Enjoy an adventure this year with one of these fantastically fun trails. Winding throughout the South, these trails feature the best of history, food, and culture. From the salty northeastern state of Virginia down to the heart of Texas, explore the South and its myriad of treasures. 

 

THE SALTY SOUTHERN ROUTE OF VIRGINIA 

The Southeastern region of Virginia has long been known for its peanuts, salt-cured hams and pork products – and the Salty Southern Route is the path to follow for pork and peanuts. Journey across this picturesque land and experience tradition of food, first-hand.  

Home to the world’s largest pork producers, Smithfield’s Historic District is a step back in time.  Wander through ice cream parlors, dress shops and antique stores, while reminiscing of those by-gone days. Built in 1752, the Smithfield Inn Bed and Breakfast offers regional favorites like Chesapeake Bay crab cakes and their world-famous Smithfield Ham sliced thin and tucked into mouth-watering yeast rolls. Savor a peaceful slumber at the Mansion on Main Bed & Breakfast, built at the height of Victorian elegance and enhanced with modern amenities. 

The Virginia Diner in Sussex County opened in 1929 as a refurbished railroad dining car along a dusty highway in southeastern Virginia. This Iconic Virginia landmark is a refuge for folks who like down-home cooking, traditional southern hospitality, and efficient service – perfectly blended with an atmosphere of red and white tablecloths, bentwood chairs and antique cast iron toys. 

Along the Salty Southern Route lies the City of Suffolk, home to the world-famous Planter’s Peanuts. Delight in a dinner at Harper’s Table, where long held traditions and a love of food are crafted into every dish. Be inspired by the alluring blend of architectural elements while dining below the restaurant’s canopy of reclaimed vintage pine from the old Suffolk Peanut Company warehouse. Wake up to scenic views of the Constant’s Wharf Public Park and Marina at the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk-Riverfront.  

In Surrey County and perched on the picturesque Gray’s Creek, just off the James River, The Surry Seafood Company offers visitors and residents alike delicious food, drinks, and service with a smile.  

Conveniently located in the heart of Coastal Virginia – there is always something happening on the Salty Southern Route. From charming country stores offering local wares and culinary treats to independently owned shops in historic downtown districts, the counties of Surrey, Sussex, Franklin & Southampton, are a shopper’s delight. These lovable Southern communities are the very center of the pork and peanut industry. With historic and culinary traditions, the Salty Southern Route offers guests mighty fine food, abundant lodgings, and charming Southern communities, a perfect trail for the whole family.
saltysouthernroute.com 

 

THE ANTEBELLUM TRAIL OF GEORGIA 

A 100-mile trek through seven historic communities that escaped destruction during the Civil War, the Antebellum Trail of Georgia is a glimpse into the grandeur and history of the Old South. Spend the day in the heartland of Southern hospitality with self-guided tours of historic house museums and marvel at the antebellum architecture through the trail’s towns - Athens, Watkinsville, Madison, Eatonton, Milledgeville, Gray–Old Clinton, and Macon.  

Begin the trail in Athens, Georgia, a bustling college town, and home to the Taylor-Grady House. Built circa 1844 the home is a Nationally Registered Historic Landmark and an outstanding example of Greek Revival architecture with the home’s 13 Doric columns said to represent the 13 original colonies. Learn about Professor William H. Jackson’s bequeath of a much-beloved oak tree to itself. Known as “The Three That Owns Itself” – the original oak was blown down during a windstorm in 1942 and today a successor grown from one of its acorns now stands in its place.   

Built in the late 1700s when Watkinsville was a small frontier town on the edges of the Creek and Cherokee Territories, the Eagle Tavern originally opened as a stagecoach stop and tavern.  Now a museum, it welcomes guests to the area with a treasure trove of artifacts for Oconee County.  

Madison’s National Register Historic District is one of the state’s oldest and largest collection of 19th century architecture. Hop on the Milledgeville’s trolley and take a step back in time to experience the American South, the Old Capital and its past.  

Discover the lives and legacies of 19th-century Georgians and learn the trail’s rich heritage from local historians. Browse through the wide selection of antiques and funky vintage shops. Dine on Southern delicacies, and relax in authentic and distinctive B & B s. The Antebellum Trail provides a window to the rich heritage of the South and the opportunity to experience a variety of towns in the heart of Georgia.
antebellumtrail.org 

 

KENTUCKY LAKES ANTIQUE TRAIL 

From boating to dining the Kentucky Lakes area, including Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake, offers visitors a million things to entertain and enthrall. And should one wish to spend time on dry land, explore the quaint and historic downtowns, filled with local antique shops. Connecting visitors to many attractions in the region, the Kentucky Lakes Antique Trail is the perfect corridor for Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee antique seekers. Covering the towns of Eddyville, Cadiz, Hazel, Grand Rivers and Murray, Kentucky, a trek along the Antique Trail of the Lakes is a must-see attraction.  

