Southern Living Best of the South

One thing is always true about Southerners: we are wildly passionate. Whether it’s a favorite college town, restaurant,or beach (and the list goes on!), Southerners love to celebrate the people and places they love. This special collector’s issue from the editors of Southern Living is a reminder of the spectacular sights, inspiring people, and cultural institutions that define our region. In Best of the South, we share the best-kept secrets and classic charms of forever favorites like Charleston, Asheville, Savannah, and more. We spotlight our round-ups of the South’s best beaches, seafood joints, and scenic drives, to name a few. From cover to cover, this issue is filled with even more reasons to love the South.

A Star in the Making • Hollywood has been reveling in the wonders of WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA, for decades. It’s time we follow suit

Some Like It Hot • One of America’s oldest national parks is both a geothermal marvel and a refreshing getaway in Central Arkansas

A League of Their Own • HOW A HOMEGROWN BASEBALL TEAM IN SAVANNAH BECAME “THE GREATEST SHOW IN SPORTS”

Willkommen to Fredericksburg! • THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY TOWN CELEBRATES MORE THAN 175 YEARS OF GERMAN HERITAGE

We Brake for Buc-ee’s • Meet the detour-worthy convenience store chain that’s become a road trip destination in its own right

Why Not Dunedin? • A new wave of energy is brewing in Florida’s hidden jewel

The Old Soul of St. Augustine • A cultural kaleidoscope illuminated by pure Florida sunshine sets this exceptional small town apart from the rest

The South’s Best Small Towns • The results are in: We asked for your favorite places, and you shared this wide-ranging list of seaside charmers, magnificent mountain escapes, historic villages, and more. Road trip planning starts now

The South’s Best Big Cities • These ever-changing metropolitan areas offer it all—from museums to restaurants, parks, shops, and more

The South’s Best Cities on the Rise • With flourishing downtowns and burgeoning food scenes, these up-and-coming areas have become worthy destinations

7 New Reasons to Love Texas • WITH ITS OWN KIND OF INGENUITY AND SWAGGER, THIS STATE KEEPS THE SURPRISES COMING

The Friendliest Places in the South

Bounty in the Bayou • Often overshadowed by culinary powerhouse New Orleans, Baton Rouge is a food city more than worthy of our attention

Something in the Water • Music made Macon, Georgia, famous in the 1950s, but the city’s singing a little louder recently thanks to a revitalized downtown

North Carolina’s New Barbecue Capital • A wave of restaurants has made the Raleigh-Durham area a meat-smoking hot spot

Kentucky’s Creative City • EXPLORE PADUCAH, A RIVER TOWN POWERED BY THE ARTS

Southern Living