Walton County Tourism

Seven Beautiful Places in the South That Feel Much Farther Flung

Recently, Delta Air Lines released its annual list of the most-searched destinations and—quelle surprise—it read like a Rick Steves itinerary: London, Paris, Rome, Athens… But if a summer jaunt across the pond isn’t in your travel forecast, consider that some of the South’s most charming towns and regions bear an uncanny resemblance to popular global getaways. So stash the passport, grab your weekender, and explore these Southern destination dupes.

9 Gulf Coast Small Towns With Unmatched Friendliness

World Atlas

The Gulf Coast stretches from Florida to Texas and has many charming seaside towns and friendly communities. Many people come for the white sand beaches and azure-colored water, but they return to spend time with the communities, adding just as much charm to the area as the natural scenery.

20 Florida Beaches That Could Pass For The Caribbean

Southern Living

What if we said you could visit the Caribbean without a passport? Or that you could plant your chair in white sand, dip your toes in clear water, and listen to palm trees swaying—without leaving the States?

18 Undiscovered Beach Getaways

As summer approaches, the dream of a peaceful beach escape can quickly devolve into the reality of battling over limited parking spots, securing the last beach umbrella and wrangling the best lunch reservations.

11 Florida Towns With A Slower Pace Of Life

World Atlas

Famous destinations like Miami and Orlando automatically come to mind for anyone contemplating a trip to Florida. Their world-class amusement parks and electric nightlife draw in millions of tourists annually. However, these choking crowds can prove to be too much for the uninitiated, especially if you seek a quiet place to kick back and enjoy a relaxed retreat. This is why some people opt to travel to the hidden rural communities, where life dances to a much slower beat.

20 Best Beach Vacations for Families, Hand-Picked by Travel Experts

Good Housekeeping

Let's get the beach ball rolling on your family's summer vacation! If your family is dreaming of a trip that involves warm water, powdery sand, an umbrella in a drink and maybe a kids' club, we'll run you through 20 "shore bets."

23 Top Babymoon Destinations in the U.S.

U.S. News & World Report

Babymoons have become almost as popular as honeymoons, with many resorts and spas offering packages or wellness amenities for expectant parents. Babymoon trips can range from a romantic vacation with a significant other to a girls getaway in the city to an exciting solo adventure before the big day.

You don't have to play golf to enjoy staying at a golf resort and here's why

Chicago Tribune

Of course golfers stay at golf resorts. The venues cater to their sport and make playing it convenient and comfortable, offering everything they need all in one place. But non-golfers can benefit from staying at a golf resort as well, with benefits they may not even realize existed. What kinds of things can such guests enjoy at a golf resort?

7 Serene Gulf Coast Towns For A Weekend Retreat

Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida are the "Gulf States" along the US's southern coast. From the crowdless Nature Coast in Hernando Beach to southern vibes in Alabama, these idyllic Gulf Coast slices host a sheltered-from-the-world atmosphere. The Gulf of America is replete with lush nature and wildlife. Enjoy easy access and unobscured views.

My Town: A Restaurateur’s South Walton, Florida

Garden & Gun

Dave Rauschkolb, a one-man welcome wagon on the Emerald Coast, shares his favorite haunts

8 Beaches Our Editors Return to Year After Year

Southern Living

For many Southerners, a yearly beach vacation is non-negotiable. Sure, we’re open to visiting new Southern destinations, and we might even have a standing bucket list of places we’ve always wanted to go, but when it comes to beach vacations, we tend to stick to what we know. Not only do we visit the same stretches of sandy shoreline each year, but we’ll even go as far as to return on the same week every summer or stay in the same oceanfront home or condo unit year after year. What can we say? When it comes to beach trips, Southerners are undeniably creatures of habit. And our editors are no exception. If you were born and raised within a few hours of the coast, chances are you probably already have a tried-and-true spot, but if you happen to be on the hunt for a new beach to make your yearly haunt, keep reading. Here are 10 Southern beaches our editors return to year after year.

This Tiny Florida Library Is Full of Surprises

Garden & Gun

The town of DeFuniak Springs is the kind of Old Florida community you might expect in a Southern gothic novel, with its sprawling oak canopy and the mysterious DeFuniak Lake, which on a map looks like a nearly perfect circle. Just along the lake’s edge stands a clapboard building with a red door that resembles a small chapel or schoolhouse. You can immediately tell the Walton-DeFuniak Library, which opened in 1887 and is the oldest continuously operated library in the state, is full of stories.