These Are The Top 4 Emerging Destinations In The South Right Now

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When you picture the South, so many different destinations come to mind.

Despite its less-than-stellar reputation in some regions, the South undeniably offers some of America’s most pristine beaches, timeless towns, inviting culture, and bustling cities to explore.

But what we’re about to reveal here at Travel Off Path is likely not what you expect to hear when you think 2026 hotspots.

It’s not Dallas, Miami, or even nostalgic small towns that are emerging as the South’s top destinations — it’s a mix of vibrant cities, thrilling theme parks, and paradise beaches that are somehow just now gaining the attention they deserve.

Cue Drake — we’re starting from the bottom and going all the way up to the South’s trendiest city right now.

Here are the top 4 emerging destinations in the South right now, according to GoBankingRates’ data.

4) Greenville, South Carolina

Charleston is the obvious go-to for anyone looking to immerse themselves in a major SC city, but Greenville is creeping up the ranks.

Welcoming nearly 59,000 more passengers in 2025 with quintessential southern hospitality, Greenville has become one of the South’s biggest surprises.

So, why are more people visiting?

Greenville is a small city with salt-of-the-earth locals and big city delights. The cityscape is open and walkable especially along Main Street and the Reedy River.

While it’s hard to hold a fork to Charleston’s food scene, Greenville is making a name for itself as an up-and-coming culinary hub.

Weather isn’t the greatest right now, but 3 seasons out of the year, this city and its surroundings are too gorgeous to pass with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance and endless outdoor escapes right in its backyard.

3) St. Petersburg, Florida

Turns out travelers aren’t sticking to the script of Destin, Panama City, and the annual duel of Clearwater versus Siesta Key as America’s top beach.

Though many fly into Tampa to visit the latter of these, St. Petersburg has been a local favorite as tourists flock elsewhere.

Well, that seems to be changing. GoBankingRates reports almost a 10% growth compared to 2024’s visitor numbers.

St. Pete boasts beautiful white-sand beaches, laid-back oceanfront bars, and city delights without crowds.

With year-round sun, there’s no bad time to visit with the exception of hurricane season.

Better yet, don’t be tricked into thinking you have to fly into Tampa — St. Petersburg has its own airport anchored by Allegiant for likely cheap fares.

2) Orlando, Florida (Sanford)

Are you surprised Orlando is mentioned?

Unlikely. This city is always a mainstay, some would even say an icon at this point.

Obviously, we all know Orlando’s claim to fame — the land of oversized rodents and screaming children, which will always be the biggest enticement as a family-friendly vacay since this is a rare Florida city with no immediate coastline.

That said, this is no knock on Orlando that they’re seeing over 91,000 more passengers than usual at Sanford (SFB), which is their secondary airport also anchored by Allegiant, just like St. Pete.

So, that’s the surprise, which ultimate gives travelers a wallet-friendly loophole to visit one of America’s most prized cities at this point, whether you’re here for all things Disney, an NBA game, or a packed calendar of concerts, conventions, and live events.

Not to mention Orlando’s new sloth-arium. What?! 🦥

1) Knoxville, Tennessee

Perhaps the biggest shocker on the list is also the South’s hottest destination.

Before 2025, you could put the “Fort Knox” in Knoxville — this underrated city managed to stay under the radar far longer than it should have, even as ever-trendy Chattanooga soaked up much of the attention. But times have changed.

Knoxville has quietly become the perfect Nashville alternative, especially now that Broadway’s honky-tonks are jam-packed every weekend and prices feel inflated at best.

Instead, we suggest Gay Street, which is far less crowded, has more palatable menu prices, and many other urban attractions such as always-fun Market Square, live music venues, and a scenic riverfront.

Tennessee’s newfound hotspot welcomed over 120,000 more visitors than 2024 as more travelers seek out easy weekend getaways, according to various new reports on 2026 trends.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.