Featured Image: Olivia Celata
Lock in your 2026 travel plans now, especially as several destinations around the South plan for big anniversaries, grand openings, world-class sporting events, and other festivities. The region has more to offer than ever, whether you’re looking for a city weekend or a classic road trip. These eight locales top our wish list for the coming year.
Mark your calendar, gather your loved ones, and get ready for your next adventure.
Bentonville, Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas has been on the rise for several years, especially for fans of mountain biking. The Compton is the latest hotel with its Tuscan steakhouse Sestina, cocktail bar The Eddy, and Field Notes, an all-day cafe. The James Beard Awards honored two Bentonville chefs as finalists this year, including Rafael Rios of Yeyo’s El Alma de Mexico and Matthew Cooper of Conifer.
The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art has long been a big draw for visitors, but this year it will nearly double in size with even more gallery space and additional miles of trails. Pair it with a visit to The Momentary, a cheese factory-turned-contemporary art space. Onyx Coffee Lab, one of the best coffee shops in the nation, has an outpost here.
Macon, Georgia
Perhaps no city in the region has embraced its history quite like Macon, Georgia, which released street signs in both English and Muscogee (Creek), honoring the traditional inhabitants of the land. The biggest news is the hopeful announcement this year of Ocmulgee Mounds’ designation as a national park, which would be the first in Georgia and the first to be co-managed with a removed tribe.
The annual Cherry Blossom Festival turns the city pink, with live music and other springtime programming. Catch a show at Grant’s Lounge, where several acts performed before hitting it big. Be sure to visit the Otis Redding statue, honoring Macon’s native son, now at his namesake Otis Redding Center for the Arts, which opened in 2025.
Paducah, Kentucky
Charming Paducah is a UNESCO Creative City, home to the National Quilt Museum, which opened 35 years ago to honor the craft tradition. This year, the museum will host the work of Latifah Saafir and Tula Pink. It’s also the 10th anniversary of the Cinema Systers Lesbian Film Festival, held in May. Don’t miss a tour of Hotel Metropolitan, which was listed in the 1956 Green Book.
Paducah also has an underrated food and drink scene, thanks in part to Top Chef alum Chef Sarah Bradley and her restaurant Freight House. It includes farm-to-table fare and an incredible bourbon selection. The FoxBriar Cocktail Bar is another favorite, especially for lovers of America’s Spirit.
New Orleans, Louisiana
It’s gotten easier to explore the Gulf Coast as a long-awaited Amtrak expansion reconnected Mobile, Alabama, with New Orleans, Louisiana. Called the “Mardi Gras Rail Line,” it’s already broken passenger records, making day trips even easier.
The city was also designated a ‘Creative City’ for Music by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), cementing its significance for its contributions to jazz and joining only nine American cities. Experience the sounds at the annual Jazz Fest or at venues around town year-round, including the Maple Leaf Bar and the Spotted Cat. The beloved restaurant Brennan’s also celebrates a big birthday, with a special brunch menu for $80, complete with bubbles and Southern bites.
Ridgeland, Mississippi
If you’ve never been to Ridgeland, let this be the year. The city is between the capital of Jackson to the south and the Ross Barnett Reservoir to the east. It’s also one of the stops along the Natchez Trace Parkway, one of the most scenic drives in the country, which connects Tennessee to Alabama and Mississippi. The Natchez Trace Century Ride is an annual cycling race that spans 100 miles, bringing in hundreds of riders of all experience levels.
The city is also ideal for outdoors lovers due to its well-connected trails system and lake. The Ross Barnett Reservoir often hosts major fishing tournaments for its largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie. It also has over 100 miles of shoreline for outdoor recreation, including five campgrounds.
Asheville, North Carolina
It’s been over a year since Hurricane Helene devastated parts of Western North Carolina, but Asheville and its neighbors are open and ready to welcome visitors. The PGA Tour’s first Biltmore Championship tees off in the fall against the backdrop of the famed estate. The North Carolina Arboretum is part of the Thomas Dambo installation of trolls made of salvaged materials.
The city swept the recent Michelin guide, with an impressive 15 honors, including Luminosa and The Admiral. And that doesn’t include the James Beard-nominated chefs in town like Silver Iocovozzi of Neng Jr.’s and Ashleigh Shanti of Good Hot Fish. Of course, if you’re looking for another way to give back, organizations like BeLoved Asheville are still taking donations to help the community.
Chattanooga, Tennessee
In 2025, Chattanooga was announced as the nation’s first and only National Park City for its unmatched access to the outdoors. The city has several spots to experience nature, with campgrounds and even treehouses. If “roughing it” isn’t your thing, check into the brand new Waymark Hotel, which opened in a historic 1927 bank building. Its speakeasy is called, appropriately, The Vault, and Iris, the rooftop restaurant overlooking the city.
The minor league team, the Chattanooga Lookouts, celebrates its new season with a brand new stadium, Erlanger Park. Set in the South Broad District, it brings a connection to the riverfront’s restaurants and green spaces. The famed Tivoli Theatre reopens in 2026 with its restored 190 seats, lobby, and an added restaurant, perfect for a pre-show meal before the extensive lineup of events. It’s also an easy drive to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta!
Williamsburg, Virginia
Of course, the United States celebrates 250 years since its founding, but you might not know that it’s also been 100 years since the creation of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. The brainchild of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., restored the 18th-century town of Williamsburg and created the world’s largest living history museum, spawning several others around the United States.
This year, there will be a new exhibit at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, and the Colin G. and Nancy N. Campbell Archaeology Center will open as a hub for further research. July 4th will be a can’t-miss celebration as well. But Williamsburg is more than just the past. Kids and adults alike can experience the joy of riding the famous coasters at Busch Gardens, which opened over 50 years ago.
Find more Southern travel inspiration here.
