Small town atmosphere — Big Southern charm
CONTRIBUTED TO
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
WAVERLY — Waverly, Alabama has earned a spot on Country Living’s list of 10 Best Small Towns for 2026, with Country Living naming it the Best for Southern Charm.
A true whistle-stop town born of railroad expansion in the 1870s, Waverly packs an outsized dose of Southern hospitality within three square miles. Spring mornings are best spent at Wild Flour Bakery, where owner Sarah Jones turns out espresso drinks and pastries for Auburn University students sprawled across the front lawn. Design lovers will want to wander over to Fig & Wasp, where antique oak furniture mingles with co-owner Tammy “Scout” Nance’s creamy white pottery. Next, pop into Fern + Johnson Mercantile, where sisters-in-law Deborah and Lori Conway (pictured above) offer cheerful art and vintage finds.
Ahead of your visit, check the calendar of Standard Deluxe, a creative live-work compound that hosts everything from yoga classes to live music, and book a table at The Waverly Local, a beloved haunt serving Southern classics (from bacon-wrapped okra to pork hash) alongside cocktails. Come nightfall, follow the college crowd 20 minutes back to Auburn and settle in at the spirited Graduate by Hilton Auburn, where the guest rooms and the rooftop bar deliver a healthy dose of Tiger pride.
As the United States turns 250-years-old this summer, it feels like the perfect time to celebrate the hidden gems and happening hamlets found across the country with our annual list of the best small towns in America.
Country Living editors strolled many Main Streets, perused many mercantiles, and put in countless hours of research to uncover the standout small businesses and creative communities that make up Country Living’s 10 Best Small Towns of 2026. From charming new inns to revitalized barn shops, well-stocked general stores to postcard-perfect festivals, each spot offers plenty of reasons to love life in a little town. You’ll also meet residents deeply committed to all-things local, who use their talents in art, food, fashion, music, design, event planning and more to elevate and support their neighbors.
For more about what makes Waverly special, check out the full article at Country Living at www.countryliving.com/life/travel/a71294738/best-smalltowns-in-america-2026/.
