11 Southern Destinations That Smell Like Fall Candles
Breathe in the scents of autumn throughout the South.
Courtesy Audubonâs Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Pumpkin spice lattes have returned to coffee house menus, and temperatures are finally beginning to cool around the South—fall is here, or very nearly.
This year, instead of simply lighting scented candles to surround yourself in your favorite fall scents, why not travel to places that bring them to life? Here, we take a look at scent-inspired Southern destinations that not only smell good, but have fun fall activities to enjoy, too.
Fresh Fall Morning
Visit: The Florida Panhandle
Courtesy Visit Panama City Beach
The scents of sea salt and linen float in the breeze and fill the air along the 27 miles of sugar white-sand beaches in Panama City Beach, Florida. The cooler temperatures on the Panhandle are ideal for glamping at St. Andrews State Park and roasting marshmallows over a beach bonfire as the sun sinks into the Gulf of Mexico.
Crisp Leaves
Visit: The Blue Ridge Mountains
Courtesy JP Gannon
The leaves are making their autumnal turn in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, changing from their greens to gorgeous shades of oranges, reds, and browns. Combined with the crisp mountain air, now is the perfect time to visit the inviting mountains towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, and others in Jackson County. You’ve got plenty of time, too—this part of the Tar Heel State boasts the longest leaf peeping season in the U.S. If you’re up for it, fly through the mountains’ fall colors on the Vordach Zip Line in Sapphire.
Related: 32 Charming Mountain Towns To Visit This Fall
Fresh Pine
Visit: Hattiesburg, MS
Courtesy Sean McGee
Roll down the windows and breathe in the scent of fresh pine with notes of vanilla, eucalyptus, and other earthy scents on a road trip through Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Once you’ve arrived, stretch your legs on the Longleaf Trace, a 44-mile paved and fairly flat trail that runs through Mississippi’s Pine Belt, so named for the abundance of longleaf pine trees.
Sage and Sea Salt
Visit: Florida's Paradise Coast
Courtesy Audubonâs Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Native Florida slash pines and bald cypress trees found in Big Cypress National Preserve and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, along with the salt air coming off the Gulf of Mexico, inspire the Sage and Sea Salt scent in Naples, Marco Island, and the Everglades on Florida’s Paradise Coast. Spend the day walking amongst the trees or kayaking through Ten Thousand Island National Wildlife Refuge, the gateway to the Everglades, before watching the sun set on the soft, white sand beaches.
Bourbon
Visit: Kentucky
Courtesy The Bar at Blu
Scents of cinnamon, vanilla, and oak blend to say fall in Kentucky, the Bourbon Capital of the World. And what better way to toast the change of seasons than on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail? Take your time winding through the landscape’s changing colors as you make your way from one distillery to the next. Depending on your pace of travel, it can take a week to hit them all, making for a tasty road trip.
If smoky bourbon is to your liking, discover the wood-smoked bourbon scents In Paducah. The Forgotten Spirts guided walking tour with Atomic City Tours is a terrific way to learn about the city’s rich, and tasty, connections to the bourbon industry. There's plenty more fall fun to be had in this UNESCO Creative City, too.
Caramel and Butterscotch
Visit: Central Georgia
Courtesy Explore Newnan-Coweta
Some of the fall’s favorite flavors float through the air all season long in Newnan-Coweta County, Georgia, just south of Atlanta. Indulge in caramel apples, lattes and popcorn at local farms and farmers markets, like Senoia Farmers Market on Saturdays, and Whitley Farms, where you’ll find pumpkins galore along with pumpkin bread and caramel apple jam. Or, bite into a Bourbon Cream at Doc Brown Farm & Distillers, Georgia’s only seed-to-still distillery.
Coastal Pumpkin
Visit: St. Petersburg, Fla.
Courtesy VisitStPeteClearwater.com
It can be hard to get into the fall frame of mind in Florida, but downtown St. Pete on Florida’s Gulf Coast gets into the spirit with a waterfront pumpkin patch at the St. Pete Pier. The city hosts a variety of fall-focused events throughout the season, too, like Oktoberfest, and glass making and paint and sip classes.
Spiced Chai
Visit: Athens, Ga.
Courtesy Terry Allen
To the north of Atlanta, cardamom, ginger, and cloves blend to fill the air in Athens, Georgia with the scent of spiced chai. Pop into any of the city’s myriad coffee shops, and fill your mug with your favorite hot beverage. Then, walk the tree-lined streets and soak in the fall atmosphere of this college town.
Related: College Towns We Love
Buttermilk Biscuits
Visit: Natchez, Miss.
Courtesy Visit Natchez
It takes a lot of nerve to call yourself the Biscuit Capital of the South, and Natchez, Mississippi lives up to the hype. Nearly every place in town offers delectable biscuits, from restaurants to bed and breakfasts and inns. The scent of baking biscuits, with hints of honey and creamy butter, is simply divine. While in town, learn from the best and take a biscuit-making class with Chef Regina Charboneau.
Pecan Pie
Visit: Montgomery, Ala.
Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
Fall is pecan season in Montgomery, Alabama, and one spot to stop for your fill of nutty goodness is Tucker Pecan Company. For more than 70 years the family-owned business has served up its freshly baked pies and toasted and candied nuts to an adoring public. More homemade pecan pies and other fall bites can be enjoyed at Montgomery Curb Market, a community market that was founded in 1927 and today features more than 30 vendors and farmers.
For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Southern Living.
