These two surprising southern cities have become a must-visit destination, according to local experts

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Do you think you know the South? Think again!

If you thought of the sunshine of Florida, the European atmosphere of Charleston, and… Savannah Banana Shenanigans were the best ways to experience this vast area of ​​coastline and history, Southern life throws you a big yellow curveball for your next trip.

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

After a good dose of research, we at Travel Off Path completely agreed with this.

That’s why we’ll skip the more striking and revealing names Two real surprises we discovered in terms of affordability, sensational cuisine, quintessential southern hospitality and less crowds than you would likely experience elsewhere.

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

Charlotte is much more than an airport hub

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

While I can only personally attest to Charlotte’s immaculate 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 largest city all about these days?

It’s safe to say that you will no longer be afraid to make a stop here. Charlotte is even worth being your destination of choice.

With a vibrant, revitalized Uptown, bustling neighborhoods like NoDa and South End, a thriving beer scene, and an increasingly confident food and arts culture, Charlotte’s identity has been reshaped. Combine all of the above with a handful of professional sports teams and this city rocks!

Better yet, Charlotte is widely considered to be both safe And affordableso you don’t break the bank, whether it’s hotels or regional dishes, which are sure to have you drooling for days later just thinking about what you ate.

We have found the Hilton Charlotte Uptown in the $120s in January – a bargain!

Some of Southern Living’s favorite stomping grounds include:

Do you want the choice of Travel Off Path? WE got you!

Be sure to make a reservation McNinch House restaurantSet in a mystical Victorian house for a unique atmosphere and great fixed price food that’s worth the splurge.

Tulsa: This famous stop on Route 66 is no longer a snoozefest

“Tulsa? Really?” may 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, bad Sly, but hear us out…

Tulsa has become a must-visit for a number of surprising reasons, especially for its captivating museums and delicious melt-in-your-mouth Southern cuisine that serves up soulful comfort food.

Southern Living raves about the food and arts scene, with one editor saying, “I really enjoyed visiting Tulsa. The food and arts scene is incredible. You must buy a ticket to see a show at Cain’s. No matter who plays, it will be fun.”

While downtown can feel a little spooky, there’s still a lot to be desired in the city, whether it’s the wide open green space at Gathering Place or locally beloved spots like Brookside, but an absolute must-visit is the Philbrook Museum of Art (scroll back to the first photo in this article – isn’t it beautiful?!).

I may not have stepped outside Charlotte’s AMEX lounge, but I have been to Tulsa. Let me tell you, Southern Living is absolutely right when it says that Tulsa is an underrated must-visit.

One of my personal favorites is Utica Squarea charming open-air shopping center with local boutiques and upscale restaurants.

Sadly, the Tulsa Zoo no longer offers camel rides that I pretended to find rich in Arabian oil (you can dream, right?), but this is still one of America’s most underrated zoos and packed with fun for all ages.

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

You know we have to give our opinion too! Don’t sleep on age-old basic material Ike’s Chiliespecially during the winter cold. What’s a better way to warm up?

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.