I have lived in the south for almost 20 years and have fallen in love with the beautiful towns, delicious food, and warm weather. Living in Georgia, I try to get away as much as possible to explore the surrounding southern states.
Although there are so many beautiful places in the south, I have focused on some of my favorite ones. Each can be visited on its own or as part of a fun southern road trip. This guide includes five of the best southern cities to visit.
Best Southern Cities to Visit
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is famous for its unique Mardi Gras celebration that takes place each year. The city is full of historic architecture, nightlife, live music, and delicious food.
The French Quarter and Bourbon Street are two of the most picturesque places to visit in the city and where you will find no shortage of bars, restaurants, and french inspired 19th-century homes.
While you are there, make sure to join one of the many ghost tours and listen to some live jazz music.
Restaurants in New Orleans
- Café du Monde is a no brainer. It is the most famous cafe in the city and for a good reason! Make sure to stop by for their beignets; they are worth the wait!
- Cochon serves some delicious cajun dishes. They are known for their traditional comfort food made with the freshest ingredients.
- La Petite Grocery is known for its creative spin on traditional New Orleans cuisine. Their blue crab beignets and unique cocktails are a must-try.
- Commander’s Palace is one of the best fine dining restaurants in New Orleans and serves all the regional classics. They have a dress code that includes colored shirts, closed-toe shoes, and no shorts/jeans. Drop-in during the week for their 25 cent martini lunch!
New Orleans Accommodations
- Henry Howard Hotel is a beautiful 1867 mansion-turned hotel located in the Garden District.
- Maison de la Luz is a luxury hotel with elegant decor. The hotel offers wine and cheese each night and breakfast buffets each day. Enjoy drinks at the Bar Marilou, which you find through a secret bookcase in the guest salon.
- The Pontchartrain Hotel is an elegant hotel located just outside of the French Quarter. Whether you stay at the hotel or not, make sure to take the hotel’s rooftop bar, Hot Tin, for spectacular views of the city.
- The Ace Hotel is a trendy 234 room hotel with a rooftop pool and gardens.
Lexington, KentuckY
Lexington is a vibrant city full of distilleries, bars, and music. Known as the birthplace of bourbon, this is a great choice if you are looking for a fun weekend getaway.
Some must-try distilleries include The Break Room, Middle Fork, and Crank & Boom. No trip to Kentucky is complete without a visit to the Keeneland Race Course.
If you are looking to spend some time outdoors, rent a bike and explore Legacy Trail.
Restaurants in Lexington
- Carson’s Food and Drink delivers upscale pub food with a unique rustic atmosphere. The glamorous decor and traditional prohibition-type cocktails make you feel like you stepped back in time. Stop by for dinner on the weekends for some live jazz music.
- Azur Restaurant and Patio is a fine dining restaurant serving European-inspired dishes. They always use the freshest ingredients, making it a popular restaurant for both tourists and locals.
Lexington Accommodations
- 21c Museum Hotel was originally used as a large bank and turned into a boutique hotel and art museum.
- The Sire Hotel is conveniently located in the Historic District and is within walking distance of many restaurants and attractions.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is hands down my favorite city. Between the Historic Downtown area and numerous beaches, it has absolutely everything you could need!
The downtown area is full of historic Antebellum homes, cobblestone streets, waterfront walking trails, and delicious seafood. It is full of history and charm at every turn. Charleton is also known as being a “foodie’s paradise” with no shortage of top-notch restaurants.
Your trip to Charleston isn’t complete without a stroll through Rainbow Row and the Battery, where you will find the most historic mansions, some of which you can stay in!
Other attractions in the city include the Waterfront Park, City Market, King Street, and historic mansion and garden tours.
Restaurants in Charleston
- The Darling is my favorite seafood restaurant. The Darling has an amazing atmosphere and some of the best oysters around.
- Chez Nous is a delightful French restaurant with a daily changing menu. Dinner consists of 2 appetizers, entrees, and desserts made with all local ingredients.
- The Ordinary was an old bank before becoming a popular restaurant. It is one of the most unique restaurants I have been to, and the food is top-notch.
- Callie’s Biscuits has the best biscuits and breakfast around.
Charleston Accommodations
- Francis Marion Hotel was opened in 1924 and beautifully restored in the 1990s. The hotel includes spacious suites, conference rooms, a restaurant, bar, spa, and ballrooms.
- Wentworth Mansion is a 19th-century mansion turned boutique hotel with 21 elegantly decorated rooms.
- The Spectator Hotel is known for its stunning 1920s decors, making you feel like you have stepped back to Prohibition times. Where you decide to stay here or not, make sure to stop by their bar for some of the most creative cocktails around.
