The USA is Reopening in Early November: Plan Your Trip Now!
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Road Trippin’ in the Southern USA

The Southern USA is a haven for road trippers, with an amazing array of driving experiences taking you from the stunning Ozark and Appalachian peaks, through rolling countryside and evocative delta plains through to idyllic powder sanded beaches and miles of unspoilt coastline. Here we provide just a sample of the amazing driving experiences on offer, and with this week's announcement of the USA reopening in early November, you can start planning your trip now.
ALABAMA
Alabama is an odyssey of adventure! With bustling metropolitan areas and serene rural settings, road tripping through Alabama is a one-of-a-kind experience for single travelers, groups, and families alike. Cruise along the quiet backroads enveloped in a canopy of greenery, breathe in the sweet magnolias, and discover
hidden gems along the country byways. Or take the fast lane and hop on the interstate that can ferry you away to mountains and beaches all in the same day. The Alabama Tourism Department has 85 carefully crafted trips designed by the people who know Alabama best – and with the whole family in mind, which means we’ve got something for everyone.
ARKANSAS
With plentiful panoramic vistas that overlook the surrounding OuachitaMountains, the Talimena National Scenic Byway in Mena is one of the most scenic drives around. From U.S. 71 in Mena, the route follows Ark. 88 into Oklahoma. A big chunk of the 54-mile route, 18 miles of which are in Arkansas, travels through the scenic Ouachita National Forest, which are filled with short leaf pine and hardwood forests. In Mena, the route climbs the 2,681-foot Rich Mountain, Arkansas's second highest peak, and journeys by Queen Wilhelmina State Park. The drive is beautiful year-round and tends to be spectacular during the fall with autumn foliage.
KENTUCKY
Road trip travelers can take advantage of Kentucky’s beautiful scenic drives no matter the season. In central Kentucky, take a relaxing drive through Horse Country on Old Frankfort Pike Historic and Scenic Byway (KY 1681). This 16.9-mile National Scenic Byway connects Frankfort and Lexington, winding its way through beautiful scenic horse farms surrounded by rock and wooden fences. Hungry? Stop in Wallace Station Deli and Bakery, an unassuming eatery created by popular Chef Ouita Michel. If you turn north onto U.S. 62, you’ll end up in the charming, historic town of Midway with plenty of antique shops, boutiques and restaurants.
LOUISIANA
Take the scenic route in Louisiana with a road trip down one of the state’s byways. Each of Louisiana’s byways tells its own unique tale as it weaves through the state. With a drive along any of these highways, you’ll get to know a little about the state’s natural beauty, its quaint towns and quirky personality, and roadside attractions and historic architecture that hint at a rich cultural heritage.
MISSOURI
Take a combination of Highways 19, 21 and 106 through the stunning Ozark National Scenic Riverways comprising two of America's clearest and most beautiful spring-fed rivers, the first national park area to protect a wild river system. The Current and Jacks Fork Rivers wind through a landscape of rugged hills and towering bluffs.

Be sure to seek out the narrow ridges tops and rolling countryside of the Glade Tope Trail. Considered one of the most scenic locations in Missouri, the Glade Top Trail cuts through the Mark Twain National Forest and borders the Hercules Glades Wilderness Area. For twenty-three miles, the two-lane, all weather gravel road follows narrow ridge tops rising approximately 500 feet above the surrounding rolling countryside, and overlooks, all seven of them, and passes through many limestone/dolomite glades interspersed with open and closed woodlands and forests.

