I am curious how many posters we have from the South. My husband and I live in Huntsville, Alabama and I'm always looking for recommendations for weekend trips and nice places to stay. How about a roll call for us Southerners?

Sally and Ron
Huntsville, Alabama

Sally

DO you consider Texas South?
I have also lived in Ky, NC & GA and travelled quite a bit in each state.
What do you like to do?
Why not start with the Blueberry Hill Bed and Breakfast in Franklin TN. One fine property!!!!

I currently live about as south as you can get....but, this is definitely NOT the true south :D Everyone has an accent but very few like mine! I am in the minority. Born and raised in SC - Columbia to Charleston ;) Still a GRITS

We are spending a week in Charleston at the end of April. Can't wait I love it there. Love sitting on a rooftop restaurant at sunset sipping a glass of wine. Betty - thanks for the recommendation in Franklin - that is only 2 hours from us. We also stayed at the Inn at Blackberry Farm in Tennessee right at the base of the Smokey Mountains - that place is awesome!

There's an Inn in Summerville, near Charleston, with a very gourmet restaurant, well-renowned. A friend was there for Thanksgiving and very impressed, although she would have preferred a bit more traditional holiday meal. Will try to find the name for you.

I grew up in Miami, so definitely not a GRITS! Have lived in Atlanta since '65 when it was still a Southern town; no more!

Have you been to The Greenbrier? A lovely and MORE Southern experience to me than The Homestead in VA.

Hi Sally,

I'm in eastern NC, though born in Maryland and lived in SW Ohio. I've lived in North Carolina for 35 years, not a GRITS.

This fall I had a chance to visit Burnsville, NC, north of Asheville. It was a lovely small town and we stayed at the nice B&B, the Terrell House. http://www.terrellhousebandb.com/ Great breakfasts. Close to Mt. Mitchell and apple country.

Yallcruise reporting in, I was born and raised in New Orleans LA. Yes I do qualify as a Girl raised in the South. It's just about Mardi Gras time and things will really get going in the Big Easy starting next weekend. Y'all come visit!!

Carolyn

Another favorite is The Cloisters at Sea Island GA and although I haven't been there I understand Jekyl Island has a lovely hotel. When I was at the Cloisters it was cash only, no plastic. I do not know if this is still a rule or not. If you have young children they run their family special in July and August. Not cheap, but your kids get to act like adults and I think they are free.
I also like the Ritz on Amelia Island. Lots of fast food places & other restuarants on the Island so you don't have to pay Ritz prices for all your meals. You should have seen what I was able to bring in from the grocery for breakfast. Would eat lunch at the hotel on the beach, and then go off the property for dinner. And some summers they run special rates that are not expensive.

The Cloister takes credit cards and is indeed a lovely place. The old main building has been torn down and is being replaced.

Sally and Ron, great post...Ida and I are transplanted southerners, now living in Metro
Atlanta--where we will retire in July...am
taking Ida to www.hendersonvillage.com this
Summer to celebrate our 21st anniversary..it is
only a tad more than an hour from Atlanta..
and when "ya'll" are willing..we can do a LCT
Southern get together when/where it is convenient/

r/wes

Wes,

Where exactly is Henderson Village? Read the website but couldn't find it. Looks very attractive!

Ida and Wes - that is what I was thinking maybe having a southern LCT get together sometime in the future. Thanks everyone for all your recommendations. I am a Southern California transplant and love living in the South now (about 10 years). As far as what states are southern, I'd say anyone who has dropped their "g's" (goin, fixin, doin, etc)qualifies :) . Kathy - I have been to the Homestead buy not the Greenbriar.

Sally

For those of you who love beautiful scenary, exceptional rooms and very gourment food, here is the link to Inn at Blackberry Farm. Pricey, but I considered it a once in a lifetime experience.

http://www.blackberryfarm.com/

kathy,

here are the directions:

Directions to property:
From Atlanta, take I-75 south to exit 127. Turn right, travel approx. 1 mile to 1st intersection. Henderson Village is on the right

and bidding on luxury link, this is what we won for $530 for three nights..and we can bring our pets for no charge!


* 3 nights in a luxurious Suite **
Your accommodations feature a mix of antique furnishing and fine
reproductions, designer fabrics, feather bed, and offer a
sitting area, king-size bed, tub with jets and Turkish bath
robes for use during your stay at the Village. Choose from a
suite in the Hodge House, Holland House, or Tenant Cottage.
* Chilled champagne, fresh fruit and cheese plate in room upon
arrival
* Breakfast for two each morning, served in the restaurant or in-room
* 3-Course dinner for two on the evening of your choice, in the
award winning Langston House Restaurant ***
This intimate restaurant has earned a reputation for its
inspired cuisine and world-class wine list, and is tucked into
an historic 1838 plantation house restored with original
heart-of-pine flooring, fireplace and soft lighting.
* One hour of relaxing massage per person, on the day of your choice
* Complimentary use of bikes
* Access to wonderful gardens surrounding the Village
* Use of outdoor swimming pool, teak chaise lounges and deck
chairs, weather permitting
* Use of guest library that houses a variety of videos, CD's and
books
* Evening turndown service with a sweet treat
* Hotel taxes

Another GRITS reporting in. I grew up in WAY South Arkansas, transplanted to Memphis when I started college and never left.

Wes, that place looks incredible!

(Mark was born in New York State, transplanted to Central FL when he was a kid, went to college in Atlanta, moved here with a job and never left.)

Hi Pam - you are not that far from Huntsville. I've been bugging my husband to take me on a weekend trip to Memphis, never have been. Wes - after you've been to Henderson Village maybe you can give us a trip report. It looks fabulous.

Hi Sally - my kids and grandkids spent a couple of nights in Huntsville, a few years ago, and went to the Space (museum?) thing there. They talk about going back, but so far haven't gotten brave enough to try to put the 3-year-old in a car for that amount of time.

We go to Nashville sometimes for a weekend getaway, there seems to be more to do there than here in Memphis. But maybe it's because we are used to everything here, and somebody from out of town wouldn't be. If you see you are going to get here, send me a PM or an email and maybe we can meet for coffee or something.

Sally:

I get to Huntsville a few times a year. It would be great if we can entice the Tennessee and Georgia LCTers for a get together there.

Sally, will do on trip report for henderson village...

Marc, would be willing to travel, let's just
pick a place/time convenient to most..r/wes

Checking in from Greenville, NC here. For those not familar, we are about 30 min from Bath or about 1 hour from Raleigh.

Anthony

And about 45 miles through the tobacco fields from Rocky Mount! Anthony, we got to Greenville many times over the years from Maryland (we are now in south Florida) while our son was in undergraduate and then graduate school at ECU. It truly is a lovely place to live. One story: when we were there for his last graduation, we could only get reservations at a very seedy looking motel. Our daughter was nervous and put a chair against the door. In the morning, we found that she had left the key outside in the door. Lots of good that chair would have done if her worries had been correct.

Marc - Next time you are in the "Rocket City" let me know and we can meet for a drink!
Sally

Well don't know if Virginia meets the requirements, but my husband was born and raised in Montgomery AL, I was born and raised in "Southern CA" and in 1985 we moved to Northern VA. However, our oldest daughter went to East Carolina, so we are very familiar with Greenville and area, she also lived in Atlanta for a couple of years. and our son went to Alabama (Roll Tide!!) and now lives in Thompson Station TN, which is right next to Franklin, so I was really interested in the bed and breakfast Betty mentioned, just might check it out next time we visit them. We loved the Vendue Inn in Charleston (great roof top for drinks etc) and also have stayed at the King and Prince Hotel on St. Simons Island. there is also a wonderful hotel on Bald Head Island (near Wilmington, you have to take a ferry from Southport, no cars only golf carts)called the Marsh Harbor Inn, as well there is a B&B there also, called Theodosias. We've not stayed at either one, when we go to Bald Head we rent a house that can accommodate all of us, but Bald Head is a really wonderful wonderful place.

I have only lived here for about a year and it really is amazing how much Greenville has changed from only 5-6 years ago.

