Southern cities that are worth your time & money!
Taking the leap of faith to live in South Carolina with Pete was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. It felt like I got to live the dream that so many Midwesterner’s speak of, “to head somewhere warmer one day.” It just so happened that my one day happened when I was 22.
We called Spartanburg, SC home for a year before moving to DC (check out my post on the city here). For those of you who are unfamiliar, Spartanburg is about an hour south of Charlotte, about 3.5 hours from the beach and roughly 5 hours from Nashville. It’s actually in the most perfect little corner of the state if you ask me. Being that we are travel fanatics, we knew we had to utilize our time in the south to visit all the cities we had never explored before.
There’s a charm to all of these southern cities that I know you will love, so hopefully you can use this as inspiration for your post-quarantine trips!
Savannah, GA
Savannah, GA
We conquered Savannah in the dead of summer, with less than enough water in our bags and more clothing than our sweaty bodies could handle, but nonetheless it was pretty incredible. I feel like most people compare it to Charleston, and while I can definitely see why, I think there is a unique charm to both cities. I was really impressed by the little neighborhoods in Savannah lined with live oaks swaying into the street. Of course, there were lots of tourists in the city, but it was by no means as crowded as other major cities.
Best for:
History buffs: Almost every street has some sort of historical site for you to read about.
Ghost hunters: Allegedly Savannah is one of the most haunted cities in America, which is a reputation that they really play into with the haunted night tours and group walking throughout the city.
Seafood aficionados: You are right on the water with some of the freshest seafood in the state.
Partiers: There are no open-container laws in Savannah, which means “street sangria” and “to-go” cups are in the hands of almost all visitors at some point during their trip. (Although it is very family-friendly and not trashy at all!)
Tips:
Try out the Savannah bus tours if you are looking for more extensive knowledge on Savannah’s history.
More tips for having the best weekend in savannah here: A Weekend in Savannah
Hilton Head, SC
Hilton Head, SC
I had super high expectations for Hilton Head and thankfully it lived up to the hype. We made our way to Hilton Head for a beach day after our weekend in Savannah. We rented bikes from a sketchy rental shop in the woods and made our way through the beach town on two wheels, which is the only way to do it if you ask me.
Best for:
Beach lovers: Duh! The sand is white and the water is warm.
People with time to kill: You can easily spend your days biking along the beach or swimming in the water from sunrise to sunset. It would be ideal for a lazy weekend with the family.
Savannah tourists: They are so close together that you might as well visit both!
Tips
Visit the Salty Dog Cafe area. It’s super cute and a great spot to grab dinner in the bay. There is a small fee to get in the area, but definitely worth it.
Parking was incredibly hard. In fact the lots were full by 10 AM, which led us to bike rentals. If you can, Uber in from your hotel or stay somewhere with a shuttle.
Rainbow Row in Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC
I loved Charleston and all of its character, from Rainbow Row to the mansions near the water. There is lots to explore via foot, which makes this city so special! I would say there are little pockets of the city to explore, like the marketplace area or parkway along the water.
Best for:
Wanderers: You can explore so much from just taking a day to walk around, letting the winding roads guide you around the city.
History buffs: There are lots of buildings packed with history and plenty of tours to learn about it all (including horse-drawn carriages).
Foodies: The endless seafood, BBQ and sweets are incredible. Poogan’s BBQ, Byrd Cookies, Poe’s Tavern are some of our fav’s!
Tips:
Definitely check out Sullivan’s Island if you are looking for a beach spot, it’s not a far drive and definitely worth your time.
You have to check out College of Charleston, even if just for a photo op because it is incredibly stunning.
Stay at the Charleston Harbor Resort! It’s incredible and almost like an oasis in the Caribbean.
More info on the best food & sights in charleston : A Weekend in Charleston
Greenville, SC
Greenville, SC
I don’t think there are enough great things I can say about Greenville. This beautiful city holds such a special place in my heart! A picturesque street lined with colorful buildings is where you can spend most of your days, leisurely wandering and indulging in southern cuisine. The Reedy River flows through the city and guides the running path for bikers and runners alike.
Best for:
A quick weekend to lay low: If you flew into GSP and are looking for an easy hangout without needing a car, this is a perfect city. It’s also fun if you are looking for a weekend getaway in the US.
Southern entertainment: From comedy clubs, dueling pianos and unique outdoor bars to minor league baseball games in a “mini-Fenway” stadium, there’s a lot to experience in this little city.
