By Megan Parry,
Brit + Co
[post_ads]Good news: Travel within the US is actually pretty affordable right now. But where should you go to get to know your own country? After you’ve scoured your favorite free travel planning sites, torn through the best travel vlogs, and consulted your besties’ recommendations, you probably have quite a list of potential domestic spots to hit up. And we’re here with some great potential additions. Our Southern states have some of the richest culture, best weather, and most interesting food that the country has to offer. Below, find seven reasons why tripping through the South this summer is the best idea yet.
The sun sets over neon-lit beachfront buildings in Miami, FL
1.
[post_ads]Good news: Travel within the US is actually pretty affordable right now. But where should you go to get to know your own country? After you’ve scoured your favorite free travel planning sites, torn through the best travel vlogs, and consulted your besties’ recommendations, you probably have quite a list of potential domestic spots to hit up. And we’re here with some great potential additions. Our Southern states have some of the richest culture, best weather, and most interesting food that the country has to offer. Below, find seven reasons why tripping through the South this summer is the best idea yet.
The sun sets over neon-lit beachfront buildings in Miami, FL
1.
Miami, Florida:
Miami
is more like a northern Caribbean outpost than it is a Southern US city
(the southernmost, in fact!), what with its tropical palm trees and
Latin American influences. And while it was once known only for its
larger-than-life personality (all gold chains and 50-foot yachts), Miami
has become an international cultural hub, drawing in the global art
community with the Wynwood Walls, its Design District, and the recently
opened Institute of Contemporary Art and newly renovated Bass Museum.
It’s possible to have a luxe Miami weekend on a budget and still soak in
all the glam vibes, but you’d be just as well off wandering around
Little Havana and sampling the traditional Cuban fare on offer.
2.
2.
Charleston, South Carolina:
Pack
your Lilly Pulitzer and prepare your liver, because Charleston is a
party town with a preppy streak. Whether you’re trying out local beers
while catching sunset views on the water at Tavern & Table or
sharing a punch bowl on the roof of The Cocktail Club, this historic
South Carolina town is best served with a fun group of friends. And
there’s plenty to do during daylight hours too, from taking harbor
tours, to browsing at The Charleston City Market, to soaking in the
architectural beauty of the Battery, to visiting Magnolia Plantation for
its incredible gardens. Of course, all of this touristing works up an
appetite, and nestled among the cobblestone streets and palm trees of
Charleston are some of the best restaurants in the country. There are
fine foodie haunts like Husk and The Ordinary, but don’t sleep on local
faves like Fast & French or Hannibal’s Kitchen for delicious eats on
the cheap.
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New Orleans, Louisiana:
One
of our own recently traveled to NOLA solo, and now none of us can stop
talking about visiting the Paris of the South. It’s a quirky, vibrant
town, currently home to some of the best restaurants in the country
(Turkey and the Wolf‘s collard green melt is a must-eat) and best jazz
in the world (music pours out from every door on Frenchmen Street). Go
on a guided kayaking swamp tour, spend an evening in the backyard of
Baccahanal, and make a dent in your wallet shopping down Magazine
Street. Take a stroll through the Garden District to imagine yourself in
one of its cotton-candy colored row homes, and visit Defend New Orleans
for a locals-approved souvenir. Seriously, there’s so much to see and
do here, you’ll never be bored — but the pace is slow and the people are
friendly, so you really feel like you’re getting a vacation.
4.
4.
Savannah, Georgia:
Whether
you’re on a romantic getaway with your S.O. or a raucous girls’ trip,
Savannah has something for everyone. Spanish moss dripping from Southern
live oak trees, rambling antebellum mansions on every square, crumbling
historic cemeteries — there’s a mystical aura in this Georgia town that
just draws you in. And speaking of mysticism, you’ll definitely want to
take a ghost tour while you’re visiting. Open-container laws mean you
can sip wine with the spirits or take a beer with you as you shop your
way down Broughton Street, with must-stops at the Savannah Bee Company
and the The Paris Market. A leisurely long weekend will suffice here,
but be sure to make time to hop over to Tybee Island, a barrier island
just 30 minutes from the city center.
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Richmond, Virginia:
The
food scene reigns supreme in Richmond, so you’ll want to hit up
Stella’s (widely accepted as the best restaurant in the city) for Greek
food made by yaya herself, Kuba Kuba for traditional Cuban fare, Edo’s
Squid for real deal Italian, Heritage for new American with a Southern
bent, or Rappahannock for oysters and Champagne. Speaking of drinks, be
sure to take in a 360° view of the RVA skyline from the Quirk Hotel
rooftop, grab a playfully inventive cocktail at Rogue, or stop by any of
the city’s numerous breweries for a craft beer (our favorite? Ardent or
Blue Bee). And if you’re into natural wellness (which of course you
are), we suggest taking a 45-minute break to experience the restorative
wonders of an infrared sauna at Purify, stopping by Aquarian Bookshop to
stock up on your chakra-balancing quartz, and popping into Boketto to
dabble in their earthy skincare offerings.
6.
Asheville, North Carolina:
A
liberal oasis tucked away in the mountains of North Carolina, Asheville
is quickly topping every alternative traveler’s must-visit list. There
are microbreweries galore, the Appalachian mountains to explore, and
enough restaurants to keep you full for a week. You’ll want to stop at
12 Bones Smokehouse (a barbecue joint that counts Barack and Michelle
Obama as fans) and Cúrate (a Spanish tapas bar owned by a local chef and
her Catalan husband). The River Arts District runs a mile down the
length of the French Broad River, where over 200 artists have set up
studios in renovated historical and industrial buildings. Hotels in
Asheville are pretty standard, so consider a cheap Airbnb rental for the
weekend. And consider a visit to Biltmore, America’s largest home (with
8,000 acres of grounds!), built in 1895 by George Biltmore — they host a
summer concert series, bring in traveling art exhibitions, and have an
on-site winery (seriously, you could spend an entire day here just
touring the grounds).
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7.
Nashville, Tennessee:
As
we always say, if it’s good enough for Taylor Swift, it’s good enough
for us, and the pop star is far from alone in her love for this
Tennessee music town. For any Nashville fans out there, the Bluebird
Cafe should top your venue list; and design diehards, you’ll want to
stay at the 404 Hotel, a five-room boutique hotel in the Gulch
neighborhood. Imogene + Willie offers bespoke denim, rare vintage, and a
semi-monthly concert series under the stars. Owned by the same
hospitality group, Pinewood gets you bowling and fancy beverages, The
Catbird Seat offers an interactive chef experience while you dine in the
kitchen, and the The Patterson House slings craft cocktails in a
converted home. The vibe in Nashville is really friendly in that
Southern way, so don’t feel shy asking locals where you should visit
once you’re there. Oh, and there’s a replica of the Parthenon in
Centennial Park.
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