

Get your Louisiana swamp scare on: the Rougarou Festival returns
This October, nothing beats a Cajun werewolf in the South Louisiana wetlands—and it's all for a good cause! Rougarou Fest , named after...

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Oct 92 min read


New Georgia Press book offers guide to the state's 16 historic sites
New Georgia Press book offers guide to the state's 16 historic sites

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Sep 252 min read


Where to see Alabama fall foliage
With cooler days on the horizon, North Alabama is preparing for a spectacular fall foliage.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Sep 174 min read


September's Blue Morpho Month at Callaway Resort & Gardens
See thousands of these large colorful butterflies throughout September at Callaway Resort & Gardens

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Sep 122 min read


Touchdown Jesus
The famous statue gracing New Orleans' historic St. Charles Avenue inspires many stories.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Sep 101 min read


South makes the cheapest pizza
Southern towns lead the list for restaurants serving up inexpensive pizza.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Sep 52 min read


Mississippi Calling
The following is a fictional short story I wrote for "Teacakes and Afternoon Tales: New Stories from Mississippi" by the Gulf Coast Writers Association.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Aug 306 min read


Remembering Hurricane Katrina
The Northshore city of Slidell east of New Orleans will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the hurricane honoring the losses and celebrating its rebirth.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Aug 283 min read


Louisiana's 'Sweet Spot'
Ascension Parish a hour from New Orleans labels itself on its sugarcane history.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Aug 145 min read


Discover Dark Skies in Tennessee
The Volunteer State offers several opportunities to stargaze in nature.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Aug 63 min read


Bama's 127 Yard Sale & UFO fun
August means the annual 127 Yard Sale plus celebrating aliens in northeast Alabama.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Aug 35 min read


Time Again to Storm the Sazerac
Take a trip back in time at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans and enjoy the city's official cocktail.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Jul 284 min read


Jaw-some fun this Shark Week at Wonders of Wildlife in Springfield
Visitors to Wonders of Wildlife can actually swim with sharks at the largest immersive wildlife attraction in the world!

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Jul 192 min read


Get cool in Georgia this summer
The Peach State offers plenty of water and amusement parks.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Jul 164 min read


Shooting the Hooch in Georgia
The Chattahoochee River runs from the Georgia mountains all the way to Florida and offers lots of opportunities for cool fun along the way.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Jul 126 min read


Dollywood celebrates families with a host of summer discounts
Dolly Parton’s popular theme park celebrates its 40th anniversary season in East Tennessee and offer several discounts this summer for families.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Jul 102 min read


Wild and Crazy about Waco
The central Texas town has a few things to brag about.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Jul 95 min read


Roswell, Ga.'s Summer Sippin’ drink contest marks 10th Anni
Annual event makes for a refreshing way to suffer the heat of summer. Table & Main Porch Light Peach Sour Back for its 10th refreshing...

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Jul 52 min read


The Scoop on Southern Ice Cream
Ice cream vendors offer taste sensations throughout the South.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Jul 24 min read


What's square about Georgia?
Georgia features numerous cities that boast of idealic town squares.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Jun 285 min read


All hail the refreshing Pimm’s Cup
The British cocktail Pimm's Cup has ties in New Orleans through ironically a French-themed restaurant, the Napoleon House.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Jun 243 min read


Take 5: Great Southern indie bookstores to explore this summer
Five of our favorite independent bookstores.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Jun 192 min read


Longing for some real quiet time? Visit Mississippi for 'silent travel'
Longing for some real quiet time? Visit Mississippi for 'silent travel'

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Jun 123 min read


'The Miracle Worker' Returns to historic Ivy Green for 2025 Season
The Official Outdoor Drama for the State of Alabama returns to the birthplace of Helen Keller for its 2025 summer season.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Jun 42 min read


What books to read this summer to make a camping trip successful
Two new books from Adams Media (Simon & Schuster) offer great advice for those wanting to hit the road.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
May 292 min read


Travel the Hatties(burger) Trail
There are 33 local restaurants on the Hatties(burger) Trail.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
May 282 min read


In Cambria, southwest Virginia, it's books and antiques, oh my!
Cambria Station Antiques and Old New River Books fill up three stories of the old Cambria general store.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
May 232 min read


We're wild about Mooresville
Mooresville, N.C., only 20 minutes north of Charlotte on Interstate 77, offers plenty of activities for the outdoor enthusiast.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
May 194 min read


We all smile for Smiley Honey
Tupelo honey sourced from Northwest Florida river basins is considered ‘liquid gold’ and the folks at Smiley Honey in northwest Florida its gold diggers.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
May 142 min read


Neutral Ground
My homage to the Atlanta Airport — and Happy Birthday Delta Airlines!

