I’VE LIVED IN THE SOUTH ALL MY LIFE—AND THESE ARE THE 10 MOST UNDERRATED DESTINATIONS
There are some Southern places that everyone knows: Charleston, New Orleans, Savannah. We know them. We love them. We’ve either been before or have added them to our travel bucket lists. But outside of those heavy hitters, the South is home to thousands of destinations that get far less attention but are worthy of our time all the same. From lesser-known national parks to small towns with surprisingly impressive attractions, these hidden gem destinations run the gamut, offering something to pique the interest of all kinds of travelers. If you’re a seasoned Southern traveler looking for somewhere new to explore, these underrated destinations are a great place to find inspiration for your next trip. Check out these 10 spots and let us know your favorite undiscovered places in the South.
Mammoth Cave National Park
Between Yellowstone and Yosemite (and dozens of other parks in between), the West is known for being home to the country’s most mind-blowing national parks. And while the South gets credit for having the most-visited park in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, many people overlook our region’s other parks. Located in south-central Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park’s limestone formations and underground passageways make up a 400-mile-long system that showcase Earth's evolutionary stages and is the longest known cave system on the planet. Explore its mysterious tunnels on one of the park’s many guided cave tours that range from a wheelchair accessible tour to one that requires crawling. You can even see the cave by lantern.
Crystal River, Florida
For anyone who’s ever dreamt of swimming with dolphins only to be disappointed by a commercialized experience at a theme park or zoo, Crystal River is a must visit. The small town on the western coast of Florida (located 80 miles north of Tampa) is one of the only places in the U.S. where you can swim with manatees in the wild. Every winter, around 800 manatees seek refuge in the warm waters of Crystal River’s Kings Bay and its 70 natural springs. From November to March, visitors and locals suit up and take the chilly plunge to spend face-to-face time with these gentle giants. Dozens of outfitters are on standby to help you have this once-in-a-lifetime, talk-about-forever experience.
Coastal Mississippi
If Florida’s coast is the height of desire for beach vacations (with coastal destinations in the Carolinas, Alabama, and Georgia following somewhere behind), then Mississippi’s coast might be even more of a distant thought. But for those in on the secret, places like Ocean Springs, Gulfport, and Bay St. Louis are hardly second fiddles. With 62 miles of scenic coastline, there’s plenty of room to spread out in the sand. But that’s far from all Coastal Mississippi has to offer. Each of its town offers its own distinctive personality, from artsy, eclectic Ocean Springs to buzzy Gulfport.
Hot Springs National Park
Another under-the-radar national park, Hot Springs National Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas is one of those places you have to see (and feel) to believe. Nestled in the gorgeous Ouachita Mountains, the park is comprised of 47 natural springs, where steam rises from the earth as if by magic. Explore the park (and its historic bath houses), then stick around to see what else the town has to offer, from the 210-acre botanical paradise Garvan Woodland Gardens to three major lakes where you can enjoy watersports.
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
This tiny town, national park, and historic site on the West Virginia-Maryland state line is a three-in-one combo that delivers on all fronts. You can get gorgeous views of the Blue Ridge Mountains on a scenic hike to the precipice of the Maryland Heights Overlook Trail. You can walk through the historic streets of Lower Town to see 19th century architecture by way of Victorian homes and 150-year-old row buildings. Some are filled with new boutiques and restaurants, while others are living history museums that demonstrate what life was like in the 1800s. And you can do it all with a charming bed and breakfast as a cozy home base.
Fort Payne, Alabama
This small North Alabama town may not seem like much, but when you consider its incredibly high concentration of stunning natural attractions all located within one easy-to-navigate area, it’s a bit of a wonder more people haven’t caught on to its charms. DeSoto State Park, Little River Canyon National Preserve, and Little River Falls are just a few of its many outdoor-focused points of interest. In fact, Little River Canyon is known as the Grand Canyon of the East. We admit it’s not quite as magnificent as the one out west, but it sure is a lot easier to get to—and you won’t have to battle crowds to get the perfect picture.
Virginia Wine Country
When people think of American wine country, a few places immediately come to mind: Napa Valley, Sonoma County, maybe even Willamette Valley in Oregon. The South probably isn’t a first thought, but Virginia’s wine country absolutely should be. Virginia is recognized as the birthplace of American wine, since colonists attempted the craft in the early 17th century. Today the state is home to more than 300 wineries spread largely across northern and central Virginia. The rolling hills and lush vineyards create a stunning backdrop for a tasting, and the wines more than hold their own. In 2023, Wine Enthusiast even named the Charlottesville area the Wine Region of the Year.
Black Mountain, North Carolina
Charming Blue Ridge Mountain towns are a dime a dozen in North Carolina. From Brevard to Boone to Blowing Rock, each community brings its own flair. And of course they all have gorgeous views and great opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Probably the area's most popular destination, Asheville gets thousands of visitors each year, but if you want to escape the crowds, head 20 minutes east to Black Mountain. This quaint town has all the makings of a great vacation destination—excellent local shopping, a diverse and delicious dining scene, a quaint downtown, affordable lodging, and easy access to hiking trails where you can bask in the glory of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Knoxville, Tennessee
Between big, flashy Broadway and a steady stream of country music star sightings, it’s no surprise that Nashville tends to steal the spotlight in Tennessee. But if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle (and ever-increasing prices) of Nashville, consider heading east to check out Knoxville. With a population of just around 200,000, this college town strikes the perfect balance of having plenty to do while remaining manageable enough to tackle in a long weekend. Spend an afternoon strolling around downtown’s Market Square and enjoying the ample greenspace at World’s Fair Park. You’ll be singing the praises of Good Ole Rocky Top in no time.
Terlingua, Texas
When you’re in a state with major cultural hubs like Austin, Houston, and Dallas (and the state itself encompasses nearly 270 million square miles), it can be difficult to get noticed—especially when your entire population hovers right around 100 people. Despite its diminutive size, there are some big (quite literally) reasons to visit Terlingua. The biggest: Big Bend National Park. You can access the otherworldly national park just minutes from town. Take in the unexpected beauty of the Chisos Mountain springing from the Chihuahuan Desert, and don’t worry a drop about crowds. The park is the 8th largest in the U.S. but sees fewer than half a million visitors per year, meaning you’ll have ample room to roam.
For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Southern Living.
2024-03-09T14:03:53Z dg43tfdfdgfd