Guest Author - Jacqueline L Cross

The southeastern United States, to some, seems to be a world separate from the rest of the country. It is hot and steamy, slow and easy but can also be fast paced and intense. There is something for everyone in the south. A few hours in a car will take the traveler from mountains to beaches with many great attractions along the way.

Large cities like Atlanta offer endless venues for shopping from upscale boutiques to unique shops which offer one-of-a-kind treasures. For those looking to step out after the sun goes down, nightlife in the larger cities is unlimited in its offerings for all tastes.

The thrill seeking traveler can fill the desire to push the envelope by bungee jumping at Panama City Beach, Florida, riding the Acrophobia at Six Flags Over Georgia near Atlanta or go snorkeling with wild dolphins and other creatures in Key Largo, Florida.

Families looking to vacation in the south will find Huntsville, Alabama most welcoming with all sorts of activities at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Adults might enjoy a weekend at Wind Creek Casino found in Atmore, Alabama where guest rooms are provided with 24-hour room service. The casino offers 2 lounges and 4 restaurants and state of the art electronic gaming machines.

Georgia, the Peach State, offers many attractions from Stone Mountain in the northwest to the historic city of Savannah on the Atlantic coast. From Savannah, travel southwest to Valdosta for more family fun at Wild Adventures Water and Theme Park.

Couples will find many spots across the southern U.S. for special weekend getaways, honeymoons and anniversary celebrations. Wedding chapels can be found perched on mountainsides and scattered along southeastern sandy beaches from the Atlantic coast of North Carolina southward around the Florida Keys and north and west along the Gulf coast.

The Red Horse Inn of Landrum, South Carolina was awarded the Top 10 Romantic Inns distinction in 2008 by American Historic Inns and iLoveInns.com. [1] The Inn offers rooms located in its comfortable Bed and Breakfast as well as several quaint, beautifully decorated cottages for a relaxing stay away from stressful daily living.

Hikers will find a maze of trails all over the southeast, many of which welcome overnight hikers. Mountain trails provide views of valleys, unique rock outcroppings, caves and waterfalls. Further south, hikers will enjoy Spanish moss draped Live Oak trees, sandy beach trails, swamp trails which run along rivers teaming with critters of all sizes including the American alligator.

Vacationers searching for out-of-the-way towns will find places like Port St. Joseph, Florida. Located on St. Joseph Bay on the Gulf coast, this area is often referred to as the forgotten coast. Heading a little north and west to Fairhope, Alabama, the traveler will find a sweet coastal village with more than two dozen art galleries. The town maintains its own greenhouse and keeps the beds along streets and walkways filled with fresh plantings throughout the year. Containers filled with colorful flowers and foliage can be found all over the village.

This is a small sampling of what travelers can experience in the southeastern United States. There is so much more to the south than many know. The southern states of Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina are each filled with their own surprises just waiting to be discovered.


[1] I Love Inns

Resources:
The Red Horse Inn
45 Winstons Chase Court
Landrum, SC 29356
PHONE: (864)895-4968