Why you Should Avoid Traveling in the Deep South

August 01, 2022

Why you Should Avoid Traveling in the Deep South

When you think of a road trip what do imagine? Do you picture a leaf-peeping drive through New England? A week in Key West? A cabin in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains? All of these destinations sound wonderful.

On the other hand, I recommend avoiding the deep south. This area of the United States is possibly best known for its plantations, swamps, and alligators, and here are a few of the reasons I recommend avoiding this area.

The scenery is ugly

Don’t visit the south if you enjoy lovely scenery. From Georgia to Texas, you will see nothing but trees and swamps. Definitely no rolling hills, no lovely lakes, no pecan groves full of shining green grass in the spring.

When you’re in the south, don’t watch out for meadows full of white cows grazing in belly-deep. You won’t see rolling grassy hills surrounded by oak trees. Forests full of a huge variety of trees from oaks, sycamores and maples to tall stately pines and magnolias. You won’t find any beauty in the cypress swamps covered with lily pads, alligators sunning on the banks and turtles covering sunken logs.

And since the south has no seasons (only summer, summer, summer, and winter) there aren’t any flowers, especially in the spring. You won’t see flowering trees and shrubs everywhere. Don’t expect beautiful colors in the fall, either.

TRUTH: The deep south is full of gorgeous landscapes, from canyons to rolling hills, sparking lakes to black-water swamps, and is covered with blooms in the spring and summer. And don’t forget the sunsets.

Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia

Bankhead National Forest, Alabama

Waterfall, Alabama

2. The people are rude and hate visitors

If you are brave enough to venture into the south, even after reading this article, don’t be surprised when you experience rude people. The people in the south hate having visitors and don’t ever want to know where you came from or if you are having a good time. People will always hold the door for you, as if you can’t open a door yourself, and you won’t hear any respectful language like “sir”, “ma’am”, or “have a blessed day!”

TRUTH: Of course this isn’t true. The friendliness and politeness of the people in the south is well known. In fact, when we arrived at a campground in Louisiana after dark, several friendly hunters came over with flashlights and stood in the rain to help us park.

3. The beaches are terrible

Don’t go to the south for beaches. Even though all of the deep south states border the ocean, the water is dirty and there aren’t any nice sandy beaches. The coastlines of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Louisiana, and the Florida panhandle are alligator-filled mudholes. You won’t find anywhere to sunbathe or swim in this area. If you want a nice beach, try South Florida. The beaches there are sandy and bordered with high-rises, perfect for tourists.

TRUTH: Beautiful sandy beaches can be found in many places along the coast of the deep south, and unlike South Florida, these areas are less well-known as vacation destinations.

Sunset over the Ocean, Mississippi

Waveland, Mississippi

Biloxi, Mississippi

4. There’s no culture or history

Don’t visit the south for culture or history. You won’t find any interesting museums here, because there’s nothing interesting to make museums about. Nothing interesting happened here, so don’t look for battlefields or historic buildings.

If you visit the south, you won’t be able to learn about micro cultures like …. >…. >… Don’t expect to hear languages other then English in the South.

There’s no arts scene in the south, either. It’s not the home of several different genres of music, cultural heritages from all over the world, or new art forms like quilting. And there’s no cultural festivals or celebrations to attend.

Cannon at Chalmette Battlefield, Louisiana

Savannah Botanical Gardens, Georgia

TRUTH: The south is full of history, such as battlefields of from more than 5 different wars, antebellum mansions, and Native Indian mounds. There are areas of the south with subcultures unique in the world, including unique languages or dialogs that are found only here. In addition, several genres of music and unique art styles had their birth in the south. And of course, Mardi Gras (which started in Mobile, Alabama).

5. The food is boring

The food in the south is boring typical American fare. Hamburgers and hotdogs are all you’ll find. If you are looking for interesting new food styles, go abroad because there’s no heritage from other countries to influence food styles. You won’t find that the mixed and blended cultures in the south have created new subcultures with their own unique culinary styles- and you won’t find any unique foods being eaten, like alligator or crawdads. Plus nothing is ever fried or spicy in the south, so it has no flavor.

TRUTH: This is just silly. If there’s anything the south is well-known for, it’s food. From Cajun dishes to fried chicken, you will never lack for interesting cuisine in the deep south.

Jambalaya and cornbread
Attributed to jeffreyw https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

Fried chicken and okra (also try alligator tail)
Attributed to Gatorfan252525 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

There's nothing to do

You won't find any attractions or things to do in the south. Everyone is either farming or sitting on their porches, so don't look for any amusement parks, excursions, or entertainment. Hiking, paddling, surfing, swimming, and other outdoor activities are also not to be found. If you don't like rocking chairs and sweet tea, don't bother traveling to the south.

TRUTH: Plantation tours. Fishing boats. Natural areas. Wildlife excursions. Water parks. Shopping. Whatever your style, you will find plenty of it in the south. There's even a ski slope in Alabama! But, seriously. Don't miss the tea, it's pretty great too.