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Life in the big city isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

If we turn back the clock to my 25-year-old naive self, I thought moving to the tallest building in San Diego was a surefire way to happiness.

Despite the epic views from my balcony, I still look back at that place as a dumpster fire since the city chaos and high rents were just too much to bear.

Ah, life’s disappointments. Can I get a “bless your heart”?. Thanks, ya’ll.

According to local reports, many travelers are choosing small-town charm over the bright lights of Broadway as three of the most unexpected Southern destinations are booming, proving that ‘the South has risen again.

Each breaking tourism records due to their unique appeal, visitors willing to give these off-path destinations a chance will find down-home charm and less crowds compared to the household names, such as Miami, Austin, and Nashville.

These 3 unexpected Southern cities are soaring in popularity:

Pensacola, Florida

You hear of every Florida beach town and their mother, but Pensacola proper rarely enters the chat as many travelers opt for Panama City, Destin, and even cross the state line to Gulf Shores.

Pensacola is far more than a gateway to these notable beaches, boasting a charming downtown district and its own beautiful shores.

While it’s true you can expect crowds across most Florida beaches as everyone has a different Spring Break, once the college crowds go back to pretending to pay attention in class and getting AI to write their thesis papers, Pensacola is a gorgeous vacation spot.

According to local news outlet WEAR-TV, Pensacola saw a record number of 2.5 million visitors in 2024.

There are numerous high-end beachfront hotels to choose from along the bright white sands of Pensacola Beach, such as Surf & Sand Hotel and Holiday Inn Resort Pensacola Beach Gulf Front to cash out your IHG points.

Downtown offers a slower pace with picturesque streets lined with galleries, bars, restaurants, and shops. Definitely check out Palafox Street.

Bentonville, Arkansas

Ever been to Walmart? Who hasn’t at one point or another, right?

Well, Wally World started right here in Bentonville, which has long been Arkansas’ 9th largest city’s claim to fame, even offering a Walmart Museum in the heart of downtown with free admission.

While you’re unlikely to travel here solely to dive in to the history of one of America’s largest chain stores, Bentonville’s newfound tourism hook is based around events — over 300 of them, in fact.

According to local news outlet 5NEWS, Bentonville hosted 310 events throughout 2024, including Bentonville Film Festival, Bentonville Bike Fest, and local’s favorite First Fridays, a family-friendly block party of music, great eats, and artisan crafts.

This underrated city offers astounding natural settings to explore as it’s held in high regard in the mountain biking community and boasts down-home delights downtown with charming storefronts and world-class cuisine.

Bike culture is such a staple here, there’s even The Bike Inn, one of the most unique and top-rated stays in Bentonville, only costing around $100 per night this spring.

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

While Biloxi’s white-sand shores and thrilling casino hotels might be Mississippi’s biggest draw during beach season, believe it or not, it’s actually the never-ending waterways and small town charm of Hattiesburg that’s all the rage.

Well, unless that wild Netflix doc ‘The Kings of Tupelo‘ got you fired up enough to visit Elvis’ birthplace, but that’s a different story…

Hattiesburg offers visitors a balanced mix of natural attractions and southern hospitality, especially downtown where you’ll find classic diners, cafes, and old-timey streets perfect for photo-ops.

Away from downtown lies 50-plus miles of scenic waterways, a big draw for kayakers, but the most notable outdoor must-visit is Longleaf Trace, a 44-mile-long linear park perfect for jogging, biking, and hiking, and simply a great spot to get a feel for the city.

If your budget allows, stay in Ross Mansion Bed & Breakfast, voted ‘Best Bed & Breakfast in Mississippi‘ or opt for a name we all know and love, Hotel Indigo Hattiesburg.

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.