Rhythms of the South: 3 Cities, 3 Tastes of the Southeast

Sometimes called the Capital of the South, Atlanta is a city of shops, restaurants, theatres, art centers and museums that is proud of its past and confident of its future. Downtown offers unparalleled attractions including the CNN headquarters, World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium and Centennial Olympic Park, built for the 1996 Olympics. Trace the city’s role in the civil rights movement at the Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and the Atlanta History Center. Explore a world of music and theater, from intimate venues like the Fox Theatre or the Tabernacle (which once was, indeed, a church), to performances at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra or the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse. And with culinary options from around the globe, you can savor the gamut from Southern soul food to homemade Italian, as well as a growing craft brewery and distillery scene.

Welcome to Nashville, a creative melting pot that stirs together rock, country, bluegrass, jazz and more, along with world-class art, award-winning cuisine, unique shops and outdoor activities. A few of the city’s must-sees for music include RCA Studio B, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Johnny Cash Museum and the Grand Ole Opry. Listen to honky-tonk at Robert’s Western World, enjoy dinner and a show with singer-songwriters at the Listening Room Café, or sing the blues at B.B. King’s Blues Club. Feeling hungry? You’ll find legendary barbecue at every turn, but don’t miss out on Nashville’s famous hot chicken or a trip to the Nashville Farmers’ Market, a local favorite for food, handmade crafts and gifts. Centennial Park, with its trails, gardens, play spaces and even a replica Greek Parthenon, is fantastic for a few hours of outdoor relaxation.

New Orleans is famous for Mardi Gras, jazz, exquisite architecture and great Cajun and Creole cuisine. It's a city that greets you with an Old World appeal and embraces you with its spirited soul. Get to know the city’s unique history with a walking tour, or ride the streetcar through the French Quarter and the scenic Garden District. Watch paddleboats on the Mississippi River and stop by Café du Monde for those must-try beignets and chicory coffee. You can’t visit New Orleans without trying a po’ boy, a muffaletta, pralines (be sure to say prah-leen, not pray-leen!) or a cup of spicy gumbo. Bourbon Street gets a lot of attention for its music and nightlife, but head off the beaten path to listen to live jazz at Preservation Hall, or dance in and out of the many music venues on Frenchmen Street.