Plan the ultimate Southern adventure in these edgy and dynamic hot spots.

Southern cities such as New Orleans and Charleston, South Carolina, have long been on the radar of travel insiders. Each destination has its own quintessential charm, character and architecture. However, there are rising newcomers in the South worth exploring — from Nashville, Tennessee, to Asheville, North Carolina — that are garnering a lot of attention for their unprecedented growth and revitalization in older neighborhoods and are becoming destinations in and of themselves. Each of these booming cities also has a unique identity with a wide variety of activities, attractions and a focus on their local cultural diversity and culinary scene. Here are tips to plan your visit to these exciting cities this year.

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3 Hot Southern Cities to Visit in 2017 originally appeared on usnews.com