Explore the USA heritage of the south, starting your drive at Annapolis in Maryland and ending in New Braunfels in Texas are some towns and cities across America’s southern states with its roots in some interesting history.
USA Heritage of the South – Annapolis to New Braunfels
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis was nicknamed the “Athens of America” due to its rich cultural and intellectual history. The city has strong colonial roots and both the city and county were named after Anne Arundel, an English noblewoman. The United States Naval Academy is located here, and if you’re interested in maritime history, you can explore the academy’s museum and the Annapolis Maritime Museum. Tired of the usual chain of hotels ? Have a unique experience staying on the Schooner Woodwind , a 74-foot sailing yacht offering a sunset cruise and morning breakfast.
Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling is a small city with a big heritage. Wheeling was founded in 1769 and is a melting pot of nationalities including Jewish, Irish, Greek, Polish and Lebanese who all settled in this area. Situated along the Ohio River, the town became a popular trading route and known as the “gateway to the west”. Wheeling is where West Virginia started. It was the first state capital and is a designated National Heritage Area. Enjoy Wheeling’s cultural diversity, with plenty of accommodation in Wheeling from the Victorian-inspired Bonnie Dwaine Bed & Breakfast to more upmarket Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack .
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa boasts plenty of beautiful art decor architecture which has earned it the name “Terracotta City”. Various art decor tours are available to take you around the many interesting buildings. An interesting walking tour is the Tulsa Tunnels Tour which covers eight blocks both over and underground. If you’re staying in any of the downtown hotels you can start and end the tour at your hotel. The iconic Mayo Hotel was built in 1925, a luxury hotel that hosted guests like John F. Kennedy, Babe Ruth, and Charlie Chaplin. In later years it fell into disrepair, but in 2009 it underwent massive renovations to restore it to its original art decor glory.
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
Hot Springs Village in the Ouachita Mountains gets its name from the many natural hot springs in the area. Hot Springs National Park is home to 47 of these thermal springs, and is the country’s oldest national park. Native American tribes like the Quapaw were the original inhabitants of this area and believed in the waters healing powers. Today the city continues to make the most of its natural resource with several bathhouses along Bathhouse Row dating back to the early 1920s. Spas and hotels in the area also include it in their spa treatments.
New Braunfels, Texas
New Braunfels is proud of its German heritage and German names are still seen on billboards and street names throughout the city. Prince Carl of the Solm-Braunfels region of Germany founded the city in 1845 and named it after his hometown. New Braunfels is a popular tourist town in Texas , with the annual Wurstfest being one of the largest German festivals in America. Stay at one of the historic hotels and inns like the Prince Solms Inn Bed & Breakfast and Historic Kuebler Waldrip Haus Bed & Breakfast.
