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🎷 The American South
Music, food, history and some of the warmest hospitality you’ll find anywhere in the world. The American South is one of the most soulful, rewarding corners of the country.
Why the South gets under your skin
I love everything about the American South!
These posts cover Louisianna, Mississippi and Tennessee – a region with so much character, heel-stomping music, more food and more soul than almost anywhere else I’ve travelled.
I’ve ridden on a Mardi Gras float in New Orleans, boated through swamplands, stayed on a Plantation, road tripped three times between Memphis and New Orleans, love the honky tonks of Nashville and fan-girled at Dollywood.
Below is all of my Southern content, organised by city.
🎭 New Orleans
New Orleans needs no excuse to throw a party and I’ve covered it in all its glory from Mardi Gras to Christmas, the best music bars to the finest boutique hotels in the French Quarter.
The Totally Awesome Guide to New Orleans
My definitive guide to one of America’s most extraordinary cities — where to go, what to eat, where to stay and how to make the most of every moment in NOLA.
Everything You Need to Know About Mardi Gras
I was on a Mardi Gras float throwing beads to the crowd. This complete guide covers where to stand, what to take and what to expect on your first Mardi Gras.
A Wonderful Christmas in New Orleans
Parades, bonfires on the levee, caroling and lights — New Orleans needs no excuse to celebrate, and the holiday season is no exception. Here’s how to do it right.
8 Fab Boutique Hotels in the French Quarter
The French Quarter is the heart of New Orleans — and these eight boutique hotels put you right in the middle of all the action in serious style.
The Best Music Bars in New Orleans
New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz and the music never stops — here are my favorite 4 bars to catch live music any night of the week.
Stay on a Stunning Louisiana Plantation
One of the most extraordinary places to stay in the South — Houmas House, a beautiful Louisiana plantation with a fascinating history, just outside New Orleans.
🎸 Memphis
Memphis is a fascinating, gritty, musical city — the home of the blues, Beale Street and, of course, Elvis. You don’t have to be a music fan to be moved by it, though it certainly helps.
The Best Things to Do in Memphis
From Sun Studio to the National Civil Rights Museum — here’s my guide to the best things to do in Memphis, Tennessee.
Walking Beale Street in Memphis
Beale Street is the soul of Memphis — a legendary strip of music, food and history that you have to walk at least once. Here’s what to expect.
Visiting Graceland — A Peek Inside
Come and nosey through the Elvis mansion with me. I cover tickets, tours, what to see first and all the tips you need before you go.
Tupelo — Is Elvis’s Birthplace Worth Visiting?
Day trip or overnight stay? I visited Tupelo, the small Mississippi town where Elvis was born, and weighed up whether it’s worth the trip — and for whom.
🎤 Nashville
Music City is having a moment — and rightly so. Nashville has evolved way beyond its country music roots into one of America’s most exciting food and culture destinations. It’s also genuinely fun, which counts for a lot.
My Favourite Things to Do in Nashville
Music tours and museums, the best live music bars, great shopping and the downtown hotels worth knowing about. My quick guide to making the most of Music City.
What to Wear in Nashville
Will you look out of place in your regular clothes? I investigated the Nashville look so you don’t have to pack in a panic. Includes photos of the actual local style.
🎢 Dollywood, Tennessee
Don’t dismiss Dollywood as just another theme park. It’s an extraordinary place — part amusement park, part Appalachian cultural experience, entirely its own thing. Whether you’re a Dolly fan or not, it’s worth the visit.
Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Dollywood
My inside tips and recommendations — where to stay nearby, which rides to hit first, what to eat and how to make the most of your day at one of America’s most beloved theme parks.
Things to Do in Pigeon Forge Besides Dollywood
Pigeon Forge has a lot more going on than just Dollywood — here’s what else to see and do in this fun Tennessee town on the doorstep of the Great Smoky Mountains.