Southeast Travel Guide
There’s something for just about everyone in the Southeast. Head to the beaches in Miami for a sunny coastal getaway. Foodies will be drooling over the classic Southern cooking across the entire region. Music lovers will want to pay a visit to New Orleans and Tennessee. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking in Smoky Mountain National Park. Bourbon fans will want to add the Kentucky Bourbon Trail to their bucket list. And Disney fanatics, of course, need to make a pilgrimage to Disney World in Florida.
The Southeast is also brimming with historical sites. Walk in the footsteps of Martin Luther King Jr. in Montgomery, Alabama. Explore the former home of George Washington in Mt. Vernon, Virginia. Visit St. Augustine, Florida – the oldest European-settled city in the country. And discover significant Civil War sites in Georgia and South Carolina.
Destinations
Southeast Basics
States: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia
Timezone: Eastern Standard/Eastern Daylight & Central Standard/Central Daylight
Climate: Mostly humid subtropical (hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters).
Major Airports:
Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) – Atlanta, Georgia
Miami (MIA) – Miami, Florida
Orlando (MCO) – Orlando, Florida
Nashville (BNA) – Nashville, Tennessee
Louis Armstrong New Orleans (MSY) – Kenner, Louisiana
Charleston (CHS) – North Charleston, South Carolina
Charlotte Douglas (CLT) – Charlotte, North Carolina
Raleigh-Durham (RDU) – Morrisville, North Carolina
Best Time to Visit
SUMMER
Summers in the Southeast are hot and very humid. Hurricane season in coastal states starts in June, so be cognizant of this when planning your trip. Tourism takes a dip during this period, so prices typically drop and crowds thin during summer.
AUTUMN
Northern states like Tennessee and North Carolina experience beautiful fall colors in the autumn. Hurricane season lasts through November on the coast, so do be aware of that as you plan your trip.
WINTER
Winters are typically considered mild in the Southeast; however, some states can get a little colder than you might think. Northern states like Tennessee and Kentucky see snow and sometimes frigid temps throughout the winter. On the other hand, winter is peak tourist season in southern states like Florida where temperatures are much more pleasant.
SPRING
Spring weather is generally ideal in the Southeast. Temperatures are mild, and the summer humidity hasn’t yet set in. However, spring is also tornado season in Dixie Alley and Hoosier Alley, with most tornados occurring in April and May. Spring Break brings crowds and high prices to coastal areas, as does Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
southeast road trip playlist
Southeast Travel Guides
