Every town in the Southeast might be historic and charming, but there's something about Sylva's character and people that keeps visitors coming back. This is the kind of place where outdoor adventure is minutes from downtown and where names and stories are still known. We've long said Sylva is 'in the middle of the most,' and that still holds true today.
Abingdon is easy to access just off Interstate 81. This little town has many charms-from its 20-block historic district to the 34-mile Virginia Creeper Trail. Add to that a thriving creative community, exceptional dining at The Tavern (the state's oldest bar), and homey accommodations, and you have a pretty darn close to perfect Blue Ridge Mountain getaway destination.
Mount Airy isn't trying to be everywhere else-and that's exactly why it stands out. It offers a true sense of place, rooted in tradition but evolving with purpose, where the pace slows down just enough to remind you what travel is supposed to feel like.
Nashville may be known as the 'Music City,' but it was Knoxville where several artists, including a young Dolly Parton, actually cut their teeth. The city has a self-guided tour to give you important intel on the music industry and a lay of the land for your trip.
Taking its name from the word for "boiling waters," Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park in Georgia dates back more than 12,000 years and features Indigenous earthen mounds used for burials and ceremonies. Today, it's in talks to be designated a national park with expanded acreage. "This was a capital city for the Creek Confederacy," says Tracie Revis, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and director of advocacy for the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative (ONPPI).
I was wandering through West Asheville one day, past vintage storefronts and sun-washed sidewalks, when I noticed a doorway overflowing with green. Ferns spilled outward, vines climbed the windows.
Jenna is a Senior Digital Editor at Southern Living. She has worked on the digital team for nearly 10 years. She joined the team as a Digital Production Assistant in 2014 and has helped the brand grow its digital presence ever since. She writes, produces, and assigns content with a focus on email growth. She also ensures that new content is optimized using SEO best practices and helps use search potential to pitch new content ideas.
About forty miles outside of Birmingham, Alabama, tucked into the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, sits one hole-in-the wall U.S.-based restaurant with food good enough to convince customers to load up the car and take the hour-long drive necessary to grab a plate. Chefs Valentin and Jose aren't cooking up Old World food exactly, but rather a combination of the hearty, comforting dishes that have come to define Italian-American cuisine, steaks of all sizes, and a variety of seafood dishes to boot.
"Today, another kind of treasure typically lures travelers to Franklin, though, one found among the trails, waterfalls, and scenic byways of the community. Surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest, and a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, Franklin is closely tied to the Appalachian Trail, and became the first designated Appalachian Trail Community in 2010, welcoming travelers with open arms."
Waffle House is made for late-night dining Habesen/Getty Images Waffle House's logo is classic by day, but at night, it transforms into "a beacon of hope" - a title bestowed by Anthony Bourdain on " No Reservations," amid his first visit alongside Sean Brock, which just so happened to be late at night. With virtually no other chain serving breakfast food 24/7, Waffle House's reliability is certainly part of the magic.
In many ways, western North Carolina destinations-like Asheville, Highlands, Hot Springs, and Waynesville, to name just a few-are quite similar. There's typically a genuine appreciation of art, music, food, and craft beer, and life tends to revolve around the great outdoors. And why shouldn't it? The Appalachian Mountains have created a lush, green paradise in this region, complete with stunning views, amazing hikes, and plenty of fresh air.