The American Southeast knocked me sideways with its personality from day one. Picture this: I’m standing under massive live oaks dripping with Spanish moss at Savannah’s Forsyth Park, watching locals throw frisbees while kids splash in the fountain. The whole scene felt like stepping into a movie, but somehow totally real at the same time. This region serves up the kind of beauty that stops you in your tracks.
From watching the sunset paint the Great Smoky Mountains in shades of purple (while a black bear casually strolled past my viewpoint) to feeling the salty breeze on Charleston’s Rainbow Row, these are the most beautiful places in the Southeast USA that left me speechless. Let me show you 12 incredible spots that prove why this corner of America deserves all the hype!
Top Must-See Places in Southeast USA
Looking for the coolest things to do in Southeast USA? Experience the vibrant culture of New Orleans, Louisiana, explore the breathtaking landscapes of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NC & TN), and unwind on the serene beaches of Jekyll Island, Georgia. Stroll through the charming streets of Asheville, North Carolina, known for its arts scene and historic architecture. Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or Southern hospitality, here are the top attractions to visit in the Southeast USA.
1. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans honestly delivers on every single promise your Instagram feed has been making for years. This city doesn’t just serve up culture – it throws it at you from every balcony, street corner, and late-night jazz club until you’re completely overwhelmed in the best possible way. The French Quarter still looks like a movie set, but it’s the real deal with wrought-iron balconies that have been watching over cobblestone streets since the 1700s.
Skip the tourist trap that is Bourbon Street and head straight to Frenchmen Street where actual locals go for jazz that’ll make your soul ache. I spent an entire night hopping between clubs there and didn’t hear a single bad note. The 2026 Jazz Fest runs April 23-26 and April 30-May 3, and features Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, and Lil Wayne. Tickets range from about $80-120 per day depending on what you snag.
Mardi Gras 2026 hits February 17th, and honestly, the city transforms into pure chaos for weeks leading up to it. If you can’t handle crowds that make rush hour look peaceful, visit literally any other time. Café du Monde still serves those legendary beignets 24/7, and yes, you’ll be covered in powdered sugar within seconds of your first bite. The Garden District streetcar ride costs $1.25 and takes you past mansions that’ll make you question your life choices.
2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NC & TN)
The Great Smoky Mountains remain America’s most visited national park, and after spending time there, I totally get why over 12 million people make the pilgrimage each year. Here’s the thing that’ll blow your mind – there’s still no entrance fee thanks to a 1930s deal with Tennessee, but you’ll need a parking tag if you’re stopping for more than 15 minutes. Daily tags cost $5, weekly passes are $15, and annual passes run $40.
Cades Cove’s 11-mile loop road is where you’ll spot black bears doing their thing like they own the place (which, let’s be honest, they do). I’ve seen people literally abandon their cars mid-road when a bear family crosses – just remember the 50-yard rule and bring binoculars. The fall foliage typically peaks in mid-October, but spring wildflowers from April to May are equally spectacular without the insane crowds.
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge offer every tourist trap you can imagine, but they’re actually pretty fun if you embrace the cheesiness. Clingmans Dome, the park’s highest point at 6,643 feet, provides views across seven states on clear days – though the half-mile walk to the observation tower is surprisingly steep. The park’s 800+ miles of trails range from easy waterfall walks to serious backcountry adventures.
- Read next: 12 Top Areas to Live in Greenville, SC
3. Jekyll Island, Georgia
Jekyll Island delivers that perfect blend of exclusive vibes and accessibility that makes you feel fancy without emptying your trust fund. This Georgia state park limits development to preserve its natural beauty, so you’ll never feel like you’re at some overcrowded beach resort. The daily vehicle entrance fee is $8, which honestly feels like a steal considering what you’re getting.
Driftwood Beach creates the most Instagram-worthy scenery you’ll find on the East Coast – ancient oak trees weathered by storms create natural sculptures emerging from the sand. The best photo ops happen during golden hour, but check tide charts because high tide makes the beach pretty much inaccessible. I spent an entire morning there and barely saw another soul, which felt like discovering a secret paradise.
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center charges $11 for adults and $9 for kids, and it’s honestly the coolest thing you’ll do on the island. Watching rehabilitated sea turtles get fed while learning about conservation efforts made me feel way better about humanity. May through August is nesting season, so you might catch turtle walks or release events that’ll give you serious goosebumps. The island’s 20 miles of bike trails wind through maritime forests that make you forget civilization exists just across the causeway.
4. Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville has perfected the art of being cool without trying too hard, which makes it irresistible for anyone who’s graduated from college bar crawls to craft brewery tours. The city boasts more breweries per capita than anywhere else in America, and I’ve personally tested this statistic extensively – Highland Brewing, Wicked Weed, and Burial Beer Co. all deserve multiple visits.
