Local TV news personalities share favorite destinations for under-the-radar fun

Discover hidden gems, including peaceful beaches and blooming gardens
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Kelly Sutton

Kelly Sutton
Host, Today in Nashville on WSMV News 4
Nashville, Tennessee

“My husband, daughter, and I either play tourist in downtown Nashville or visit Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. It’s a beautiful historic mansion and botanical garden built by one of the founders of Maxwell House coffee in 1929. We’re there all of the time, and it is truly one of my favorite hidden gems in Nashville.”

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, cheekwood.org

Denis Phillips

Denis Phillips
Chief Meteorologist, ABC Actions News
Tampa, Florida

“It’s pretty easy to go incognito at any of the beaches in our area. There are some smaller, lesser-known beaches that people love. Honeymoon Island is one of them, and I like to stick around for one of the most beautiful sunsets in the bay area.”

Honeymoon Island, floridastateparks.org/park/honeymoon-island

Jovita Moore

Jovita Moore
Anchor, Channel 2 Action News
Atlanta, Georgia

“One place where my family and I feel really comfortable is Reynolds Plantation on Lake Oconee. I can pretty much go under the radar sitting by the pool or at one of the restaurants. We love to go to Georgia’s restaurant in the main lodge and enjoy the buffet before heading out to the lake or pool.”

Reynolds Lake Oconee, reynoldslakeoconee.com

Larry Sprinkle

Larry Sprinkle
Meteorologist, NBC Charlotte Today
Charlotte, North Carolina

“There’s a place just minutes from downtown Charlotte where you can get a taste of history: the birthplace of our eleventh president, James K. Polk. They’ve reconstructed a home much like the one he was born in. It’s beautiful and sits on about 100 acres of land. You could spend hours out there in your own little quiet spot.”

The President James K. Polk State Historic Site, jameskpolk.net

Nancy Parker

Nancy Parker
Anchor, Fox 8 New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana

“One of my favorite spots is a balcony at the French Market Restaurant on Decatur Street in the French Quarter. It’s great for people-watching while enjoying some spicy seafood. Crawfish, crabs, shrimp, oysters, gumbo—it’s all there. There’s always a brass band playing nearby, and there’s always a breeze.”

French Market Restaurant and Bar, frenchmarketrestaurant.com

This article appears in our Spring/Summer 2018 issue of Southbound.

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