These 2 Surprising Southern Cities Have Become Must-Visit Destinations, According To Local Experts

Share The Article

Think you recognize The South? Think once more!

If you thought Florida’s sunshine, Charleston’s European vibes, and Savannah Banana shenanigans had been the very best methods to expertise this huge area of shoreline and historical past, Southern Living is throwing you an enormous yellow curveball in your subsequent journey.

It’s true, a pair of cities largely missed have turn out to be must-visit locations within the eyes of those revered native consultants.

After a heavy dose of analysis, we at Travel Off Path could not agree extra ourselves.

That’s why we’re skipping out on extra notable names and revealing 2 true surprises we discovered to be rising to the event when it comes to affordability, sensational delicacies, quintessential southern hospitality, and fewer crowds than you’d probably expertise elsewhere.

These 2 shocking southern cities have turn out to be must-visit locations:

Charlotte Is Far More Than An Airport Hub

No longer the sleepy pass-through metropolis you’ll have crossed in your travels as an American Airlines hub, Charlotte has rapidly remodeled into what looks like a model new metropolis you’ve got been lacking out on — myself included.

While I can solely personally attest to Charlotte’s flawless AMEX lounge, Southern Living claims that they had the pleasure of visiting the town for the primary time in years and had been shocked by what they discovered.

So, what’s North Carolina’s largest metropolis all about these days?

It’s secure to say you will now not dread having a layover right here. In truth, Charlotte is properly value being your vacation spot of selection.

Boasting a vibrant revitalized Uptown, buzzy neighborhoods like NoDa and South End, a booming beer scene, and an more and more assured meals and humanities tradition have reshaped Charlotte’s identification, pair the entire above with a handful of professional sports activities groups and this metropolis is rockin’!

Better but, Charlotte is extensively thought of each secure and inexpensive, so you will not break the financial institution, whether or not it is on accommodations or regional delicacies that can certainly have you ever drooling days later simply occupied with what you ate.

We discovered the Hilton Charlotte Uptown within the $120s this January — a steal of a deal!

Some of Southern Living’s favourite stomping grounds embrace:

Want Travel Off Path’s decide? WE received you!

Definitely make a reservation at McNinch House Restaurant, set in a mystical Victorian dwelling for a singular ambiance and prix-fixe advantageous eating well worth the splurge.

Tulsa: This Famous Route 66 Stop Is No Longer A Snoozefest

“Tulsa? Really?”, is perhaps what you are pondering. But hey, if it is adequate for Sylvester Stallone, it is adequate for us.

Dare we are saying it is…a knockout? Okay, improper Sly, however hear us out…

Tulsa has turn out to be a must-visit for an array of unusual causes, particularly its fascinating museums and scrumptious South-in-your-mouth delicacies serving up soulful consolation meals.

Southern Living raves about its meals and humanities scene, with one editor quoted as saying, “I really loved visiting Tulsa. The food and arts scene is incredible. You must buy a ticket to a show at Cain’s. It doesn’t matter who is playing, it will be fun.”

While downtown can really feel a bit ghostly, there’s nonetheless a lot to be desired throughout the town, whether or not or not it’s wide-open inexperienced house at Gathering Place or regionally beloved pockets like Brookside, however one completely must-visit is the Philbrook Museum of Art (scroll again as much as the primary picture on this article — is not it fairly?!).

I could not have stepped outdoors of Charlotte’s AMEX lounge, however I’ve been to Tulsa. I can let you know Southern Living is totally proper, saying Tulsa is an underrated must-visit.

One of my private favorites is Utica Square, a captivating open-air procuring heart anchored by native boutiques and upscale eating.

Unfortunately the Tulsa Zoo now not affords camel rides the place I pretended I struck it wealthy in Arabian oil (one can dream, proper?), however that is nonetheless one in every of America’s most underrated zoos and chock-full of enjoyable for all ages.

As far as eating places go, Southern Living is a large fan of those:

You know we gotta give our take too! Don’t sleep on century-old staple Ike’s Chili, particularly in the course of the throes of winter. What higher solution to heat up?

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist primarily based in San Diego has visited 36 international locations and written over 1000 articles with a concentrate on sharing his personal journey experiences and shining a lightweight on lesser-known gems.