Freelance writer. Lowell Thomas winner. Author of This Is My South (Globe Pequot 2018). Atlanta is my home base. SATW Member. Contact: caroline.eubanks@gmail.com
It’s Time to Give Moonshine Some Respect
For much of American history, the term “moonshine” has not only been misappropriated but viewed with disgust. Technically, moonshine is not just illegally distilled whiskey, but any spirit that is distilled without taxation from the government. But these days, we tend to use the word to describe unaged white whiskey.
The concept isn’t so different from other spirits, but for some reason, moonshine doesn’t have the same level of respect as some of its international counterparts. There’s some v...
The top 8 things to do in Savannah
Georgia’s oldest city, not to mention the first capital, was established on the Savannah River in 1733, and for nearly 300 years, it's beckoned visitors to the Spanish moss-lined trees. It’s one of the nation’s biggest ports, and its hospitable locals helped earn the nickname the “Hostess City.”
Savannah is best explored on foot and is warm throughout much of the year. There’s a packed calendar of annual events, including the wild St Patrick’s Day festivities (one of the largest celebrations ...
A Guide to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
As the Kentucky Bourbon Trail—the official route that includes dozens of distillers of America’s Spirit (the corn whiskey distilled in oak barrels that’s only made here)—celebrates its 25th anniversary, there’s never been a better time to experience it. With a quarter-century under its belt, the trail of makers has seen smaller bourbon networks spring up nearby—like the Kentucky Craft Trail—for a smaller feel. And for something more urban, there’s now Louisville’s Urban Bourbon Trail, and Nor...
Savannah in 5 Shops: local books, unique jewelry and chocolate treats
The shopping scene in Savannah, Georgia, is as eclectic as the city itself, with equal doses of vintage charm, pops of color, and the recognized national brands you’d expect from any major city.
Savannah's history influences its stores, as seen by the range of fine antiques on offer, but there's also a dose of new creativity that comes from the local art college’s students. You could spend a whole weekend shopping your way through the city. There are items for sale here that you won’t find ba...
How to spend the ultimate long weekend in Savannah, Georgia
For those of us in greater Atlanta, Savannah is as close as we can get to the beach. It’s a four-ish hour drive from my home, making it the perfect spot for a weekend getaway.
I like to take a half day on Fridays so that I can get to Savannah with plenty of time to check in and unwind before dinner. I’m usually in no hurry to depart on Sundays, so I'm able to make the most of my time.
Here are my recommendations on how to make the most of your weekend.
When to arrive: I recommend starting the...
How to Spend a Weekend in Panama City, Florida
The name Panama City may elicit images of the neighboring beach, a spring breaker favorite, not to mention its representation on a certain MTV show. But the city itself was founded in 1827 as a fishing village, given its current name in a hopeful attempt to associate its port with the Panama Canal. It sits on the St. Andrews Bay, away from the high-rise condos and party crowds, but you can still find plenty of watering holes and seafood joints amongst the mural-covered downtown to make your w...
Unique Things to Do and See at the Atlanta Airport, Including a Hack to Skip Security
You can learn a lot about a place from its airport. Sure, most airports come with the same vending machines, news stands, and bathroom lines, but there are always some parts worth staying around for, if you know where to find them. This guide looks beyond the stores, restaurant chains, and bars you'll see in every major transit center to focus on the locally owned hidden gems and small businesses serving up city-specific cuisines in each terminal.
If you’ve ever traveled through Atlanta’s Har...
These Top Atlanta Festivals Showcase the City’s Dazzling Food, Music and Culture
Atlanta
There’s always something going on in Atlanta, a city whose culinary, arts and nightlife scenes send ripples around the world. Whether you’re a first-time visitor, seasoned traveler or local, you’ll find that Atlanta highlights its best assets through food, music and cultural festivals throughout the year.
While these festivals tend to have a central focus, you can expect delicious food options and vibe-setting music at most. As far as events timing goes, you’ll find that spring and su...
Seriously, Can We Retire the Mason Jar as a Cocktail Glass?
Having grown up in the South, the Mason jar evokes very specific images for me, like canned fruits and veggies from my grandparents’ garden or moonshine discreetly passed around a gathering. But in the past decade, I’ve seen all manner of drinks served in the glass jars at bars and restaurants all over the country. Can we please stop it now?
What Is a Mason Jar?
The wide-mouth glass jar was invented by John Landis Mason, a tinsmith in New Jersey, in the 1850s to improve the canning process. T...
How a Food Truck Can Keep a Restaurant Afloat After a Natural Disaster
In 2023, a tornado leveled much of the small town of Rolling Fork, Miss., located 80 miles from Jackson. The damage included Chuck’s Dairy Bar, a popular local restaurant. For the town of around 2,000, it wasn’t only a gathering place for neighbors to chat over burgers and milkshakes, it also served as one of the handful of eateries in the rural area.
The building was completely leveled and the staff survived by holing...
Join for free to continue reading.
You’ll get access to all Plate has t...
Nothing Keeps a Restaurant’s Brand Alive Like Custom Matchbooks
Chefs and Restaurants
The Longevity Issue
Nothing Keeps a Restaurant’s Brand Alive Like Custom Matchbooks
Neither a smoker nor a pyromaniac, I’ve spent much of my life picking up matchbooks from every restaurant or bar that offers them, and my collection overflows from an oversized glass brandy snifter. Some remind me of bygone restaurants; others I pocketed from establishments I hardly remember visiting.
I faintly recall a time when restaurants had “smoking” and “non-smoking sections,” but t...
Planning an upcoming celebration? Keep all-inclusive travel in mind
Hilton’s All-Inclusive Resorts make celebrations worry-free and memorable.
In an era where people increasingly value experiences over possessions, milestone celebrations have taken on a new meaning. Hilton’s 2024 Global Trends Report found that travel this year will be all about building and strengthening connections. Nearly half of travelers across generations are aiming to travel to reconnect with friends and family, highlighting a preference for shared experiences that create lasting memor...
Meet the South Carolina Farmers Following Gullah Agricultural Traditions
Just off the coast of South Carolina sits St. Helena Island, a 64-square-mile stretch of moss-lined oaks and sandy roads surrounded by marshland. Black farmers have spent decades caring for the land on this island; the Gullah people who live here are the descendants of formerly enslaved people from West and Central Africa who worked in the region’s rice and indigo plantations. But encroaching development threatens to upend the island’s identity as an agriculturally minded working-class commun...
There’s Some Great Bourbon Being Made Outside of Kentucky
It’s a common misconception that bourbon must be made in Kentucky to bear the product name. The legal requirements dictate that the spirit be aged in charred new oak barrels for at least two years with a mash bill of at least 51% corn…and produced in the United States.
While there’s no denying that Kentucky will always make up the majority of the market share (a dubious and often-cited 95%), non-Kentucky bourbon is on the rise around the country. In fact, honors like the World Whiskey Awards ...
Why the Omni Homestead Resort is beloved by presidents and hot springs lovers
Generations of guests take to the waters at 'America's first resort'
— Our editors and readers independently select what you see on 10Best. When you buy through a link on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Set in the Allegheny Mountains of Virginia, Hot Springs was founded around the waters that have attracted generations of people, including Indigenous tribes and several American presidents. The town is also home to the Omni Homestead Resort, considered America’s first resort, no...