Your guide to exploring the Southeast
It’s vacation-planning season. And the Southeast holds a wealth of getaway ideas. From the beaches to the mountains and lots of rivers and history and good food in between, there are many ideas for traveling in this character-filled corner of the country. Here are some highlights from this wonderful regional destination.

The Perfect Getaway to Big Cedar Lodge
Big Cedar® Lodge is the perfect place to kick back and get away from it all. Take long hikes on winding paths and backwoods trails, cast for bass in tranquil lakes, enjoy leisurely horseback rides down the canyon, wade barefoot in cool streams, or just gaze in wonder at the star-filled night sky. You’ll love the five remarkable lake-view restaurants that bring the resort’s history to life. There is simply no better way to relax and unwind. Year after year, families come to Big Cedar Lodge to do just that. They come to rediscover the things that bring true satisfaction, to escape the ordinary, and to embrace the extraordinary.

Located in the heart of the Ozarks on beautiful Table Rock Lake, near Branson, Missouri, Big Cedar Lodge was recently named one of the Top 100 Resorts by Condé Nast Traveler magazine. Make this year’s vacation your best yet. Created by Ozarks artists and craftsmen, Bass Pro Shops Big Cedar® Lodge is a great escape. Visit Big Cedar Lodge and experience your best vacation ever. Contact bigcedar.com or 800-BC-LODGE to reserve your vacation today.

Culture and Cuisine in Charlotte, NC
Look closely at Charlotte, North Carolina, and you’ll discover a lot. Never-before-seen masterpieces on display, exquisite entrées from renowned chefs, and mind-blowing museums are among the debuts the city has welcomed. You’ll find a lot to your liking in the Queen City, not to mention plenty of Southern comforts along the way.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame showcases decades of racing milestones and captivates visitors with interactive exhibits. Culture takes center stage at the Levine Center for the Arts, almost a billion-dollar investment made up of four museums and facilities that have undoubtedly expanded Charlotte’s cultural horizons. For thrill seekers, there’s plenty to get the adrenaline pumping, thanks to abundant outdoor pursuits at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. In addition, Discovery Place’s latest renovation engages young minds with an aquarium, science stations, and a state-of-the-art 3-D theatre.

After a day of play, bring your appetite, because Charlotte is eager to tempt taste buds. The region may be known for stick-to-your-ribs sustenance with staples like pimento cheese and barbecue, but it’s ready to challenge even the most discriminating palette. Visitors will find worldly culinary creations ranging from perfect pad thai to satisfying sushi, not to mention enough steakhouses to exhaust even the most enthusiastic carnivore. Find out more by visiting charlottesgotalot.com.

Culinary Adventures in Alpharetta, GA
Ah, winter. The days are shorter, the air is brisk, and you crave delicious meals that will chase away the chill. Why not take a tour of flavors with a culinary adventure in Alpharetta, Georgia, just 22 miles north of Atlanta? Your pursuit of the palate doesn’t have to break the bank; it can fit any budget. Discover eateries that showcase the diverse cultures that call this city home, sample innovative dishes prepared by award-winning chefs, and learn from professionals at the only Publix Apron’s Cooking School in the state.

Retire to one of Alpharetta’s 23 hotels, many offering suites, complimentary breakfast, and culinary packages. Visit awesomealpharetta.com to find and book your perfect hotel and learn how you can be the winner of the 2011 Culinary Getaway Giveaway. Make plans now for Alpharetta’s 21st Annual Taste of Alpharetta, May 12, 2011, a festival of culinary delights with over 60 participating restaurants.

For more information about Alpharetta, visit awesomealpharetta.com.

Experience History in Shepherdsville-Bullit County, KY
Bourbon, glass, bluegrass, and more is what you’ll find in Shepherdsville-Bullitt County, Kentucky. Visit the Jim Beam Distillery, where visitors can relive more than 200 years of history in the practice of making Kentucky bourbon whiskey. Experience Hawks View Glass Art Gallery, Bernheim Forest, our four award-winning wineries, Zappo’s Shoe outlet, the House of Quilts, and Kart Kountry—America’s longest go-cart track. Just South of Louisville, far beyond expectations. Visit goi65.com or call 800-526-2068.

Produced in cooperation with the Southeast Tourism Society, an organization dedicated to the marketing and promotion of travel and the travel industry within our twelve-member Southeastern States of AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV. Visit our Web site at: EscapetotheSoutheast.com.