Southern Living
Where to next? The start of a new year means an empty calendar and endless possibilities for filling it. Whether you intend to check a bucket list destination off your list, or if this is the year you finally take that trip with mom, it’s time to start planning where you want the next 12 months to take you. If you’re seeking inspiration to fuel your wanderlust, we’ve got your covered. Our editors have scoured the South for what’s new, notable, and next in 2025. From have-to-see-to-believe natural wonders to milestone theme park openings to luxury, experiential stays, these are the 25 best places to visit in the South this year. Happy traveling!
Terlingua, Texas
There is no greater pastime in West Texas than simply, and somewhat reverently, ogling one’s surroundings, especially at sunrise and sunset. The rounded walls with clear windows in the spacious camping domes at The Summit at Big Bend ensure you don’t miss either. Each one comes with a king-size bed, air-conditioning and heating, and Wi-Fi. Watch the sun hoist itself over the distant mountains, and later enjoy unmatched stargazing. (The area, including nearby Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park, is an International Dark Sky Place.)
summitbigbend.com; 2500 N Lone Star Mine, Terlingua, TX 79852; 432-220-3383
Chattanooga, Tennessee
With its 25 shiny vintage train carriage rooms, a retro outdoor pool bordered by striped lounge chairs and umbrellas, a caboose turned cantina, and a manicured courtyard, The Hotel Chalet feels a bit like a Wes Anderson movie tucked away behind the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo train station. But this hideaway is all real and becoming one of the city’s most memorable places to stay. The latest addition, the MacArthur Suite, has a private poolside terrace and sleeps up to four. Elsie’s Daughter, the on-site restaurant, is an elegant, candlelit spot that suits the hotel well.
thehotelchalet.com; 92 Choo Choo Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37408; 423-266-5000
Cape Canaveral, Florida
With 18 decks to wander and the capacity for more than 5,500 guests, Royal Caribbean’s latest cruise ship is essentially a floating city. Star of the Seas will depart from Cape Canaveral, with its maiden voyage planned for August 31. Travelers will have their choice of weeklong Caribbean routes, and all include a stop at Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. The boat has eight distinct neighborhoods, including The Hideaway, an adults- only area with a beach-club feel and incredible ocean vistas.
royalcaribbean.com; 866-562-7625
Bentonville, Arkansas
Art in all its glorious forms—visual exhibits, music, film, food, and dance—is embraced at The Momentary, a free contemporary museum that, alongside the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, has changed the cultural landscape of Northwest Arkansas. This year, it celebrates its fifth birthday with a big party in February. And on May 16 and 17, the FreshGrass Festival, a showcase of bluegrass and progressive roots music, will return across multiple stages. Past headliners have included Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway.
themomentary.org; 507 SE E St., Bentonville, AR 72712; 479-367-7500
Clermont, Kentucky
Some things you might see here: a larger-than-life wooden sculpture of a giant resting against a tree, a boardwalk suspended 75 feet above the ground, and a prairie garden surrounded by vibrant redbud trees. The 16,000-plus-acre forest was founded by Isaac W. Bernheim in 1929 to protect native flora and fauna in the watershed. Its latest development, L+A+N+D, represents the intersection of landscape, art, nature, and design through a series of ever-changing and immersive outdoor installations.
bernheim.org; 2075 Clermont Road, Clermont, KY 40110; 502-955-8512
Canyon, Texas
Palo Duro swells over the Caprock Escarpment of the Texas Panhandle with steep-sided walls rising up to 800 feet in a kaleidoscope of colors that seem to shimmer at dusk, drawing photographers from around the world to capture the mirage-like effect. Named in Spanish for this area’s juniper trees, it’s the second-largest canyon in the country, and the accompanying state park spreads out over 30,000 acres. From scenic lookouts, marvel at geological features such as arched natural bridges and fossils from the Triassic period.
