The open road leads to a sublime sort of freedom. And during summer, we can think of no better region to journey through than the South. In Travel South, our first-ever special issue dedicated to journeys through this region we love to call home, we venture on and off the beaten path to help you discover your next getaway. From long weekends in idyllic small towns to dream beach vacations, each featured destination is interesting and beautiful in its own way.
Perhaps you’ll sample a Snoball at Hansen’s Sno-Bliz in New Orleans or take a carriage ride down Charleston’s cobblestone streets. You can watch the Blue Angels air show in Pensacola or stay at a Texas inn known for its particular style of rustic luxury. We pay careful attention to the historical sites, creative boutiques, and local restaurants that are the bread and butter of an excellent trip. We also introduce you to the innkeepers, shop owners, artists, and barbecue pitmasters who make each place an ideal travel destination.
A road trip wouldn’t be complete without the perfect soundtrack, so we turned to the music experts at Central Square Records in Seaside, Florida, to hand-select the ideal playlist. Full of earthy and soulful sounds, it’s no surprise that most of these artists hail from the South. Whether you’re headed for the rolling hills of Kentucky or the salt marshes of the Carolina Lowcountry, these songs are perfect for gazing out the window and watching the landscape roll by.
Travel South Playlist
- Long White Line by Sturgill Simpson (Jackson, Kentucky)
- If Not For You by Shakey Graves (Austin, Texas)
- Flash In a Pan by Owsley Brothers (Freeport, Florida)
- Forgotten Coast by James McMurtry (Forth Worth, Texas)
- Otis by Houndmouth (New Albany, Indiana)
- Nothing to Lose by Andrew Combs (Dallas)
- Elevator Operator by Courtney Barnett (Melbourne, Australia)
- 4th and Roebling by The Districts (Lititz, Pennsylvania)
- Shake Sugaree by Rhiannon Giddens (Greensboro, North Carolina)
- Voodoo Doll by Diamond Rugs (Atlanta and Athens, Georgia; Providence, Rhode Island; and elsewhere around the country)
- End of the Line by Hurray for the Riff Raff (New Orleans)
- Broken Heart Tattoos by Ryan Bingham (Los Angeles)
- Black Ribbon by The Tall Pines (Brooklyn, New York)
Where will your summer travels take you?
