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Full of easy charm, the South offers beaches, bayous and mountains, distinct musical and gastronomic traditions and evidence of a complex, turbulent history. Our specialists can design you a vacation to the South that takes in the region’s many pleasures, from the leafy streets of Charleston and Savannah to boisterous New Orleans, where they can suggest the best place to enjoy live jazz or a bowl of gumbo. Meanwhile, in Nashville and Memphis, you can join guided tours that give you a behind-the-scenes look at the music industry’s past and present.
Outside the cities, you can discover the South’s antebellum heritage at plantations, whose stately façades hide a brutal past, or on a languid cruise down the wide, slow waters of the Mississippi. Your trip to the South could also include ways to explore the region’s natural beauty, such as its fine-sand beaches, steamy bayous and the Great Smoky Mountains.
Best time to visit
Our specialists advise on the best months to visit the South, including information about climate, events and festivals.
Travel advice
Practical tips for traveling to the South, from social protocols to guidance on money matters, with a link to the latest US State Department travel advice.
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The South in pictures
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![Cotton fields in Mississippi]()
Cotton crop, Georgia -
![Blue Ridge Mountains]()
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee -
![Middle Bay Lighthouse in Mobile, Alabama]()
Lighthouse, Alabama -
![Illinois Monument and cannons in Vicksburg, Mississippi]()
Memorial at Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi -
![Paddlewheel Boat and Huey P. Long Bridge in New Orleans]()
Paddle steamer on the Mississippi River, Louisiana -
![French Quarter in New Orleans]()
Street corner in New Orleans’ French Quarter, Louisiana -
![Jones Street flags and Spanish moss, Savannah, Georgia]()
Street in Savannah, Georgia -
![Sunrise over the Louisiana swamps]()
Waders, American South waterway
Our expert guides to traveling in the South
Written by our specialists from the viewpoint of their own travels, these guides will help you decide on the shape of your own trip to the South. Aiming to inspire and inform, we share our recommendations for how to appreciate the South at its best.
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Less-visited places to explore in the US ![Haystack Rock and Cannon Beach, Oregon]()
Less-visited places to explore in the US
Less-visited places to explore in the US
Rainforests in the Pacific Northwest, a history-steeped town in the South, and an art community in the Southwest. Our specialists share five less-visited destinations across the USA, helping you delve deeper into the country’s history, culture, and natural beauty.
Read this guide -
Plantation homes of the South ![Monmouth Plantation Inn, Natchez]()
Plantation homes of the South
Plantation homes of the South
Juxtaposing extreme wealth and stark poverty, the South’s plantations shine a light on the region’s past. US specialist Carla shares her recommendations on which plantations to visit for a thorough grounding in the South’s history.
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Exploring Georgia and the Carolinas ![Charleston, South Carolina]()
Exploring Georgia and the Carolinas
Exploring Georgia and the Carolinas
There’s more to the South than the food, music and culture of Louisiana and Tennessee. US specialist Molly ventured farther east to the less-visited states of Georgia, and North and South Carolina. Here, you can balance historical cities with beach relaxation and mountain scenery.
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Luxury vacations in the South ![French Quarter, New Orleans]()
Luxury vacations in the South
Luxury vacations in the South
Different to anywhere else in America, the South offers a varied trip focused around music, food, history and a mix of cultures. Specialist Alice shares experiences that can uncover a little more of the region and elevate your trip.
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Exploring the South: Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee ![Balcony, New Orleans]()
Exploring the South: Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee
Exploring the South: Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee
Your guide to exploring the South along the Mississippi River. Sample gumbo in New Orleans, examine the history of slavery at plantations, pay tribute to the King in Memphis and get a behind-the-scenes look at country music’s most storied stage.
Read this guide -
Music culture of the South ![Beale Street, Memphis]()
Music culture of the South
Music culture of the South
The birthplace of jazz, blues, rock ’n’ roll, soul and country music, the South is the US’s undisputed music capital. US specialist Natalie shares her ideas for exploring the region’s musical heritage on your vacation to New Orleans, Memphis and Nashville.
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A New Orleans food guide ![Spicy Homemade Cajun Jambalaya]()
A New Orleans food guide
A New Orleans food guide
From a steaming bowl of belly-warming seafood gumbo to a creamy-sweet praline studded with pecans to a plate of oyster Rockefeller at Antoine’s — US specialist Natalie introduces you to the distinctive culinary pleasures of New Orleans.
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Lobster rolls to mooncakes — eating in the United States ![Shrimp Po Boy, New Orleans]()
Lobster rolls to mooncakes — eating in the United States
Lobster rolls to mooncakes — eating in the United States
The fastest way to a country’s heart is through your stomach. Our specialists suggest the best ways to discover regional specialties across the United States, from creole cuisine in New Orleans to a lobster roll on Cape Cod.
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