Top 3 Romantic Getaways in the South

These gracious cities offer up Southern-style hospitality, history, and ambiance. To further aid your romantic tryst, here are some suggestions for budget-friendly options once you're on the ground:

Charleston
Summer and late fall are the priciest time to book that romantic B&B, so shoot for a midweek or off-season stay for the best rates. Check out the Farmers Market at Marion Square Park, featuring everything from musical acts to works from local artisans. Take a free visit to the Battery and White Point Gardens in the heart of Charleston’s historic district and stroll the romantic Gateway Garden Walk, also free.

Outdoor Playground: North Carolina's Piedmont Mountains

The Piedmont Mountain range that occupies North Carolina's heartland is a relative geological infant, formed some 250 million years ago in the wake of similar tectonic buckling that created the Appalachian Mountains to the west. The Piedmont contains the state's three largest cities—Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro—offering the bustling metropolises a nearby landscape of hills, forests, and lakes.

Photo credit: William B. Umstead State Park, North Carolina (North Carolina Tourism)