The friendly community of Cadiz in Trigg County is filled with nostalgia. Stroll down Memory Lane and pass antique stores containing collectibles, furniture, glassware and a variety of other vintage items.  

Hazel, KY in Calloway County is a tiny community of just over 400 residents and a haven for antiques stores and collectors. Boasting twelve antique stores showcasing everything from furniture to collectibles, Hazel’s close proximity to Kentucky Lake should be on every antique lover’s itinerary.  

Partake in one of the region's local eateries for a real taste of the South. Conveniently located in Murray and the surrounding lakes area, a variety of overnight accommodations are available, from cottages to condos with scenic lakefront views.  

Stop at one of the many antique malls lining the Antique Trail – the Cadiz Antique Mall, the Cherokee Antique Mall, Purple Pig Antiques and Artisans, Classic Antiques, Consignment World and Antiques and The Log House – and find unique furnishings, historical memorabilia, and antique treasures. 
explorekentuckylake.com/antiques 

 

LOUISIANA’S CAJUN BAYOU FOOD TRAIL 

Generous hosts, excellent cooking, and a rich melting pot of history and heritage make the Cajun Bayou Food Trail a pleasing adventure and not just for the taste-buds.  

In Lafourche Parish a convenient 45 miles from New Orleans enjoy everything from fresh seafood and jambalaya to king cake and bread pudding. An array of dining options provide flavor and history in every bite and the rich food of the area is a blend of international influences from French, Spanish, German, African, Native American and Italian cultures.  

There is always something to celebrate in Cajun culture and Lafourche Parish is happy to embrace to Bayou’s buoyant and jubilant lifestyle – whether it’s Mardi Gras, the Louisiana Gumbo Festival or a Cajun jam night at the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center. Immerse yourself in our Cajun lifestyle while dancing to live music at over 25 festivals and fairs held throughout the year. 

Ride through the heart of the wetlands and view cypress trees, alligators and birds on a swamp and airboat tour. Join experienced fishermen on a chartered trip to catch fresh seafood, like crab, speckled trout and flounder.  

Explore the culture of Lafourche Parish at historic sites and museums. Generous hosts offer a variety of accommodations along the Bayou, including national chains and local Bed and Breakfasts. After a restful night’s sleep, be amazed by the Bayou’s beautiful morning sunrises. 

Food and community are at the heart of the true Cajun experience. Travel the Cajun Bayou Food Trail and indulge in all the many flavors of region. One of the oldest parishes in Louisiana, discover the rich history and culture, make some new friends, and get a taste of authentic Cajun charm. 
lacajunbayou.com 

 

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY WINE TRAIL 

From Austin to New Braunfels and Fredericksburg to Lampasas, there is a new adventure around every corner of the Texas Hill Country. Attracting more than 5 million guests a year and with over 30 wineries, the Texas Hill Country Wine Trail is an enchanting destination for all things wine.  

In the spring dazzling native wildflowers line highways and roads and in the summer emerald swimming holes offer guests respite from the scorching Texas heat. And year round the Texas Hill Country’s Wine Trail showcases Texas grown grapes, with each winery showcasing its individual personality, terroir, and wine-making technique.  

Award winning wineries like Kuhlman Cellars provide visitors ample outdoor seating overlooking verdant vineyards. The commitment and passion of the area’s vintners create out-of-this-world wines in the heart of the Lone Star State.   

Watch glassblowing demonstrations at Wimberley Glassworks and marvel at the handcrafted vases and sculptures. Relax under the 500-year old oak trees of Luckenbach. Unwind with a massage at the Blair House Day Spa in Wimberley. Known as “The Wedding Capital of Texas” Dripping Springs is home to breathtaking vistas, infamous pools and springs, olive orchards, and wineries. Enjoy the majestic Hill Country in Johnson City, a Presidential hometown of Americana charm. And in historic Gruene (pronounced “Green”), take a turn in a true Texas dance hall.  

From Bed and Breakfasts Inn situated on prominent wineries like that of Messina Hof to resorts like Horseshoe Bay, a premier AAA four-diamond lake and 72-hole golf resort on the shores of Lake LBJ – Hill Country oenophiles will find the perfect lodgings for their wine-centric escape.  
texaswinetrail.com 

 

Throughout the South, trails of deliciousness, history, and culture wind and bend. And each of these exciting trails offer fun, entertainment and adventure for the whole family. Hard- to-obtain antiques and well crafted wines thrill refined tastes and the down-on-the-bayou cooking satisfies the taste-buds.  

Whether historical, cultural, or gastronomical; the bounty of these Southern trails is boundless.