When the backwoods are too far afield, find adventures in these five Southern cities.
Exploring a lonely mountain trail is top-notch fun—there’s no denying that. But what if you’re among the 80 percent of the country that lives in urban areas? Is outdoor recreation accessible among the South’s skyscrapers and sidewalks?
BRO decided to find out. So we packed our bags and traveled to five of the biggest, most bustling metros across the region. Here are some of our favorite adventures from each city.
Bike the BeltLine in Atlanta, Ga.
Population: 499,127
Bikers be warned: You’ll find more sunbaked asphalt than loamy soil in The Big Peach. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time on two wheels.
For a cycling sesh packed with urban charm, head to Piedmont Park in Midtown. Here, at the intersection of 10th Street and Monroe Drive, you’ll find the northern end of the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail. Get on the trail and start pedaling.
After about 1.5 miles, hop off the trail and ride three blocks to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park on Auburn Avenue. The park covers about 35 acres and includes King’s birth home, the Baptist church where he delivered his first sermon in 1947, and other historical landmarks.
If you start to feel a little peckish, cycle your way to Krog Street Market. This trendy food hall is home to more than two dozen food and beverage options ranging from gourmet popcorn to Indian samosas with traditional chutney. We recommend ordering the falafel and loaded street fries from Yalla!, a modern Middle Eastern food stall. Wash it all down with a craft beer from BrewDog.
Once you’re nice and full, jump back in the saddle and pedal another mile to Reynoldstown. From there, you can either turn around and return to Piedmont Park or connect with the Freedom Park Trail for a lengthier adventure.
Walk the Woodland Trail in Memphis, Tenn.
Population: 621,056
Memphis may be known as the Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll and the Home of the Blues, but there’s more to this metropolis than music. That much is evidenced by Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park.
Located a short drive from the city center, Meeman-Shelby is a 12,539-acre hardwood bottomland area bordering the Mississippi River. You can do a little bit of everything here: paddle, fish, bike, ride horses, camp, and even play disc golf. But one of the best ways to experience the park is to simply go for a hike.
For a moderately challenging trek, lace up your boots and set out on the Woodland Trail, a three-mile loop that gains about 500 feet of elevation. Designated as an Important Bird Area in 2006, this forest teems with hooded warblers, Mississippi kites, yellow-crowned night herons, and other avian species.
After your hike, drive back downtown for an afternoon at Dixon Gallery and Gardens, a fine art museum enveloped in 17 acres of gardens. Enjoy a seared scallop orzo bowl from Park + Cherry, the onsite cafe, before finishing your day among the hydrangeas, sunflowers, dahlias, and azaleas.
Climb the Spire in Charlotte, N.C.
Population: 897,720
Sure, Charlotte is the second-largest banking and financial hub in the country. But in this city, there’s more to climb than corporate ladders. Just ask the folks at the U.S. National Whitewater Center.
Located about 13 miles from downtown, the Whitewater Center is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. You can zipline, mountain bike, trail run, hike, raft, kayak, and even ice skate. There’s rock climbing, too.
Boasting one of the largest outdoor climbing facilities in the region, the center features 35 to 45 top-rope routes, nearly 50 bouldering problems, and a 46-foot-tall spire. If you don’t mind getting wet, there’s also a deep water solo complex with five walls ranging from 20 to 45 feet.
After working up an appetite, check out River’s Edge. The full-service eatery serves comfort food plus a solid selection of alcoholic beverages. If it’s your first time, order the penne alla vino. With braised pork belly and a creamy red sauce, the dish tastes like something you’d get from a five-star restaurant.
To bookend your day, rent a full-suspension mountain bike and explore the 40-some miles of onsite trails. Expect punchy climbs, boardwalks, gnarly roots, pucker-worthy rock gardens, and everything in between.
Explore the Boneyard in Jacksonville, Fla.
Population: 971,319
If taking the kids to a boneyard isn’t your idea of family fun, you obviously haven’t visited Boneyard Beach in Jacksonville.
Located in Big Talbot Island State Park, this protected area gets its name from the sun-bleached driftwood trees that, at first glance, look like elephant bones. To access the beach, follow Shoreline Trail from the Bluffs Picnic Area. You’ll meander for about one-third of a mile before reaching the Nassau Sound. Here you’ll finally get eyes on the pièce de résistance: hauntingly beautiful skeletons of oaks and cedars.
Because of exposed tree roots and strong currents, swimming is strictly prohibited on Boneyard Beach. But there’s plenty more to do. You can hike all three miles of shoreline, look for aquatic critters in the tidal pools, or just enjoy the peace and quiet. The area is also a premier spot for black skimmers, ospreys, piping plovers, and brown pelicans, so bring your binoculars.
After exploring, drive north to Timoti’s Seafood Shak, a local joint where you can order everything from lobster rolls to crab burgers. If you still have some daylight after dinner, go paddleboarding in the 7 Creeks Recreation Area. Just watch for gators.
Paddle the Neuse in Raleigh, N.C.
Population: 476,587
Raleigh is a mecca for tech-savvy entrepreneurs, software developers, biotech researchers, and other science-minded specialists. But when these professionals aren’t launching a new app or reprogramming magnetic cilia, they are playing on the banks of the Neuse River.
Formed by the confluence of the Flat and Eno rivers, the Neuse is a 275-mile waterway that flows from northern Wake County to the Pamlico Sound on the coast. The first 17 miles of the river run right through the heart of Raleigh, providing a uniquely urban paddling experience.
If you’re from out of town or don’t have a watercraft, we suggest connecting with Paddle Creek. The outdoor outfitter can hook you up with a kayak or canoe and shuttle you to the river. For a half day of fun, we recommend their eight-mile paddle. The trip begins at the outfitter’s private put-in at the base of the Capital Boulevard bridge and ends at Buffaloe Road. This stretch is mild-mannered, giving you the chance to look for great blue herons, river otters, white-tailed deer, and other wildlife.
After floating for a few hours, go downtown to CowBar for the ultimate post-paddle meal. We’re partial to the Nuclear Burger, which is topped with sriracha ketchup, Jack cheese, pickled red onions, jalapeños, and a house-made hot sauce. For dessert, order cookies from Amitie Macaron and then spend the rest of your evening relaxing at Dorothea Dix Park, one of the city’s biggest greenspaces.
Cover photo: Log some miles on the Atlanta BeltLine. © 2021, Gene Phillips, Courtesy of ACVB & AtlantaPhotos.com
