The top 10 U.S. Southern cities to visit look into the geographical collection of states that are mostly situated along America’s Bible Belt. Also known as the American South and Southland, the South’s history is defined by the Mason-Dixon line, the Ohio River, and the 36°30′ parallel. Also referenced as the Missouri Compromise, part of the parallel is a boundary between the states of Kentucky and Tennessee, east of the Mississippi River and west of the Tennesee River. Another part is between Arkansas and Missouri, west of the St. Francis River. The Oklahoma Panhandle and the Texas Panhandle are also where this parallel’s boundary stretches across.
There are also boundaries set between North Carolina and Virginia. All the states involved within the Southern States are Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia (D.C.), Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. When it comes to the charm of the South, these are the states that come to mind, some more prominently than others. From them, ten cities seem to have perfected what makes them the best Southern communities to visit.
Top 10 U.S. Southern Cities To Visit
# 10 – Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of Texas. It is also part of the Texas Triangle, along with the nearest city, San Antonio. Dallas and Houston are also part of this triangle. Together, these cities sum up what the spirit of the South is really about. If you’re into the great outdoors and one of the main reasons why America is so great, Austin is one of the best cities in the Southland you can possibly visit. While here, visiting the Blanton Museum of Art and the Texas Capitol Building are worth your time. This is a mix of culture and history that defines texas. So does the McKinney Falls State Park and the historic El Camino Real de Los Tejas National Historic Trail.
Incorporated as a city in 1839, Austin’s growth rate has spiked considerably since the twenty-first century. It has nearly one million residents within city limits and over two million in its metropolitan area. The diversity of this city has given the residents a nickname known as Austinites. The popular PBS TV concert series, Austin City Limits, has given the city the unofficial title of Live Music Capital of the World. This is one of the city’s major draws when it comes to tourism. Austin also prides itself as the City of the Violet Crown as the sunsets offer a colorful range of glowing colors across the hills.
The 1830s saw Austin fight for independence from the Mexican government before becoming the Republic of Texas in 1939. From there, it grew from a town on the frontier to the city we know it today. When describing the heart of Texas, Austin represents in fine form what that means. Situated on the Colorado River, the location of Austin is at the state’s center. “Keeping Austin Weird” has been a campaign that identifies Austin as a unique city that favors family business mentality over big corp. This has made the city especially appealing among visitors who appreciate its determination to hang onto its cultural and natural landscapes.
# 9 – Memphis, Tennessee
The musical heritage of Memphis, Tennessee makes a good reason for visitors to flock to this city as a tourist destination. This is home to rock and roll and the blues, as well as the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. The beating heart of Memphis features these two genres as it pulses through the veins of locals and visitors who’ve been here. Many of those big hits that liven up the radio stations came from recording artists who called Memphis their home. If you’re a fan of music culture, Memphis is definitely worth your time. The founders and pioneers behind many American music genres ranging from country to soul came from here.
The 1950s and the 1960s featured a long list of musical talents such as Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Roy Orbison, just to name a few. Each of them got their start here in Memphis. The Father of the Blues himself, W.C. Handy came from here. If you’ve ever heard of Stax Records, the soul music sound of the 1960s was credited to them. It was grittier than Detroit’s Motown music, which enabled Booker T. & the M.G. to flourish, as well as Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett. Going into the 1970s, Memphis brought forth power pop as a musical genre, thanks to Alex Chilton, Big Star, Chris Bell, Prix, The Scruffs, and Tommy Hoehn. Adding to this roster of big-name stars includes Justin Timberlake and Kid Memphis, again just to name a few.
Fans of Elvis Presley are likely to identify Memphis with Graceland. This was his home and is one of the most visited in the United States with over half a million visitors each year. Beale Street is an entertainment district that is also part of the city’s pride and joy. The largest collection of nineteenth-century Chinese art is also in this city at the Peabody Place Museum. Not only is Memphis loaded with musical art but it’s also a favorite city to visit for its visual art. Combine this with the natural scenery in and around Memphis, and it’s easy to see why over a million people in the metropolitan area proudly call it home.
