The South is full of surprises, but perhaps nothing more eye-popping is that one of America’s lesser-known cities welcomed a record number of visitors. While multiple reports claim Louisiana tourism overall had a down year, one of the lone bright spots was its shimmering waterfront capital, perched along the world-famous Mississippi River. Brimming with vibrant culture just …

It used to be that those with South Carolina on the brain were likely scoping out one of two places. You know the ones — Charleston and Myrtle Beach, to no surprise. While SC’s most famous getaways are still drawing crowds, another unsuspecting city is hogging the spotlight so much that it’s been dubbed the …

Rather than following the path laid before you to the titans of tourism, such as Cancun, Cabo, Miami, and the like, fall is an excellent time to explore new shores. No matter the time of year, globally renowned paradises draw a crowd. Of course, summer tends to be when travelers max out their PTO for …

Life in the big city isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. If we turn back the clock to my 25-year-old naive self, I thought moving to the tallest building in San Diego was a surefire way to happiness. Despite the epic views from my balcony, I still look back at that place as a …

10 million people flock to a vibrant coastal city in Texas, yet it still flies under the radar. Often overshadowed by the Caribbean-esque beaches of Florida and even neighboring Gulf Shores, Texas is commonly seen viewed as a hootin’ hollerin’ good time in many of the state’s inland cities. Texas may not have a seat …

Beach season is still in full force, and you don’t have to go to California or Florida or put your passport to use in Cancun to enjoy an awesome beach vacation. Florida seems to steal most of the glory in the South, with Gulf Shores not far behind, but there are more southern coastal destinations well worth …

The South gets a bad rap more often than not. There’s a lot more here than a bunch of hicks letting life slip by on their front porch. Yes, there are definitely some podunk towns you can easily skip, but there are also some really cool cities well worth exploring. Since southern cities are often …

New Orleans has long been the pride and joy of the Bayou State – you know, phenomenal Cajun cuisine, world-renowned nightlife, and some of the most awe-inspiring architecture in the entire U.S. Otherwise, Baton Rouge is really the only other notable city nestled between the state’s numerous delightful towns and vast marshy swamplands. Well, that’s …

Deep in the heart of Arkansas, hugged by scenic mountains, winding waterways, and charming small towns, lies a historic city that is too often overlooked against the usual mainstays of the South. Being the most notable destination in Arkansas, Little Rock is one of those cities big in size with a small town feel. However, …

New Orleans is truly captivating in the best of ways and some not so good. Take it from me, a multi-time visitor. One minute, you’re blown away by the French Quarter’s timeless architecture and the next, your nostrils are hit with a lingering reminder of Bourbon Street’s aftermath. Despite being the shining star of Louisiana, …

Other than the mysteries of Appalachian folklore, the South has to be the most misunderstood region of the U.S. It’s often portrayed as a mecca for low-life porch sitters who have nothing better to do than chug sweet tea and debate the proper pronunciation of “pecan.” It’s definitely peh-cahn, by the way. Growing up in …

Spring Break doesn’t always mean escaping to a Florida beach to shotgun beers and yell “woo!” every so often. In fact, the South offers far more than Florida. There are some incredible cities to visit this spring with no beach anywhere in sight. Texas is certainly one of those destinations despite having a sprawling coastline …