Alabama town named as one of most beautiful in America: ‘The epitome of Southern charm’

People in Alabama know that Magnolia Springs is charming, welcoming and well worth a visit — especially for the gorgeous “tunnel of trees” on Oak Street.

The rest of the country is catching on, too, as evidenced by some recent kudos from Conde Nast Traveler. The magazine included Magnolia Springs in its list of “The 28 Most Beautiful Towns in America.” Although the list isn’t ranked, the town in Baldwin County earned lavish praise from writer Caitlin Morton, who said:

“Magnolia Springs is the epitome of Southern charm, with oak tree-lined streets, historical churches, and friendly locals. Located at the beginning of the Magnolia River, it also happens to be one of the only remaining towns in the U.S. that has mail delivered via riverboat. Book one of the five cozy rooms at Magnolia Springs Bed & Breakfast, which was built in 1897 and retains its original stained glass and woodwork.”

The Magnolia Springs Bed & Breakfast adds to the charm of this small town in Baldwin County, Alabama.(AL.com file photo/Kate Mercer)

Magnolia Springs, with a population of about 1,000 people, is in good company on the list, which seeks to point travelers to “tiny enclaves filled with friendly locals, walkable downtown areas lined with mom-and-pop cafes, quaint boutique hotels, and incredible views of some of the best landscapes in the U.S.”

READ: Buy me a river: A look around this $4.79 million estate in Magnolia Springs

The coast-to-coast list includes famed scenic spots such as Taos, New Mexico; Bar Harbor, Maine; Mackinac Island, Michigan; Carmel-by-the-Sea, California; Stowe, Vermont; Lake Placid, New York; Sedona, Arizona; Nantucket, Massachusetts; and more.

Magnolia Springs is the only Alabama town mentioned by Conde Nast Traveler, but the list also points to Southern spots such as Jekyll Island, Georgia; Marfa, Texas; St. Augustine, Florida; and Beaufort, South Carolina.

Magnolia Springs, which dates back to the 1800s, has earned praise in the past for its enduring appeal, including a spot on Architectural Digest’s 2022 list of “The 55 Most Beautiful Small Towns in America.” Southern Living, too, has said the historic town has “almost too much charm to handle.”