Biltmore Estate remains absolutely mind-blowing even if you’re not normally into historic mansions. At $75+ for house tours (prices vary by season), it’s pricey but you’re literally walking through America’s largest private home with 250 rooms of Vanderbilt family excess. The 8,000-acre estate includes gardens, hiking trails, and the most-visited winery in America where tastings start around $15. I recommend the behind-the-scenes tours if you want stories that’ll make your dinner party conversations way more interesting.
The River Arts District showcases actual working artists in converted industrial buildings where you can watch glassblowing, pottery, and metalwork happen in real-time. Downtown Asheville pulses with energy from farm-to-table restaurants that actually know what they’re doing – not just trendy spots with bad food. The Blue Ridge Parkway provides easy access to hiking trails and scenic overlooks that’ll remind you why people move to mountains and never look back.
- You may also like: 12 SURPRISING Things to Do in Greenville at Night
5. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Hilton Head serves up that refined coastal lifestyle your LinkedIn connections keep posting about, minus the pretentious attitude you’d expect. This barrier island figured out how to balance luxury amenities with environmental preservation, creating something that feels exclusive yet accessible. The island’s strict building codes mean no structure rises above the tree line, so you’ll never feel overwhelmed by development.
The 12 miles of hard-packed beaches invite both morning runs and afternoon lounging without choosing sides. Harbour Town Golf Links hosts PGA Tour events annually, and even if you can’t break 100, the 18th hole lighthouse makes for killer sunset photos. Green fees range from $100-400+ depending on the course and season, so book tee times well in advance.
Cycling becomes practically mandatory with 60+ miles of trails winding through maritime forests and along coastlines. Getting lost among the palmetto trees might be my favorite island activity – just you, Spanish moss, and the occasional alligator sunbathing nearby. Shelter Cove and Coligny Beach offer public access with parking, restrooms, and enough space that you won’t feel like you’re sharing a bathtub with strangers. The Sea Pines Forest Preserve provides 605 acres of nature trails where you can spot deer, birds, and maybe work off some of that lowcountry cuisine.
- For nightlife adventures: 12 AWESOME Things to Do in Hilton Head at Night
- Also in South Carolina: 12 Best Places to Live in Greenville
- For more South Carolina nightlife: Fun & Unique Attractions in Greenville After Dark
6. Savannah, Georgia
Savannah‘s 22 park-like squares create an outdoor museum where every corner reveals another perfectly preserved piece of American history. The city’s walkable grid layout makes exploration effortless, whether you’re admiring Forsyth Park’s iconic fountain or getting lost among the Spanish moss-draped oaks that frame every photo opportunity. Free trolley tours run constantly, but honestly, walking lets you discover hidden courtyards and secret gardens that tour groups miss.
River Street’s cobblestone waterfront buzzes with activity as massive cargo ships navigate the Savannah River like floating cities. The restaurants here actually deliver on their river view promises – The Cotton Exchange and River House Seafood both serve solid lowcountry cuisine without the tourist trap pricing you’d expect.
Ghost tours run nightly year-round with prices around $25-30 per person, and they’re way more entertaining than I expected. Bonaventure Cemetery inspired the novel “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” and remains one of America’s most beautiful cemeteries where massive oaks create natural cathedrals over historic graves. I spent an entire afternoon there reading headstone stories and watching light filter through Spanish moss. Spring visits (March-June) showcase blooming azaleas throughout the historic districts that make the city look like a painting.
7. Everglades National Park, Florida
The Everglades delivers wildlife encounters that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about Florida beyond theme parks and beaches. This UNESCO World Heritage site protects a slow-moving river ecosystem where spotting alligators becomes as routine as checking your phone. The Anhinga Trail at Royal Palm provides guaranteed alligator and bird sightings within walking distance of the parking area – I’ve never left disappointed.
Airboat tours ($30-50+ depending on duration) rocket you across sawgrass marshes with wind whipping through your hair while guides spot wildlife like it’s their superpower. For something more serene, kayaking through the Ten Thousand Islands area reveals mangrove tunnels where manatees and dolphins make surprise appearances. Flamingo Campground at the park’s southern tip offers backcountry camping that makes you feel like you’ve reached the edge of civilization.
Winter months (December-April) provide the ideal visiting window when temperatures stay comfortable and wildlife concentrates around remaining water sources for epic photo opportunities. The Shark Valley area offers a 15-mile paved loop perfect for cycling with an observation tower providing panoramic wetland views that stretch to the horizon. Park entrance fees run $30 per vehicle for seven days, which honestly feels like a bargain for accessing one of America’s most unique ecosystems.
8. St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine transports you to a European city without the overseas flight hassle, thanks to being America’s oldest continuously occupied European settlement founded in 1565. The Castillo de San Marcos fort has withstood centuries of sieges and hurricanes while providing Instagram-worthy views across Matanzas Bay. Admission costs $15 for adults, and I guarantee you’ll spend more time exploring the stone ramparts than you planned.
St. George Street’s pedestrian zone pulses with energy from unique shops, cozy cafés, and street performers who actually have talent. The cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial architecture create backdrops that make every photo look like a travel brochure, except it’s totally authentic. Flagler College showcases stunning Spanish Renaissance architecture and Tiffany stained glass windows – even just walking around campus feels like exploring a palace.
Anastasia State Park offers pristine Atlantic beaches just minutes from the historic district, so you can combine cultural immersion with beach relaxation in the same day. The annual Nights of Lights festival (December-January) illuminates the historic district with millions of white lights creating an absolutely magical atmosphere that makes the crowds worth enduring. Ghost tours run year-round starting around $20, and honestly, the city’s haunted history provides more spine-tingling stories than most horror movies.
- For coastal nightlife nearby: 12 Epic Things to Do in Hilton Head After Dark
9. Tallulah Gorge, Georgia
Tallulah Gorge plunges nearly 1,000 feet deep with granite walls housing six spectacular waterfalls that earn its nickname “Niagara of the South.” The suspension bridge sways 80 feet above Hurricane Falls, creating views that make even fearless travelers grip the railings. Only 100 people per day get permits to hike the gorge floor ($5 per person), and securing one feels like winning a lottery for the most exclusive swimming holes in the Southeast.
Scheduled dam releases transform the peaceful river into thundering Class IV rapids that make the ground vibrate beneath your feet. I still remember my first release day when the entire gorge filled with the sound of rushing water – it’s absolutely primal. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources releases water about 17 weekends per year, so check their schedule because witnessing this natural spectacle ranks among the most powerful outdoor experiences you’ll have.
The North and South Rim Trails offer spectacular overlooks without the strenuous gorge descent, perfect for families or anyone who wants incredible views without risking life and limb. Tallulah Falls Lake provides swimming and boating opportunities just upstream from the gorge. Tallulah Point Overlook delivers postcard-worthy photos, especially during fall foliage season when the entire gorge explodes with color. The nearby town of Tallulah Falls offers a few restaurants and shops, but honestly, the gorge is the main attraction that’ll dominate your entire visit.
10. Cumberland Island, Georgia
Cumberland Island offers wilderness solitude that feels impossible to find in the modern world, accessible only by a 45-minute ferry ride from St. Marys ($30 round-trip for adults). Only 300 visitors are allowed daily, which means you’ll often have entire beaches to yourself while approximately 150 feral horses roam freely among ruins of Gilded Age mansions.
Watching wild horses gallop along pristine beaches creates scenes so surreal they look like movie magic, except it’s totally real and happening right in front of you. The Carnegie family ruins, including Dungeness mansion, provide hauntingly beautiful backdrops draped with Spanish moss and invaded by nature in the most romantic way possible. Plum Orchard mansion offers guided tours ($10) showcasing how America’s elite once lived in opulent isolation.
First African Baptist Church holds historical significance as one of the sites where JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette secretly married in 1996. The island’s 18 miles of undeveloped shoreline stretch endlessly with opportunities for shelling, fishing, and simply existing without constant notifications. Camping ($10 per night) is available at Sea Camp Beach and wilderness sites for those wanting to experience the island after day-trippers leave. Pack everything you need because the island has no stores, restaurants, or services beyond restrooms.
11. Outer Banks, North Carolina
The Outer Banks stretch across 200 miles of barrier islands where pirate legends, aviation history, and wild horses converge into one unforgettable coastal experience. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, America’s tallest brick lighthouse at 208 feet, offers climbing opportunities ($10) and views that stretch across the Atlantic to the horizon. The iconic black-and-white stripes make it the most photographed lighthouse in America for good reason.
Jockey’s Ridge State Park showcases the East Coast’s tallest natural sand dunes where hang gliding becomes accessible to beginners through lessons starting around $100. Watching sunset from these massive dunes feels otherworldly, like you’re on some distant planet rather than North Carolina. Kill Devil Hills memorializes where the Wright Brothers achieved humanity’s first powered flight with a monument and museum ($10) that makes you appreciate human ingenuity.
Corolla Beach offers opportunities to spot wild Colonial Spanish Mustangs, descendants of shipwrecked horses roaming the northern beaches freely. 4WD beach driving north of Corolla provides access to undeveloped coastline where these horses graze among the dunes. Roanoke Island presents the mystery of the Lost Colony through outdoor drama performances during summer months. The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras Village showcases maritime history including countless shipwrecks that earned these waters their ominous nickname.
12. Lookout Mountain, Tennessee
Lookout Mountain packs three legendary attractions on one dramatic summit rising above Chattanooga like nature’s skyscraper. Ruby Falls thunders 145 feet inside a cathedral-like cave chamber where colored lights illuminate America’s tallest underground waterfall ($25+ for adults). The guided cave tour builds anticipation perfectly before revealing this surreal natural wonder that photographs can’t capture.
The Incline Railway climbs at a heart-stopping 72.7% grade as one of the world’s steepest passenger railways ($20+ round-trip). Riding to the summit feels like a controlled roller coaster where views expand with every foot of elevation gained. Rock City Gardens ($25+ for adults) winds through ancient rock formations including the famous “Fat Man’s Squeeze” narrow passage that tests your claustrophobia limits.
The “See Seven States” viewpoint stretches across Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama on clear days – though honestly, the view is spectacular regardless of visibility. I’ve visited multiple times and never get tired of watching weather patterns move across this massive landscape. Point Park on the mountain summit preserves Civil War battlefield sites where the “Battle Above the Clouds” took place in 1863. The combination of natural beauty and historical significance creates an experience that satisfies both adventure seekers and history buffs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Unique Places to Visit in The Southeast USA:
Are you looking to expand your knowledge of what to do in the Southeastern USA? Here are some common questions (and answers) I get asked a lot about the most unique places to visit in Southeast USA.
What is Southeast USA known for?
Southeast USA is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and historical significance. From the vibrant music scenes of cities like New Orleans to the pristine beaches of the Outer Banks, the Southeast offers a mix of urban and natural attractions. It’s also home to iconic landmarks, such as the Great Smoky Mountains, and the historic districts of cities like Savannah and St. Augustine.
Why is the southeast region a popular vacation spot?
The Southeast United States is a popular vacation spot for a variety of reasons:
- Diverse Landscapes: The region offers a mix of mountains, beaches, and wetlands. From the Appalachian Mountains to the sandy shores of Florida, there’s a natural setting for everyone.
- Warm Climate: The Southeast is known for its warm and sunny weather. This is especially so in states like Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. This makes it a favorite destination for those looking to escape colder climates.
- Rich History: The Southeast has a deep-rooted history, from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement. Cities like Charleston, Savannah, and New Orleans offer historical tours, preserved buildings, and museums.
- Vibrant Culture: The region is known for its unique culture. This includes Southern hospitality, music (like jazz, blues, and country), and festivals.
- World-Class Beaches: Florida and the Carolinas, in particular, boast some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, attracting sunbathers, surfers, and families.
- Theme Parks: Florida is home to world-renowned theme parks, including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld.
- Cuisine: The Southeast is famous for its diverse and flavorful cuisine. This includes everything from Creole and Cajun dishes in Louisiana to Southern BBQ and fresh seafood along the coast.
- Outdoor Activities: Whether it’s hiking in the Smoky Mountains, boating in the Everglades, or golfing in Hilton Head, the Southeast offers a plethora of outdoor recreational opportunities.
- Affordability: Compared to some other regions in the U.S., the Southeast often offers more affordable vacation options.
- Unique Destinations: Cities like New Orleans, known for Mardi Gras and its French Quarter, and Nashville, the heart of country music, offer unique experiences that can’t be found elsewhere.
What is the Southeast region most known for?
The Southeast region is most recognized for its blend of traditions, from the soulful blues and jazz rhythms to the unique Gullah culture. Additionally, it boasts some of the most interesting USA destinations, including sprawling national parks, barrier islands, and historic plantations. The region’s culinary scene, with its Creole, Cajun, and Southern flavors, is also a major draw for food enthusiasts.
What makes the Southeast US unique?
The Southeast US stands out for its rich tapestry of history, culture, and nature. It’s a place where colonial pasts intersect with modern-day vibrancy, and where natural wonders like Mammoth Cave and the Everglades coexist with bustling urban centers. The region’s festivals, music, and local traditions, such as Mardi Gras and the Kentucky Derby, add to its uniqueness.
Where to go in the Southeast for a mix of history and nature?
For travelers seeking both historical insights and natural beauty, places like Charleston, South Carolina, and the Outer Banks in North Carolina are ideal. These unique Southeast places to visit offer a blend of historic architecture, local legends, and stunning natural landscapes, from marshlands to coastal dunes.
Are there any underrated destinations in the Southeast worth exploring?
While the Southeast boasts many popular tourist spots, several underrated destinations in the Southeast promise unique experiences. Places like Lookout Mountain in Tennessee, the barrier islands of Georgia, and the bayous of Louisiana offer a mix of natural beauty and local charm, often away from the typical tourist trails.
