Oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, architecture straight out of Gone with the Wind, soulful bluegrass, and food that doesn’t skimp on butter—that's what we call Southern Comfort.
Simultaneously sweet and a little badass, check out our top towns.
SEE ALSO: Take a look inside A-Rod's modern Miami home
DON'T FORGET: Follow Business Insider's lifestyle page on Facebook!
Athens, Georgia
The college town that birthed two major bands — the B-52's and R.E.M. — never lost its groove. Everyone from Widespread Panic to The Police have played at The Georgia Theatre (and John Mayer recorded his video for "No Such Thing" there). After a show, go for drinks at Five Bar, where there are (blessedly) only five choices of any given thing – five red wines, five local brews on tap, five cocktails (trust us, you want the Bordeaux Bourbon, with Maker's Mark, St. Germain, Bordeaux cherries and ginger ale).
From there, make your way to Last Resort Grill for the crispy pork belly and classic salmon and grits. You'll be ready to take on the town's endless outdoor diversions, including hiking through Sandy Creek Park and kayaking the Middle Oconee. Just make sure to spend at least one day hip- deep exploring the city's art galleries and museums; the Georgia Museum of Art is world-class, with works by blue-chip artists like Georgia O'Keefe and Elaine de Kooning.
Bentonville, Arkansas
Bentonville has made many a "top southern towns" list – and there's a reason why. Walmart was founded here in 1950, but forget the rolled back prices — the town has become one of America’s must-see art capitals. Learn all about our country’s art history at the Moshe Safdie-designed Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, founded by Walmart heir Alice Walton. The collection includes everything from Andy Warhol's COCA-COLA (which set the superstore family back some $57 million) to the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Bachman-Wilson House, which was moved from New Jersey to the Crystal Bridges grounds.
Go for dinner at the The Hive in the 21C Hotel, where chef Matthew McClure (a Food & Wine Best New Chef) churns out grits with mascarpone and parsley and Berkshire hog chops with sweet potato.
RELATED:13 New Museums to See Now
Florence, Alabama
There's a reason fashion designer Billy Reid set up his headquarters in Florence — and it's not just because the town is part of the Americana Music Triangle (the iconic FAME studios, home to Muscle Shoals is right across the river). It's also because of the town's creative DIY spirit and design-forward ethos. Start at Frank Lloyd Wright's Rosenbaum House for a primer on the architect's Usonian house concept, then head to lunch at local favorite, Trowbridge's Ice Cream & Sandwich Bar (try the Babysitter – hot dogs with chili and mustard on white-bread toast.).
After perusing the one-off boutiques downtown, head to the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa for a deep tissue massage. It's just what you'll need before dinner at City Hardware – the place for Southern fare, like crawfish and andouille pasta and blackened catfish over parmesan grits.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider