and curious turtles.

Take A Scenic Train Ride

Credit: Courtesy of Van Buren Visitors Center

Sometimes it’s nice to sit back and let someone else do the driving. This summer, climb aboard a train, soak in panoramic views, and enjoy the kind of easy wonder you felt in the backseat as a kid. Hop on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City, North Carolina, which winds through forested valleys and across the Nantahala Gorge, or ride the Tennessee Valley Railroad in Chattanooga, where restored locomotives follow historic routes—some even offering dinner and live jazz onboard.

All Aboard! The 16 Best Train Rides for Spotting Fall Foliage in the South

Head To A Drive-In Movie

Credit: Arthur Tilley/Getty Images

Few summer rituals feel more quintessential than parking at a drive-in, tailgate open, fireflies blinking in the background. At Park Place Drive-In in Marion, Virginia, you’ll find not only movies but also mini golf and an old-fashioned ice cream shop. Built in 1954, the theater operates seasonally from spring through fall. Or, you can check out the Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre in Henderson, North Carolina—one of the oldest drive-ins in the state—where retro charm, fresh popcorn, and weekend showings make it well worth the trip.

Go Berry Picking

Credit: Courtesy of Deep Spring Farm

Come early summer, berry farms across the South burst to life with rows of ripe, colorful fruit just waiting to be picked by hand. At Deep Spring Farm in Alachua, Florida, visitors can fill their buckets with organic blueberries before settling in for a picnic beneath the shade of a giant live oak. Meanwhile, in North Carolina, Carrigan Farms in Mooresville opens its fields to families eager to enjoy the simple joy of gathering bright-red strawberries.

Visit A Classic Amusement Park

Credit: Courtesy of Visit Chattanooga

A classic, family-run amusement park knows how to pack roller coasters, cotton candy, and charm into every square foot. Lake Winnepesaukah near Chattanooga has been delighting visitors since 1925, with a vintage wooden coaster, tilt-a-whirl, and paddle boats that drift across the lake. For another blast from the past, head to Funland in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware—technically just above the Mason-Dixon line, but a longtime favorite for many Southern families thanks to its arcade games, old-school rides, and salt-air nostalgia.

Go Tubing Trip Down A Lazy River

Credit: Robbie Caponetto

There’s nothing better in the summertime than doing absolutely nothing—and getting some fresh air while you’re at it. Float down the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels, Texas, where the current is gentle, the sun is high, and coolers are always welcome. If you’re on the East Coast, Deep Creek near Bryson City, North Carolina, is another popular tubing spot nestled in the Smokies, with shallow rapids and tree-lined views to keep things interesting.

12 Best Places To Tube In The South This Spring And Summer

Try A Small-Town Ice Cream Shop

Credit: Robbie Caponetto

There’s no summer treat more timeless than a hand-scooped cone from a local creamery. Leopold’s Ice Cream in Savannah, Georgia, has been a Southern staple since 1919, serving up flavors like lemon custard and rum bisque behind a marble soda fountain counter. Down in Mississippi, Area 51 Ice Cream in Hernando offers inventive, small-batch flavors like Blueberry Cobbler and Blackberry Goat Cheese—all served with a side of small-town hospitality.

Spend The Day Fishing Off A Dock

Credit: Visit Savannah

Whether you snag a bite or not, casting a line from the dock is a classic, meditative way to spend a summer afternoon. At Cherry Grove Pier in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, you'll find salty breezes, easy access, and a chance to reel in flounder, bluefish, or Spanish mackerel. For something more peaceful and tucked away, head to Lake Moomaw in Virginia, where forested shores and quiet waters make it a favorite for reeling in trout, bass, and stillness in equal measure.