# 8 – Nashville, Tennessee
When talking about music, Nashville, Tennessee, will likely be one of the first cities that come to mind. This is also a great city known for its Southern cuisine. As someone visiting this city, the opportunity to take in great food and great music at the same time is too tempting to pass up. There are about seven hundred thousand people that call this city their home. The metropolitan population is approximately two million. Located on the Cumberland River, this also happens to be one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. It was named after Francis Nash, who was a general for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Founded in 1779, it grew quickly due to its strategic location as a port along the river. Going into the nineteenth century, the installment of the railroad made it even more attractive.
Today, Nashville has been dubbed Music City due to its influence on the music industry. The genre of country music has been at the top as part of that influence and remains the primary go-to place for aspiring artists looking to make a name for themselves. The vibrance of Nashville’s music scene is one of the main reasons why visitors come to this city. The Country Music Hall of Fame Museum is a major draw, as is Belcourt Theatre and Ryman Auditorium.
Ryman used to be the home to the Grand Ole Opry until 1974. Just nine miles east of town, the Grand Ole Opry House keeps the show going, performing throughout the week. During the winter, the Opry returns to Ryman to perform at its old stomping grounds. Each year, the CMA Music Festival draws thousands of country fans to the city. Nashville is also home to another popular music genre, contemporary Christian music. When visiting Music Row, this is there, along with its collection of historical landmarks that make this a must-visit for music lovers.
In addition to music, Nashville also serves as a city participating heavily in college and professional-level sports. This is also a city deeply committed to higher education and is often nicknamed the Athens of the South. There’s also Opry Mills, the giant shopping complex that replaced Opryland USA, a theme park that was in operation from 1972 until 1997. If parks are part of a traveler’s itinerary, Nashville has no lack in that regard. There are over ten thousand acres of parkland throughout the city that offer natural and manmade scenery and activities that adds to the energic beauty of this city.
# 7 – New Orleans, Louisiana
While New Orleans, Louisiana, is known for its extravagant annual Mardi Gras festival, it is also known for its cultural impact that spans from the earliest days of the city’s history to this very day. Founded as La Nouvelle-Orleans in 1718, the city was named after Philippe II, Duke of Orleans. He was regent of the Kingdom of France when Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville and the French Mississippi Company settled into the region. After the Seven Years’ War between the British and France, New Orleans was ceded to the Spanish Empire in the 1763 Treaty of Paris.
Going into the American Revolutionary War, New Orleans was extremely important as a port for smuggling aid to the Patriots and their allies. From the Gulf of Mexico, equipment and supplies were transported along the Mississippi River during this time. Until 1803, the Spaniards maintained control of New Orleans before it went back into the hands of the French. The old architecture of New Orleans features remnants of the Spanish period in its French Quarter district. This is where the history of a young New Orleans is felt and admired the most.
The infamous “Battle of New Orleans” came from the War of 1812 events that took place, nine years after the Louisiana Purchase between the Americans and the French was made. General Andrew Jackson did indeed meet the “bloody British” near the town of New Orleans, fighting valiantly to ward off an invasion that threatened to wrestle control away from the Americans.
The epic final battle on January 8, 1815, resulted in the British being soundly defeated, exactly as Jimmy Driftwood’s lyrics described. The duration of the fighting itself ran from December 1814 until late January 1815 before both the American and British governments finally ratified an agreement on February 16, 1815. As a city, New Orleans is proud of this important piece of American history that helped define the city as it is today. Since the beginning, New Orleans has always defied the odds. It doesn’t matter if they’re caused by nature or by man.
The heritage of New Orleans, including the trauma of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, has served as one of the leading reasons why so many tourists from all over the world come to this city. Between the architecture, the culture, the natural scenery, and the food, it remains at the top of must-see-and-do bucket lists for so many people worldwide. The hurricane did hurt the population of New Orleans as a city but it has since rebounded. Currently, there are about four hundred thousand residents in the city and over one million within its metropolitan reach.
