Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit the South or the Southeast states of the US! The South is such a unique region with its own history and culture, and I love visiting whenever I can (if you have not noticed from the dozens of videos from cities like Savannah). As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate when you visit the South and Southeast states of the USA.
Hate #1: Liquor Laws in the South
A lot of the Southern states are still considered part of the Bible Belt, so the liquor laws reflect a very conservative attitude towards drinking. In several vacation spots in the south, you can’t buy alcohol on Sunday, or you can’t buy alcohol between certain hours of each day. There are even some dry counties still left in the south (as well as in other parts of the US). This means there is no alcohol sold at all. If you choose one of the southern vacation spots in a dry county, you will have to drive to another county to buy alcohol. So make sure you check before you go, though the restrictive liquor laws are becoming less common.
Love #1: Southern People
If the South is known for one thing, it’s Southern Hospitality. The people in the South are amazing and are what make southern vacations so special. They will treat you like long lost family and offer any help they can to ensure your visit to the South is fantastic. This also translates to awesome, friendly service wherever you go in the South. So make sure you mind your manners and be sure to say please and thank you and hold that door at the store.
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Hate #2: Bugs in the South
Warm weather means more bugs, so the south has a lot of bugs. From mosquitos and gnats to flying cockroaches (Palmetto bugs), the bugs in the south are just gross. If you’re visiting in the south, make sure you bring your bug spray so you don’t get eaten alive. And maybe throw in some after-bite as well for when you do have all those itches.
Love #2: Southern Style
The Southern-style that I love has to do with the atmosphere and the architecture. While some areas of the South are in financial difficulties, they still take pride in their homes and hometowns. There are tons of historic homes in the south that have been impeccably maintained, as well as other historic buildings throughout the South. Southern architecture is also very unique and some of the best examples are in Savannah, Charleston or New Orleans.
Hate #3: Tourist Crowds
The South is so great that everyone wants to visit! In the winter, the south is crowded with snowbirds, which are retirees who leave the cold north for several months and relocate for the winter. In the summer, it’s packed with families traveling over the summer break. This means it can be hard to find affordable accommodation during peak travel periods, and a lot of the restaurants are overpriced and overbooked. This can also result in extra traffic as the roads weren’t built to handle so many people. So make sure you are booking ahead for your hotels, apartments, and car rentals. Also, it might not be a bad idea to make a reservation at some of those restaurants you have been dreaming about visiting.
Love #3: Southern Cuisine
The South has the best food in the United States, hands down. On the coast, you have amazing seafood, New Orleans has Cajun and Creole cuisines, Memphis has BBQ, Nashville has hot chicken and you can get good soul food all over the south. Skip the chain restaurants and go where the locals eat; they’ll be happy to give you recommendations! We have videos that can help you know what to eat, but our best recommendation is to just ask the waiter what is the most popular item on the menu or the most local item and go for that.
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Hate #4: The Slow South
The Southern states tend to take life a bit more relaxed and a bit more slow. So make sure you are ready for a more laid back attitude and atmosphere. It can be a love for many, but we know that some tourists are all about go go go, and in the South sometimes it’s more about slow slow slow. So pack your patience and you will be just fine.
Love #4: Weather in the South
Let’s face it; the reason so many people visit the Southern states is because of the weather! If you want to avoid snow and cold weather, then the south is the place to go. It’s especially popular for fall break and spring break when families escape the northern states for some time on the beach.
Hate #5: Weather in the South
Ok, it’s a “love” and a “hate” depending on when you visit, and your tolerance for heat and humidity. In the summer, the heat and humidity are oppressive. July and August are the worst times to visit the south unless you really love humidity and heat. The humidity locks in the heat so it doesn’t even seem to cool down that much at night. Make sure you are drinking a lot of water and staying hydrated.
Love #5: Southern Landscapes
There is a lot of natural beauty in the south. You’ve got the Smoky Mountains, the Mississippi River delta, the marshlands of North and South Carolina, the beaches of Georgia and Alabama. It’s such a beautiful area to explore, with diverse landscapes to explore. A road trip is the best way to see the states of the south, as you can stop and explore at your leisure.
If you are planning a trip to the USA, make sure you include some southern vacation spots in your itinerary. The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason to avoid visiting the South USA. Want more tips for planning a US vacation? Check out these other blog posts: