With more and more of us looking at a depressed personal economy, we find ourselves having to readjust some of our horizons. One of those horizons is where we choose to go on vacation. For now, the idea of the Grand Canyon or Hawaii may still sound good, but simply be out of reach financially.
Fortunately, depending on where you live, you may still be able to find appealing vacation spots right in your neck of the woods, without the expense of extensive travel.
For this article, we will concentrate on prime getaways in the southeastern United States. If you live in the south, there are a number of prime destinations only a few hours’ drive from wherever you live.
Among the most popular destinations is Gatlinburg TN, in the Great Smokey Mountains. You can opt for a more secluded and romantic setting by renting a mountain cabin, or go for the more thrill-a-minute approach of Dollywood, local shopping, or festivals. A popular honeymoon destination, Gatlinburg also offers wedding chapels so you can take care of everything at once.
Helen GA, while it may not sound immediately familiar, is an Alpine style town settled among the mountains of north Georgia. Known for its saukraut and Bratwurst, Helen also offers river rafting tours, hundreds of shops, and the annual Oktoberfest and apple festival. A delightful and inexpensive getaway located less than two hours from metro Atlanta.
Memphis TN has it all, from riveting live theatre to the popular blues from Beal Street to the home of the King Of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley’s Graceland. You can also enjoy horse drawn carriage rides through the middle of town, and Mud Island concert series during the summer months.
If you’re looking for the southern version of the city that never sleeps, check out Biloxi MS, the down home version of Las Vegas, with casinos, shopping, as well a boat rides, crabbing, and saltwater fishing. There are also Cruzin The Coast dates available for car and motorcycle aficionados.
Located on the coast of South Carolina, Charleston offers rich history and exciting family fun for all ages. From classic ballet and jazz, to blues and BBQ and harbor cruises, Charleston offers a wealth of opportunities. Explore the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier (well stocked with historic aircraft) and crawl through the inside of a Cold War era submarine.
Even if you aren’t a fan of bluegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass Country is still an ideal vacation spot. An amazing scenic area with hills, southern mansions, horses, open fields, and little villages, it is also home for the historic Kentucky Derby.
If you want to go purely commercial, it is very hard to go wrong with Orlando FL, home to the Disney Theme Parks, Universal Studios, Sea World, and Busch Gardens only a couple of hours away. Of course there is also the Kennedy Space Center on the Eastern Coast, as well as the beaches of Pensacola; the Sunshine State is filled with vacation opportunities in convenient clusters.
One of this author’s favorite destinations is the coast of North Carolina, specifically the Outer Banks, home to historic lighthouses, as well as the site of the first manned flight by the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk. You can also relive the saga of the original Lost Colony through quality outdoor drama from May through August.
Wherever you may live in the southern US, there are quality, affordable attractions within just a few hours’ drive. Start making plans for your vacation escape now.
