So you’re traveling to the Southeast United States and you’re looking to add some adventure to your trip. No matter where you are in your planning process, I hope this guide helps you find where to go, where to stay, and where to eat.
Below, you’ll find details on some of the most fun destinations in the South to suit a wide range of interests, whether you’re up for a charming city getaway or a bold outdoor trek.
Use this information to help you plan your trip to Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, or Florida. All recommendations are based on my personal travels (not sponsored), and I’ll keep adding more as I continue to explore this region.
WHERE SHOULD YOU TRAVEL TO?
GEORGIA
Atlanta has become a bustling, urban city with a food scene that rivals those of New York City or Los Angeles. Atlanta is dubbed “the capital of the South” for a reason: Centrally located and just hours away from the beach, the mountains, and charming little towns, it’s a great place to start exploring the Southeastern region of the U.S.
Other Georgia places you should add to your list include Athens (home of the UGA Bulldogs and some incredible breweries), Savannah (think mossy oak-lined streets lined with historic architecture), and the Golden Coast (including Cumberland Island and Sea Island, the latter home of the Georgian Room, the only Forbes five-star restaurant in Georgia).
SOUTH CAROLINA
No trip to South Carolina is complete without a lengthy stay in Charleston. It’s a beautiful city that is large enough to spend several days in without getting bored but small enough to walk to dinner from your bed & breakfast. It offers easy access to several beaches and has fantastic restaurant options throughout.
If you prefer to spend more time at the beach, look into Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, or Hilton Head. If you’d rather explore another city, do consider Greenville: It has a beautiful downtown that is very walkable, as well as darling riverside eateries.
NORTH CAROLINA
Asheville is a great starting point for exploring North Carolina. Plan your trip in the fall and expect colorful mountain views as the leaves turn. If you’re a beer lover, you’ll surely find your favorite pint at one of more than 25 breweries in the city. And if you’re up for a more mountainous getaway, check out the nearby Highlands or Cashiers for great hiking and small mountain town charm.
There’s Charlotte and Raleigh in the middle of the state, and by the coast, there’s Wilmington, Crystal Coast, and the Outer Banks – all great beachy options with built-in adventure, especially at the latter two places. Wild horses roam both and there are plenty of water sports options.
KENTUCKY
Stay in Louisville and explore the Kentucky Bourbon Trail by car. Many distilleries, such as Buffalo Trace, Maker’s Mark, and Woodford, are within day-trip distance of the city, and Louisville is lovely at night, especially with its city lights and views of the Kentucky River. Do be careful when it comes to drinking and driving though.
If you’re a car enthusiast, Bowling Green is a fun pit stop, since it’s home to the National Corvette Museum. And there are several cave tours in that area as well, in case you’re traveling with a fan of spelunking.
TENNESSEE
Nashville knows how to party, y’all! At night, Broad Street downtown gets packed with bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations, and live music fans of all genres. Although as you might imagine, country music reigns supreme in Nashville. Plan on tasting some great barbeque, noshing on late-night street food, and jamming out to lots and lots of country.
If you prefer something a little more chill, check out Chattanooga. Practically on the border of Tennessee and Georgia, this small town boasts quite a few attractions, including a pedestrian bridge across the Tennessee River, Rock City Gardens, and Ruby Falls.
ALABAMA
Birmingham might be one of the most quaint towns I’ve ever visited. It is surprisingly walkable and has a lot to offer in terms of restaurants, night life, and history. Birmingham makes for a great weekend road trip from a nearby southern city, like Atlanta.
Another great option for vacationing in Alabama is its beaches. Gulf Shores and Dauphin Island are both lovely, with beautiful scenery and plentiful boating opportunities.
FLORIDA
The southernmost state is known for its numerous beautiful beaches, so how do you even begin to pick just one to visit? Start with the Florida panhandle, the northwestern stretch of the state along the Gulf. Some of the most picturesque beaches and towns are situated along 30A, including Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, and Seaside. All three are known for pristine beaches, beautiful architecture, and unbeatable sunsets.
About halfway down the gulf coast are the towns of Clearwater and St. Petersburg, near Tampa. Both have great family-friendly resorts and white sand beaches. Even further south, there is, of course, Miami and the Florida Keys. And on the Atlantic coast, there’s A1A, another scenic, over-the-water route that runs from St. Augustine (the oldest city in America) to about Jacksonville.