Southeast

From the Blue Ridge, Great Smoky and Ozark Mountains to the Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico beaches, there’s so much to experience. Regardless of your recreational fitness, there are state and national parks that provide hiking and biking trails. Take in the picturesque scenery, wildflowers, birds and animals at your own pace. Keep those new walking shoes clean on a paved path, or get your best hiking boots dirty. Either way you’ll enjoy the mountains. If water sports are more your group’s thing, you’ll find a plethora of lakes, rivers, streams and brooks in every state. And there’s even more at the coast, including boating, kayaking, canoeing, fresh and saltwater fishing and even shrimping.

Sooner or later, you may want to get off the trail or out of the water and that’s when the South shines. From Civil Rights to the Civil War, there are sites and stories to be told. Southerners like to cook and share their creations with visitors, including seafood that likely slept off shore the night before. Then there’s the music. So much of our music originated in the South, including old time mountain music, blues, bluegrass, jazz and rock n’ roll. It’s all still being played on the street, and in juke joints, clubs, theaters, concert halls and stadiums in the South.

Photo courtesy of NPS

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

SOUTHEAST

ALABAMA

The Alabama Civil Rights Trail highlights attractions and points of interest in Montgomery, Birmingham, Marion, Selma, Tuskegee and other smaller communities along the way. The subhead of the guide says it all: “What happened here changed the world.” As you travel the Civil Rights Trail, bring your appetite. Whether it’s fresh-from-the-Gulf seafood or wonderful Alabama BBQ, awardwinning chefs are creating works of art.

There’s more art than what’s in the kitchens. Birmingham, Huntsville and Mobile each have world-class art galleries. Just outside Mobile, Bellingrath Gardens & Home is a 54-acre garden paradise and home of Walter and Bessie Bellingrath until their passing. There’s always something blooming throughout the year with special events showcasing the garden’s beauty. Popular events include the Mobile Area Orchid Society’s 44th Annual Orchid Show and Sale, Rose Bloom Out and the 60th Annual Fall Outdoor Cascading Chrysanthemums. >> bellingrath.org

Photo courtesy of Bellingrath Gardens

Bellingrath Gardens Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort

ARKANSAS

Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort opened in April 2021 after a $1 million expansion with its newly expanded, state-of-the-art casino and hotel & spa. Oaklawn is Arkansas’s only thoroughbred racetrack, and the racing and luxury themes are carried throughout the renovations. The casino offers live craps and blackjack along with popular slot games, live music, Silks Bar & Grill and a sportsbook area that’s perfect for wagering and watching the games. The hotel offers a wide variety of room choices and suites, many overlooking the historic track. >> oaklawn.com

FLORIDA

Located in Pensacola, National Naval Aviation Museum is one of the world’s largest military and aerospace museums. More than 150 beautifully restored Navy, Marine and Coast Guard planes are on display, along with 4,000 artifacts. There are flight simulators to test your skills and a Giant Screen Digital Theater. Grab lunch at the Cubi Bar Café and make sure to grab a memento at the Flight Deck Store. >> navalaviationmuseum.org

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park houses the most comprehensive collection in the world of

Photo courtesy of National Naval Aviation Museum

National Naval Aviation Museum Charles Hosmer Morse Museum

Photo courtesy of Kentucky Tourism

Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate

Photo courtesy of Visit West Baton Rouge

West Baton Rouge Museum Mississippi Music Tour

the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany. Those works include the artist and designer’s jewelry, art glass, leaded glass lamps and windows, paintings and pottery. Many of the art and architectural objects from his Long Island country estate—Laurelton Hall—are included. Other museum holdings feature American art pottery, late 19th and early 20th century American paintings and decorative art. >> morsemuseum.org

KENTUCKY

In Lexington, Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate tells the story of the politician and the love for his farm and the land that surrounded the stately home. Tours of the estate tell of its history, the women and enslaved residents of Ashley, the Civil War and Ashland and the Foodways of Ashland. Two U.S. Navy vessels have been commissioned in honor of Clay’s estate, and in 1964 the USS Henry Clay (a nuclear-powered Polaris Missile submarine) was commissioned. >> henryclay.org

LOUISIANA

Following the winding Mississippi River, you’ll discover West Baton Rouge Parish just across the river from the Louisiana state capital. A full day begins at the Mighty Mississippi River Overlook followed by exploring West Baton Rouge’s history and food scene. Plan to stay for a few day trips to explore Baton Rouge, Lafayette, the North or South River

LeFleur’s Bluff State Park, MS

Photo courtesy of Visit Jackson

Jackson, MS

Parishes, Cajun Country and New Orleans. Your perfect Louisiana Hub & Spoke location. >> westbatonrouge.net