Cheré Dastugue Coen
May 103 min read


Weird Southern Spring Festivals
This time of year, Southerners celebrate all good things in their festivals. And we mean everything!

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Mar 255 min read


When color returns to the South in spring, you know it's azalea season
Spring comes first to the Deep South with azaleas blooming in brilliant colors. Here are several places to find these brilliant blooms.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Mar 144 min read


Don't just travel through the South, take time to learn something new!
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, offers visitors a chance at throwing clay and Grapevine, Texas, heats up with glassblowing opportunities.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Mar 63 min read


Get Out Your Kazoos and Be A Part of a Guinness World Record
Macon, Ga., is home to the kazoo inventor and wants to bring together the largest kazoo gathering in the world.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Mar 12 min read


Spring's in full bloom now at Garvan Woodland Gardens
It's daffodil season at this sprawling gardens outside Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Feb 251 min read


It's a massive cake festival at Chattanooga's City Cafe Diner
Go the favorite dishes at Chattanooga's City Diner Cafe but save room for arguably the largest slices of cake you'll ever enjoy.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Feb 42 min read


Tip Top Cocktails are tip top
Atlanta canned cocktail company offers convenience, taste, and affordability with their line of Tip Top Proper Cocktails.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Jan 113 min read


Spirited North Georgia Mountains
Grandaddy Mimm’s Distilling Co. with its moonshine and other spirits now has a second location in Dawsonville about an hour from Atlanta.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Dec 18, 20243 min read


Tennessee lights up the season with a vibrant holiday glow!
The Volunteer State offers millions of holiday light events, from immersive Christmas villages to driving through miles of lights.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Dec 5, 20244 min read


Thrifting Southwest Georgia
Columbus, Georgia, has one of the South’s largest thrift stores, plus a dang good Goodwill.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Nov 26, 20243 min read


Bayou: Feasting Through the Seasons of a Cajun Life
James Beard Award-winning Chef Melissa M. Martin takes readers through South Louisiana traditions and holidays with new cookbook "Bayou."

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Nov 14, 20242 min read


Chattanooga Center pays homage to Medal of Honor recipients
Buffalo Soldier, Dr. Mary Walker and other veterans honored at Chattanooga's Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Nov 11, 20243 min read


20 Ways to Enjoy the Holidays Throughout the South
The region abounds with festive events ranging from reindeer to German markets.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Nov 7, 20249 min read


Georgia and the Power of the Vote
Dr. Karcheik Sims-Alvarado details the history of voting suppression in Georgia and the rise of those fighting to gain voting rights.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Oct 29, 20243 min read


Taylor Swift and her Eras Tour takes over New Orleans
The Audubon Zoo, Aquarium, Insectarium and restaurants will offer Swifties special fun during Oct. 25-27, 2024 in New Orleans.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Oct 24, 20243 min read


Throw Out Those Pumpkin Lattes! Try Pumpkin Cocktails Instead!
This month, when the veil between living and dead grows thin, try a spirited pumpkin drink. Nothing seems to scream fall like pumpkin,...

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Oct 23, 20242 min read


Shalom Y’all and Pass the Blintz
Get hungry for the annual Savannah Jewish Food Festival Nov. 17.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Oct 16, 20242 min read


Ghost hunting in New Orleans
The Bourbon Orleans hotel in New Orleans has plenty of spirits who refuse to check out.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Oct 9, 20244 min read


Treat Yourself to a Travel Facial
After a trip, this FACTORFIVE facial mask will help restore vitality to your skin. As a travel writer, I’m always on the go. Planes,...

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Oct 5, 20242 min read


The Spirits of Jekyll Island Club
Jekyll Island Club hotel will tell its ghostly stories this weekend, plus serve spirits of another kind.

Cheré Dastugue Coen
Oct 2, 20242 min read







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