Personalised Road Trips
Through the American South
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Discover The South Differently
There is more to the South than its famous landmarks. We love places like Charleston, Savannah and New Orleans, but the best stories are often found between the pins on the map. Take the backroads instead of the highway, wander through historic town squares and quiet coastal communities, and discover the places that give the South its character.
Spend an afternoon in a small town you have never heard of, eat at a family-run diner you did not expect to find where you’ll be greeted with a warm welcome, stay somewhere with genuine character and follow the scenic bypass that becomes the highlight of the day.
The Secret South creates thoughtfully designed road trips built around our favourite places, carefully chosen stays and scenic routes worth taking. Backed by local knowledge, we introduce you the places and experiences that sit beyond the usual tourist trail, revealing a more genuine side of the region.
TRIP INSPIRATION
Journeys To Explore
Oak-lined avenues and oyster shacks. Lowcountry docks and mountain roads. Historic music halls, diners and small-town squares. The South is not one place but a collection of stories, flavours and landscapes waiting to be discovered. Every traveller finds something different here, find the places that speak to you with The Secret South.
SECRET STAYS
When the Stay Becomes the Destination
Distinctive stays selected for their character, sense of place, thoughtful hospitality and the kind of personal service that makes a journey more memorable.
Old Colorado Inn
Stuart, FL
Restored 1890s buildings and cottages a step from Stuart's Riverwalk.
Why it made the list
3 onsite restaurants to choose from
Homemade brownies and fresh bagels each morning
Cottages with barbecue, pool access and privacy
Riverwalk sunsets and fire pit steps away
The Greystone Inn
Lake Toxaway, NC
A 1915 mansion with thirty rooms and a fire lit bar resting on the shores of lake toxaway
Why it made the list
Complimentary afternoon lake cruise on the Miss Lucy.
Country club golf, tennis and pool included
Fireplaces in many of the rooms
Onsite dining with breathtaking views of the lake
Cuthbert House Inn
Beaufort, SC
An 1790s mansion on the Beaufort River, breakfast on the veranda.
Why it made the list
Impecable service
Stunning decor
Perfect central location
Evening canapes & drinks included
The Red Horse Inn
Landrum, SC
Victorian cottages spread across 190 acres of Blue Ridge foothills.
Why it made the list
Blue Ridge Mountain backrop
Regular wine bar events
Wellness centre on-site, yoga & personal training
Private adults only cotteges.
The English Merchant's Inn
Waxahachie, TX
Built circa 1915 by cotton merchant James Wright Harrison for his new bride
Why it made the list
Individually designed suites filled with antiques
Beautifully preserved 1915 cotton merchant's mansion
Walkable to Waxahachie's historic courthouse square
$30 breakfast credit at your choice of local restaurants
The Gibson Inn
Apalachicola, FL
A 1907 landmark on the working waterfront, wraparound porches and all.
Why it made the list
Old Florida Feel
Fantastic food
Central location & walkable
Golf carts & bicycles for hire on site
INSIDE THE SOUTH
Get Inside The South
From local traditions and unexpected highlights to everyday Southern life and road trip culture, discover our handpicked favourites to help you make the most of your journey.
The Southern Post
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2,578 posts
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