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.
Protects a particularly rich area of swamps and marshes.
20 things in this story
- Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and PreserveParkOasis of bayous, boardwalks, and mysterious maritime history.
- Barataria PreserveNature reserveProtects a particularly rich area of swamps and marshes.
- Lake Fausse Pointe State ParkParkGreat base for exploring the waters of the Atchafalaya Swamp.
- Cypress Island PreserveSightSwamp-knitted expanse where migratory species nest.
- Elsewhere
- Hot Springs National ParkNature reserveHot Springs, United StatesSafeguards ancient thermal waters and century-old bathhouses.
- Buffalo National RiverSightArkansas, United StatesJuts out over the cloud-cloaked canopy.
- OzarksNeighborhoodMissouri, United StatesEsteemed chefs melding Appalachian and indigenous flavors.
- Highway 61TrailMississippi, United StatesSo-called Blues Highway, turnoff for legendary juke joints.
- Great Smoky MountainsNature reserveTennessee, 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.
- Arkansas’ ‘Natural State’SightArkansas, United StatesRippling hills, waterfalls, sky-scraping peaks, stooping caverns.
- Ozark and Ouachita mountain regionsSightArkansas, United StatesServe up a feast of natural wonders.
- 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.
- Ozark National ForestSightArkansas, United StatesEnvelops hilly oak and hickory forests and creekside sycamores.
- Whitaker Point TrailTrailArkansas, United StatesWends into hardwood thickets, skirt cliff edges, pass waterfalls.
- Hawksbill CragViewpointArkansas, United StatesStriking tongue of sandstone juts over cloud-cloaked canopy.