Bikers: The city’s claim to fame is it’s exceptional Swamp Rabbit biking trail, and with plenty of places to rent them, there’s lots of opportunities to get out in nature.
Tips:
If you have a car, make your way to Asheville for the day. It’s a quick drive and 100% worth it!
Learn more about this place that I called home: A tour of Spartanburg/Greenville
Point Lookout Winery in Hendersonville, NC
Asheville, NC
A hipster heaven. It seems the more bizarre the fashion, the better in this city. The charm of Asheville is irresistible, with small businesses and breweries galore. There are festivals happening almost every weekend, bringing together locals and weekenders into the city. I would say this is the perfect day-trip from Greenville!
Best for:
Artsy people: There are more than a few art shops and indie stores to fulfill your crafty dreams.
Drinkers: There are TONS of wineries and breweries in the area, Wicked Weed being their better known hot-spot.
Hikers: Blueridge Parkway runs through Asheville and leads up the mountain for spectacular views and hiking trails that are definitely worth the 45 min drive up.
Tips:
Lake Lure is pretty close to Asheville, and the best place to kayak between the beautiful mountains for the afternoon. (Also for all you movie geeks, this is where Dirty Dancing was filmed. There’s even a Dirty Dancing festival haha!).
I would recommend having a car so that you can make your way into the mountains and wineries outside of the city.
My favorite winery in the area is Point Lookout. It has the BEST views of the mountains and coincidentally the best wine!
The best places to grab drinks & indulge in southern food in asheville: A guide to Asheville, NC
Gatlinburg, TN
Gatlinburg is one of those cities that is so kitschy that you either have to commit to the cheesiness or avoid it at all costs! I think this is ideal for families looking for an easy vacay with endless entertainment for kiddos, or adults looking to let loose - I know, a huge contrast. But, the adult-friendly part of the city is it’s moonshine distilleries on the main street, where $5 will have you buzzin’.
Best for:
A quick trip: I felt like 2 days was plenty to see & do everything!
Families: It is very close to Pigeon Forge, which is full of entertainment for the kiddos (think Dollywood, mini golf, mountain coasters, etc.)
Tips:
I’ve heard that renting Airbnb’s in the surrounding mountain area is fun, but if you can’t, I suggest staying close to the main street, especially if you don’t have a car.
Visiting as a tourist means you’ll be paying tourist prices, so make sure you budget for that overpriced ice cream.
How to spend your weekend in gatlinburg: My weekend in TN
Knoxville, TN
We rang in my 23rd birthday with a weekend in Knoxville, which quickly became one of my ideal quick-weekend trips! It’s not a massive city, so honestly one night seems like plenty to experience the city if you are staying in the area. However, there are great hiking trails nearby that require a little bit of a drive, and would warrant more nights in Knoxville.
Best for:
Hiking: If you like getting out & hiking, this is the place for you!
Low-key weekenders: The best parts of the weekend was our food conquests and time spent wandering the little city. It was very slow paced and relaxed.
University of Tennessee fans: Part of the charm of Knoxville comes from the proud Volunteers fans that rep their orange garb at all times. I can’t blame them though, it’s also a beautiful school for sure!
Bode Nashville in Nashville, TN
Hattie B’s in Nashville, TN
Nashville, TN
At the end of May we had the chance to visit Nashville alongside some of our college buddies, which was nothing short of a blast. Watching my childhood best friend interact with Pete’s college buddies was incredible. We stayed within walking distance to Broadway where we spent our nights dancing and drinking as visitors do. I think if I had to describe Nashville in one word it would be rowdy. But like in a very fun way. There’s banging music, swarms of bachelorette parties in matching wigs, and plenty of (expensive) drinks to be enjoyed. Overall, I would say everyone should visit at least once in their life, just make sure you are 21 before doing it.
Best for:
Young people: There’s lots to do, see and drink as a young adult.
Reunions/groups: I guarantee the louder and more excited you are about being with your crew, the more you’ll fit in.
Music fans: Although most of the music on Broadway is drowned out by the voices of drunken groups talk-shouting, there are still some places that offer a more intimate music scene outside of the main street.
Tips:
If you can, I would suggest avoiding the summer and going at the end of spring or early fall when it’s not so hot and crowded.
Avoid the touristy food traps and try some more local restaurants instead.
The absolute coolest hotel in nashville: Nashvegas
And I might have to go ahead and mark this as the longest blog yet! I hope you got a better look at some of the best places to visit in the South! We adored every single city we visited.
I hope you get the chance to visit them one day too!
Cheers!
xoxo - Katie