Your guide to exploring the Southeast

It’s vacation-planning season. And the Southeast holds a wealth of getaway ideas. From the beaches to the mountains and lots of rivers and history and good food in between, there are many ideas for traveling in this character-filled corner of the country. Here are some highlights from this wonderful regional destination.

Culture and Cuisine in Charlotte, NC

Look closely at Charlotte, North Carolina, and you’ll discover a lot. Never-before-seen masterpieces on display, exquisite entrees from renowned chefs, and mind-blowing museums are among the debuts the city has welcomed. You’ll find a lot to your liking in the Queen City…not to mention plenty of Southern comforts along the way.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame showcases decades of racing milestones and captivates visitors with interactive exhibits. Culture takes center stage at the Levine Center for the Arts, almost a billion dollar investment made up of four museums and facilities that have undoubtedly expanded Charlotte’s cultural horizons. For thrill seekers, there’s plenty to get the adrenaline pumping thanks to abundant outdoor pursuits at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. In addition, Discovery Place’s latest renovation engages young minds with an aquarium, science stations, and a state-of-the-art 3-D theatre.

After a day of play bring your appetite because Charlotte’s eager to tempt taste buds. The region may be known for stick-to-your-ribs sustenance with staples like pimento cheese and barbecue, but Charlotte’s ready to challenge even the most discriminating palate. Visitors will find worldly culinary creations ranging from perfect pad thai to satisfying sushi. Not to mention enough steakhouses to exhaust even the most enthusiastic carnivore. Find out more by visiting charlottesgotalot.com.

The Perfect Getaway to Big Cedar Lodge

Big Cedar® Lodge is the perfect place to kick back and get away from it all. Take long hikes on winding paths and backwoods trails, cast for bass in tranquil lakes, enjoy leisurely horseback rides down the canyon, wade barefoot in cool streams, or just gaze in wonder at the star-filled night sky. You’ll love the five remarkable lake-view restaurants that bring the resort’s history to life. There is simply no better way to relax and unwind. Year after year, families come to Big Cedar Lodge to do just that. They come to rediscover the things that bring true satisfaction, to escape the ordinary, and to embrace the extraordinary.

Located in the heart of the Ozarks on beautiful Table Rock Lake, near Branson, Missouri, Big Cedar Lodge was recently named one of the Top 100 Resorts by Condé Nast Traveler magazine. Make this year’s vacation your best yet. Created by Ozarks artists and craftsmen, Bass Pro Shops Big Cedar® Lodge is a great escape. Visit Big Cedar Lodge and experience your best vacation ever. Contact 800-BC-LODGE or bigcedar.com to reserve your vacation today.

Visit Awesome Alpharetta for an Adventure to Remember

There’s no better time than the present for new adventures in Alpharetta, Georgia, just 22 miles north of Atlanta. Escape to the world of the American Girl Boutique where their newest doll just made her debut. Race around the track, tackle the 30-foot rock wall, or challenge yourself to the high ropes course, all at Andretti’s Indoor Karting. Renew your artistic soul with an evening under the stars at a state-of-the-art amphitheatre. Want to kick it up a notch? Master your skills on dirt bikes and ATVs on Honda’s private courses. If your idea of adventure is an epicurean expedition, over 100 dining destinations await you, along with the only Publix cooking school in the state. Then top it off in style with a stay in one of 23 modern, upscale hotels. To help kick off your adventure, register today on awesomealpharetta.com to win a free getaway giveaway.

Inspiring Art, Incredible Cuisine, and Exciting Events in Ridgeland, MS

This and more has helped Ridgeland, Mississippi, grow from a small artist colony to a premier shopping destination. Ridgeland is also home to the Mississippi Craft Center, the Viking Cooking School, and the Natchez Trace Parkway. If you appreciate great food, the Viking Cooking School is the place to indulge your passions. The school offers recipe ideas in hands-on and demonstration classes. The Natchez Trace, a 444-mile All-American Road and National Scenic Byway, meanders through our city with miles of Scenic Trails and a roadway perfect for recreation. Our 33,000-acre Ross Barnett Reservoir features parks, campgrounds, boating, fishing, swimming, paved trails, pavilions, disc golf, and wildlife viewing. Situated near the Parkway is the 20,000-square-foot Mississippi Craft Center. Recently named Mississippi’s attraction of the year, it showcases traditional and contemporary Mississippi crafts. It houses a sales gallery, permanent art collection, and meeting space. Shopping for art in Ridgeland doesn’t end there as you admire and purchase works from our numerous art galleries, specialty shopping malls, boutiques, and antique stores. Recharge in our quality hotels, and have a delicious meal at one of 140+ restaurants. Before coming, explore visitridgeland.com to view our numerous special events.

Relax and Unwind in Seaside, FL, Cottage Rental Agency

Welcome to Seaside, Florida, and Cottage Rental Agency. Decades of expert experience and the best collection of vacation rentals makes Cottage Rental Agency the go-to host for leisure travel and special event accommodations. Beyond the acclaim received from Frommer’s and the magazines Condé Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure, exceptional guest satisfaction has led this destination to several “world best” lists. There are more than 200 private accommodations ranging from a romantic one bedroom to the largest beachfront homes in the destination, and you will feel right at home when staying in this small beach community. Embrace the luxury of simplicity.

For more information on Cottage Rental Ageny visit cottagerentalagency.com.

Celebrate 90 Years of Roses (and more) in Historic Thomasville, GA

If you’re ready to shed the cold winter weather and wake up to the warmth of spring, Thomasville, Georgia, is the place to be. Along with the roses, Thomasville bursts to life preparing for the annual Rose Show & Festival, celebrating 90 years in 2011.

Relax at one of our bed and breakfast inns or hotels. Stroll the brick-paved streets in our award-winning historic downtown, offering delectable dining and everything from the little black dress to the perfect shoes to go with it. Tour the sweeping Pebble Hill Plantation, visit one of the museums, or take a self-guided walking/driving tour, all offering a glimpse into our history and heritage.

Whether you come to see the plantations, the grand cottages, the glorious rose gardens, or to participate in one of the many cultural events or annual festivals, visit Thomasville today and take a step back in time. Thomasville is truly worth the trip!

For more information, visit thomasvillega.com.

Surround Yourself with Beauty in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains

Georgia’s Blue Ridge is located 90 miles north of Atlanta via I-575 in the North Georgia Mountains, bordered by the states of Tennessee and North Carolina. More than 40 percent of the county’s land is in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Visitors enjoy hiking to nearby waterfalls, horseback riding on forested trails, or whitewater rafting on the exciting Ocoee River in nearby Tennessee. Boating on Lake Blue Ridge and trout fishing the crystal clear Toccoa River are popular pastimes. The Blue Ridge area features a large number of luxury vacation homes and cozy cabins to choose from, as well as hotels, B&Bs, and campgrounds. Take a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, shop in charming downtown Blue Ridge and McCaysville, and don’t miss Mercier Orchards, famous for fresh fruit and fried apple pies. When in Blue Ridge, be sure to shop at the great new Welcome Center, located right off of Hwy. 515 on Orvin Lance Drive.

For more information on traveling to Blue Ridge, visit blueridgemountains.com.

Produced in cooperation with the Southeast Tourism Society, an organization dedicated to the marketing and promotion of travel and the travel industry within our twelve-member Southeastern States of AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV. Visit our Web site at: EscapetotheSoutheast.com.