Southern Lady Travel 2015

The open road leads to a sublime sort of freedom. Bags packed. Sunglasses on, and snacks in the back. Windows down; music up. Maps and milemarkers. Blue skies, barbecue sandwiches, deep conversations. Indeed, the journey is just as important as the destination, and in this special issue, we go on and off the beaten path in the South to help you discover ideas for your next getaway. From long weekends to dream vacations, the options range in diversity, from atmosphere to activities, but each is beautiful and interesting in its own way. We’ll also introduce you to the faces who make the places great—chefs, innkeepers, artists, proprietors, pitmasters, and more! Perhaps you’ll decide to sample a Snoball at Hansen’s Sno-Bliz in New Orleans or take a carriage ride down Charleston’s…

Among the posh enclaves dotting the southeastern shores of Florida’s peninsula lie the towns of Palm Beach and West Palm Beach, separated by a silver sliver of the Intracoastal Waterway. Though this scenic section is a wonderful year-round destination, its mild weather and preponderance of sunny days make it the perfect winter escape. Palm Beach is known for Worth Avenue with its four-block section of high-end retailers, while her sister city to the west boasts the Antique Row Art & Design District—home to more than 50 antiques and specialty shops—and the monthly, spectacular West Palm Beach Antiques Festival, held at the South Florida Fairgrounds. When it comes to food, area restaurants run the full spectrum, whether you’re craving spicy Cuban cuisine, fresh local seafood, or steakhouse fare. And if your…

Whether lured by the intrigue of pirate lore or the overall charm of this coastal city, you certainly will not lack for things to do in Beaufort. Satisfy the explorer in your group with a quick 3-mile boat ride to the barrier islands of Cape Lookout. Pack a picnic, and spend the afternoon sunbathing on the lighthouse beach, or search for the area’s famed wild horses on a guided tour of Carrot Island. Then, head back to shore and see the sights of the city from a 1967 Double-Decker bus before retiring to the Inlet Inn, a boutique hotel with bed-and-breakfast appeal. Part of this inn was built in 1850 and exemplifies the historic architecture throughout Beaufort, and the newer construction provides some of the most gorgeous views of the…

Frank Baum’s Dorothy Gale said it best: “There’s no place like home,” and once you visit South Walton County’s Seaside, the word “home” takes on an entirely new meaning. Children run barefoot across a freshly clipped lawn with a golden retriever following close behind. Laughter rises from the town center where retro-fab food trucks are buzzing with business beneath a sea of string lights. A retired couple walk hand in hand toward the iconic (and quite petite) post office, while a woman in a flowing floral sundress, wide-brim hat, and oversize shades peruses the goods at the open-market-style shops. And only steps away, sparkling waves and white-sand beaches await. Indeed, this Florida getaway is the kind of place you never want to leave. One of the best ways to experience this…

When Spanish explorer Tristán de Luna sailed up what is now called Pensacola Bay in 1559, he was just the first of many to discover the beauty of this serene marine locale. Though a hurricane crashed the coast just weeks later, dismantling his new settlement and costing Pensacola its claim as America’s oldest city, it wasn’t long before others found their way to the beautiful bay area and development began in earnest. Over the years, five flags have flown over the city, reflecting the importance of this strategic and desirable location. Today, the town still bears the imprint of its storied past. Streets are lined with houses trimmed in Spanish-style stucco and French-inspired ironwork; venerable live oaks bend their branches to shelter neighborhoods with names like Seville Square and Belmont-DeVilliers. And…

The tree-shaded streets of downtown Savannah are knit together with 22 pockets of manicured squares, giving the illusion the town is one big patchwork park. Planned in detail by founder James Oglethorpe in 1733, the compact area is quite walkable, allowing visitors to enjoy the city at the same easy pace that the eponymous river flows by on its way to the Atlantic. Radiating from Forsyth Park with its oft-photographed fountain, the National Historic Landmark District is a montage of venerable buildings, each infused with a charm found only in this quintessential Southern gem. Savannah is a study in architectural styles, with Federal, Regency, Greek Revival, and more showcased in the businesses and residences lining the squares. Among them are the home of Girl Scouts of America founder Juliette Gordon…