We are really enjoying being back in NC after our living in IN (although we really like Indy).

Anthony

P.S. - I think a group meeting somewhere centrally located would be a great idea in the future.

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.

Well there is always the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Forida - more golf around here than you can imagine, great tennis, and beauiful beach - Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass, ATP Tennis Headquarters, we are finally getting some wonderful restaurants - some fun beach towns to explore up the road 15 minutes away , Atlantic Beach, ... so lots to do but very relaxing - Joanna

I'll be at that Sawgrass place next month for two nights with two of my closest friends. Of course, Joanna will be on a cruise and I won't get to see her.

Oh Pam I remember we talked about it...bad timing - you'll be at Sawgrass Marriott where the Eagles are staying...do you care??? I know you don't -

We won't be there at the same time; I am not going to be there until the end of February..

Different Sawgrass places? Shows how much I know about that area, huh?

You will not be with the Eagles - Feb 3-6 - but same place -

Colleen
I love Ashville, just for the Biltmore and the wine that is grown on their grounds. My son went to camp just south of there for several years & it was always a treat to take him & go pick him up. Normally I would dread such a drive, but with the chance to stay in Ashville 2 nights each summer - no complaints.
I know there is some sort of "Homestead" type of resort there, but don't know the name
Had friends who stayed there and loved it.

Grove Park Inn? Was not that impressed, may have been time of yr (winter.) Food was disappointing.

I might live in Arizona, but I'm a Ga girl through and through. I grew up in Atlanta and have family there still. Also lived in Chattanooga, Columbus (ga), Knoxville and Roanoake (va). I recognize lots of the "rec's" listed above and have visited many of them.

Anyone interested in gardens? I love Magnolia Gardens and Middleton Place in Charleston. My favorite southern beach? Kiawah (with Ponte Vedre and Ameilia Island a close second).

Like history? Don't miss Charlottesville (va) and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.

And, if you haven't experienced college football southern style, you've missed a real treat. Doesn't matter which team although I'm partial to the GA Tech Yellow Jackets myself.

I could go on and on!

Speaking of gardens, Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA , is really spectacular when the azaleas are in bloom. We were married there in the Chapel 38 yrs ago.

Bellingrath Garens in Mobile is very nice & there is a resort in Mobile that used to be very, very nice. I think it is a Marriott now. Can't remember the name of it either. Old age is so much fun!!!!

I loved Callaway Gardens - though I wasn't there for the azaleas. The chapel is lovely - they did organ concerts on Sundays when I was in the area. Love Asheville as well - every time I get close enough I wander around the Biltmore. It's too bad they can't ship wines out of state. There's a little spa outside of Blowing Rock called Westglow that I used to get to regularly, but since a job change I've not been back. For some reason it was recommended to me long ago over the Grove Park but I can't remember why. I've lived in Missouri almost all my life so can I be an honorary Southerner?

It's nice to meet so many from the South here on LCT. On our last Med. Cruise on the Diamond there were 2 other couples from the state of Alabama on board and Jerry sang "Sweet Home Alabama" to us in Don Vito's. We all went kind of crazy - the other 2 couples (we had never met them before) were Univ. of Alabama fans and my husband and I are Auburn so we had to exchange some "War Eagles" and "Roll Tides" across the restaurant. Everyone probably thought we were idiots but we sure had a good time! I must admit, after moving here from California and graduating from Oregon State Univ. - the west coast really doesn't have a clue on what college football is all about after what I have experienced here in the South.


Sally

Sally: I agree - we are part of the Florida/Florida State "debate" (Go Gators) and my northern relatives think it is ridiculous! Joanna

Sue,
Of course you can be an "honorary!" No azaleas for our wedding; Feb,25 and 10 degrees! Re: the organ concerts; they probably still do them. I remember sitting outside on a pinestraw bank listening and got the worst case of "chiggers" I ever had!

Betty,

Agree about Bellingrath, a lot smaller though than Callaway which is a resort. You're thinking of the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, on the east side of Mobile Bay. (Went to college in Mobile.)