Full of easy charm, the American South provides a feast of cultural riches, including distinct musical and gastronomic traditions and evidence of a complex, turbulent history. Our USA specialists can create you a holiday to the American South that takes in the region’s many pleasures, from the leafy streets of Charleston and Savannah to boisterous New Orleans, where they can suggest the best place to enjoy live jazz or a bowl of gumbo. In Nashville and Memphis, they can arrange tours that give you a behind-the-scenes look at the music industry’s past and present.
Outside the cities, you can discover the American South’s antebellum heritage at plantations, whose stately façades hide a brutal past, or on a lazy cruise down the wide, slow waters of the Mississippi. Holidays to the American South can also include ways to explore the area’s natural beauty, such as its fine-sand beaches, steamy bayous and the Great Smoky Mountains.
Creating tailor-made tours for over 25 years
Suggested tours for the American South
These tours give you a starting point for what your holiday to the American South could entail. Treat them as inspiration, as each trip is created uniquely for you.
Why travel with Audley?
- 100% tailor-made tours
- Fully protected travel
- Established for over 25 years
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Best time to visit
Our specialists advise on the best months to visit the American South, including information about climate, events and festivals.
Travel advice
Practical tips for travelling to the American South, from social protocols to guidance on money matters, with a link to the latest FCDO travel advice.
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The American South in pictures
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![Cotton fields in Mississippi]()
Cotton crop, Georgia -
![Blue Ridge Mountains]()
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee -
![Middle Bay Lighthouse in Mobile, Alabama]()
Lighthouse, Alabama -
![Illinois Monument and cannons in Vicksburg, Mississippi]()
Memorial at Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi -
![Paddlewheel Boat and Huey P. Long Bridge in New Orleans]()
Paddle steamer on the Mississippi River, Louisiana -
![French Quarter in New Orleans]()
Street corner in New Orleans’ French Quarter, Louisiana -
![Jones Street flags and Spanish moss, Savannah, Georgia]()
Street in Savannah, Georgia -
![Sunrise over the Louisiana swamps]()
Waders, American South waterway
Our expert guides to travelling in the American South
Written by our specialists from the viewpoint of their own travels, these guides will help you decide on the shape of your own trip to the American South. Aiming to inspire and inform, we share our recommendations for how to appreciate the American South at its best.
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Exploring the American South: Georgia and the Carolinas ![Charleston, South Carolina]()
Exploring the American South: Georgia and the Carolinas
Exploring the American South: Georgia and the Carolinas
There’s more to the American South than the food, music and culture of Louisiana and Tennessee. USA specialist Molly ventured farther east to the less-visited states of Georgia, and North and South Carolina. Here, you can balance historical cities with beach relaxation and mountain scenery.
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Exploring the American South: Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee ![Balcony, New Orleans]()
Exploring the American South: Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee
Exploring the American South: Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee
Your guide to exploring the American South along the Mississippi River. Sample gumbo in New Orleans, examine the history of slavery at plantations, pay tribute to the King in Memphis and get a behind-the-scenes look at country music’s most storied stage.
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Plantation homes of the American South ![Monmouth Plantation Inn, Natchez]()
Plantation homes of the American South
Plantation homes of the American South
Juxtaposing extreme wealth and stark poverty, the American South’s plantations shine a light on the region’s past. USA specialist Carla shares her recommendations on which plantations to visit for a thorough grounding in the American South’s history.
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Music culture of the American South ![Beale Street, Memphis]()
Music culture of the American South
Music culture of the American South
Jazz in New Orleans, soul in Memphis, and country in Nashville — USA specialist Carl takes you on a musical journey through the American South. En route, he delves into some of the best music tours and experiences you can enjoy during your own trip.
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Luxury holidays in the American South ![French Quarter, New Orleans]()
Luxury holidays in the American South
Luxury holidays in the American South
Different to anywhere else in America, the American South offers a varied trip focused around music, food, history and a mix of cultures. Specialist Alice shares experiences that can uncover a little more of the region and elevate your trip.
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Exploring the great outdoors in the American South ![Waterfall at Lover's Leap, Rock City, Chattanooga]()
Exploring the great outdoors in the American South
Exploring the great outdoors in the American South
From fog-blanketed mountains to wildlife-rich marshlands, the American South abounds in opportunities for adventure. Here, USA specialist Shannon highlights how you can make the most of the region’s great outdoors, while also enjoying its music, food, and history.
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A New Orleans food guide ![Spicy Homemade Cajun Jambalaya]()
A New Orleans food guide
A New Orleans food guide
From a steaming bowl of belly-warming seafood gumbo to a creamy-sweet praline studded with pecans to a plate of oyster Rockefeller at Antoine’s — USA specialist Natalie introduces you to the distinctive culinary pleasures of New Orleans.
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A guide to Southern food ![Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo]()
A guide to Southern food
A guide to Southern food
Whether you’re eating po’boy sandwiches in New Orleans or diving into a plate of barbecue in South Carolina, a visit to the American South is a culinary odyssey. Here’s an introduction to some of the dishes you’re likely to encounter.
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Lobster rolls to mooncakes — eating in the United States ![Shrimp Po Boy, New Orleans]()
Lobster rolls to mooncakes — eating in the United States
Lobster rolls to mooncakes — eating in the United States
The fastest way to a country’s heart is through your stomach. Our specialists suggest the best ways to discover regional specialties across the United States, from creole cuisine in New Orleans to a lobster roll on Cape Cod.
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