MISSISSIPPI

Mississippi has so much to offer groups of all sizes and interests. There are Civil War and Civil Rights sites worth more than a moment’s silence. So much of America’s music was born and raised in Mississippi, and there are still hot spots to hear your favorite sounds. There are antebellum homes with their own history and a Writers Trail with its own history to share. There are world-class casinos, and when you’re ready

SOUTHEAST

Photo courtesy of Visit Ridgeland

Ridgeland, MS

Photo courtesy of Harrah’s

Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort Crystal Coast

to step outside there are beaches, lakes, golf courses and nature trails to discover. >> visitmississippi.org

The City of Jackson will be celebrating its bicentennial in 2022. In preparation, the Museum Trail first phase has been completed to connect the Mississippi Farmers Market with access to three parks and six museums. Phase 2 will get started in 2022, and “The Great Migration” exhibit is coming to the Mississippi Museum of Art in April. The Robert St. John Helmed Capri theater/bowling alley/tiki bar project will get underway in 2022. >> visitjackson.com

Located in Metro Jackson, Ridgeland is a wonderful community with a crowd-pleasing mix of amenities, attractions, accommodations and experiences. Those Ridgeland signatures combine to something for every group, whether it’s a tour, reunion, sports tournament or extended family getaway. Whether it’s a Reservoir (The Rez!) Weekend, Exploring Wine, Food & Art, a Girlfriends Getaway, or a Two Wheels Weekend, Ridgeland has it all. >> visitridgeland.com

NORTH CAROLINA

Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel is the perfect place to get away and play, and it’s located in Murphy, NC – a short, easy drive from Atlanta and Chattanooga. It offers 60,000 square feet of the hottest slots and traditional table games like blackjack, roulette, baccarat and craps. >> caesars.com/ harrahs-cherokee-valley-river

Considered the Southern Outer Banks of North Carolina, the Crystal Coast is 85 miles of beautiful beaches dotted with towns offering a blend of history, nature, water sports and culinary offerings highlighted by signature seafood dishes. Throughout the 11 communities there is plenty to see and do and an abundance places to just lay back and enjoy your time at the beach. >> crystalcoast.org

SOUTH CAROLINA

Myrtle Beach offers visitors more than 60 miles of wide, sandy beaches. There is a wide variety of entertaining options to be found at Visit Myrtle Beach. Seven live theaters will keep you entertained, while a beautiful sculpture garden will satisfy your craving for art. The dining is superb with hundreds of restaurants offering a taste for every palate. If one outlet mall is good, two must be even better, along with three malls and the new urban village: Market Common. >> visitmyrtlebeach.com

Photo courtesy of Visit Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach

Photo courtesy of NarroWay Productions

NarroWay Productions Cumberland River, TN

In Fort Mill, SC just outside Charlotte, NC NarroWay Productions is providing live Christian performances in a dinner theater setting. Upcoming productions for 2022 will include Anno Domini, The Fourth Cross, Jesus the Teacher, Lord of Light, and The Gospel According to Tennessee. >> narroway.net

TENNESSEE

Plan a fun, memorable tour to Clarksville. Begin in the downtown historic district with its significant architectural elements, restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques and entertainment at the Roxy Theater. Tour and taste at Beachaven Vineyard & Winery, Tennessee’s oldest single-family winery. The fascinating Customs House Museum & Cultural Center is the state’s second-largest history museum and possibly its most-photographed. >> visitclarksville.com

With eats and entertainment for all ages, Fifth + Broadway is changing the way Nashville lives, works and plays. Enjoy premier shopping and ridiculously good food at Apple Store, Ariat, Free People, Cava, Hattie B’s, Shake Shack, Slim & Husky’s and much more all while taking in the downtown views. From lunch breaks to post-concert hangs, this multi-level mecca is a place to see. >> fifthandb.com

Whether your group is looking for a do-itall fun or a relaxing getaway, Pigeon Forge is waiting with Great Smoky Mountain views and plenty of ways to make it a trip to remember. Enjoy down-home dining experiences and take in show-stopping theatrical performances. Visit Dollywood, go to museums, shop and so much more. >> mypigeonforge.com

Fifth + Broadway

Pigeon Forge

ACTUALLY,

YOU CAN PLEASE ALL THE PEOPLE ALL THE TIME.

Inspire miles of smiles for your tour group with hundreds of unique attractions conveniently located in one beautiful mountain town. Stunning views, shows, Dollywood, down-home cooking, arts, crafts and much more make us a destination to remember.

PigeonForgeTours.com 1-800-285-7557