Rich and eventful history, sprawling plantations, stately mansions, soulful music, comforting food, and a lot more: the Deep South of the US holds a certain fascination, and makes a great break destination for history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike! So this winter and spring, why not Go With the Wind and explore all the region has to offer, staying in amazing hotels in the small towns that give the area its old-world charm and character?

Augusta

With its canal, parks, and trails along the Savannah River, Georgia’s well-named “Garden City” provides countless opportunities for fishing, hiking, cycling, boating, etc. If it’s history and culture you’re after, you can get more than your fix at the many local museums, including the Augusta Museum of History, the Morris Museum of Art from the American South, and the 19th-century Woodrow Wilson Boyhood Home. In the evening, catch a performance at the historic Imperial Theater before laying your head down in one of Augusta’s great hotels.

Dunwoody

This suburb of Atlanta offers a quieter and cheaper accommodation alternative to the heart of the Georgian capital, with a range of well-priced hotels. Dunwoody also boasts a number of attractions in its own right: whether you’re here for leisure or business in Atlanta, take the time to indulge in the shopping and food scene, check out the Brook Run Park, Donaldson-Bannister Farm, and Dunwoody Farmhouse, or go for a ziplining adventure at the Treetop Quest Park.

Louisville

Kentucky’s largest city, Louisville hosts the Kentucky Derby at the Churchill Downs horseracing track each spring, and packs a host of fun, family- and budget-friendly activities year-round. Choose one of the affordable motels and hotels along the Dixie Highway or across the Ohio River as your base to enjoy the Louisville Waterfront Park, Kentucky Science Center, and Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. Before you leave, don’t forget to cruise aboard the United States’ oldest operating steamboat, the Belle of Louisville.

Lexington

Located in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky’s Fayette county, the university town of Lexington distinguishes itself for its sports and cultural scenes. Make the most of the “horse capital of the world” by touring the Kentucky Horse Park and the horse farms sprinkled around. Other highlights include Kentucky University, the Mary Todd Lincoln House, and the Waveland State Historic Site. For night-time entertainment, how about catching an arthouse movie at the historic, frescoed Kentucky Theatre or a play at the Downtown Arts Center, both in close reach of Lexington’s varied hotel offering?

Lafayette

Looking for a little exotic travel in the region? Then Lafayette, Louisiana is the place to go! The unofficial capital of Cajun country offers a rich, happy mix of French heritage and Spanish and African influences. Experience the best of Acadian and Creole cultures at the Acadian Village, the Vermilionville living museum, or on a Cajun food tour, and immerse yourself in nature on a swamp tour. You can avail of the city’s many cheap hotel options, such as the Hilton Garden Inn Lafayette, which is ideally situated next to the Cajundome music venue.

Have you visited the Deep South of the US? Would you consider a break in one of those Southern cities? Do you have any recommendations for things no to miss while there? Let me know in the comments below!

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