On my bucket list of places to see and explore, the Deep South is definitely near the top. Made up of Tennessee (now with a direct route from Dublin four times a week from 12 April 2025), Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana – this region stretches from the Smoky Mountains to the North to the shores of the Gulf Coast in the South and is home to cities such as Nashville and Memphis, Jackson and Montgomery, Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
ITTN’s Shane Cullen caught up with the four states to see what’s on offer for the Irish traveller. Continuing on the Southern theme, find out about Savannah and Hilton Head plus what’s happening in Universal Destinations & Experiences with Grant Daly – all of which also make my bucket list!
Mississippi & Louisiana
Hannah McClure, Mississippi & Louisiana, “We are celebrating some huge anniversaries next year. We have the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis who would have been 90 in January. We have the King of the Blues, BB King, who would have been 100 in September so it is a big year for Mississippi.”.
“We are also reopening the Amtrak [rail] route that runs from New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama with four stops in Mississippi. Hopefully that’s coming in Spring and gives clients that don’t want to drive, just that extra mode of transport and it also gives a chance to explore all the Gulf Coast beaches.”.
This is restored line is the first time since Hurricane Katrina that this route has returned. The Gulf Coast passenger rail service runs along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi and Alabama and is expected to be open in Spring 2025.
Alabama
Andy Facer, Alabama, shared that the new Amtrak route from New Orleans will bring you to Mobile in the State of Alabama which will “link in the Gulf Coast region of the area”.
“Obviously, we’ve got fantastic civil rights history in Birmingham and Montgomery. We’ve got the only church that Dr. Martin Luther King ever pastored at and obviously led a lot of his marches for freedom and equality.”
“Up in the northern part you’ve got Muscle Shoals where Aretha Franklin cut her first hit records. The Rolling Stones have cut records there. Percy Sledge recorded “When a Man Loves a Woman”.
“Then over to Huntsville, to the world’s largest Space Museum and home to Space Camp”.
To be honest, each of those highlights are reason alone to visit and I did go down the rabbit hole to find out more on the US Space and Rocket Center – here’s the link: https://www.rocketcenter.com
Direct Route to Nashville, Tennessee
Jessica Jackson, Tennessee Vacation, shared why there are so many reasons to visit Tennessee next year. It’s the one hundredth anniversary of the Grand Old Dot Curry’s, Elvis’ ninetieth birthday, the 40th anniversary of Dollywood” and if that’s not enough, “there is the country music, cuisine, culture, civil war history and civil rights history. There is so much to see and do throughout the state”.
Check out https://industry.tnvacation.com/travel-trade
Hilton Head in South Carolina & Savannah Georgia
Hilton Head Island, often referred to as simply Hilton Head is a resort town and barrier island in Beaufort County, South Carolina and towards the northeast of Savannah in the state of Georgia.
Della Tully, Hilton Head & Savanna, shared top reasons to visit Hilton Head and Savannah, “Three great reasons to go. Obviously, an amazing golf destination with over 40 golf courses in Hilton Head and 24 in Savannah itself. Both locations are only around 30 miles from one another so it’s really, really easy to visit. Both destinations offer a lot of culture, cultural history and particularly a lot of Irish ancenstry in and around Savannah.”
Fascinatingly, Della shared that “one of the largest Paddy Day Parades in the world is in Savannah, reason enough to go!”
Historic and hip, Savannah’s neighborhoods are full of character. Tour the city and see gorgeous gardens, bustling boutiques, edgy artwork and stately Victorian-era homes. Here you’ll find a dose of Southern warm hospitality and Savannah has been praised as one of the world’s friendliest cities.
Hilton Head Island has been voted “Number 1 Best Island in the US by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers Choice Awards 2024. Fish, golf, unwind and enjoy an island escape in the US.
Universal – World Class Destination Theme Park
Grant Daly, Universal Destinations & Experiences shared the exciting news for kids of every age (including myself), “We’re looking forward to the opening of Universal Epic Universe on the 22nd May 2025. This comes with five incredible parks – Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, Celestial Park, Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Ministry of Magic and How to Train Your Dragon, Isle of Berk”.