tpwd.texas.gov; 11450 Park Road 5, Canyon, TX 79015; 806-488-2227
New Orleans, Louisiana
One of the charms of Preservation Hall is that it has hardly changed since it became a hot spot for jazz in 1961—from the wooden benches to the songs performed in the small concert hall. This year, an ambitious project will keep that history alive while providing room for it to grow. A new space adjacent to the original building will add 7,000 square feet for shows, exhibitions, and more. This building also has a storied past: It was formerly La Spectacle, the city’s first theater, which was built in 1791.
preservationhall.com; 726 Saint Peter Street, New Orleans, LA 70116; 504-522-2841
Montgomery, Alabama
The Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice opened in the first capital of the Confederacy in 2018, drawing people from all over the world. The site, which documents the legacy of slavery in America, uses first-person narratives, art, educational exhibits, and interactive media to tell a comprehensive story. Now the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park finds yet another way to illustrate our country’s fraught history—through large-scale sculptures. The site lies on 17 acres along the Alabama River, a waterway that facilitated the passage of tens of thousands of enslaved workers. Visitors can step inside original plantation dwellings, as well as into replicas of train cars used for human transport. The National Monument to Freedom, the park’s central feature, pays homage to over 4 million formerly enslaved people who won freedom after the Civil War.
legacysites.eji.org; 831 Walker Street, Montgomery, AL 36104; 334-386-9100
Mountain towns have a special kind of strength. Try to knock one down, and be prepared to witness the kind of comeback they make movies about. In Asheville, catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Helene in September 2024 has made way for a big year of rebuilding and new growth in 2025. Favorite places like the Biltmore Estate and Omni Grove Park Inn are back up and running, and the beloved Blue Ridge Parkways continues to reopen in stages. But new spots are also moving forward full steam ahead—especially in the city’s accomplished dining scene. Try focaccia sandwiches at Flour Asheville’s new outpost inside S&W Market. Potential New Boyfriend is a cozy-cool wine and dessert bar with a pronounced love for vinyl, and James Beard Finalist Neng Jr.’s has plans for a next-door bottle shop and expansion that will double its dining capacity. Need a sparkling new place to stay? AutoCamp’s timeless glamping airstreams will debut on the banks of the French Broad River in September.
exploreasheville.com
Kingville, South Carolina
Each spring, this park’s resident fireflies create a magnificent display deep in its dense hardwood forest. When dusk descends into darkness, thousands of the insects light up in unison to the beat of some imperceptible drum. Congaree, along with Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Allegheny National Forest, is one of only a handful of places nationwide where you can see these beautiful shows. Due to high demand, you’ll have to score a lottery ticket via the National Park Service’s website, which opens its annual draw at the end of March or beginning of April.
nps.gov; 803-776-4396
Gay, Georgia
There are resorts set in nature, and then there is Quercus. Situated on 3,800 peaceful wooded acres, it was originally founded in the 1970s to be a working farm, cattle ranch, hunting reserve, and home for an Italian duke and duchess. Most of those things remain today, with the addition of four beautifully furnished, expertly designed guesthouses and Uberto, a restaurant with a garden-to-table tasting menu by chef Ryan Smith of Atlanta’s Staplehouse. Take part in activities like horseback riding, kayaking, and fishing on the Flint River, or just enjoy the quiet. Although the property itself is expansive, everything is tailored to a small number of guests, so it feels like a private escape.
worldofquercus.com; 208 Caldwell Street, Gay, GA 30218; 770-884-4434
McHenry, Maryland
Western Maryland is known for its towering mountains and scenic railroad line, making it an obvious choice for a fall getaway. But in McHenry, the sprawling Deep Creek Lake beckons visitors during all four seasons. In summer, the 3,900-acre oasis is abuzz with activity, from boaters to anglers to families just looking to cool off. Autumn brings leaf peepers seeking the intoxicating colors of fall foliage, and in the winter, there’s even ice fishing. To celebrate its 100th birthday, events are planned for nearly every month of 2025. Highlights include a boat parade on June 21, a festival at the fairgrounds on July 19, and a gala on August 23.
