50 Reasons to Love the South

The official pastry of Carnival season, The King Cake has increasingly become a canvas for New Orleans bakers and pastry chefs to paint with their own interpretations. Instead of the traditional version (yeasted dough, filled with cinnamon or cream cheese and dusted in yellow, purple, and green sprinkles), try the nectar cream version at Gracious Bakery or the chocolate hazelnut flavored one at La Boulangerie.
Hannah Hayes, Associate Travel Editor

What’s even better than being a kid in a candy shop? Being an adult in the same candy shop that you loved going to as a kid. Best of all though, it hasn’t changed a bit. Dinstuhl’s has been a Memphis institution since 1902. The Laurelwood shop is bursting with handmade chocolates, samplings of Cashew Crunch, and stacks of hostess mints. Their confections mark every occasion for Memphians from weddings to major holidays to an after-school surprise. It’s certainly not Valentine’s Day without the red foil wrapped milk chocolate hearts for me or the chocolate covered strawberries.
Zoe Gowen, Senior Homes & Garden Editor

Now is the perfect time for locals to soak up our gorgeous beaches. There’s nothing like a tranquil shore devoid of umbrellas and packed-to-the-brim coolers to help set your mind at ease. They’ll be time for those long warm days spent oceanside but, for now, we’re quite inclined to bundle up with our favorite beach blanket and watch the sun set on another perfectly mild winter day.
Patricia Weigel Shannon, Lifestyle and Beauty Editor

Rick Bragg. Pat Conroy. Harper Lee. Maya Angelou. Fannie Flagg. Just to make a few. Southern writers tell the stories of our region like no one else can. 

Southern live oaks are a hallmark of our region’s beautiful geography. Whether in Savannah, Georgia, Mobile, Alabama, or any small Southern town, there’s something downright mesmerizing about a street that’s bordered by centuries-old live oaks. There aren’t many walks as gorgeous as one under a canopy of Spanish moss dangling from an oak tree that’s seen more history unfold than you ever will in your own lifetime. It’s nice to feel small sometimes.
Mary Shannon Wells, Editorial Assistant

Outdoor living in the South isn’t just reserved for the moderate temperatures of spring and fall; we don’t like to hibernate when winter arrives (save for the occasional snow day). Outfit outdoor spaces for the chillier temps by setting up a fire pit in the backyard, investing in a heater for the patio, and bringing cozy throws out to the porch. Bundle up, grab a warm drink, and bring the party outside.
Grace Haynes, Assistant Homes & Garden Editor

The groves are overflowing with oranges and they’re ripe for the picking. From citrus pound cakes and tarts to fresh salads, cocktails, and more, Floridians will never tire of putting their famous fruits to the test in the kitchen. Oh, and did we mention these beauties also work as décor in a pinch? Just don’t let them sit in that centerpiece bowl for too long—what a travesty it would be to waste one of Florida’s finest.
Patricia Weigel Shannon, Lifestyle and Beauty Editor

Nobody writes about Basil anymore. In a city overwhelmed with zippy new eateries and their Instagram-ready interiors, the Thai restaurant on King Street—opened in 2002 by Cambodian refugees, brothers Henry and Chai Eang—isn’t one you typically read about in the buzzy write-ups on Charleston restaurants. But it’s the one place I go every time I’m home. I can’t go without ordering the Pad Thai, but I always beg my dad to order the Crispy Red Curry Duck so I can steal a bite or five. It’s the kind of dish that warms you from the inside out and one that’s, in itself, soul-satisfying enough to warrant the 7-hour drive home.
Betsy Cribb, Style Editor

There are few things more beautiful than Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in the winter. The leaves have changed, snow-topped mountains sit in the distance, and cheery locals strolls the streets of downtown.
Jorie McDonald, Editorial Assistant

Mi Pueblo Supermarket in Birmingham, Alabama

With entire aisles of tortillas, beans, rice, and hot sauce, not to mention a stunning variety of hard-to-find ingredients (nopales, fresh chorizo, giant pork rinds, dried chiles) Mi Pueblo is a Mexican food fantasy come true. But it’s the little café in back that makes this grocery store especial. For $5 or $6 you can have the best tacos, tamales, or quesadillas in town.
Sid Evans, Editor in Chief

No matter how many houses I walk past, I will always stop for a colorful front door. From pink to green to blue, I love every color.
Rachel Ellis, Assistant Managing Editor

