Where I live in Texas is more "cowboy" than "south" but we moved here from Atlanta and I made Ted promise that we'd retire back to Atlanta as that is my favorite city. I lived there from '80-'84 and '90-'96. I also lived in Spartanburg, SC for a while but I'm a native of NJ and still have a lot of that northeast culture.

I'm trying to think of weekend trips that haven't already been mentioned. Has anyone mentioned Asheville, NC? or Helen, GA? Helen is a bit touristy but we like the German food and the outlet stores are less crowded than the ones closer to Atlanta. There are few wineries north east of Atlanta (up I85) that have hotels and spas associated with them. I've never stayed at any but I did go to a murder mystery dinner there once and it was fun and tasty.

IF you do decide to spend a weekend in Atlanta, I'm sure all the tourist guide books list plenty of things to do but I'd highly recommend "Agatha's, a Taste of Mystery". It is across the street from the Fox theater and is a very interactive murder mystery dinner served in 5 courses. As you enter you will be given a part in the play (along with cues, notes, etc.) The play takes place between courses. Some people make up songs (as a group), others have spoken line, it is never the same even if you go to the same play 2 nights in a row.