seven-hour radius

her passport
by ashley haugen

Ashley Haugen is the

editor of Her Nashville.
When she’s not cheering

Got the travel bug but not the airline budget? Load up the car, on her three boys at the
Little League field or

and check out these car-close destinations. driving them to birthday

parties, she enjoys
exploring the nearby
surroundings with her
Mobile, Ala. — 6.5 hours Florida’s Gulf Coast — 7 hours husband and

This classic Southern city is steeped in history and rich in hos- Florida’s Gulf Coast, which includes the Emerald Coast (Des- aforementioned children.

pitality. Festivals and annual events take place every month, and tin, Fort Walton Beach, etc.) as well as the Beaches of South
it’s a perfect destination Walton (Rosemary Beach, Grayton, etc.), has long been Nash-
for couples, girlfriends, ville’s go-to getaway for spring and summer vacations. But what
and families. Down- about fall? Post-Labor Day is the prime time to visit as all of the
town restaurants run tourists have gone home. The beaches are considerably more
the gamut, and outings quiet (and as beautiful as ever!), and gone are the hour-long
can include a delta safari, waits at popular dining spots. The best part? You can book your
hot air balloon ride, or a accommodations for a fraction of the cost of the high-season
trip across the bridge to fees. Companies like Sterling Resorts (sterlingresorts.com) and
Dauphin Island. And if Southern Resorts (southernresorts.com) manage deluxe beach-
none of that grabs your front accommodations that are actually affordable during the
fancy, spend the day at off-season. Plus, vacation standards like dolphin tours and para- Find more nearby
options at
the Battle House Hotel sailing are still in full-swing as is the warmth and sunshine. Learn hernashville.com
spa. The hotel is stun- more at emeraldcoast.com or beachesofsouthwalton.com.
ning, but the spa, well,
it was recently named St. Louis, Mo. — 5 hours
one of the “7 Must-Visit Florida’s Gulf Coast The home of American brewing is a big draw. For sports fans,
Spas” in the world by there’s Cardinals baseball, Rams football, and Blues hockey.
Shape Magazine. Oh, and Mardi Gras? Takes place in Mobile, For night owls, there’s a lively nightlife and riverboat gam-
which is where the celebration originated in America. Yes, seri- bling. And don’t forget the myriad downtown attractions, in-
ously. And Mobile’s festivities, in stark contrast to those in New cluding one Gateway Arch. At five short hours away, a long
Orleans, are widely considered family-friendly. Learn more weekend could easily be filled with all that is St. Louis. Do
about Mobile at mobile.org. some digging at explorestlouis.com.

Highlands, N.C. — 5.5 hours Cincinnati, Ohio — 4.5 hours

Highlands is a perfect destination for girlfriends or couples. Cincinnati is never short
Cincinnati, Ohio
Warmer weather brings hiking and river rafting, while win- on fun. Festivals and major
ter months beckon snuggling by the fire. It’s a small town league sports dot the calen-
with a primed palate boasting fine dining as well as casual dar year-round, and there’s
fare, art galleries and pottery shops, resorts and rustic lodg- always a new exhibit at the
es. Any month of the year is a good one to visit. Check it out Taft Museum of Art. And
at highlandschamber.org. while it’s no Nashville, Cin-
cinnati’s classical music and
Hot Springs, Ark. — 6.25 hours opera scene is promising as
Perhaps not the most obvious choice when considering a relax- the city is home to the Uni-
ing spa getaway, Hot Springs, Ark., is garnering notoriety for versity’s College Conser-
providing just that. The area known as “bathhouse row” boasts vatory, a world-renowned
an abundance of spas, rejuvenation centers, and massage and fine arts education facility.
yoga studios. Hot Springs also has plenty of outdoor activities The Cincinnati Zoo, the
compliments of the Newport Aquarium, the
Mobile, Ala. Ouachita Mountains. Krohn Conservatory ... the
Think fishing, golf, list goes on and on. Learn more at cincinnatiusa.com.
hiking, horseback rid-
ing, water sports, and Winston-Salem, NC — 7 hours
the like. Add to that An oft-overlooked artist’s hotspot, Winston-Salem is a fantas-
shopping and antiqu- tic cultural destination. Home to the North Carolina School
ing, and you’re in for of the Arts, Winston-Salem is part history, part hip. A rich
an enjoyable time no Moravian and African-American history is worth exploring,
doubt. Learn more while the downtown arts district is a must-visit. Bustling with
about Hot Springs at studios, shops, and cultural venues, it’s one of the Southeast’s
hotsprings.org. best-kept secrets. Plan your visit at visitwinstonsalem.com. W

November 2009
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