As winter turns to spring, you can still order up some of our favorite hot drinks and warming cocktails around the South: a cup of drinking chocolate from Atlanta’s Xocolatl Small Batch Chocolate Shop in Krog Street Market; Long Hello, an apple brandy-based cocktail at Charleston’s Butcher & Bee; a Caramel Twist Espresso from Grassroots Coffee company in Thomasville, Georgia; and Dark Matter, a rye cocktail emboldened with walnut and Angostura from The Grocery in Charleston.
Caroline Rogers, Assistant Editor

Around this time every year, the first daffodils start popping up all over the South, a welcome reminder that winter won’t last forever. Everyone loves seeing those sudden bursts of yellow, but at the Garden Club of Virginia Daffodil Show, their fans are downright fanatical.
Sid Evans, Editor in Chief

Nothing cures the late-January blues like listening to some blues, folk, indie rock, and country music at this lowkey, loosey-goosey music weekend at the beach, which is celebrating its 10th year in 2019.
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Editorial Assistant

Pandowd-whaaat? When assistant food editor Pat York suggested we do a feature on a few forgotten fruit desserts, we were all intrigued. “Buckle. Kuchen. Sonker. Slump. Pandowdy.  Glorious desserts using ripe and delicious fruit that are spectacular in summer (but really good all year long). Not only are they delicious but the give you a fun reason to say "I'm bringing my famous berry sonker" to the next dinner party. Krissy Tiglias, Executive Editor 

TrueSouth

It took a couple of Mississippi guys—Southern food guru John T Edge and sports journalist Wright Thompson—to cook up the tastiest travel show on television. There’s only a dash of sports here, but their plunge into Southern food and culture, from a Greek diner in Birmingham to a Chinese restaurant in Shreveport, is a delicious tribute to the region.
Sid Evans, Editor in Chief

“Stretch it out, y’all,” says Austin native Adriene Mishler, as she reaches both arms upward into warrior one pose. Mishler is one of the most popular yoga teachers on the Internet and because she’s an Austin native, the occasional Southernism slips into her practice. Mishler’s YouTube channel, Yoga with Adriene, offers dozens of free yoga videos designed for anyone to participate, from beginners to experienced yogis. What sets her apart from the rest is her warm, unpretentious style and the variety of her classes, which are tailored for specific moods and needs, including “Yoga for Equestrians,” “Yoga for Wrist Pain,” and even “Yoga for When You’re Angry”.
Lisa Cericola, Senior Food Editor

Gourmet grocery store and café, Earl’s Grocery, is one of my favorite haunts in Charlotte. It’s a real community hub for the Elizabeth neighborhood and once a month, mixologist Bob Peters brings that community together over a cocktail or three during Earl’s Grocery Mixology Lab. Peters’ enthusiasm for entertaining and championing North Carolina vendors makes for a fun, free, and educational afternoon.
Rebecca Angel Baer, News Editor

The South’s most acclaimed music makers are in full swing all season long. Find a concert near you, or catch the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, who will be playing all nine of Beethoven’s symphonies from January to July, and the Dallas Symphony, whose season includes Mahler, Stravinsky, and Haydn (Disney too!).
Caroline Rogers, Assistant Editor

When a brand has the Instagram fanfare surrounding it that LAKE does, it’s hard to know if the line is actually worth all the fuss. But one night’s sleep in their supersoft pima cotton pajamas, and you’ll be drinking the Kool-Aid, too. Now, our favorite Savannah-based loungewear designers are showing the little ones some love: Their new Heart collection has sugary-sweet, red-and-pink sets for you and your mini me’s.
Betsy Cribb, Style Editor

Babka, matzo balls, and Reubens so big you’ll have to unbutton your pants are no longer reserved for trips to the Big Apple. Whether it’s established spots, like Atlanta’s Goldberg’s Bagel and The General Muir, or newcomers, like Birmingham and Nashville’s Mile End Deli, Southern Jewish-style delicatessens are piling plates with lox and latkes that rival Bubby’s Rosh Hashanah spread.
Katie Strasberg Rousso, Digital Editor

Having grown up in tropical South Florida, I didn’t know a thing about camellias until I moved to Alabama as an adult and instantly fell in love with these showy, winter-blooming plants. In the dark days of January and February, spotting a camellia bush covered in bright pink or red flowers (and the dramatic carpet of fallen petals underneath) instantly lifts my spirits.
Lisa Cericola, Senior Food Editor

Don’t let their ethereal harmony fool you. These Alabama sisters have serious moxie, enduring the slings and arrows of the record business to land in a musical space where their storytelling can thrive.
Valerie Fraser Luesse, Senior Travel Editor

