Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about my list of the best southern cities to visit in the United States. We’ll leave out Texas and Florida because those states have enough cool destinations to fill a whole blog post. So, these are some of our favorite destinations in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia is an amazing city full of parks, squares, and historic homes. Savannah is home to one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the US, with over a million spectators. The liquor laws are pretty relaxed, so you can enjoy a cocktail as you stroll around town enjoying historic downtown Savannah. With old trees dripping with Spanish moss, you really feel like you’re in the Deep South when you visit Savannah, Georgia. Savannah is definitely one of the best places to visit in the South.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is just two hours from Savannah and is another fantastic Southern city full of history and charm. The historic district is lined with cobblestone streets and charming historic buildings. The Antebellum homes are beautiful, and you can even tour some of them to get a feel for what Charleston was like in the 19th century. They also have a really great aquarium in Charleston; our kids love it. Of course, you can also get your fill of delicious Southern food here in Charleston!
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New Orleans, Louisiana
Another one of the best cities in the South to visit is New Orleans. The French Quarter is the main destination for tourists visiting New Orleans. Whether you visit for Mardi Gras or any other time of year, Bourbon Street and the French Quarter is where to find New Orleans nightlife. New Orleans is more than just a party city, though; New Orleans has a distinctly European feel. Even the food and local dialect have a lot in common with the French. You can take a riverboat tour or visit the Voodoo Museum, and make sure you don’t miss the famous New Orleans cemeteries with the above-ground tombs.
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About New Orleans
Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez, Mississippi is a historic southern town that sits on the Mississippi River. Natchez is best known for having several Antebellum mansions overlooking the river. Natchez is the oldest city along the Mississippi River and years of preservation efforts have earned the town the designation of a Preserve America Community. When you visit Natchez, you can tour some of the historic homes, drive the Natchez Trace Parkway, or visit the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, which features three ceremonial mounds and a reconstructed Natchez house.
Helen, Georgia
For a taste of Bavaria in the South, check out Helen, Georgia. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Helen features half-timbered houses just like those you’d expect to see in Germany. Not only does the town have lots of fun shops and restaurants, but the location is also perfect for outdoor adventures. You can go river tubing, zip-lining, hiking, and swimming in the nearby Chattahoochee National Forest.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the heart and soul of country music. Even if you don’t love country music, you will love Nashville. There’s live music pouring out of nearly every bar in downtown Nashville. Outside of the legendary nightlife, Nashville is quite a booming metropolis. They’ve got some great museums, a nice riverwalk and of course, the Grand Old Opry. For my fellow ‘70s and ‘80s kids, there’s also an entire museum about the Dukes of Hazzard.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
Heading back to the coast, the Outer Banks of North Carolina are a great family destination in the south. These barrier islands sit off the coast of North Carolina, with fun little beach towns up and down the whole area. The Outer Banks is really a beach destination; it’s a great place to take the kids on summer break and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the beach towns. Besides the beaches, there are also some cool lighthouses to check out when you visit the Outer Banks.
Memphis, Tennessee
If Nashville is the home to country music, Memphis is home to the blues and rock and roll. Music is everywhere in Memphis, and Beale Street is the main destination for live music in Memphis. If you’re an Elvis fan, you’ve probably already been to Memphis, where you can tour Graceland, his home in Memphis. Memphis has great museums, including the Civil Rights Museum. Memphis is also famous for BBQ, and they have some of the best restaurants for BBQ ribs and good Southern food.
The Great Smoky Mountains
Over on the Tennessee and North Carolina border, you have the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Smoky Mountains and the town of Asheville, North Carolina. The mountains in this region are unbelievable. There several scenic drives you can take for breathtaking views of the area, Asheville is a funky little Southern town, with the Biltmore Estate, and the downtown area with its distinct hippy vibe.
Atlanta, Georgia
For a more urban destination in the south, check out Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta has a lot of great attractions, including the aquarium and several great museums. If you want to experience Southern culture in the context of a big city, Atlanta is really fun to visit. I just don’t recommend driving in Atlanta; their traffic is legendary.
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Gulf Shores, Alabama
If you’re looking for a more relaxed vacation on the beach, check out Gulf Shores, Alabama. It’s a great family destination with nice beaches where you can kick back and relax. Other great beach destinations in the South include Hilton Head Island, Myrtle Beach, and dozens of others.
I think these are great southern cities where you can really go and get a good sense of Southern culture. They are not listed in any kind of order because I love them all. It’s hard to narrow down the list; we also love Hot Springs Arkansas, Oxford Mississippi are a few more worth your time. Don’t try to see all of these in one trip! Make sure you pick a spot and start exploring at your own pace. If you want more tips on travel in the United States, check out some of our other blog posts: