The South Archives

Planning a Trip to Dollywood and the Smoky Mountains with Friends

You know those friends you can go years without seeing, then all show up in one place and immediately it’s as if no time has passed? That’s the Footlight Fannies for me. So when the sole male fanny proposed a weekend in the Smokies—or rather, I think his words were, “how do you feel about […]

The Perfect Weekend in Tupelo, Mississippi: What to See, Eat & Do

For most travelers, Tupelo often begins with one name: Elvis Presley. But while the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll may have put this northeast Mississippi city on the map, he’s only one chapter of the story. Set along the Natchez Trace Parkway about 90 minutes from Memphis, Tupelo has quietly become one of the South’s […]

A Weekend in Starkville, Mississippi: Best Things to Do, See & Eat

Starkville was the first college town I visited as a prospective student back in 2000. My cousin attended Mississippi State University at the time, and somehow, 25 years later, we both ended up back there on the exact same weekend. He and his sons were in town for the LSU baseball series, while I was […]

What to Expect from Pilgrimage Festival in Franklin, Tennessee

Every September brings with it countless festivals in Tennessee, and one of my absolute favorites is Pilgrimage Music Festival in the impossibly charming town of Franklin. While other music festivals in Tennessee like Bonnaroo and CMA Fest are in the camp of “you’ve got to go at least once,” Pilgrimage reigns as one I would […]

One Day in Franklin: Eating, Shopping + Civil War History

One of the best things about living in Tennessee is the number of day trips available to us on any given week. We live just an hour south of Nashville, which affords us regular outings like a quick trip to the Smokies, an afternoon of waterfall hopping or a day trip to Franklin. Franklin factored […]

Why Franklin is One of Tennessee’s Most Pet-Friendly Cities

Long-time readers know that no one loves a good road trip quite like our pup Ella If she could, she’d go with us everywhere. The problem? Not everywhere is pet-friendly—well, not everywhere is pet-friendly like Franklin, Tennessee, I should add. This post was last updated in August 2025. Sure, there are plenty of trips she can […]

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