# 6 – Louisville, Kentucky
The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is one of Louisville, Kentucky’s pride and joy as a tourist attraction. These iconic baseball bats made by Hillerich & Bradsby Company (H&B) are also behind the production of Bionic Gloves for cyclists, gardeners, and golfers. Until 2015, H&B owned the Louisville Slugger brand until it sold to Wilson Sporting Goods but the city’s factory still makes these popular baseball bats from this location.
Among tourists who also happen to be baseball fans, the museum definitely belongs on the bucket list as a place to visit. If baseball isn’t your thing, maybe horseracing is. Get in on the action at Churchill Downs. This is where the first Kentucky Derby was held as the event was hosted by the Louisville Jockey Club on May 17, 1875. This race was originally shepherded by Meriwether Lewis Clarke, Jr. He was the grandson of the infamous William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. He was also the grandnephew of Louisville’s founder, George Rogers Clark. Clark settled on Corn Island in 1778, two years before the Virginia General Assembly recognized Louisville as a town. It was named after King Louis XVI of France as he and his soldiers aided the Patriots during the American Revolutionary War.
The Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area have rapids that created a barrier when it came to traveling by river. This was the reason why a settlement began to grow when America was still young, allowing the communities of Clarksville, Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky to grow and thrive. Downtown Louisville is situated immediately south of the Ohio River and southeast of the Falls of the Ohio. The beautiful scenery that surrounds Louisville is something to behold. As a tourist destination, Old Louisville features a collection of the city’s early architecture.
The historic preservation of these Victorian-style homes and buildings is the largest of its kind in the United States. As dedicated as Louisville is to its heritage, it is equally focused on the present and the future. Downtown Louisville proudly displays a mix of today and yesterday with skyscrapers and preserved landmarks such as the Southern National Bank building. The Louisville Waterfront Park is also the city’s pride and joy, serving as a home for annual festivals, great food and culture, and more.
# 5 – Atlanta, Georgia
South of the Chattahoochee National Forest is the city of Atlanta, Georgia. If you want a truly beautiful city to visit loaded with colonial architecture, scenic landscaping, and a history that has Heart of the South written all over it, Atlanta is it. The High Museum of Art houses the works of Monet and Henry Ossawa, a must-see for fans of such incredible talent. There is also the Atlanta Botanical Garden and it’s beautiful Canopy Walk that proudly displays why the Peach State is as beautiful as it is overall. There is also the World of Coca-Cola, an absolute must about one of the world’s most popular beverage products in history. Aside from the manmade and natural beauty Atlanta offers as a city, there is also the food. The South is known especially for its cuisine and Atlanta is no exception to this tasty form of reality.
About half a million people call Atlanta their home. The metropolitan population sits at about six million people. Long before this, the indigenous Creek People called it home until European settlers forced them out shortly after the turn of the nineteenth century. In 1821, the federal government’s Indian Removal forced the Creek out in order to make room for European Americans to settle in. After the Western and Atlantic Railroad was built during the 1830s, Atlanta became a link between the port of Savannah, Georgia, and the Midwest.
The route ran south from Chattanooga to a terminus located east of the Chattahoochee River, then to Savannah. Atlanta’s Foundry Street was the location of its first terminus. When looking into the potential of Atlanta, a railroad engineer suggested it was good enough as a stopover and nothing else. Originally named Terminus, then Thrasherville, Atlanta grew into a bustling town by 1847. Thirteen years later, nearly ten thousand people called it home.
The appeal of Atlanta included its strategic geographical importance during the American Civil War. It did so again during World War II as its military bases and railway network made it a busy hub of activity. After WWII, Atlanta became a central location in the fight for human rights. Between Martin Luther King Jr. and scores of celebrities, Atlanta was at the center of civil rights movements. Today, Atlanta’s recognition as a culturally diverse city includes adopting Ray Charles’s “Georgia” as its theme song.
