Travel Spotlights: Southeast Region

A trip through Houma’s Bayou Country excites every animal lover. Hold baby alligators and watch large alligators in action during a live show at Greenwood Gator Farm and Tours in the heart of Louisiana’s stunning wildlife-filled wetlands.

The Chauvin Sculpture Garden is a unique attraction filled with more than 100 concrete sculptures created over time by an eccentric and mysterious artist. Bring a picnic and an open mind to explore the thought-provoking sculptures.

Taste your way through over 30 delicious stops on Houma’s Bayou Country Crawfish Trail. The trail includes restaurants, seafood markets and catching companies serving up Cajun specialties like crawfish etouffee and Lowcountry boils.

The pristine waterways of Louisiana’s Bayou Country are teeming with fish and other wildlife. Rent a kayak, cast a line from the side of the road or charter a boat in the fishing mecca of Terrebonne Parish.

Bring the family and enjoy tours and festivals in Houma and beyond. Take a historic tour of Ardoyne Plantation, a Victorian gothic sugarcane plantation, and dance your way through one of the region’s many Mardi Gras parades.

A trip along the rustic backroads of the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road is like stepping back in time to experience nature’s beauty. Home to alligators and over 400 bird species, you won’t soon forget its unique wilderness.

From luxurious spa treatments to world-class dining options, experience Las Vegas-worthy entertainment at two waterfront Lake Charles resorts – the Golden Nugget Lake Charles and the L’Auberge Casino Resort.

Lake Charles is all about laid-back vibes and waterfront feasts with friends old and new. Creole favorites include jambalaya, shrimp gumbo and traditional crawfish boils served over newspapers. Grab a cold beer and enjoy the bayou breezes.

An outdoor sporting paradise, Lake Charles is home to some of the Southeast’s most pristine wilderness areas for fishing, boating, hiking and wildlife-viewing. Catch sights of gators, shorebirds and turtles while you fish, hike, paddle or bike.

Housed in an eye-catching historic building, the 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center in Lake Charles is a hub for local art, culture and education. Take in rotating art exhibits and presentations that highlight the area’s rich history.

Music is the beating heart of New Orleans culture. The vibrant city is the birthplace of jazz, and on any given day, live zydeco, rock and blues can be heard on the streets and in live-music venues.

Blending Caribbean, American, European and African cultures, New Orleans is a true melting pot of cuisine, music, traditions and the arts. Explore history-rich museums and walk the vibrant streets echoing with live music.

With over 100 festivals throughout each year, celebration is a way of life in New Orleans. From Mardi Gras to the New Orleans Jazz Festival, opportunities to experience the city’s diverse musical, culinary and cultural offerings are everywhere.

New Orleans’ world-renowned culinary offerings are as rich and diverse as its culture. Taste your way through Creole and international cuisine at hundreds of restaurants and enjoy a drink at one of the city’s celebrated cocktail bars.

New Orleans is home to dozens of one-of-a-kind museums like Mardi Gras World and The Sazerac House cocktail museum. Reach these and more award-winning attractions by horse-drawn carriage, streetcar or riverboat.

The emerald green waters and immaculate white sand beaches of St. Pete/Clearwater stretch for over 55 kilometers. Take your time enjoying its family-friendly shores, quirky attractions and historic sites. Stay for sunsets on the Gulf for a truly magical natural display of colors.

Salty breezes and warm Gulf waters welcome you to experience a wealth of outdoor activities. Try your hand at skimboarding or kitesurfing before a relaxing paddle through the mangrove-lined estuaries dotting the St. Pete/Clearwater coast.

The St. Pete/Clearwater region is home to over 30 museums, including the Salvador Dalí Museum. Browse thousands of pieces from the surrealist and stroll the eclectic grounds with views of Tampa Bay. Head to any of the nearby world-class institutions, all perfect for the always curious.

The St. Pete Pier extends into Tampa Bay from downtown St. Pete. This bustling area is filled with picnic-worthy green spaces, public art, fishing deck and restaurants serving up fresh seafood. With the kids? They’ll love the playground and splash pad. First of many can’t-miss St. Pete spots.

St. Pete/Clearwater’s many culinary options range from casual beach shacks to world-class dining experiences. Be sure to visit as many creative local breweries, waterfront cocktail bars and restaurants serving the freshest Gulf of Mexico seafood as possible.

