Tag: Atlanta

The Future of Southern Travel Starts in These Cities

Travel experts looking ahead to 2026 continued to point to the Southern United States as one of the country’s most dynamic regions for travel in this article from Southern Living. Southern Travel highlights milestone celebrations, major sporting events, cultural revivals, and thoughtful new development, several Southern cities were expected to stand out in the year ahead. From art-forward mountain towns to refined coastal communities, these destinations offered variety, accessibility, and a strong sense of place that rewarded intentional travel planning.

Bentonville, Arkansas

Bentonville has increasingly positioned itself as a cultural and creative destination, and 2026 was expected to accelerate that momentum thanks to America 250, the nationwide celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Rather than competing with heavy crowds in Washington, D.C., travelers were encouraged to explore this more approachable and affordable alternative. The city’s evolution has been driven in large part by the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, which blends American history with contemporary expression across thoughtfully designed galleries set amid walking trails and reflective ponds. Nearby, The Momentary added a forward-looking layer to the city’s appeal, transforming a former industrial space into a hub for performances, exhibitions, film screenings, and hands-on workshops. Bentonville’s growing culinary scene and the December 2025 opening of The Compton Hotel near the downtown square further reinforced its status as a polished yet welcoming arts destination.

Palm Beach, Florida

Palm Beach remained a strong contender for travelers seeking a refined coastal experience in 2026. Known for its pristine beaches, iconic architecture, and carefully curated shopping districts, the town offered a quieter and more polished alternative to nearby Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Longstanding institutions like Green’s Pharmacy connected visitors to the town’s history, while newer waterfront dining destinations reflected Palm Beach’s continued evolution. With warm weather throughout the year and a compact, scenic layout, Palm Beach appealed to travelers drawn to an effortless escape rooted in elegance, tradition, and a distinctly coastal aesthetic.

Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville was expected to draw increased attention in 2026 with the debut of the Biltmore Championship, a new PGA Tour event scheduled for early fall. Timed perfectly with apple harvests and the first hints of autumn color in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the tournament added to Asheville’s already strong seasonal appeal. Lodging options at the historic Biltmore Estate and nearby mountain resorts placed visitors close to both the action and the region’s natural beauty. Beyond golf, Asheville continued to stand out for its revitalized neighborhoods, live music venues, expanding culinary scene, and access to hiking trails and scenic overlooks.

Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta was poised to welcome a global audience in 2026 as one of the host cities for the FIFA World Cup. Downtown accommodations within walking distance of the stadium made the city especially convenient for visitors attending matches, while luxury properties such as The St. Regis Atlanta offered a more tranquil retreat outside the city center. Travelers interested in balancing large-scale events with quieter experiences could venture north to Barnsley Resort in Adairsville, where restored cottages, outdoor recreation, and heritage-inspired design reflected one of the leading travel trends of the year.

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston rounded out the list as a destination that continued to refine its balance of history, gastronomy, and coastal sophistication. In late 2025, the city’s restaurant scene earned its first Michelin stars, signaling growing national recognition for its culinary excellence. Looking ahead to 2026, travelers anticipated the opening of The Cooper hotel along the riverfront, the expansion of boutique properties such as The Pinch, and new art spaces emerging along King Street. Charleston’s ongoing investment in culture, design, and hospitality ensured its place as one of the South’s most compelling cities to visit in the coming year.

Together, these five destinations highlighted why the South remained an essential region for travelers seeking meaningful, memorable experiences in 2026—offering history, creativity, natural beauty, and thoughtful growth across a wide range of settings.

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Southern Weekend Getaways

The Southern treasures of Atlanta, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida have recently resurfaced as tempting travel destinations by way of Southern Living’s recommendation. Both Atlanta’s Midtown neighborhood and Jacksonville’s cosmopolitan beach scene have a lot to offer the traveler that craves excitement alongside relaxation. As always, be sure to travel safely and responsibly by checking local government restrictions and CDC guidelines.

The Midtown Neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia

Midtown Atlanta is practically a new city altogether thanks to its burgeoning neighborhood with its inclusive array for hearty, stylish shops, museums, and restaurants to peruse. Everything about this locale invites you to indulge in this Georgia Peach just as you would the Big Apple.

This setting is absolutely perfect for anyone who self-identifies as a style-setter wanting a big-city southern weekend getaway. If that describes you, then begin your sojourn with the heart and height of Atlanta’s art scene, the High Museum of Art, or take in the experienced sights of the new-to-the-neighborhood Museum of Design Atlanta and its celebration of item design that includes items from handbags to graffitied skateboards.

Reinvigorate your style by shopping at Billy Reed’s new outpost in the Westside Provisions District, which emcompassess a collection of boutiques that are housed in a former meatpacking plant.

If you’re hungry, definitely expect to order oysters on the half shell from chef Ford Fry’s latest seafood venture, The Optimist. Alternatively, taste southern decadence with a supper consisting of pork belly with sweet tea-jus at the lavish restaurant, The Lawrence. Then, top it all off with an unforgettable chocolate-chip cookie dough cheesecake from Café Intermezzo.

Take advantage of all that Atlanta’s Midtown neighborhood has to offer today by booking a stay in one of the comfortable rooms of The Artmore Hotel, which is nestled inside a classic, 1920’s building, rivaling the many chains of Atlanta.

 The Beachtown of Jacksonville, Florida

Located further down south, this cosmopolitan beach scene favors relaxation to luxury, but it avoids the tacky entirely, if done right. The key is sticking to the water, and in Jacksonville it’s simply everywhere. The city itself is perched against the Atlantic Ocean, and it’s split into two by the St. Johns River. Southern Living offers the following guide to the ideal Jacksonville Weekend stay.

Arrive on a Friday for a southern weekend getaway, unpack your bags after checking in to The Sea Turtle Inn, which is the lodging that also suits famed novelist John Grisham. The Sea Turtle is even still sparkling from its $6.5 million renovation, and its rates are affordable at an average of $109 in the off-season.

The hotel’s restaurant specializes in Floribbean cuisine, which is a combination of Caribbean spices and traditional freshly-caught fare.

On Saturday morning, an early riser can catch the unforgettable Florida sunrise and then head over to The Coffee Grinder, the cozy coffee shop located next to a local gift shop that’s full of souvenirs, standard postcards, and watercolors that you’re practically required to browse and purchase for your loved one back on the mainland.

Spend Saturday on the beach, in the sun, and around the water, but once you’re tired or looking for something different, be sure to take a walk over to a local book store like The Book Mark. Similarly, you could peruse the wares of Patina and purchase some niche home accents and furnishings that are comfortably vintage.

Depending on your energy levels, you’re free to head in for the night or explore the sights along the SS. Marine Taxi,The Jacksonville Landing, and/or The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. All in all, Jacksonville has a little something for everyone, and you’d be delighted to find your favorite corner- whatever it may be.

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