Written by Alexia Dellner

In the Southeast of the USA,  you can be sure to encounter plenty of southern hospitality, rich history and delicious home cooking.

The weather can be humid, but with pristine beaches like Hilton Head in South Carolina or South Beach in Miami, you’ll find somewhere to cool down. Visit a modern metropolises like Atlanta, Georgia, an old colonial town like New Orleans, Louisiana or a historical city like Montgomery, Alabama. If you want to get out into nature, Mississippi’s wide-open spaces or Arkansas’s hot springs will do the trick.

Read locals’ tips for the South-eastern states on our United Sharing Adventure map

Alabama

Alabama takes two things very seriously and that’s freedom and football. This is after all where the Civil Rights Movement began and where the state motto is “we dare defend our rights.” Highlights include the many civil rights museums and monuments, white-sand beaches and the world’s largest museum dedicated to space.

Looking for cheap Alabama accommodation? Check out our budget hostels and hotels…

Thanks to Janet for the beautiful Alabama images.

Arkansas

Perhaps best known as Bill Clinton’s birthplace, Arkansas is filled with state parks, mountains, valleys, lakes, rivers and forests. Some may call the state boring, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find variety of outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, hiking and camping, as well as more unusual pursuits like hot springs, diamond mines, caves and a thriving music scene.

Looking for cheap Arkansas accommodation? Check out our budget hotels and hostels…

Thanks to Michael for the beautiful Arkansas images.

Florida

Florida is the place to be for year-round sunshine, with glitzy hotels lining miles of white sandy beaches. Orlando is a popular destination for families eager to see Disney World while Miami is known for its South Beach and nightlife. Adventure lovers head down to the Everglades to paddle past gators and other wildlife in the massive National Park.

Looking for cheap Florida accommodation? Check out our budget hotels and hostels…

Thanks to Jeremy for the beautiful Florida images.

Georgia

Immortalised in the classic film Gone With the Wind, nowadays Georgia is a mix of old fashioned southern values and new modern metropolises. Savannah’s colonial houses and oak trees contrast with Atlanta’s high rises and shopping malls, but both cities are worth a visit. Mountains and rivers can be found inland while the coast features resorts and nature reserves.

Looking for cheap Georgia accommodation? Check out our budget hotels and hostels…

Thanks to Brett and Mary for the beautiful Georgia images (seen above and also in our hero shot).

Louisiana

Filled with charm and mystery, Louisiana’s largest city New Orleans turns into the “The Greatest Free Show on Earth” every Mardi Gras season. But beyond the vibrant metropolis lie murky bayous, wetlands and swamps. You won’t be able to avoid the famous Southern hospitality or the strong presence and Cajun and Creole culture, but why would you want to?

Looking for cheap Louisiana accommodation? Check out our budget hotels and hostels…

Thanks to Aly for the beautiful Louisiana images.

Mississippi

Often overlooked, Mississippi is a beautiful state with wide-open spaces, friendly locals, delicious food and a rich history. Sadly many parts of the state incurred the wrath of Hurricane Katrina, but the rebuilding has begun in the state famous for its cotton fields, giving birth to the blues, and good southern home cooking like fried chicken, catfish, barbeque and cornbread.

Looking for cheap Mississippi accommodation? Check out our budget hotels and hostels…

Thanks to Dean for the beautiful Mississippi images.

South Carolina

Palm tree studded Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island make South Carolina a top holiday destination. When not exploring the beaches, other activities include driving through quaint small towns, strolling through lush forests, visiting the beautiful old Colonial port city of Charleston and enjoying some sweet tea and tasty barbeque.

Looking for cheap South Carolina accommodation? Check out our budget hotels and hostels…

Thanks to Kate for the beautiful South Carolina images. 

Read the rest of our United Sharing Adventure series:

• Your Guide to the Appalachians Highlands
• Your Guide to the Midwest States
• Your Guide to the Pacific Coast States
• Your Guide to the Heartland States
• Your Guide to the Southwestern States
• Your Guide to the Mountain States
• Your Guide to New England
• Your Guide to the Non-Contiguous States
• Your Guide to the Mid-Atlantic States