Southern USA

It used to be that travelers considered South Carolina to be a destination popular only for palm-studded beaches, but there’s more to the state than just sandy coastline. Offering miles of rivers and plenty of lakes and swamps to splash around in, here are five ways to experience the inland waters of South Carolina.

Lonely Planet Local Ni’Kesia Pannell has been living in Atlanta for more than five years. Although her writing career brought her to the Peach State from Orlando, the city's true southern charm has kept her around. From snickerdoodles to stunning hikes to budget-friendly steak nachos, there's much to discover, see, do and eat in and around the Hollywood of the South.

Nothing unites Alabamians like their love for football. And nothing quite divides Alabamians like the rivalry between Alabama and Auburn. The animosity culminates in the annual Iron Bowl, one of the greatest spectacles of American college football. So in the spirit of this ‘healthy’ competition, we’re pitting the cities of Tuscaloosa and Auburn against one another to see who comes out on top.

Unlike most cities, Atlanta’s claim to fame doesn’t just fall under one category. The city, in all of its glory, is known for a plethora of things including delicious food, substantial history and – though unknown to many – uncharted territory waiting to be uncovered by visitors. From museums filled with culture to wondrous walkways, adventure awaits you in Atlanta.

Kentucky’s largest city is widely associated with the fruits of bourbon country, but there’s a lot more to Louisville than Wild Turkey, Bulleit, Evan Williams, and their pals. Carrying a metro area population close to 1.3 million people, Louisville regularly plays host to top national conferences and international festivals. But not everyone realizes what a sports-centric city Louisville is, and has been for well over a century.

Every state in the US is proud of its homegrown cuisine, but not every state can back their bragging with real evidence of culinary prowess. Louisiana can. The food culture here is iconic. Perhaps no other American state can boast a cuisine as well-known as Louisiana’s. In the 1980s, Cajun culture became a point of obsession around the world thanks to famous chefs like Paul Prudhomme, whose legacy has since been carried on by cooks such as Emeril Lagasse and Donald Link.