And The Winner Is . . .
Southern Living released their annual Readers’ Choice Awards winners in the publication's January 2007 issue. Great escapes suggested by their readers and editors that are BRCT-focused and worthy of your consideration include (drum roll please):
A Favorite Resort/Hotel
Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada, Florida
Located on Matecumbe Key, an hour south of Miami, Cheeca Lodge combines elegant amenities with a casual attitude. Thatched hut dining, eco-tours, spa treatments and gorgeous surroundings all await you at Cheeca.
www.cheeca.com or 800.327.2888
A Favorite Beach Town/Resort
Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama
Orange Beach is home to the largest Charter Fishing Fleet on the Gulf of Mexico and a favorite vacation spot for many. The city was founded by boat builders and charter fishermen. Orange Beach is fortunate to have much in the way of artistic talent, including musicians, painters, photographers, sculptors and writers (Orange Beach Art Center).
http://www.orangebeach.ws/
A Mountain Destination
Snowshoe Mountain, West Virginia
Whether golf or ski resort, Snowshoe Mountain has something for everyone yearround in the natural beauty of the West Virginia mountains.
www.snowshoemtn.com or 877.441.4386
A Family Vacation
Branson, Missouri
Branson has been known for years as an entertainment mecca, referred to by many as a “family-friendly Las Vegas.” Table Rock Lake and Silver Dollar City provide additional fun for all ages.
www.explorebranson.com
A Shopping Destination
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
If local attraction Dollywood is not your thing, then consider taking in the endless shops, boutiques and antique malls in the Blue Ridge region's Pigeon Forge.
www.mypigeonforge.com
Family Restaurants
Wade’s Family Restaurant in Spartanburg, Tennessee
www.eatatwades.com or 864.582.3800
The Dillard House in Dillard, Georgia
www.dillardhouse.com or 800.541.0671
A Seafood Restaurant: The Original Oyster House, Gulfshore, Alabama
www.originaloysterhouse.com or 251.948.2445
And our favorite categories, Small Southern Towns and Scenic Drives!
Making the list are:
Beaufort, South Carolina
Situated on the Beaufort River in the heart of the Low Country, Beaufort is so rich in history that 304 acres of the town have been designated a National Historic Landmark. The city-limit population was 12,950 is part of the Hilton Head Island-Beaufort Micropolitan Statistical Area. Beaufort is the second-oldest city in South Carolina, after Charleston. The town's beauty has been captured in movies as a result of its popularity as a filming destination for such blockbusters as The Big Chill, The Prince of Tides and Forrest Gump.
www.beaufortsc.org or 843.524.3163
Fairhope, Alabama
www.cofairhope.com or 251.928.2136
Fredericksburg, Texas
http://www.fredricksburg-texas.com or 830.997.6523
Jonesborough, Tennessee
Charming yearround, Jonesborough is the place to be the first weekend in October when they host the National Storytelling Festival (www.storytellingcenter.net or 800.952.8392).
www.jonesboroughtn.org or 866.401.4223
Scenic Drives
Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, North Carolina
www.nps.gov/blri or 828.298.0398
Natchez Chase Parkway, Tupelo, Mississippi
www.nps.gov/natr or 800.305.7417
Route 66 through Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas
www.missouri66.org, www.oklahomaroute66.com or www.historic66.com/texas
Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada, Florida
Located on Matecumbe Key, an hour south of Miami, Cheeca Lodge combines elegant amenities with a casual attitude. Thatched hut dining, eco-tours, spa treatments and gorgeous surroundings all await you at Cheeca.
www.cheeca.com or 800.327.2888
A Favorite Beach Town/Resort
Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama
Orange Beach is home to the largest Charter Fishing Fleet on the Gulf of Mexico and a favorite vacation spot for many. The city was founded by boat builders and charter fishermen. Orange Beach is fortunate to have much in the way of artistic talent, including musicians, painters, photographers, sculptors and writers (Orange Beach Art Center).
http://www.orangebeach.ws/
A Mountain Destination
Snowshoe Mountain, West Virginia
Whether golf or ski resort, Snowshoe Mountain has something for everyone yearround in the natural beauty of the West Virginia mountains.
www.snowshoemtn.com or 877.441.4386
A Family Vacation
Branson, Missouri
Branson has been known for years as an entertainment mecca, referred to by many as a “family-friendly Las Vegas.” Table Rock Lake and Silver Dollar City provide additional fun for all ages.
www.explorebranson.com
A Shopping Destination
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
If local attraction Dollywood is not your thing, then consider taking in the endless shops, boutiques and antique malls in the Blue Ridge region's Pigeon Forge.
www.mypigeonforge.com
Family Restaurants
Wade’s Family Restaurant in Spartanburg, Tennessee
www.eatatwades.com or 864.582.3800
The Dillard House in Dillard, Georgia
www.dillardhouse.com or 800.541.0671
A Seafood Restaurant: The Original Oyster House, Gulfshore, Alabama
www.originaloysterhouse.com or 251.948.2445
And our favorite categories, Small Southern Towns and Scenic Drives!
Making the list are:
Beaufort, South Carolina
Situated on the Beaufort River in the heart of the Low Country, Beaufort is so rich in history that 304 acres of the town have been designated a National Historic Landmark. The city-limit population was 12,950 is part of the Hilton Head Island-Beaufort Micropolitan Statistical Area. Beaufort is the second-oldest city in South Carolina, after Charleston. The town's beauty has been captured in movies as a result of its popularity as a filming destination for such blockbusters as The Big Chill, The Prince of Tides and Forrest Gump.
www.beaufortsc.org or 843.524.3163
Fairhope, Alabama
www.cofairhope.com or 251.928.2136
Fredericksburg, Texas
http://www.fredricksburg-texas.com or 830.997.6523
Jonesborough, Tennessee
Charming yearround, Jonesborough is the place to be the first weekend in October when they host the National Storytelling Festival (www.storytellingcenter.net or 800.952.8392).
www.jonesboroughtn.org or 866.401.4223
Scenic Drives
Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, North Carolina
www.nps.gov/blri or 828.298.0398
Natchez Chase Parkway, Tupelo, Mississippi
www.nps.gov/natr or 800.305.7417
Route 66 through Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas
www.missouri66.org, www.oklahomaroute66.com or www.historic66.com/texas
