Many travelers through the southern states of the USA have already seen the major sites, such as the French Quarter in New Orleans, the beaches in Alabama, and paddle steamers in Louisiana. However, these states have much more to offer than the major tourist destinations.

It’s time to get off the beaten track and visit some of the hidden gems in the Southern USA.

Traveling Through the Deep South

There’s always been some discussion about which states are referred to as Southern. There are obvious choices, such as Florida and Texas, located at the bottom of the USA. Many Americans think back to the Civil War and count all the states involved when discussing the Southern states. 

Fortunately, the Deep South is a little easier to reference, as there are five core states:

• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Alabama
• Georgia
• South Carolina

So, today, we will visit one hidden gem in each one.

Louisiana

While most tourists flock to New Orleans, something unique may surprise many. Louisiana, well, Avery Island, is the home of Tabasco sauce. For 180 years, it’s been produced there, and initially, all the peppers used in the sauce were grown there. 

Avery Island is even more unique, as it’s a giant salt dome believed to be as deep as Mount Everest is high. A trip to Avery Island must include the Tabasco factory tour (allow at least two hours) and a visit to the Jungle Gardens, the largest bamboo forest outside China. 

Be sure to see the 900-year-old Buddha in the middle of the fish pond. Finally, visit Bird City, home to tens of thousands of birds of various species.

Avery Island is 30 miles south of Lafayette, in the marshland of Vermilion Bay. It is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm but closed on public holidays. 

Mississippi

Although best known for the mighty Mississippi River, this state has a long Civil War history and played a significant part in the event. 

A hidden gem in Mississippi for history buffs is the Brice Cross Roads National Battlefield. A single-day event, the Battle of Brice’s Cross Roads, was fought on June 10, 1864. It was a surprising win for the Confederate Army when their troops of 3,500 defeated a much stronger 8,000 Union force.

Brice Cross Roads National Battlefield was created as a tribute to this win. In 1929, a granite monument was erected in the center of the field to commemorate the soldiers. The park is relatively small — just over an acre — and the landscaped grounds have information plaques highlighting parts of the battle.

Brice Cross Roads National Battlefield is 5 miles west of Baldwyn. The park does not have concession stores or a ticket office, so it’s a self-guided walk-around experience.

An added benefit of visiting Mississippi is that casino gambling is legal, so while you may not be able to benefit from free slots with bonus and free spins online, you can experience the real thing at the excellent Beau Rivage Casino.

Alabama

Although it’s famous for American football, Southern cuisine, and pristine beaches, Alabama has more to offer if you know where to look. 

The Ave Maria Grotto is a unique experience found in only a few guidebooks. It’s located on the grounds of St. Bernard Abbey, a Benedictine monastery. It’s unique because it contains 125 miniature replicas of significant Catholic structures, including St Peter’s Basilica, the Bethlehem Manger, and Lourdes Basilica Church.  

Between 1912 and 1958, Brother Joseph Zoettl created each of the replicas. He had only visited six of the structures himself; the rest he created from books and photographs.

The Ave Maria Grotto is 50 miles north of Birmingham. It’s open seven days a week, weekdays and Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm and Sundays from 11:30 am.

Georgia

The home of Coca-Cola is a major tourist destination in Georgia, but that’s not the only thing to see. This state has several hidden gems that may surprise many travelers, including an abandoned castle and a secret US Air Force Base. However, one worth visiting is BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, a Hindu temple in Atlanta reminiscent of the Taj Mahal in India.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was inaugurated in August 2007. Built out of 34,450 hand-carved pieces of Italian marble, Turkish limestone, and Indian pink sandstone, it is rumored to have required over 1.3 million volunteer hours to complete. It’s surrounded by 30 acres of landscaped grounds.

This Hindu temple in East Atlanta is open daily to the public from 9 am to 6 pm. If visitors time their visit correctly, they can experience the midday Arti ceremony, a beautiful and traditional Hindu offering that involves lights and chanting.

South Carolina

South Carolina is well-known for stunning beaches like Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach, but one beach is a bit of a secret and a must-visit for photographers.

Boneyard Beach, on the East Coast of Bulls Island, is unique because it’s primarily untapped by tourists, making it an example of untamed nature at its finest. It’s far from a traditional sandy beach. Instead, it’s littered with bleached and weathered skeletons of dead trees that resemble old bones, hence the name. It makes for an eerie, otherworldly scene.

Boneyard Beach is on Bulls Island, 25 miles east of Charleston. It’s only accessible by boat on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and it’s best to book through a local operator.

Get Off the Beaten Track

Next time you head to the Deep South, get off the beaten track and explore some hidden gems.

If you’re passing through Louisiana, visit the Tabasco Sauce factory on Avery Island. If you’re a history buff, head to Mississippi for the Brice Cross Roads National Battlefield. 

You don’t need to be Catholic or Hindu to visit Ave Maria Grotto in Alabama or experience the spectacle of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Georgia. South Carolina’s Boneyard Beach needs to be on your bucket list for a unique photograph opportunity.  

What are you waiting for? Plan your trip, get out there, and explore more of what’s not in the guidebooks.