Nashville, Tennessee
When a country radio show called the WSM Barn Dance first aired in 1925, no one could have imagined that it would evolve into Nashville’s most legendary showcase for musicians. Over the past 100 years, the Mother Church of Country Music has seen every evolution of the genre, from Bill Monroe to up-and-comers like Charley Crockett. To celebrate, the Opry 100 will offer a year of special tours, tribute concerts, debut performances, and more.
opry.com; 600 Opry Mills Drive, Nashville, TN 37214; 800-SEE-OPRY
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
If you’re looking for the ultimate springtime day trip, go to the Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Reynolda Gardens, and Reynolda Village, located on and around Wake Forest University. The property and former country home of R.J. Reynolds and Katharine Smith has a multitude of things to see and do on its 1,067 acres. Stroll the formal gardens, which include flowering bulbs, azaleas, and the largest cherry tree display in the Carolinas. Don’t miss the restored 1913 Lord & Burnham Greenhouse. Tour the 64-room Reynolda House Museum of American Art, with its period interiors and galleries of paintings and other works. Then enjoy a meal and shopping at Reynolda Village, a retail area housed in historic buildings.
reynolda.org; 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106; 888-663-1149
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
From Bricktown to Automobile Alley, the Sooner State capital is a destination defined by its neighborhoods. Now the Horizons District is set to make a massive splash thanks to a forthcoming $400 million development next to the First Americans Museum, which opened in 2021. The 175,000-square-foot facility offers an immersive and educational experience built around the stories of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. In February, Okana Resort & Indoor Waterpark will join it, adding a riverfront hotel, an amphitheater, retail options, a spa, restaurants, a family entertainment center, and a water park. Guided by the Chickasaw Nation, Horizons’ blend of entertainment and education hopes to serve as a model for more meaningful projects to come.
South Florida
This peninsula may be a slim strip of land, but it’s undergoing a hotel boom. The Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences is a luxury property that aims to be a wellness destination. In the four-story spa, you can get a massage or a facial, as well as treatments like hydrotherapy and chakra balancing. The Singer Oceanfront Resort (above) offers pool cabanas, bike rentals, and food and drinks you can enjoy right by the water. And a renovation at the Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa has added a Mediterranean restaurant, Ona Coastal Cuisine.
LaGrange, Georgia
You’re likely familiar with Callaway Resort & Gardens, the azalea-filled property in Pine Mountain, Georgia. Founded in 1952 by textile magnate Cason J. Callaway and his wife, Virginia, it has grown to include restaurants, a lodge, a spa, and more. But the Callaway legacy doesn’t end there. About 40 minutes away is a lesser-known yet equally beautiful treasure—their former family home, Hills & Dales Estate. The 1916 Georgian-Italian villa is famous for its boxwoods, camellias, and orchids. Its 1841 grounds are considered some of the best-preserved 19th-century gardens in America. With plants and flowers to view in every season, it’s a wonderful place to explore. The house, which contains much of the original furniture and art, is also open to the public.
hillsanddales.org; 1916 Hills and Dales Drive, LaGrange, GA 30240; 706-882-3242
Richmond, Virginia
The latest offering from the Ash hotel group, Shenandoah Mansions, will open in April. As with sister properties Hotel Peter & Paul in New Orleans and Ulysses in Baltimore, a stay here is meant to be a memorable experience. American folk art inspired much of the design, which has hand-painted tiles and block printed quilts. History plays a role too: Some rooms, like the Lady Estelle suite, are named for area leaders, such as the late social activist Virginia Estelle Randolph.
ash.world/hotels/shenandoah-mansions; 501 N. Allen Ave., Richmond, VA 23220; 804-381-0099
Orlando, Florida
Set to open in May, Universal Epic Universe has five worlds that together offer 50 unique experiences. Guests will go through the Chronos portal into the Celestial Park, featuring a constellation-themed carousel, an interactive fountain and splash pad, and a dual-launch coaster called Stardust Racers. Four more portals lead to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon—Isle of Berk, Super Nintendo World, and Dark Universe. Stay inside the resort at the Universal Helios Grand Hotel.
universalorlando.com; 1001 Epic Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819; 407-363-8000
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
It might sound strange, but up until recently, Dollywood was a little short on the country star herself. Sure, her spirit and songs permeate every corner of the famous park, but since its museum, Chasing Rainbows, closed in 2021, there hasn’t been an area dedicated to all things Dolly. Thankfully, a new attraction remedies that and then some. Three times the size of the old museum, it tells her story through three interactive exhibits: Songteller (her life and career), Behind the Seams (her iconic style and wardrobe), and Precious Memories (a tribute to her friends and family).
