Travel Spotlights: Southeast Region

Blending Caribbean, American, European and African cultures, New Orleans is a celebration of flavors, history and sounds. Jam to music day and night here in the birthplace of jazz at clubs, lively street performances and world-renowned festivals.

New Orleans is a magnet for creatives and a shopping paradise. See artists at work in Jackson Square, stroll down Julia Street and browse art galleries, or pick up one-of-a-kind souvenirs at local art markets throughout the French Quarter.

Tour New Orleans by horse-drawn carriage, streetcar or riverboat, and visit a variety of attractions such as museums like Mardi Gras World, Vue Orleans, and The Sazerac House or peruse shops teaching mystifying Voodoo traditions.

Eat your way through New Orleans, home to signature staples such as seafood gumbo and po’boy sandwiches. Satisfy your sweet tooth with beignets at Café du Monde, sample dishes in the French Market, dine on cuisine from award-winning chefs or sip a cocktail on Freret Street.

New Orleans offers visitors a variety of activities to enjoy outside. Relax beneath the shade of massive oak trees in New Orleans City Park, stroll through the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, or kayak along Bayou Saint John.

The Creole Nature Trail All-American Road acts as a gateway to Lake Charles’ unique wilderness and local heritage. A network of backroads that offers access to Louisiana's untamed landscape, the trail is home to alligators, migrating butterflies and more than 400 species of birds.

Lake Charles is home to two popular resorts, Golden Nugget Lake Charles and L'Auberge Casino Resort. Enjoy Las Vegas-style entertainment and fabulous restaurants, or indulge in a relaxing day of spa treatments and sipping cocktails poolside.

History lovers should set aside an afternoon to explore the 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center, a public art gallery and exhibit hall featuring rotating presentations that highlight the destination’s history and works by local and regional artists.

Lake Charles offers a flavorful selection of local beers and spirits. At Crying Eagle Brewing, sip on a craft beer and take a brewery tour. Don’t miss a chance to sample Bayou Rum, the perfect complement to Southwest Louisiana cuisine.

Take a trip through time in the Charpentier Historic District and along Shell Beach Drive in Lake Charles. Marvel at the beautifully maintained 19th century homes with architectural details including gingerbread accents, turrets and iron fences.

Missouri is a hub for Route 66 nostalgia, musical entertainment and outdoor fun. Explore bustling St. Louis and visit the iconic Gateway Arch National Park, home to the tallest monument in the USA. Take a tram to the top for incredible panoramic views of the city.

Springfield’s History Museum on the Square is a must-stop for any Route 66 aficionado. Explore the beginnings of the “Mother Road” through its golden years via interactive exhibits and galleries.

From savory burnt ends to slow-cooked pork, Missouri knows its barbecue. Indulge in Kansas City-style fare, known for its sweet, thick and tangy sauce, or bite into thick-cut St. Louis-style ribs smothered in a tomato-based sauce.

Spend a few nights in Missouri’s Branson Entertainment District, where more than 30 theaters stage a variety of lively performances. Laugh at a comedy show, see amazing tribute artists or enjoy a magical evening with an illusionist.

The beauty of southern Missouri’s Ozark Mountain region beckons to outdoor enthusiasts from around the world. Hike the Ozark Trail, cycle at Shepherd Mountain Bike Park, paddle the Ozark National Scenic Riverways or experience glamping in treehouses at River of Life Farm.

Mississippi is known for its music history and traditions. The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll was born in 1935 in a two-room house in Tupelo that was built by his father. It’s now part of a compound that includes a park, statue, his childhood church and museum.

Located in the quaint coastal city of Ocean Springs, this museum celebrates artist Walter Inglis Anderson, whose work highlights the region’s plants, animals and people in vivid detail through whimsical watercolors, drawings, oils, block prints, ceramics and carvings.

Mississippi’s great outdoors provides a wealth of adventures, from its barrier island beaches to rolling hills. In the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Tishomingo State Park offers rock climbing, canoeing, walking along a wildflower-bordered trail and fishing in Haynes Lake.

After exploring Natchez, a charming Mississippi River city, drive or bike the Natchez Trace Parkway. This scenic and historic corridor extends to Nashville, Tennessee. Along the way, you can hike or ride horseback on trails through rolling hills, thick forests and cypress swamps.