The Deep South is a region in the southeastern part of the United States, often defined as including the states of Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. This region is known for its unique blend of history, culture, and cuisine, as well as its natural beauty and southern hospitality.
Georgia
Energetic and lively cities, a relaxing coastline and breath-taking mountain scenery offer rich and unique experiences that can only be found in Georgia. Within the beautiful skyline of Atlanta, you’ll have access to the world’s largest aquarium, the chance to follow in the footsteps of one of the country’s most notable civil rights leaders and even see the world’s largest collection of Coke memorabilia at the World of Coca-Cola.
Atlanta
Atlanta is the capital of the U.S. state of Georgia, and in the 1860s, it played an important part in the American Civil War and in the 1960’s it played an important part in the Civil Rights Movement.
Perhaps pay a visit to the Atlanta History Centre, which chronicles the city's past, and also to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, which is dedicated to the African-American leader’s life. Downtown, you will find the city’s Centennial Olympic Park, which was built for the 1996 Olympics, and which encompasses the massive Georgia Aquarium.
Mississippi
Dip your toes in the Gulf of Mexico at the “Riviera of the South,” then tap them to the beat of authentic roots blues music. Follow the paths of revered Civil Rights movement leaders and stand next to a statue of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Nourish your soul and body in Mississippi, known for its preservation of historical places, creative arts heritage and natural wonders. The mighty Mississippi River forms the state’s western boundary, and visitors are as apt to find freshly caught shrimp on a menu as they are barbecued ribs and fried catfish.
Jackson
Jackson has a reputation for warm, welcoming locals and has been at the forefront of history-making events since the Civil War. The city played a critical role in the Civil Rights movement, which has been documented in the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and has featured on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail.
Jackson is home to more historical markers celebrating blues heritage than anywhere else in the state of Mississippi and has been dubbed "The Birthplace of American Music." Discover them on the Mississippi Blues Trail, then plan a night out to hear live blues and soul music along with some traditional southern fare.
Tupelo
Located in north-eastern Mississippi, Tupelo is best known as being the birthplace of Elvis Presley, and here you can see numerous statues throughout the city that commemorate his life. You can visit his childhood home, which displays its 1930s furniture and nearby, you will find the Elvis Presley Museum, which traces his early life and music.
Other places to visit include Buffalo Park and Zoo, which is home to bison, zebras, and giraffes; plus there is also the Tupelo National Battlefield which was the site of a battle in the Civil War.
Louisiana
The mist-shrouded swamps, the prairies of Acadiana and the grey Spanish moss cascading from the old trees all add up to the special feeling that is Louisiana. The streets here are filled with an eclectic mix of people whose ideas, tastes and roots translate into the cuisines, music and art that characterize the Pelican State. Louisiana features a multicultural, multilingual history influenced by the people who make up the state.
The people of Louisiana came from France, Spain, Haiti, French Canada, the Caribbean, Africa and Vietnam. While there is no official state language, the state constitution acknowledges “the right of the people to preserve, foster, and promote their respective historic, linguistic, and cultural origins.”
New Orleans
New Orleans is located in Louisiana on the Mississippi River and close to the Gulf of Mexico. It is best known for its Mardi Gras carnival, which usually takes place from January to February each year and is famed for its raucous costumed parades and street parties.
Affectionately known as the "Big Easy," it is also renowned for its round-the-clock nightlife, vibrant live-music scene and spicy, singular cuisine reflecting its history as a melting pot of French, African and American cultures.
Alabama
The famed "Sweet Home Alabama" you may have heard is more than a song. This is a land of history, culture, music and adventure from beaches to mountains. Music legends Nat King Cole, W.C. Handy and Hank Williams were born in Alabama, and artists including Aretha Franklin and The Rolling Stones came to Alabama to cement their careers.
Here, Gospel is sung in churches and folks dance, while Blues, Country and Jazz set the mood local bars. Locally owned restaurants dish up meals of mouth-watering barbecue and fresh seafood from Alabama’s fishing villages, and museums cover everything from Civil Rights and music history to fast cars and faster spacecraft.
Montgomery
Montgomery is the State Capital of Alabama, where Martin Luther King, Jr. preached at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, a hub for the Montgomery bus boycott. You will also be able to see the black granite Civil Rights Memorial and the adjacent exhibition centre commemorating the Civil Rights Movement.
Other places of interest include the domed 1850s Alabama State Capitol, and east of the downtown area, you can find the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, which displays fine porcelain, as well as American and African art.
Mobile
Mobile is a port city on Alabama’s Gulf Coast and has been described as a melting pot of people, flavours, cultures, and traditions. Once called the Paris of the South, it has a vibrant 300-year history where traditions are celebrated on a regular basis.
You can see floats, costumes and photos at the Mobile Carnival Museum, which illuminate the city’s centuries-old Mardi Gras tradition, there’s the 1850 Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception which features intricate German stained glass, and you can see International fine and decorative art at the Mobile Museum of Art.
Tennessee
Whether it’s hiking the Appalachian Trail, conquering the coasters at Dollywood, savouring some Jack Daniels and barbecue, making the pilgrimage to Graceland or paying your respects at the National Civil Rights Museum, it’s hard to beat the variety of things to do in Tennessee. This Southern destination mixes historic and modern in places like Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.
Look for Civil War sites, civil rights monuments and some of music’s most legendary landmarks right alongside world-class cultural venues, trendy food spots and craft distilleries and breweries.
Nashville
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and home to legendary country music venues such as the Grand Ole Opry House, home of the famous “Grand Ole Opry” stage and radio show, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, as well as the historic Ryman Auditorium. You will also find honky-tonks with live music and the Johnny Cash Museum, which celebrates the singer's life.
No trip to Nashville would be complete without tasting its amazing food, Tennessee is famous for its Hot Chicken, its low-and-slow Barbecue Restaurants, a Nashville Meat & Three where you choose a delicious meat dish with three sumptuous sides, plus there are traditional American burgers and hotdogs, and a whole host of other dining options.
Memphis
Situated on the banks of the Mississippi River in southwest Tennessee, Memphis is a city famous for its music and particularly for the blues, soul and rock 'n' roll that originated there. The legendary Sun Studio are where Elvis Presley, B.B. King and Johnny Cash recorded albums, and Presley’s Graceland mansion is a must-see attraction.
Other musical attractions include the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, which tells the story of musical pioneers who, for the love of music, overcame racial and socio-economic barriers to create the music that shook the entire world, the Blues Hall of Fame which preserves and promotes Blues music across the world, and Stax Museum of American Soul Music which invites you to shake what your mama gave you on the Express Yourself dance floor!
Chattanooga
Tucked between the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and along the beautiful Tennessee River, Chattanooga boasts itself as one of America's most breathtaking cities. It is probably best known for its Incline Railway that climbs the steep Lookout Mountain before reaching Ruby Falls waterfall and Rock City; along the way, you’ll experience sweeping views, sandstone formations and gardens.
If you have time take a stroll along part of the revitalized riverfront, a 13-mile paved Riverwalk scattered with attractions, parks, restaurants and riverboats.