3 Last Minute Southern Road Trips
Last days of summer... She'll leave me colorless, breathless, no more candles cutting through the sky. Only white stark nights to come. And how could she think I can breathe like that?
Wanna get a way before the summer ends? I know, it's hard to see the end now, 90 degree days aren't good for foreshadowing, however, autumn will creep in soon. I wrote those lines above last year on September 22nd. It took me until then to see summer was floating away. This year I'm committed to maximizing the last days of summer!
Today I'm sharing three of my favorite last minute Southern road trip destinations. Not every trip requires weeks of advanced planning, here's a few places that a weekend traveler or day tripper can enjoy on a whim! These trips are for artistic free spirited types, those of you with a case of the wanderlusts. Each is for the modern gypsy budget conscious traveler.
1. Lafayette, Louisiana
Louisiana is home to over four hundred festivals every year. Even when it's not festival time there’s juke joints and roadhouses with blues and roots bands throughout the Atchafalayan Basin all year long. No-frills never watered down places that are some of the last of their kind in America.
STAY: Rent a houseboat on the Atchafalaya Basin. Stock up on the local foods before boarding. Snack on beignets and au laits while playing cards on the porch or hop in your own petite bateau (translation: small boat) to be inspired by the swamp.
EAT: Pick a few stops on the Cajun Boudin Trail to experience the most authentic regional specialties. Don't over do it on stop 1 and 2, you'll want to sample delicacies from as many of the shops as possible.
PLAY: On Sunday afternoon finish your adventure with a fais do do dance party at Whiskey River or La Poussiere Dancehall, either will give you a bona fide live Cajun & Zydeco musical experiences.
HOW TO DRESS: The Southern Swamps cater to a girl that's confidently eclectic. Wear feathers in your hair, layer a vintage T’s with your favorite denim cutoffs (it's hot outside!) and sprinkle on the glitter even in the daytime.
2. Savannah, Georgia
Swirling all around like the waving limbs of the ancient oaks there’s an essence of old meets brand new in Savannah. There’s an art and fashion scene - of both the high end and street style variety. From the Telfair Museum to shopSCAD, no matter your aesthetic sensibility there’s something to be uncovered.
STAY: The Thunderbird Inn - a groovy motor inn on the edge of the historic district. Reminiscent of the free-spirited era of roadside motels, it's a casual and fun-loving joint.
EAT: Fried Chicken and Cornbread dressing at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room - take a lunchtime seat at a communal table in the family owned former boardinghouse. Sample as many southern dishes as possible: sweet potato souffle, black-eyed peas, and okra gumbo are must haves.
PLAY: The Paris Market - The francophile concept shop is a two-story market - part boutique, part flea market; it's full of the world traveling owner’s quirky international discoveries.
HOW TO DRESS: The Savannah style is a mix of fashion school and tropical goth glam. The Savannah girl is warm and unpretentious and her artistic know how shows up in the small details of her style.
3. Grayton Beach, Florida
The vibe is as free-spirited and quirky as the unofficial town motto: “Nice Dogs, Strange People.” Grayton is one of the oldest beach towns in the South.
STAY: Rent a beach cabin for a good price, and makes friends with the locals for a jeep ride or a night of bonfires on the beach.
EAT: Drop in to Chiringo for lunch and a freshly squeezed Strawberry Lemonade or the specialty Agua de Valencia. The open air second floor is a perfect place to relax and experience the Gulf breeze.
PLAY: Go for a girl’s night out - either dining and dancing at Pandora’s or go see live local music at the bohemian style beach shack, Red Bar.
HOW TO DRESS: 30A, the nickname given to Scenic Highway 30A, is a dreamscape beach nirvana. It caters to the bohemian girl packing nothing more than a bikini and a caftan cover-up.
What's on your last minute travel bucket list you guys? Share your stories with me over on instagram with the tag #AWanderfulLife!
