Few places can symbolise everything known about American culture like the Deep South. A debate is consistently held over which states are actually part of the Deep South, but insider intel confirms that it is made up five core states: Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Occasionally, you may find Georgia, South Carolina and Florida tagged on to that list, but for the purposes of journalistic integrity and word counts, let’s take a look at the core states. Music, history, civil rights and natural beauty, it’s all here.
Alabama
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This state is nicknamed the Yellowhammer State, after the state bird. It’s also a very important place filled with landmarks from the Civil Rights Movement. It was in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955 that Rosa Parks refused to give her bus seat to a white man, an act which sparked a chain of events leading to Martin Luther King’s success in civil rights legislation. To fully understand the state’s part in the movement, visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, an educational centre where you can embark on a self-guided tour. However, Alabama’s place in civil rights history isn’t the only draw for tourists, as the state is home to many weird and wonderful places to visit. Consider going to the Unclaimed Baggage Center, a shop which buys from airlines- thousands of items arrive in the store each day so you never know what you’ll find. A visit to the state also is not complete without heading to the U.S Space and Rocket Center which houses artefacts from space such as a moon rock and the Apollo 16 Command Module. Also worth a visit is the Fame Recording Studios where everyone from Aretha Franklin to the Black Keys has recorded. Lastly, don’t miss the Battleship Memorial Park, which has a real World War II battleship for you to explore.
Kentucky
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Bourbon, horses and history come to mind when you think of Kentucky. Certainly, the first place you should start is the Bourbon Trail, a journey that takes you across nine famous distilleries including Maker’s Mark and Jim Beam. You’ll experience the process, learn the recipes and most importantly get to taste “America’s Native Spirit”. Many visitors flock to Kentucky in the summer for the Kentucky Derby, an annual horse race held in May. However, if you miss it, a visit to the Kentucky Derby Museum will surely compensate. The third thing Kentucky is famous for is chicken, so don’t miss Harland Sanders Café and Museum, the original KFC where you can still taste that finger-licking good fried chicken today. Take a drive past Fort Knox, but don’t get out and have your picture taken! Lastly, stay overnight in the iconic Wigwam Village Motel- it’s a little dated, but it’s still the quintessential road trip stop.
Louisiana
louisiana
Louisiana is a cultural melting pot of influences that are clear to see across the state- French, American, African and Cajun. Of course, the most famous aspect is New Orleans, known for jazz music and mardi gras parties. Indeed, Bourbon Street is certainly worth a trip- it’s located in the heart of the French Quarter and comes alive at night time. One bar, Saints and Sinners is owned by the actor Channing Tatum after he fell in love with the area. It’s worth noting that Louisiana isn’t just New Orleans. It’s a place where you can learn more about Creole people, the French/Spanish colonial settlers. The best place to go for this is the Laura Plantation, a sugar plantation built in 1805, which you can tour. Head up to Baton Rouge to see the Old State Capitol, a curiously castle-like building and the USS Kidd, a Navy destroyer ship named after Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd who died on a bridge of a ship during the Japanese’s attack on Pearl Harbour. Lastly, Vermilionville is a living history park with seven original homes to look around which have been restored.
Mississippi
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Generally considered to be the birthplace of blues music (and the hardest US state to spell), Mississippi has a veritable feast of cultural delights to explore. Start your journey at the house where Elvis Presley lived in Tupelo, a two-room shack which has been turned into a museum to showcase the roots of a superstar. Continuing the musical legend theme, head to the B.B King museum in Indianola- it tells the story of his life with thousands of rare artefacts and interactive computers. If that gets you in the mood for blues, good news, because the Mississippi Blues Trail should be the next port of call- a road trip where you’ll hear the stories of the music from the people and places that created it. Lastly, for an insight into the Civil War, the Vicksburg National Military Park is a large battlefield and park that you drive through, with over 1000 monuments to see on the way.
Tennessee
great smoky mountains
Once again, another state filled with music, history and places of natural beauty. On the border between North Carolina and Tennessee lies the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site ideal for hiking and bear spotting. Outside of the mountains, you’ll find several musical highlights. First stop, Graceland in Memphis, Elvis’s former home that you can explore at your own pace. Round off the day in Memphis by visiting Beale Street, a historic district where many iconic musicians such as B.B King and Willie Mitchell got their big break. Next stop, Nashville, where you’ll find the Country Music Hall of Fame, one of the largest museums in the world and THE place to learn about the greats of the genre such as Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and Willie Nelson. Then, head to the Grand Ole Opry for a tour or catch a concert. If music isn’t your thing, Dollywood, a theme park named after Dolly Parton will thrill even the least enthusiastic country music fan. Lastly, Lookout Mountain is an amazing spot for views of the area.
Tips to make the most of a Deep South trip:
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- Make sure to try the area’s authentic dishes- gumbo, jambalaya and grits, as well as the bourbon and Tabasco sauce!
- The roads in the area are very long and straight making it a smooth drive.
- Try to stay in authentic family owned accommodation to experience traditional Deep South hospitality.
- Make time to stop and enjoy the off-the-beaten-track sights.
Fly to the Deep South with American Airlines.
