Southern travel planning
Plan your
Southern story.

Everything you need to plan the perfect Southern trip

Gulf Coast beach guides, Smoky Mountain cabin tips, family vacation planning, snowbird relocation guides, work retreat ideas, long weekend itineraries — all written by people who live and travel the American South.

Editor's pick
🌊
Gulf Coast
The Complete Gulf Coast Vacation Guide — Destin, Pensacola & Gulf Shores
The Florida and Alabama Gulf Coast is America's finest stretch of white-sand beach — and the best way to experience it is from a private rental home with your own slice of shoreline. This guide covers where to stay, what to eat, what to do, and what only locals know.
Best neighborhoods for vacation rentals in Destin
Hidden beaches and boat launches locals don't share
Best seafood restaurants by price and style
Seasonal guide — when to go and why
3-day and 7-day sample itineraries
🌳 Destination guide
Destinations
Savannah, Georgia — The South's Most Beautiful City
Spanish moss, cobblestone squares, antebellum architecture, and the best food scene in Georgia. How to plan a perfect Savannah trip from a rental home.
8 min readRead guide
🎷 Destination guide
Destinations
New Orleans — Beyond Bourbon Street
The real New Orleans is in the Garden District, the Marigny, and the side streets of the French Quarter. A rental home puts you inside the city, not above it from a hotel floor.
10 min readRead guide
🌲 Destination guide
Destinations
Smoky Mountain Cabin Guide — Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge
The Smoky Mountains are the most visited national park in America — and the best way to experience them is from a private log cabin with a hot tub and mountain views.
9 min readRead guide
🏖️ Gulf Coast
Gulf Coast
Best Waterfront Rentals on the Florida Panhandle
Private dock access, direct beach entry, and Gulf views — the best waterfront vacation rental properties in Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Navarre Beach.
7 min readRead guide
🐾 Gulf Coast
Gulf Coast
Pet-Friendly Gulf Shores — Traveling with Your Dog in Alabama
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are among the most pet-friendly beach destinations in the South. Where to stay, which beaches allow dogs, and the best dog-friendly restaurants.
6 min readRead guide
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family travel
Family travel
Best Southern Vacation Rentals for Large Families
Sleeping 8, 10, or 12 comfortably in a beautiful Southern home. The best large family vacation rentals across the Gulf Coast, Tennessee mountains, and Georgia coast.
8 min readRead guide
🏊 Family travel
Family travel
Southern Beach Homes with Private Pools — Family Edition
A private pool changes everything when traveling with children. The best family beach homes with private pools across the Florida Panhandle and Alabama Gulf Coast.
7 min readRead guide
❄️ Snowbird
Snowbird
The Southern Snowbird Guide — Winter Escapes from the North
January through March in the American South means 65°F days, open restaurants, and uncrowded beaches. The complete guide to planning your Southern snowbird season.
12 min readRead guide
🌴 Snowbird
Snowbird
Pensacola vs Destin vs Gulf Shores — Best Snowbird Bases
Three Gulf Coast cities, three different snowbird experiences. A practical comparison of costs, lifestyle, amenities, and monthly rental availability for your winter escape.
9 min readRead guide
💼 Work retreat
Work retreats
Southern Work Retreats — The Best Homes for Remote Teams
A plantation house in Natchez, a Savannah mansion for 12, a Smoky Mountain cabin with fiber internet — the best Southern homes for team offsites and remote work retreats.
10 min readRead guide
🖥️ Work retreat
Work retreats
Digital Nomad Guide to the American South
Low cost of living, fast internet, incredible food, and no winter — the American South is the undiscovered digital nomad destination. Where to base yourself and for how long.
11 min readRead guide
🌾 Long weekend
Long weekends
48 Hours in Beaufort, SC — The Perfect Lowcountry Weekend
Beaufort is one of the South's most underrated towns — antebellum homes, Spanish moss, fresh shrimp, and some of the best kayaking in the country. The perfect 48-hour plan.
6 min readRead guide
🏛️ Long weekend
Long weekends
Long Weekend in Natchez — America's Most Historic City
Antebellum architecture, the Mississippi River, the Natchez Trace, and food that will ruin you for anywhere else. Three days in the most storied city in the American South.
7 min readRead guide
📅 Monthly stays
Monthly stays
How to Find the Perfect Monthly Furnished Rental in the South
Travel nurses, remote workers, and relocating families — this guide covers everything about finding, vetting, and moving into a monthly Southern rental in under a week.
9 min readRead guide
🏥 Monthly stays
Monthly stays
Travel Nurse Housing Guide — The American South
Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Georgia — Southern hospitals are among the highest-demand travel nurse markets. A complete guide to finding furnished housing on short notice.
8 min readRead guide
Browse by destination

Find your Southern destination

Click any destination to browse available properties and read local insider tips.

🌊
Destin, FL
Florida Panhandle
68 properties
🌳
Savannah, GA
Georgia Coast
24 properties
🎷
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana
35 properties
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Gatlinburg, TN
Smoky Mountains
29 properties
🏛️
Natchez, MS
Mississippi River
42 properties
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Beaufort, SC
South Carolina Lowcountry
18 properties
🏖️
Gulf Shores, AL
Alabama Gulf Coast
14 properties
🏞️
Eureka Springs, AR
Ozark Mountains
11 properties
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Answer a few quick questions and we'll point you in the right direction.
Must-haves
Based on your preferences, we recommend:
When to go

Southern travel by season

The South is beautiful year-round — but each season offers a completely different experience.

🌸
Spring
March · April · May
Azalea season in Natchez & Savannah
Perfect beach weather before crowds
Jazz Fest in New Orleans (late April)
Wildflower season in the Smokies
Best rates before summer peak
☀️
Summer
June · July · August
Peak Gulf Coast beach season
Warmest Gulf water temperatures
Highest occupancy — book early
Mountain cabins offer cool relief
Firefly season in the Smokies (June)
🍂
Fall
September · October · November
Best weather of the year — 70–80°F
Fall foliage in the Smokies (October)
Gulf beaches uncrowded & affordable
Harvest festivals across the South
Snowbird season begins (November)
❄️
Winter
December · January · February
Gulf Coast stays mild (60–70°F)
Best rates on most properties
Mardi Gras in New Orleans (Feb)
Snowbird season peak — monthly rentals
Historic homes uncrowded & peaceful
Insider knowledge

Tips from Hometel hosts

Our Superhost network shares what travel guides don't tell you.

Gulf Coast fishing secrets
The best fishing on the Emerald Coast is not at the public piers — it's at the private docks of local fishing camps off Fort Walton Beach. Ask your host if they have a contact. Most do. Bring your own tackle or rent from Legendary Marine in Destin.
Where Savannah locals actually eat
Skip the River Street tourist traps. The best food in Savannah is on Broughton Street (The Grey), in the Thomas Square neighborhood (Fox & Fig), and at the Forsyth Farmers Market Saturday mornings. Your host will have their own list — ask for it.
The secret beach nobody knows
Shell Island off Destin is only accessible by water — no cars, no condos, no crowds. Rent a pontoon from Crab Island Cruises or kayak from your rental dock at low tide. Arrive before 10am for the full experience. Bring snorkeling gear.
New Orleans beyond Bourbon Street
The best live music in New Orleans is on Frenchmen Street in the Marigny — not Bourbon Street. Arrive after 10pm. The Spotted Cat, d.b.a., and Snug Harbor run consecutive sets all night. No cover at most venues. Bring cash.
Avoiding Smoky Mountain crowds
The most crowded road in America is Gatlinburg's main strip on summer weekends. The solution: hike to Alum Cave Bluffs at 7am before the crowds arrive, then be back at your cabin by noon. Clingman's Dome at sunset with a clear sky is worth every crowded mile.
Best time to book Gulf Coast
The absolute sweet spot for Gulf Coast value is the first two weeks of September — water is still 82°F from summer heat, prices drop 25–40% after Labor Day, crowds evaporate instantly, and the light is spectacular for the hour after sunrise. Book 6–8 weeks out for best selection.
Snowbird guide

Your complete Southern snowbird guide

Thousands of Northerners escape to the American South every winter — and for good reason. Gulf Coast winters average 65–72°F, the cost of living is a fraction of Florida's Atlantic coast, and Southern hospitality makes month-long stays feel like home.

Why choose the Gulf South over Florida's Atlantic coast?
30–50% lower cost than equivalent Atlantic Florida snowbird destinations
The whitest sand beaches in America — sugar-white quartz from the Appalachians
Genuine Southern community — locals who welcome winter visitors warmly
Monthly Hometel rentals available with full landlord-quality furnishings
Snowbird planning checklist
Before you go
Housing setup
When you arrive
🌊
Destin, FL
Avg 64°F Jan
🏖️
Gulf Shores, AL
Avg 58°F Jan
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Pensacola, FL
Avg 59°F Jan
Packing guides

What to pack for the South

Southern packing lists by trip type — because packing for a Smoky Mountain cabin is very different from a Gulf Coast week.

Gulf Coast beach
High-SPF sunscreen (reef safe)
Rash guard for long days
Water shoes for shell beaches
Collapsible cooler
Insect repellent (evenings)
Light linen layers for dinners
Kayak or paddleboard (rentals available)
Cast net if you plan to fish
Smoky Mountain cabin
Layers — mornings are cold year-round
Waterproof hiking boots
Trekking poles for steep trails
Bear spray (just in case)
Swimsuit for hot tub
Rain jacket — afternoon showers common
Binoculars for wildlife
Board games for foggy evenings
Historic city stay
Comfortable walking shoes
Light dressy option for nice dinners
Portable umbrella (afternoon rain)
Reusable water bottle
Small daypack for tours
Insect repellent for garden evenings
Camera — the light is exceptional
Cash for farmers markets & food trucks
Work retreat
Laptop + backup charger
Ethernet cable (always bring it)
Noise-canceling headphones
Portable monitor if needed
Whiteboard markers for brainstorming
Team activities planned in advance
Business casual + outdoor gear
Confirm WiFi speed with host first
Stay Southern.
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