National GeographicMay 1, 2023
9 reasons to visit the American South
The US is a melting pot of cultures, creatures and cuisines. From oysters to Orange Beach, spoonbills to the Smoky Mountains, here are nine reasons to visit the South.
Striking tongue of sandstone juts over cloud-cloaked canopy.
20 things in this story
- Buffalo National RiverSightJuts out over the cloud-cloaked canopy.
- Arkansas’ ‘Natural State’SightRippling hills, waterfalls, sky-scraping peaks, stooping caverns.
- Ozark and Ouachita mountain regionsSightServe up a feast of natural wonders.
- Ozark National ForestSightEnvelops hilly oak and hickory forests and creekside sycamores.
- Whitaker Point TrailTrailWends into hardwood thickets, skirt cliff edges, pass waterfalls.
- Hawksbill CragSightStriking tongue of sandstone juts over cloud-cloaked canopy.
- Elsewhere
- Hot Springs National ParkSightHot Springs, United StatesSafeguards ancient thermal waters and century-old bathhouses.
- OzarksNeighborhoodMissouri, United StatesEsteemed chefs melding Appalachian and indigenous flavors.
- Highway 61TrailMississippi, United StatesSo-called Blues Highway, turnoff for legendary juke joints.
- Great Smoky MountainsSightTennessee, United StatesSample Appalachian cooking in a classic red barn.
- North Carolina oystersRestaurantNorth Carolina, United StatesSlurp oysters straight from the sea bed.
- seafood safariPlaceAlabama, United StatesEmbark on a safari in the backwaters of Alabama.
- Hot Springs MountainSightHot Springs, United StatesTrail reaches 994ft across the summit.
- Honeysuckle TrailTrailHot Springs, United StatesConnects to the Peak Trail for more hiking.
- Peak TrailTrailHot Springs, United StatesOffers panoramas from the 216ft Hot Springs Mountain Tower.
- Hot Springs Mountain TowerSightHot Springs, United StatesOffers panoramas from 216ft high.
- Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and PreserveSightLouisiana, United StatesOasis of bayous, boardwalks, and mysterious maritime history.
- Barataria PreserveSightLouisiana, United StatesProtects a particularly rich area of swamps and marshes.
- Lake Fausse Pointe State ParkSightLouisiana, United StatesGreat base for exploring the waters of the Atchafalaya Swamp.
- Cypress Island PreserveSightLouisiana, United StatesSwamp-knitted expanse where migratory species nest.