20 Hidden Gems Only Southerners Know About

Bay Bluffs Preserve

Pensacola, Florida

As you cruise down Pensacola's Scenic Highway, don't go too fast or you'll probably miss the parking lot for Bay Bluffs Preserve. The nondescript entrance might lead you to believe what lies beyond is nothing special, but trust us, the hidden beach tucked just beyond the oaks is worth a visit. Follow the winding boardwalk down the bluff to discover what might be one of the Florida panhandle's quietest little beaches. Railroad tracks frame the Escambia Bay shoreline, summoning an old-Florida nostalgia that just begs you to sit and stay awhile.

Grayson Highlands State Park

Mouth of Wilson, Virginia

Southwest Virginia is home to several beautiful routes along the Appalachian Trail, but it's hard to beat Grayson Highlands State Park with its 5,000-foot peaks and stunning waterfalls. As you hike the trails (there are 13 to choose from), watch for wild horses and stop for views of Mount Rogers, the tallest summit in the state. Nature enthusiasts will be delighted to explore a range of habitats from grazed pastures and red spruce forests to mossy bogs, while adventurous types will enjoy the bouldering, which locals say is the best in Virginia.

829 Grayson Highlands Lane, Mouth of Wilson, VA 24363

Robert Is Here Fruit Stand

Homestead, Florida

Just east of the Everglades National Park and west of Florida City sits a large barn-like structure in the town of Homestead. With the words "Robert Is Here" screaming from the rooftop, you can't miss it. You shouldn't miss it. Stop by for the usual in-season ingredients (tomatoes, mangoes, squash), and discover new and exotic fruit like jackfruit, sugar apples, and guanabana. Make a stop if you're passing through, take a worthwhile detour if you're not, and be sure to order a milkshake for the road.

19200 SW 344th Street, Homestead, FL 33034

St. Helena Parish Chapel of Ease Ruins

Saint Helena Island, South Carolina

During colonial times, "chapels of ease" were sometimes constructed to enable planters who lived far from a parish church to attend services. This Anglican example near Beaufort, South Carolina, was built in the 1740s, but was largely destroyed by a forest fire in 1886. Its cemetery and ruins remain, displaying the durability of tabby (also known as coastal concrete), which includes a regional addition: oyster shells.

17 Lands End Road, Saint Helena Island, SC 29920

Unclaimed Baggage

Scottsboro, Alabama

Scottsboro isn't a big place, with a population hovering around 15,000. But visitors to the tiny North Alabama town routinely exceed a million each year, largely due to Unclaimed Baggage. The massive retail store spans more than a city block and is stocked with 7,000-plus items each day—all recovered from luggage that was never retrieved from the airport. Find everything from designer Italian shoes and couture fashion to camera equipment and golf clubs at heavily discounted prices. You never know what treasures you'll turn up!

509 West Willow Street, Scottsboro, AL 35768

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

Spring Hill, Florida

Located about an hour north of Tampa, Weeki Wachee is perhaps best known for its live mermaid shows. But there's more to see here than an underwater rendition of The Little Mermaid. Pictures can't capture the breathtaking scenery of the Weeki Wachee River, which is best enjoyed by kayak. As you traverse the 5.5 miles of crystal-clear waters, surrounded by palm, cypress, and oak trees, you may be lucky enough to find yourself floating alongside manatees, turtles, and otters. You can rent kayaks and paddleboards or bring your own vessel; either way, reservations are required through Weeki Fresh Water Adventures.

6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606

Scott's Antique Market

Atlanta, Georgia

For four days a month, you have the opportunity to rifle through 366,000 square feet of antiques, art, furniture, rugs, jewelry, and who knows what else at Scott's Antique Market. (And that's not even considering the outdoor space!) Mark your calendar for the second weekend of every month, from Thursday to Sunday, and clear out your trunk so you can haul home your finds. As you shop, you may find yourself mingling with interior designers, but they're probably there for the same reason you are: The prices are great, and the experience is even better. P.S. Don't miss the veggie stand outside the North Building!

3650-3850 Jonesboro Road, Atlanta, GA 30354

Rip Van Winkle Gardens

Jefferson Island, New Iberia, Louisiana

If your kids insist a garden tour will put them to sleep, pull up a photo of Rip Van Winkle Gardens. With towering 350-year-old live oaks, semi-tropical plants, and waterfront views, this place is nothing short of otherworldly. It began in the 1800s as a hunting lodge, built by Joseph Jefferson, a theater actor who played Rip Van Winkle many times. After walking the gardens, tour his mansion and rookery, and if you're up for an overnight stay, book a room in the Cook's Cottage or Servant's Quarters.

5505 Rip Van Winkle Road, New Iberia, LA 70560

Lake Maurepas

Livingston Parish, Louisiana

You probably won't see hordes of fishermen throwing a line into these waters. You definitely won't see bustling towns dotting the lake's shores. Although the quiet might lead you to call it quaint, Lake Maurepas is actually one of the biggest lakes in Louisiana, situated directly west of its even bigger brother, Lake Pontchartrain. Lined with cypress trees and swampy vegetation, it's a hidden oasis, offering a serene spot for bass fishing or the perfect backdrop for an unruly summer party—it's whatever you want it to be.

Coosa River Adventures

Wetumpka, Alabama

Did you know you could kayak over whitewater rapids in Wetumpka, Alabama? Have you ever even heard of Wetumpka? Before it was featured on Ben and Erin Napier's Home Town Takeover on HGTV, the town's biggest claim to fame was as the home of the Big Fish movie house. But there's a reason the place was given a name that means "rumbling waters." The Coosa River, full of adrenaline-pumping rapids, snakes through Wetumpka; rent kayaks and paddle boards to traverse it from local outfitter Coosa River Adventures. From the drop point, even novices can safely kayak down a seven-mile portion of the river over Class II rapids. Pack a picnic lunch in a cooler and stop at one of the many islands for lunch.

