40 Things Every Southerner Ought To Do!

We've learned a few things over the years. Our editors have assembled the ultimate list of must-do activities from across the region. How many have you done?

Photography Mark Sandlin, Ralph Anderson, Joseph De Sciose, Art Meripol, John O’Hagan, Charles Walton IV, Article by Jennifer Mckenzie Frazier

1 of 42

View all

What Makes a Person Southern?

In honor of the 40th anniversary of Southern Living, our editors got together to ponder what makes a person Southern today. It is not, we decided, simply being born and raised here. Specific experiences and certain traits mark a genuine Southerner. We started talking, arguing, laughing, jotting them down--and ended up with this list. From where to chow down to the books you need to read, this list represents our thoughts and choices.