There is no other region of the USA like the American South. Enhanced to the east by mile upon mile of glorious golden sand beaches bathed by the surf of the Atlantic Ocean, and to the south by even more lovely beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, and to the west by the region-bisecting mighty Mississippi River, the region’s I2 states are a treasure house of scenic, cultural, and culinary attractions, not to forget their fun-filled and flamboyant annual festivals.
Within the Travel South region are the country’s most visited and most recently proclaimed National Parks, hundreds of recreation-rich state parks, the highest – and some of the most beautiful – mountains in the eastern USA, America’s largest blackwater and river swamps, a sizeable portion of America’s largest estuary, the Chesapeake Bay, the longest stretch of America’s most famous footpath, the Appalachian Trail, sparkling lakes, spectacular waterfalls, exhilarating white-water rivers, and lush and lovely hills and valleys, known for their prizewinning horse-breeding stables, orchards and wineries.
In their midst are some of America’s most beautiful and historic cities and small towns, the birthplace and/or proving grounds of most of America’s most popular music genres, the homes of many of its most famous authors, award-winning restaurants and chefs producing some of the country’s most creative and delicious cuisines, not to forget those life-enhancing beverages – wine, beer, Bourbon and Whiskey. And then there are those annual festivals saluting not only food, wine and spirits but also everything else from music to motor sports, pirates to peanuts and glorious gardens to goodness knows what.
Here is a brief summary of what each of the 12 states has to offer with more to follow on several special topics.
ALABAMA
Blessed to the south by the 332 miles of resort-facing sandy beaches fringing Mobile Bay as it sweeps down to the Gulf of Mexico, and to the north by recreation-rich hills, forests and lakes, the state is also known for its vibrant music heritage, delightful small towns, the Space Age attractions of Huntsville and its Civil Rights Trail encompassing eight communities including its capital, Montgomery, Birmingham, and Selma.
ARKANSAS
Known as ‘The Natural State’, Arkansas has a wealth of hot springs, notably in and around the city of Hot Springs, which doubles as a National Park, and picturesque Eureka Springs set in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. You can hunt for diamonds in the Crater of Diamonds State Park and learn more about the life and career of former President Bill Clinton at his presidential museum in the state capital, Little Rock.
GEORGIA
This major gateway to the South through the huge international airport serving Atlanta, the South’s largest city, is also home to a just-off-coast convoy of lush and lovely ‘Golden Isles’ and the awesome Appalachian Mountains which encompass everything from Native American Cherokee sites to the Southern terminus of the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail
KENTUCKY
Although it’s best known for one of the world’s most famous horse races, Louisville’s thrilling Kentucky Derby, and for its Bourbon and fried chicken, this beautiful state has much more to offer. There’s the lush and lovely Bluegrass horse-breeding country surrounding Lexington, the house boating and other marine activities in the Land Between the Lakes, huge Mammoth Cave to explore as well as sites associated with colourful, prize-winning boxer Muhammad Ali.
LOUISIANA
With its unique French, Creole and Cajun heritage, this fascinating state bordered to the south by the Gulf of Mexico and partly bisected by the Mississippi River, enchants visitors with its joie de vivre. In addition to unmissable fun- and festival-loving New Orleans, launching point for riverboat cruises up to landmark plantations, there are such other cities as Baton Rouge with its unique skyscraper state capitol and Lake Charles, its namesake lake surrounded by popular resort hotels and casinos.
MISSISSIPPI
Meander along the ‘Magnolia States’ portion of the Great River Road and you’ll soon find such lovely and historic Mississippi Riverside towns as Natchez, queen of the former cotton ports, beautiful plantation homes, now telling more accurate stories about the origins of their wealth, and the Delta region towns which gave birth to the Blues, not to forget Elvis’s Tupelo birthplace and the Gulf of Mexico coastline anchored by French-founded Biloxi.
MISSOURI
Summoning you westward across the Mississippi River with St. Louis’ spectacular 630ft tall Gateway Arch, Missouri lives up to its nickname, ‘The Show Me State’. For not only is it home to a sizeable portion of legendary Rt 66, but it is also home to Independence with its sites associated with former US President Harry Truman, Hannibal, birthplace of internationally esteemed author Mark Twain, St. Joseph where notorious outlaw Jesse James met his maker and Branson, the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’.
NORTH CAROLINA
Easily accessible through its two international airports – one serving neighbouring Raleigh and Durham, and the other its largest city, Charlotte – this state is a fascinating study in contrasts. To the east are the Outer Banks islands with their wide, sandy beaches, historic lighthouses and wild ponies; to the west, spectacular attraction-filled mountains reaching their zenith with eastern America’s highest peak, Mount Mitchell, at 6,684 feet. Among alluring destinations are Asheville’s majestic Biltmore House, America’s largest mansion, and the popular golfing area around Pinehurst.
SOUTH CAROLINA
One of the South’s most alluring and historic cities, Charleston is a gateway to splendid beaches and historic plantations known for their beautiful gardens. Head down the coast for a choice of seductive resort islands ending near the Georgia border at charming Beaufort, a mini- Charleston, or up the coast to buzzy Myrtle Beach with its boardwalk attractions and live shows, or into the state’s centre, home to the capital city, Columbia with its interesting zoo and botanical gardens.
TENNESSEE
There is more than popular entertainment to attract you to this state best known for its great music cities Nashville and Memphis. Not only can you take a Mississippi River cruise out of Memphis, but the Land Between the Lakes on the Kentucky border is a magnet for water sports enthusiasts and eastern Tennessee is home to America’s most visited national park, named for the majestic Great Smoky Mountains. The popular Dollywood theme park is in nearby Pigeon Forge.
VIRGINIA
A Mecca for history buffs, Virginia is home to Jamestown (1607), America’s first permanent English colony, Williamsburg, its colonial capital, and Yorktown where the Revolutionary War ended. Also of note: its capital, Richmond, the US Naval port city. Norfolk, and scenic mountaintop drives along the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway.
WEST VIRGINIA
Claiming to be “Almost Heaven”, this ruggedly beautiful Mountain State is indeed a divine destination for those who love skiing, hiking, mountain biking, cliff climbing and roaring down some of eastern America’s most challenging white-water rivers, much of which are found in the New River Gorge National Park, the newest in that splendid park system. Also check out the attractive capital city, Charleston, such charming small towns as Lewisburg and White Sulphur Springs’ elegant and historic Greenbrier Resort.