415 Company Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092

Oak Mountain State Park

Pelham, Alabama

Just 25 minutes from Birmingham (the hometown of this magazine!) is the nearly 10,000-acre Oak Mountain State Park. As Alabama's biggest state park, it offers 50 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, an 18-hole golf course, and a rehab center for injured birds, among other outdoor staples, like boat rentals and a swimming area. You could easily spend the whole day in the park, or if you want to explore the city too, split your time between Oak Mountain and Birmingham.

200 Terrace Drive, Pelham, AL 35124

Eudora Welty's Camellia Garden

Jackson, Mississippi

Many Southerners are familiar with legendary Mississippi writer Eudora Welty, perhaps best known for her short stories. But not as many are aware you can tour her home and the gorgeous gardens she designed with her mother in 1925. Her impressive collection of more than 30 varieties of camellias, her favorite flower, flaunt their colors from November through March, but they're at their best in February.

1119 Pinehurst Street, Jackson, MS 39202

Cumberland Caverns

McMinnville, Tennessee

Who needs a sprinkler when you can go spelunking to escape the heat? Cumberland Caverns stays a cool 56 degrees year round. Venture down for an afternoon-long walking tour to enjoy an up-close view of the incredible rock formations and waterfalls. Or camp out overnight for more time exploring the caverns—and the chance to eat breakfast down below. For a one-of-a kind musical experience, catch a concert in the Volcano Room. At 333 feet below the surface, this venue has phenomenal acoustics.

1437 Cumberland Caverns Road, McMinnville, TN 37110

Daufuskie Island, South Carolina

It's easy to overlook Daufuskie Island. Not because it isn't worth visiting, but because its sister island is a famous one: Hilton Head. You'll have to take a 30-minute ferry ride or 10-minute water taxi from Hilton Head to reach this tiny barrier island, only five miles from end to end. What awaits is a nearly untouched paradise. Think dense forests of giant live oaks, palmettos, and sun-drenched Spanish moss, leading out to pristine coastlines speckled with driftwood and shells. Rent a golf cart so you can easily navigate the dirt roads between stops like Silver Dew Winery, the Daufuskie Blues indigo-dyeing studio, and the island's quaint history museum.

Blood Mountain, Chattahoochee National Forest

Blairsville, Georgia

Legend has it that this mountain—the highest peak on the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail—got its name from a bloody battle long ago between the Cherokee and Creek Indians. Others say it was inspired by the red lichen that spreads around its summit. But we like to think there may be a more beautiful explanation for Blood Mountain's name, one that also explains its popularity amongst locals: This spot has gorgeous, deep-orangey-red sunsets, best observed from the top. For an extra dose of red, head up in the fall, when the leaves of the hardwood trees are ablaze with color.

Byron Reece Trailhead, Blairsville GA 30512

Peach Park

Clanton, Alabama

The giant water tower painted to look like a peach is a dead giveaway that Clanton peddles the fruit, but don't you dare dismiss Peach Park as just another roadside attraction. Nor is it your average fruit stand. Smack dab in the middle of Alabama's peach country off I-65, this nondescript building is a humble playground of fruit flavors. Everything from peach butter and cider to fresh produce is prime for purchase, and you can't leave without a scoop of fresh peach ice cream or a fried peach pie. We'd venture to say it's not a trip down to the beach without it.

2300 7th Street S, Clanton, AL

Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center

Pine Mountain, Georgia

Tucked inside Callaway Gardens is the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, a glass-enclosed conservatory filled with over a thousand butterflies flitting amongst the waterfalls and tropical plants. Although watching the butterflies in action is the main draw, don't skip the education stations, where you can learn about the life cycle of butterflies and even watch them break out of their chrysalides and learn to fly. Outside the center, you'll find walking paths, bike trails, and wildflower gardens to cap off your visit. Who knows, maybe you'll spot some butterflies in the wild, too!

17617 US-27, Pine Mountain, GA 31822

Pascagoula River Audubon Center

Moss Point, Mississippi

As the gateway to a 70,000-acre preserve along the Pascagoula River, this center is a prime place to learn about all things outdoors, from landscaping with native plants to birding. Introduce yourself to the local critters living in the tanks inside, then stroll the gorgeous bayou walkways or take your little ones to the nature play garden. With the largest free-flowing river system in the lower 48, this preserve is home to some species that don't exist anywhere else, so keep your eye out for wildlife, too.

5107 Arthur Street, Moss Point, MS 39563

Gulf State Park

Gulf Shores, Alabama

Alabama may not be home to any national parks, but the abundance of first-rate state parks more than makes up for it. One of the most unique is Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, which spans across 6,150 acres and includes nine different ecosystems. Plant yourself along the two miles of pristine white sand beaches, bask in the butterfly garden, or explore the 28 miles of trails and the nature center. You can make a weekend of it with a stay in the park's eco-friendly cottages or The Lodge at Gulf State Park.

20115 State Park Road, Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Sliding Rock

Pisgah Forest, North Carolina

Forget water parks this summer, and head to Sliding Rock, a 60-foot-long natural water slide plunging into an eight-foot pool. Since the water hovers between 50 and 60 degrees, prepare for an icy jolt—and an adrenaline rush as you fly down the slope, along with the 11,000 gallons of water that pass over the rock every minute. The stunning scenery of Pisgah National Forest surrounds this natural wonder, so you'll want to take in other sights while you're here, like Looking Glass Falls and the Pink Beds loop.

7851 Pisgah Highway, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768