- Zero George Street is a small hotel made from restored 1800s carriage houses. Guests can enjoy drinks and dinner in the courtyard and relax on the beautiful southern porch.
- The Vendue was a combination of five 1700s warehouses that were transformed into this contemporary hotel and art museum. Make sure to check out the rooftop bar with the best views of downtown.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is another historic town filled with historic homes, Spanish moss-lined streets, parks, and squares. This quaint city has an interesting history and is full of fascinating museums, and home to the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Over the years, the city has been revitalized, working hard to preserve hundreds of historic homes in the area.
Savannah is a lot more relaxed than other cities, allowing alcohol in public areas as well. Make sure to grab a refreshing drink while you stroll down the cobblestone on River Street.
This well-known street is lined with old warehouses that were refurbished into restaurants, art galleries, and shops.
Other must-see attractions include Forsyth Park, City Market, numerous historic museums, and ghost tours. If you have the time, take a trip out to Tybee Island for a beach day.
Restaurants in Savannah
- Collins Quarter is a delicious place to stop for breakfast and lunch.
- Leopold’s Ice Cream is hands-down the best ice cream in town. No trip to Savannah is complete without a stop at this award-winning diner, which continues to be a local favorite since 1919.
- The Peregrin Rooftop Bar has terrific views of the city and delicious cocktails. One of my favorite places to go for a drink.
- The Olde Pink House is a fine dining restaurant located in a beautiful 1700s mansion. During your visit, make sure to ask about the mansion’s intriguing history!
Places to Stay
- The Mansion on Forsyth Park is a 19th-century mansion-turned hotel. Like many places in Savannah, the hotel has a spooky history. It is a very cozy place to stay with lots of amenities that include a spa, bar, restaurant, and pool.
- The Cotton Sail is an old cotton mill that was turned into a small 56 bedroom property. It is located right on the river and has a popular rooftop bar with spectacular views.
- The Kimpton Brice Hotel is a contemporary hotel just outside of the downtown area. Guests have access to a variety of amenities, including complimentary bikes.
Nashville, Tennessee
If you are a country music fan, Nashville is a must-see city for you. Musicians and songwriters from around the country flock to this famous city to try to make it in country music.
Nashville is a lively city full of neon lights, museums, and cozy bars with no shortage of music and entertainment. There is more to the city than country music. Some other attractions include whiskey distilleries, the riverwalk, and museums.
For those country music fans, a visit to Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame is a must.
Restaurants in Nashville
- Pinewood Social is one of the most unique restaurants around. Not only is the food excellent, but they have two pools, a bocce court, and a bowling alley.
- Biscuit Love has a delicious assortment of breakfast and lunch foods. Try their deep-fried french toast biscuit from their menu!
- Ellington’s is a must-try for happy hour from 4-6 Monday through Thursday. The mid-century modern restaurant offers half-priced drinks and deals on food as well.
- Liberty Corner is a Parisian bistro just off of Broadway. Their European menu is fantastic, and it is overall a wonderful place to hang out. My favorite time to go is for brunch on the weekends when they have live music.
Places to Stay
- Noelle is situated off of Broadstreet, in the heart of the city. The 1930s building was renovated into the modern hotel it is today. Something special about this hotel is that it is also an art gallery that exhibits works from local artists.
- The Thompson Hotel is a boutique hotel in the Gulch neighborhood. The rooms are beautiful and the hotel has no shortage of amenities, including guitar lessons! One of the best features is the hotel’s rooftop lounge.
- The Virgin Hotel is located close to Music Row and Vanderbilt University. This is the perfect option if you want to be right in the middle of everything.
- Dream Nashville is an art-deco-inspired hotel with lots of nightlife options. The hotel offers six unique dinner and nightlife options, each with its own unique atmosphere.
Conclusion
The south is home to some of the most charming cities in the US. From delicious food, historic buildings, unique cultures, and attractions, there’s no shortage of delightful places to visit in the Southern US.
Enjoyed this post? Here are some other North American destinations!
Nantucket
- Travel Guide: Plan the Perfect Trip to Nantucket
- 4 Day Itinerary: What to Do in Nantucket
- The Top 15 Things to Do in Nantucket
- Foodie’s Guide to Nantucket: The Best Places to Eat
Charleston
- The Complete Charleston, SC Travel Guide,
- Weekend Getaway: 3 Days in Charleston, SC
- Zero George Review – Charleston, SC Hotels
- Top 20 Things to Do in Charleston, SC
Other North American Posts
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