A 1920’s bungalow turned eclectic botanical boutique, Shoppe’s curbside charm and parade of outdoor plants make it nearly impossible to pass by. If you’re like us, you’ll likely find something to call your own before you even make it up the front steps. Inside, owners Jay Draper and Mark Thompson have curated a serene yet garden-chic selection of plants, pots, candles, and more all arranged in a way that allows you to continuously find new treasures (even on your third or fourth lap). Green thumb or not, winter or spring, you won’t be able to leave this lively little shop without something delightful in tow.
Katie Strasberg Rousso, Digital Editor

There’s rarely much accumulation in the South. But there’s a lot of amusing anticipation (and false positives) for it to happen here because when the snow does finally fall it’s usually accompanied by a traffic paralyzing layer of ice. Those random mornings when you wake up to the ticker tape of school and office closings on the local news days are definitely looked at as the best days of winter. When your whole town gets to stay home, watch TV, and bundle up to build the world’s smallest icy snowman before he melts at 9:15am.
Zoe Gowen, Senior Homes & Garden Editor

Tours of popular Broadway musicals are making their way through the South this season. Catch Hamilton in Florida in February, Waitress the Musical in Missouri in March, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical in South Carolina in April, Hello Dolly! in Kentucky in May, and Chicago in Texas in June. Be sure to check with the venues in your area to find out when your favorite Broadway musicals will be visiting your hometown this season.
Caroline Rogers, Assistant Editor

There’s just something about a dinner plate loaded with fried catfish, collard greens, potato salad, and cornbread that sets our Southern hearts to racing.
Valerie Fraser Luesse, Senior Travel Editor

Every Southerner should experience this cultural phenomenon, simple as that. If you’re not into the beads, the beignets will get the job done.
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Editorial Assistant

Heaven on earth. That’s pretty much how Senior Homes Editor Zoe Gowen described Round Top, Texas, a small town located between Houston and Austin on Highway 237. Last fall, she visited, shopped, and reported on her travels from the antiques-and-flea market extravaganza that pops up only twice a year in the farm fields. Read all about her adventures here.  Krissy Tiglias, Executive Editor 

The world slows down as you take in the frosted views of a winter drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway or enjoy a chilly sunrise from the peak of McAfee’s Knob.
Brennan Long, Associate Editor, Social Media

Carpe Diem, or Carpe, as many locals fondly refer to it, is probably my all-time favorite place in my hometown (making a solid list would be too hard, don’t make me). Carpe is the kind of place where you feel at home, and loyal patrons have accounts with money stored up for on-the-fly coffee. It’s where I’ve personally enjoyed countless glasses of sweet tea and mugs of coffee, studied for the hardest exams, ate enough breakfast sandwiches to horrify any gluten-free eater, shared slices of homemade carrot cake with my mom, and made obligatory visits every time I’m in town now that I don’t live in Mobile. If you find yourself in Mobile, it’s a must-try.
Mary Shannon Wells, Editorial Assistant

Plenty of warm sunshine, beautiful beaches, and over 250 types of seashells await you on Sanibel Island, Florida, this winter—enjoy nature to its fullest!
Nellah Bailey McGough, Office Manager

Dark nail polish tends to trend in the winter season, but "Marshmallow" by Essie is a refreshing and sophisticated shade. It’s a classic winter white, and it pairs nicely with almost any wardrobe choice.
Jorie McDonald, Editorial Assistant

Antiques are definitely having a moment—and we couldn't be happier. While you may have to sift through piles, you never know when you'll find the perfect piece like a vintage Pyrex set that you remember being in Mama’s kitchen or a nostalgic ceramic Christmas tree. Whether you’re in search of a certain piece or you just want to browse to see what treasures you may discover, you can find stores near you or plan stops for your next road trip at antiquetrail.com.
Jenna Sims, Assistant Editor

Part Southern general store, part gas station these giant convenience stops are a Texas treasure. Break for the Buc-Ee’s Beaver sign and fill up on candied jalapenos, Mayhaw jelly, and pecan logs.
Brennan Long, Associate Editor, Social Media

People from other parts of the country simply don’t appreciate mayonnaise like Southerners do. I know this creamy condiment can be polarizing, but I love mayo-based salads (go ahead, judge me!), and I love how Southern cooks aren’t afraid to go heavy on it.
Meghan Overdeep, Staff Writer

Recorded beachside in the album’s namesake Florida Hamlet, hear the Gulf waters imbue each track of this album with a rollicking sensibility. Catch these Maryland siblings on tour throughout the South this January-March.
Perri Ormont Blumberg, Staff Writer