Best time to see fall color is typically late October, early November.
NORTH CAROLINA
Mother Nature endowed North Carolina with a wealth of natural beauty. Scenic roads offer travelers dazzling views of waterfalls, ancient mountains and dune-lined beaches. Here are three favorites…
Waterfall Byway
Waterfall Byway winds through the “land of waterfalls” on a 158-kilometer stretch of U.S. 64. Among the 200 cascades along the route, Cullasaja, Bridal Veil and Toxaway create dramatic beauty while another favorite, Dry Falls, invites motorists to park and walk behind the rushing water without getting wet. Cashiers, Highlands, Murphy and other towns contribute distinctive charm to the route.
Hanging Rock Scenic Byway
Connect with the roots of a Native American tribe, U.S. history and an isolated mountain range on the Hanging Rock Scenic Byway. The heart of the 61-kilometer route lies in Hanging Rock State Park, named for the unusual rock formations of the ancient Sauratown Mountains. Allow trail time for close-up views of Cascade Falls and Tories Den, a cave with ties to the American Revolution.
Outer Banks Scenic Byway
For a journey through coastal wonders, follow the Outer Banks Scenic Byway along a string of windswept barrier islands. Dune-lined beaches, wildlife preserves, historic villages and towering lighthouses mark the 222-kilometer route, which includes a pair of ferry crossings. The first leads to enchanting Ocracoke Island, famous as the place where the pirate Blackbeard was cornered and killed.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Fall is the time to head up to the mountains for that annual rite of autumn — leaf gawking. Every year, South Carolina’s Upstate cuts loose with color as the season’s sunny days and cool nights transform the vibrant green forest foliage into a brilliant palette of oranges, reds, golds and pinks. Throw in a couple of fun side excursions, some fresh-from-the-farm cuisine and a cozy cabin in the woods and you have one bodacious autumn getaway. No need to rush on this road trip. It’s all about enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of fall in the mountains. Slow down, stop often and take plenty of pictures to show friends back home.
TENNESSEE
Hit the Road to Explore Tennessee’s Hidden Gems.
Hit the open road, crank up the radio, take in the scenic beauty and history, explore charming towns, local restaurants, hidden gems and adventure that make Tennessee “The Soundtrack of America.”

Discovery Tennessee Trails & Byways - Stumble upon hidden gems while you take the scenic route.

12 Tennessee Stops on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail – Learn the stories of brave men and women who brought words to action through peaceful protests and legal actions to secure their civil rights.

Tennessee Music Pathways – Follow in the footsteps of legends, see up-and-coming artists and songwriters perform and experience the seven genres of music that call Tennessee home on the Tennessee Music Pathways.

Cades Cove – in Townsend, TN. Great Smoky Mountains (11-mile loop) within a quick driving distance to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.

Cherohala Skyway Byway – Cruise the Cherohala Skyway, a National Scenic Byway, and treat yourself to sprawling views of the Great Smoky Mountains to the northeast and the Tennessee River Valley to the west.
WEST VIRGINIA
Become mesmerized by the colorful fall foliage with a road trip down U.S. Route 19 in West Virginia. Taking you through America’s newest national park and across the iconic New River Gorge Bridge, leaf peeping excursions are endless. Rich hues of reds and oranges paint the backdrop to West Virginia’s season of adventure -- Gauley season.

Each September, scheduled releases of the Summersville Dam give way to the best white-water rafting on the East Coast. Class IV and V rapids attract enthusiasts from all over the globe to experience this coveted tradition.

While traveling on Route 19, be sure to stop for a photo-op with the New River Gorge Bridge, the 2nd longest single arch bridge in the world. U.S. 19 crosses many unique small mountain towns in West Virginia. Fayetteville, a vibrant town that’s at the heart of the New River Gorge, offers boutique lodging, eclectic shopping and tasty restaurants serving the Mountain State’s finest. Further south in Beckley, you’ll find a one-of-a-king artisan gallery called Tamarack, featuring fine art and locally made goods. Don’t pass up the chance to try their famous fried green tomatoes prepared by chefs from the world-renowned Greenbrier Resort.
RESOURCES
TRADE CONTACT
Travel South USA c/o FIVE MARKETING
Peter Hannaford | +44 1342 323 656
phannaford@five-ms.com
Atlantic Link
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