Top 10 New & Buzz Worthy Southern Hot Spots
By: Crysta Cox
A quick google search will give you all the popular tourist destinations that have been referenced over and over again but to find the new and exciting “hot spots” you’ll have to dig deeper. Thankfully we’ve already done the work for you searching all through the South for the newest and best experiences it has to offer. Whether it’s a unique hotel, an award winning restaurant, or a family fun attraction, there’s a little bit of it all waiting for you to explore. Use this list to plan your next getaway or roadtrip and see what all the buzz is about!
Southall Luxury Farm Resort – Franklin, Tennessee
Located in the charming small town of Franklin Tennessee, Southall is a new farm-focused luxury resort surrounded by old-growth forests and picturesque pastoral landscapes on 325 acres. The resort is a destination in itself, providing guests with the opportunity to explore the region’s agricultural customs, local flavors, and natural beauty through farm-to-table dining, an extensive menu of activities, and a modern take on Southern hospitality. At the heart of the property, The Inn offers 62 guest room suites, and more than a dozen cottages nestled in the rolling hills overlooking the estate. After spending a day touring the farm, seeing the resident bees, and trekking the hills, the experience comes full circle at the resort’s signature restaurant and spa that all use the ingredients grown on the farm for their services.
southalltn.com
Passport Springs – Atlanta, Georgia
Passport Springs is a 10-acre immersive hot springs aimed at providing a worldly experience set to open in 2023. Soak in pools amid a tropical jungle. Float in North America’s largest Dead Sea pool. Recline in a Roman courtyard. Sip sake under a pagoda. Through captivating architecture, inspiring landscapes, and state-of-the-art lighting, you’ll experience a social buzz like never before. Bring friends and meet new ones, while dipping into the world’s most celebrated hot springs. Each pavilion will replicate the architecture, landscaping, sights, sounds and cuisines of its international source destination, as well as the mineral profile of its hot springs. passportsprings.com
Velocity E-Sports Bar & Grill – Newport, Kentucky
A brand-new, cutting-edge esports and entertainment company, Velocity Esports launched its first location in Newport, Kentucky in 2022. Velocity features a premier esports lounge, arcade games, prizes, a social gaming lounge, live and online tournaments, live entertainment, and a full-service restaurant and bar serving craft beverages with elevated casual dining all perfectly situated into its 23,000-square-foot location. Velocity’s state-of-the-art technology and professional gaming equipment pairs well with their over 100 esports titles, and vast selection of arcade games, making it the perfect hot spot for gamers of all ages and skill level. velocityesports.com
Selfie WRLD – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Arguably one of the most Instagram-able places in the southeast, here you can immerse yourself into their fun, eye-catching, interactive art installations. Experience many unique themes knowing they had your best selfie in mind. Equipped with tripods and ring lights and everything you could possibly need to help you get the perfect shot; this is the best place to capture some photographic memories. Bring your friends, family, a date, or just yourself and your phone, and unleash your inner child! The interactive installations are an experience that you, your family and friends will never forget. You can book the whole studio for private parties and team building events and there are dressing rooms on site if you need to change into that perfect outfit.
selfiewrldmb.com
The Liberty Trust Hotel – Roanoke, Virginia
The Liberty Trust is a seven-story, 54-room boutique historic hotel centrally located in the heart of downtown Roanoke. Each room is designed with custom-made furnishings, top-quality detailing and finishes, and upscale amenities, the hotel’s design is significantly inspired by its original standing as the former historic First National Bank headquarters that was constructed in the early 20th century. Step back in time and experience the grandeur of the marble-filled lobby lined with magnificent columns and soaring ceilings. Enter the walk-in vault turned Tasting Room to enjoy a refreshing libation. Pass by exquisite copper doors that adorn the hotel foyer and each guest room, leading you to refined and vibrant accommodations that invite you to escape into luxury.
libertytrusthotel.com
The Dirdie Birdie - Austin, Texas
The Dirdie Birdie is raising the par with an elevated and immersive indoor mini-golf experience you’ll have to see to believe! Putt, Sip, and Savor your way through 12 one-of-a-kind art installations designed to pay tribute to everything there is to love about Austin, Texas. With a dining experience deserving of its own spotlight and a bar program as impressive as it is approachable, The Dirdie Birdie is more than just mind-blowing mini golf — it’s your date night destination, your weekday lunch spot, and your happy hour hangout, all in one. dirdiebirdieatx.com
Corbeau Wine Bar – Trussville, Alabama
If you have never experienced a full-service wine taproom, Corbeau Wine Bar is the place for you. Now open in Trussville, Alabama with over 45 different types of wine on tap from Sweet Moscato to full-bodied Merlot to Pinot Noir, there will be something for everyone. Afterall, their one motto is “drink wine with joy.” Guests can taste wine using a one-ounce taste, a three-ounce half glass, or a six-ounce pour. Among the various options of wines are everything from the kind you can find in a store to wine from small mom-and-pop vineyards. Pair them with some of the eats on the menu to enhance the full experience at Alabama’s only wine bar.
corbeaubar.com
The Grumpy Rabbit - Lonoke, Arkansas
The Grumpy Rabbit is a new and charming restaurant dedicated to providing quality American-style fare that keeps you coming back for both excellent food, and a unique dining experience. The owners are passionate about contributing to and supporting historic downtown Lonoke and sourcing as locally as possible for all their needs. The menu has a wide variety of options with one of their most popular dishes being rabbit & dumplings. The dumplings are inspired by depression-era recipes that uses ingredients similar to those one may have gotten in government-issued rations. Another fun fact about this hot spot is that Pursuit, the major motion picture featuring John Cusack, filmed a scene in the upstairs bar.
grumpyrabbitlonoke.com
Zip Nola - New Orleans, Louisiana
The world’s first fully aquatic zip-line is ready to be explored in New Orleans. Zip Nola’s zip-line course is roughly one half mile long and riders begin the adventure from atop the 60 foot start platform, with complete views of the magnificent Maurepas Swamp, Lake Ponchartrain, the historic town of Frenier, and even the New Orleans skyline! As riders traverse the course, they will enjoy 5 separate zip lines, two suspension bridges, and a beautiful one of a kind spiral cypress tree staircase all allowing the most incredible access to the many wildlife that frequent the area.
zipnola.com
Foothills Grange – Black Mountain, North Carolina
Welcome to Foothills Grange, the newest Black Mountain eatery by Foothills Meats. The Grange’s expansive outdoor space features seating for 250 people with covered picnic tables, a large patio with seating off the main building, a kids’ play space with dirt piles and Tonka trucks, and a permanent food truck serving Foothills’ classics menu of house ground hamburgers, their secret recipe hot dogs, specialty sandwiches and famous tallow fries. The main building includes an airy indoor bar with 16 taps, a large bottle and can selection, and slushies for kids and adults.
foothillslocalmeats.com
