What does the month of April bring to the table? Both baseball and NASCAR seasons are underway, then there's the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, followed by The Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, on April 11- 14.  And then there is the Spring festival season. Yes, spring has sprung in the South. If you are looking for ways to get out and enjoy the pleasant weather (pollen aside), you are in the right place because much is happening throughout the region in April. Treat taste buds and appetites to the Scott (Louisiana) Boudin Festival (April 5 - 7), the State Banana Puddi ..read more

The time for the celestial event is drawing nearer. On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse, when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, completely blocking the sun, crosses North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada.  https://video.wixstatic.com/video/0985da_cc4ce5a2f5224dfb9413c96be8553b66/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 Courtesy of Great American Eclipse, https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com According to NASA, the ,eclipse will enter the U.S. in Texas and travel through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Yor ..read more

With 62 miles of coastline, including 26 miles of beaches, 12 coastal communities, and a wealth of activities, experiences and adventures, Coastal Mississippi is one of those rare destinations that engages all five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste and touch.) Whether it's an overnight stay or a weekend getaway, travelers become captivated by the area and begin making plans to return as soon as they can. Go at a leisurely pace or try to do as much as possible while exploring Coastal Mississippi with one or all senses. https://youtu.be/GutvppcX1c4 ..read more

With all the events and happenings throughout the South during March, the month roars in like a lion.  The fun starts immediately with such festivities as the ,Sip and Swine BBQ Festival (March 1 -2) in Lawrenceville, Georgia and the ,Shadows-on-the-Teche Fall Arts and Crafts Fair (March 2) in New Iberia, Louisiana. Foodies rejoice because March brings out some tasty events, such as the ,Dahlonega (Georgia) Chocolate Crawl (March 4 - 10), the ,Charleston (South Carolina) Food + Wine Festival (March 6 - 10), the ,Wurstfest 2024 (March 22 -24) in Hermann, Missouri, and the ,World Cham ..read more

As inflation continues to abate, a new survey from Nationwide Travel Insurance shows U.S. consumers are optimistic about their travel plans in 2024 – right as spring break travel planning ramps up. Nearly all surveyed (91 percent) say they have plans to travel domestically in 2024, with four in 10 (40 percent) planning to travel more than they did in 2023. Additionally, half (50 percent) of consumers are planning to travel internationally this year. Regardless of where they're going, consumers are already thinking about how they'll get to their travel destinations. Taking a road trip by ..read more

With January in the rearview mirror, it's time to focus on what February brings. While it may be the shortest month (even with leap year this year), there's much to do across the South. We'll begin with the region's largest party - Mardi Gras. The closer it gets to Fat Tuesday (February 13), the festivities extend from Eureka Springs, Arkansas' Mardi Gras Day Parade (February 10), to Carnegie Carnival (February 10) in Decatur, Alabama, to Beaufort, North Carolina's Mardi Gras Celebration (February 9 - 11) and nearly everywhere in between. And here's even better news: destinations like Aiken ..read more

72 percent of Americans say they plan to either maintain or increase their number of hotel stays in 2024 compared to 2023, and hotels remain the top lodging choice for likely travelers, according to a survey* commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and conducted by Morning Consult.   The survey found that most Americans (53 percent) plan to travel overnight for leisure during the next four months, and 32 percent plan to travel overnight for business. Hotels remain the most popular lodging choice for likely travelers, including 71 percent of likely business travelers ..read more

Hotels are projected to pay a record amount of wages and generate a record level of tax revenue in 2024, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s 2024 State of the Hotel Industry report.   The report, which forecasts that hoteliers will face continued challenges due to nationwide labor shortages while inching closer to 2019 occupancy levels, is based on data and analysis from Oxford Economics and was created in collaboration with AHLA Premier Partners STR, Avendra, Ecolab, Encore, JLL, Oracle, and Towne Park.   Top findings include: Hotels are projected to pay em ..read more

Less than an hour from New Orleans is quaint, Covington, Louisiana. Situated on the northern shore of Lake Pontchartrain, aka The Northshore, aka "l'autre côté du lac" (the other side of the lake) in St. Tammany Parish, the town is the perfect destination for those looking to take a breather from fast-paced settings and enjoy being in the moment. https://youtu.be/73Cb-UdDvg0 ..read more

Bentonville, Arkansas, may be known as Walmart's hometown and "the mountain biking capital of the world," it's also a prime destination for those who enjoy visiting multiple museums, spending time outdoors and checking out the local culinary scene. Bentonville exudes an air of sophistication without losing its small-town feel. After one visit, the city leaves a lasting impression. Read on to get a feel of what there is to see, do and experience for an overnight trip or long weekend getaway. https://youtu.be/6gJ5O9i6id4 ..read more