The 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, allowed the entire world to take in the beauty and culture of a city that perfectly defined how human beings should behave as a race. Instead of treating color as a barrier, today’s Atlanta uses a vast array of colors as the perfect example of how beauty really works. This is seen everywhere between the architecture, art, and natural beauty that sums up the energetic vibe that defines Atlanta.
#4 – Greenville, South Carolina
There are about seventy thousand people who call Greenville, South Carolina their home. This quaint city sits at the halfway mark between Atlanta, Georgia, and Charlotte, North Carolina when you travel Interstate 85. Known as the anchor city of the Upstate region of South Carolina, the metropolitan population of Greenville is well over one million people. It has recently become one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. Many people who once upon a time visited Greenville found themselves so drawn to it that they came back to become residents. As a city, Greenville has received many accolades and awards such as Best Places to Live and The South’s Most Tasteful Small Town. Greenville has also been regarded as one of the most underrated travel destinations. All of these factors contribute to why Greenville’s growth has picked up steam for nearly the past decade.
Before Greenville became a city, it used to be a major hunting ground for the Cherokee. It was off-limits to colonists until 1754 when a wealthy settler from Virginia managed to establish relations with the tribe. Richard Pearis received about one hundred thousand acres from the Cherokee in 1770 after he fathered a child with one of the women belonging to their tribe. The close relations he had with the Cherokee put him at odds against the Patriots during the era of the American Revolution. At the time, South Carolina was caught in the middle between the Loyalists and the Patriots. Pearis and the Cherokee sided with the Loyalists which would land him in jail in Charleston. Although he never returned to his plantation in Greenville, there was a Paris Mountain that was named after him. Greenville’s history is extensive and is well-covered in museums and venues that honor the city’s earliest roots. Aside from exploring history, visitors to Greenville have access to landmarks and festivals that make the city so popular among tourists.
# 3 – St. Petersburg, Florida
If you’re a fan of street art, visiting St. Petersburg, Florida, is a must. The downtown and wider areas are highlighted by this colorful collection of artworks that is kept up to date by the city itself. Lists are provided to make it easier for visitors to wander around to view the visual genius behind the talent. If you’re into eclecticism, the Salvador Dali Museum is another must a visitor needs to take in to get a feel of what makes this city so vibrant. Part of the appeal of St. Petersburg is the tiny little islands that feel like each one is its own world. When exploring the history of St. Petersburg, visitors will come across the influence of sixteenth-century Spaniards who came to the area. 1528 marked the first inland exploration of North America that had three hundred men from the Panfilo de Narvaez expedition arrive but only four survived the experience. One of the survivors wrote a book about it, which was published in Spain in 1542.
St. Petersburg itself was co-founded in 1875 by Peter Demens and John C. Williams. Williams came from Detroit while Demens was the man behind the Orange Belt Railway that had a terminal built there in 1888. Local legend has it the name of the city came from a coin toss, which Demens apparently won. He named the city after St. Peterburg, Russia, the city Demens spent half of his youth before coming to America. Four years later, St. Petersburg officially became a town once it reached three hundred residents.
Nowadays, St. Petersburg has a quarter of a million residents inside city limits. The metropolitan area has nearly three million people in total. As for the city’s first hotel, this was named by Williams. The Detroit Hotel still stands in downtown St. Petersburg on Central Avenue but has since been converted into a condominium complex. The two oldest operating hotels in the city are 1921’s Hotel Cordova (now Pier Hotel) and 1926’s Heritage Hotel (now The Exchange Hotel). These came about after St. Petersburg was officially incorporated as a city. They came along as the city focused on the development of the waterfront. St. Petersburg sits on the west coastline of Florida, facing the majestic Gulf of Mexico.
