These 2 Surprising Southern Cities Have Become Must-Visit Destinations, According To Local Experts

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Think you know The South? Think again!

If you thought Florida’s sunshine, Charleston’s European vibes, and Savannah Banana shenanigans were the best ways to experience this vast region of coastline and history, Southern Living is throwing you a big yellow curveball for your next trip.

It’s true, a pair of cities largely overlooked have become must-visit destinations in the eyes of these respected local experts.

After a heavy dose of research, we at Travel Off Path couldn’t agree more ourselves.

That’s why we’re skipping out on more notable names and revealing 2 true surprises we found to be rising to the occasion in terms of affordability, sensational cuisine, quintessential southern hospitality, and fewer crowds than you’d likely experience elsewhere.

These 2 surprising southern cities have become must-visit destinations:

Charlotte Is Far More Than An Airport Hub

No longer the sleepy pass-through city you may have crossed in your travels as an American Airlines hub, Charlotte has quickly transformed into what feels like a brand new city you’ve been missing out on — myself included.

While I can only personally attest to Charlotte’s flawless AMEX lounge, Southern Living claims they had the pleasure of visiting the city for the first time in years and were shocked by what they found.

So, what is North Carolina’s biggest city all about nowadays?

It’s safe to say you’ll no longer dread having a layover here. In fact, Charlotte is well worth being your destination of choice.

Boasting a vibrant revitalized Uptown, buzzy neighborhoods like NoDa and South End, a booming beer scene, and an increasingly confident food and arts culture have reshaped Charlotte’s identity, pair all of the above with a handful of pro sports teams and this city is rockin’!

Better yet, Charlotte is widely considered both safe and affordable, so you won’t break the bank, whether it’s on hotels or regional cuisine that will surely have you drooling days later just thinking about what you ate.

We found the Hilton Charlotte Uptown in the $120s this January — a steal of a deal!

Some of Southern Living’s favorite stomping grounds include:

Want Travel Off Path’s pick? WE got you!

Definitely make a reservation at McNinch House Restaurant, set in a mystical Victorian home for a unique atmosphere and prix-fixe fine dining worth the splurge.

Tulsa: This Famous Route 66 Stop Is No Longer A Snoozefest

“Tulsa? Really?”, might be what you’re thinking. But hey, if it’s good enough for Sylvester Stallone, it’s good enough for us.

Dare we say it’s…a knockout? Okay, wrong Sly, but hear us out…

Tulsa has become a must-visit for an array of surprising reasons, especially its captivating museums and delicious South-in-your-mouth cuisine serving up soulful comfort foods.

Southern Living raves about its food and arts scene, with one editor quoted as saying, “I really loved visiting Tulsa. The food and arts scene is incredible. You must buy a ticket to a show at Cain’s. It doesn’t matter who is playing, it will be fun.”

While downtown can feel a bit ghostly, there’s still much to be desired across the city, whether it be wide-open green space at Gathering Place or locally loved pockets like Brookside, but one absolutely must-visit is the Philbrook Museum of Art (scroll back up to the first photo in this article — isn’t it pretty?!).

I may not have stepped outside of Charlotte’s AMEX lounge, but I have been to Tulsa. I can tell you Southern Living is absolutely right, saying Tulsa is an underrated must-visit.

One of my personal favorites is Utica Square, a charming open-air shopping center anchored by local boutiques and upscale dining.

Unfortunately the Tulsa Zoo no longer offers camel rides where I pretended I struck it rich in Arabian oil (one can dream, right?), but this is still one of America’s most underrated zoos and chock-full of fun for all ages.

As far as restaurants go, Southern Living is a huge fan of these:

You know we gotta give our take too! Don’t sleep on century-old staple Ike’s Chili, especially during the throes of winter. What better way to warm up?

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.