Places

There’s a common sentiment in Macon that downtown used to be nothing but parking lots—and now you can’t find anywhere to park. While you may have to settle for a space an extra block or two away these days, strolling around town is precisely the point of this charming central Georgia city’s cultural and social revival.

I am lost in the wilderness. Not “lost” in the desperate sense. My phone still shows 5G in case I need to drop a pin, and two bars if I want to make a call. (Does this thing have a compass, too?) And I know where I am: somewhere on a wooded ridgeline in the Cherokee National Forest near Shady Valley, Tennessee, not far from the North Carolina and Virginia borders.

With brilliant columns of light pouring through two keyhole entrances, it’s no wonder Alabama’s Stephens Gap Callahan Cave Preserve makes an appearance on many a bucket list. After a short but rocky hike to the entrance, visitors may descend into the 143-foot-deep cavern via the walk-down path (which is steep and can be wet and slippery—sturdy shoes, helmets, and headlamps are highly recommended).

Though it’s home to the University of Georgia, the first state-chartered university in the country, Athens is more than a college town.

Venture beyond the fairways, and you’ll discover a lively riverwalk, terrific dining, and a charming Broad Street that lives up to its name (it’s the second-widest such street in America).

It’s the little things that matter most on a weekend escape to the largest of Georgia’s enchanting Golden Isles.

Sky-high luxury quarters and a decidedly down-to-earth vibe—experience the best of both worlds on Alabama’s Gulf Coast.

Combining Main Street U.S.A charm with inspired design and civic planning, this picture-perfect Florida community charms with pastel cottages and sugar-white beaches.

A newly reimagined luxury resort on this timeless northeast Florida barrier island promises a family-friendly escape to paradise.