Part museum, part historic property–completely pink. After a two-year renovation, this iconic Memphis mansion turned museum is back in action. From the Clyde Park Circus exhibit to that River City seal bearing fireplace, Memphians who grew up visiting Piggly Wiggly founder Clarence Saunders’ home will find a bit of nostalgia in the Pink Palace’s renovated halls.
Katie Strasberg Rousso, Digital Editor

No need to fly out West, put the kiddos in the car and head to Snowshoe, West Virginia, one of the South’s premier ski resorts.
Nellah Bailey McGough, Office Manager

It’s this time of year, the first good, fire engine-red crawfish start to make their annual appearance at seafood markets and restaurant menus. I love to eat the five-alarm spicy Viet-Cajun style ones at Crawfish and Noodles in Houston or just boil and pour them on a newspaper-lined table with friends in a New Orleans backyard.
Hannah Hayes, Associate Travel Editor

I love how Austin is a little enclave of weirdness in the middle of Texas. And they have the best breakfast tacos. Stay weird Austin!
Meghan Overdeep, Staff Writer

My dad gave me this book for my birthday (in September) and I don’t think I’ve gone a single day without referencing it since. A nuanced, thought-provoking look at the South and its history, it makes you think critically about the issues rural Southerners face today and leaves you inspired by the people working tirelessly to improve things. Theroux has a knack for making history feel like a living thing, weaving our past with backroads vignettes, messy heaps of fried catfish, and powerful church sermons. The book is broken down into the four seasons, and the “Winter” section will blow you away. Deep South also has interludes on Faulkner, tales of nuclear plants, evocative descriptions of our region’s natural beauty, and life-changing wisdom from the South’s oldest old. We’ll let it slide that the tome was written by a Yankee.
Perri Ormont Blumberg, Staff Writer

The front porch can be grand or it can be quaint, but it will always serve as the perfect place to watch the world go by. Add a few glasses of sweet tea and a group of friends and you instantly have a party.
Rachel Ellis, Assistant Managing Editor

Sure, it’s become increasingly crowded over time (good luck swerving your bike through foot traffic on the first warm weekend in spring), but Atlanta’s Beltline is a pleasantly vital avenue for everyday life “inside the perimeter.” By connecting the personalities of Atlanta’s neighborhoods, it’s not only making the city more walkable than ever before, but it’s also bringing together a variety of people and perspectives on a daily basis.
Katie Strasberg Rousso, Digital Editor

With this hustle and bustle of everyday life, everyone should still make time for afternoon tea—and you don’t have to leave the South to get the full experience. The Hearts Desire Tea Room in Columbiana, AL allows guests to enjoy traditional afternoon tea in three courses. Guests are encouraged to dress for the occasion, put your phones away, and allow two hours to enjoy the experience. Tea lovers can also visit Charleston Tea Plantation, the only tea plantation in North America, for a tour of the 127-acre property, to see the production process, and experience a tasting of the teas.
Jenna Sims, Assistant Editor

I’ve been craving lasagna ever since I read Latria Graham’s “The Recipe Keeper” in our December 2018 issue, where she tells the heartwarming story behind her family’s beloved recipe. On the hunt for the best lasagna in Birmingham, I found it at Gianmarco’s, a cozy Italian restaurant in Homewood. Their lasagna is the ultimate comfort food: layers of homemade pasta with marinara and a medley of cheeses. Order it on a cold winter night—it pairs well with a good bottle of red and good company.
Grace Haynes, Assistant Homes & Garden Editor

Although several regions in the South claim to have the best barbecue, I proudly tout Kansas City, Missouri, as the true winner of that title. The sweet sauce with a hint of spice hits the perfect balance, and if you’ve never tried local favorite burnt ends, you’re missing out. With countless legendary barbecue institutions (both old and new) across the city, you could spend some serious time getting to know true Kansas City barbecue. In my opinion, that’s time well spent.
Mary Shannon Wells, Editorial Assistant

Calling the Gathering Place a “riverfront park” is an understatement. Gifted by the George Kaiser Family Foundation, the $465 million public park opened in September 2018. This winter, dine by the two-story fireplace at Williams Lodge, laze on the QuikTrip Great Lawn, hit the Skate and BMX Parks, or rent a boat and drift along Peggy’s Pond.
Perri Ormont Blumberg, Staff Writer

No matter how many times I see blue and white china, it always brings back a romantic sense of the South. My collection can only get bigger.
Rachel Ellis, Assistant Managing Editor