Take a boat tour through the crystal-clear waters of the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Hernando County, Florida. Learn about the area’s wildlife and catch an unforgettable show by mermaid performers.

Mountain biking rugged trails in the Withlacoochee Forest, ziplining through the trees followed by kayaking and fishing on the Weeki Wachee River. All of these and many more adventures beckon you to explore this natural playground.

Slow things down with a stroll along the brick-paved streets of Historic Downtown Brooksville. Peruse charming shops and museums, view historic murals and search for 24 hidden mermaid placards on the Florida Mermaid Trail.

Home to hundreds of bird species, sites like the Withlacoochee State Forest and Weeki Wachee Preserve are globally significant birding and wildlife areas. Discover eight sites on the Great Florida Birding Trail on Florida’s Adventure Coast.

Enjoy the ultimate sea-to-table experience by harvesting your own scallops in Hernando County’s pristine waters. After your underwater adventure, bring your scallops to a “you hook – we cook” restaurant, where they’ll prepare them in delicious ways.

Take in the scenic beauty of Kentucky while sampling the state’s legendary bourbons on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Among the dozens of must-visit distilleries and tasting rooms are Heaven Hill in Bardstown and Woodford Reserve in Versailles.

From burgoo to Derby pie and the Hot Brown sandwich, many of Kentucky’s culinary traditions are older than the state itself. Dine your way through the state’s may restaurant staples like the Freight House in Paducah.

Adventure awaits throughout Kentucky’s wild and vast landscapes. Descend into the world’s longest recorded cave system at Mammoth Cave National Park. Kayak, hike and fish around stunning natural attractions like Cumberland Falls and the Red River Gorge.

The charming town of Owensboro is known as the Bluegrass Music Capital of the Word. Discover its unique history at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, enjoy live music nightly and dance the night away at the annual ROMP music festival.

A quintessential landmark at the heart of Kentucky’s equestrian culture, Churchill Downs is home to the world-famous Kentucky Derby. Visit the Kentucky Derby Museum before venturing out to 100s of horse-related adventures and experiences.

The spirit of blues music is alive and well in its birthplace, the Mississippi Delta. Visit Dockery Farms, listen to live music at authentic joint Red’s Blues Club and visit the birthplace of Elvis Presley, all stops on the statewide Mississippi Blues Trail.

Jackson is home to over 30 museums, many of which are devoted to civil rights and the state’s history. Learn about equal rights activists like Medgar Evers and Fannie Lou Hamer at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.

Take a morning walk on one of the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s pristine beaches before learning about the unique cultural heritage of its neighboring coastal communities. Cities like Biloxi also offer world-class dining and nightlife options.

From iconic Southern soul food to modern culinary experiences, Mississippi’s dining options are varied and delicious. Don’t miss classics like Delta hot tamales and pig ear sandwiches at the legendary Big Apple Inn restaurant.

Opportunities to explore diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife can be found throughout Mississippi. Cast a line in one of the state’s 119 freshwater lakes or go for the big catch in the Gulf of Mexico.

Celebrate North Carolina’s “Year of the Trail 2023” by exploring the state’s breathtaking peaks, valleys and coastlines by foot, kayak, bicycle or horseback. From national forests in the mountains to tree-lined urban trails in Raleigh and Charlotte, opportunities for adventure are endless here.

North Carolina is an outdoor adventurer’s dream. Embark on a guided whitewater rafting trip or a harrowing zipline tour along the Appalachian Trail with the Nantahala Outdoor Center, then hike some of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River.

North Carolina is a major destination for both amateur and professional golfers. From coastal gems like the Bald Head Island Club Golf Course to Pinehurst, home of the 2024 US Open Golf Championship, there’s something for every golf enthusiast.

Explore the largest residential mansion in the USA, the Biltmore Estate has 250 rooms, stunning gardens and mountain views. Sip outstanding wines at the property’s tasting room and enjoy art exhibits, live music and extraordinary dining – all without leaving the grounds.

The Outer Banks is home to picturesque lighthouses, wild horses and the Wright Brothers National Memorial honoring the pioneering siblings’ first flight. Explore its over 160 kilometers of beaches flanked by laidback waterfront restaurants and bars.