If there is a good reason to visit St. Petersburg, doing so along its waterfront is the way to do it. You’re not only taking in splendid scenery but a mix of multicultural flair between its architecture and social structure. The Old Spanish Trail lays out a dramatic flair to Mediterranean culture with its collection of country club island homes. The marinas gracing St. Petersburg accentuate the historical districts along the bay. As a travel destination, the appeal of St. Peterburg is global. Among the Canadian population, they sum up about twenty percent of visitors flock to the friendlier climate of this Florida-based city as a means to escape their cold winters.
# 2 – San Antonio, Texas
The Lone Star state has San Antonio, an incredibly beautiful city loaded with history and scenery that can easily turn a visitor into a resident. Bluntly put, if you go to San Antonio without visiting its iconic Alamo, you’re missing a golden opportunity as a tourist. Smack in the middle of the city, the echo of Alamo’s past shouts loud and clear as a reminder of the wild frontier during an era America had yet to be established as a nation. In 1691, it was named after a Portuguese priest named Saint Anthony of Padua by a Spanish expedition team. San Antonio is the oldest municipality in Texas, which was first founded as a Spanish mission and colonial outpost in 1718. In 1731, it became the first charted civilian settlement in the region.
At the time, it belonged to the Spanish Empire. The 1836 Battle of the Alamo took place here, fifteen years after San Antonio was under the control of the Mexican Republic The Alamo, plus the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. In addition to these magnificent examples of history, San Antonio also lives in the present day with its collection of other top tourist attractions. These include Marriage Island, Morgan’s Wonderland, River Walk, SeaWorld San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and Tower of the Americas.
If sports is your thing, the National Basketball Association’s San Antonio Spurs is the city’s pride and joy as a major league sports team. So is the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, which is one of America’s largest annual events of its kind. San Antonio is part of the Texas Triangle, a region within the state that takes up the southwestern corner of Central and South Texas. Because of its location, the United States Armed Forces have numerous facilities in the area.
The population within San Antonio’s city limits is over one million people. The metropolitan area has well over two million residents in total. Over sixty percent of the people who live here are Hispanic, making San Antonio the most populated city in the United States with such strong Spanish influence. It sits very close to the capital city of Texas, Austin, which is less than one hundred miles away. It is one of the cities included in the Texas Triangle, as are Dallas and Houston.
#1 – Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina sits on the state’s border with South Carolina. When exploring the Southland, Charlotte has a special charm to it that exemplifies what Southern hospitality is all about. This is also the city that has some of the state’s best amusement park rides, namely the rollercoasters, at Carowinds. Fury 325 is often recognized as one of the best rollercoasters in the world. However, if high adrenaline thrills aren’t what you seek as a visitor, there is the laid-back charm of Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. In addition to these impressive tourist attractions, Charlotte also has the reputation of having some of the best culinary treats that often take center stage when it comes to people sharing their stories about this city and its surrounding communities.
The city itself has about nine hundred thousand residents while the metropolitan area has over two million. Charlotte is also home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, a must if you’re a fan of one of America’s favorite motorsports. When not taking in all that’s trending today, Charlotte is loaded with early American history that often serves as one of the main attractions that bring so many visitors to the city year after year. Between colonial-era architecture and its reputation as one of the strongest examples of Christian-related ideologies, Charlotte was dubbed “The City of Churches” going into the nineteenth century. American evangelist and Southern Baptist minister Billy Graham was born here. Now well into the twenty-first century, the cultural and religious diversity within Charlotte has broadened considerably.
Charlotte’s charm as a city remains steadfast to its reputation as a Southern city worth visiting. It’s also a major base of activity in business, entertainment, and politics. Among the cities in the South, it has the best collection of attractions as it literally caters to every interest. More recently, Charlotte’s importance as a transportation hub has increased the appeal of this city. Its growth rate has spiked as many former visitors end up becoming residents and have also since become an important hub of information technology. Charlotte offers many annual festivals that have become the state’s top draw to lure in visitors from all over the world. No city defines the spirit of the South with the same flair quite as Charlotte.
Top 10 U.S. Southern Cities To Visit article published on BigCityReview.com© 2023
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