Big things are on the horizon for Kentucky’s second-largest city as it marks a milestone birthday. In June, it will host Come Home Month with a series of special happenings headlined by SoulFeast Week, a 10-day celebration of Black chefs, restaurateurs, and farmers. In the fall, Keeneland, a historic racetrack and the world’s largest Thoroughbred horse auction house, will debut a three-level paddock building along with additional hospitality venues. The $93 million undertaking will include panoramic rooftop views and dining options.
Whitwell, Tennessee
Glamping is extremely popular, and Bolt Farm Treehouse continues to expand the definition of this type of stay. In addition to tree houses, domes, and mirror cabins (tiny homes with floor-to-ceiling windows made of reflective glass), the property atop Whitwell Mountain plans to open a spa—complete with stone hot spring pools, a cold plunge pool, mirrored sauna, steam room, and yoga deck—this quarter. Choose from a menu of facial and body treatments, and then enjoy the vast scenery—from here, you can see three states. Afterward, if you’re feeling hungry, meals made by private chefs can be arranged.
boltfarmtreehouse.com; 423-556-3365
Brooksville, Florida
The Cabot Collection includes luxury golf resorts in Canada, St. Lucia, France, Scotland, and now a small town about an hour north of Tampa. Cabot Citrus Farms, the newest addition to the brand’s portfolio, has two 18-hole courses and two shorter ones (the 11-hole option is lit up at night). Located on Florida’s Nature Coast, the property is a picturesque landscape of pine, palmetto, and oak trees among sandy dunes. Between rounds, golfers can access multiple dining options; a sporting club; and The Porch, a hangout area with cornhole, bocce ball, croquet, and more. Guests who want to make it a weekend can choose from two- and four-bedroom cottages complete with kitchens and patios.
cabotcitrusfarms.com; 17590 Ponce De Leon Boulevard, Brooksville, FL 34614; 352-796-5500
Shelbyville, Tennessee
With 202 stools and a counter spanning 518 feet, the bar at Humble Baron is so long it set a Guinness World Record. The sight of it alone is enough of a reason to grab a drink here, but this place is historic in more ways than one. It is located at Nearest Green Distillery, named for Nathan “Nearest” Green, the first known African American master distiller. While Jack Daniel is a name even teetotalers recognize, fewer people know that Green taught Daniel how to make whiskey and later became his first master distiller. (You can read all about it in the fascinating book Love & Whiskey by Fawn Weaver, founder of the Uncle Nearest brand.) Green would likely be proud of the award-winning bottles being produced today. You can taste them at Humble Baron, where beverage director Akinde Olagundoye and his team mix up classic cocktails and create new ones.
humblebaron.com; 3125 US-231, Shelbyville, TN 37160; 931-909-6610
Meadows of Dan, Virginia
Although it’s been open since the early 2000s, the 12,000-acre property, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, recently unveiled a significant overhaul by Chad Dorsey Design. Dorsey, drawing on his Tennessee roots, hit refresh on the lodge’s public spaces, including the stately great hall; the study; and Leatherflower, a restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner daily. The menu takes guests on a culinary journey through Appalachia and the South with dishes like smoked trout hush puppies and roasted halibut with grits and andouille vinaigrette. With its rustic exposed beams, antiques, and layered fabrics (like plaid banquettes and floral grass cloth wall coverings), the restaurant feels like a taste of Europe in the Blue Ridge Mountains. And there’s another new offering: two tree houses where you can admire the breathtaking landscape.
aubergeresorts.com; 2000 Busted Rock Road, Meadows of Dan, VA 24120; 276-222-6837
