It's Getting Hot in Here!–7 Ways to Live Up Summer in the Southeast

Welcome to summer in the southeast! Now is the best time of year to get out and explore the outdoors. As experts in all things local, we asked the Owner|Editors of The Scout Guides in their cities to share their picks for the best of the outdoors. Here are 7 amazingly Scouted ways to soak up the sun, cool down, and enjoy the very best of the outdoors in the southeast U.S.!

1. Take a Hike in the Monte Sano Nature Preserve

Editor Dawn Pumpelly, The Scout Guide Huntsville, Alabama

Grab your hat, lace up your boots, and take a hike on one of Huntsville’s extensive hiking trails that’s only two miles from downtown Huntsville. At 1100+ acres, the Monte Sano Nature Preserve is one of the largest urban land preserves in the United States! From beginning hikers to trail runners and mountain bikers, the Land Trust trails on Monte Sano have it all—karst features, wildflowers, historic sites, and waterfalls! And they connect to the trail networks managed by Monte Sano State Park and Burritt on the Mountain. You can even cool down with a special evening concert at Three Caves!

2. Paddle Under the Bridges in Downtown Chattanooga

Editor Amy Walters—The Scout Guide Chattanooga, Tennessee

Renting paddle boards or kayaks from L2 Outside and paddling the river beneath the bridges is so scenic and fun and provides a beautiful vantage point of our city!

3. Stop and Smell the Flowers at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Editor Rebecca Todd—The Scout Guide Birmingham, Alabama

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is the perfect place to spend the day in Birmingham this summer! It is Alabamas largest living museum and free to all who visit! You can spend the morning admiring the incredible gardens, have a picnic in the afternoon, or attend one of their fun and educational events that they host throughout the year. Some of my favorites are Yoga Class in the Gardens, Lunch and Learn on any and all gardening topics, and Flicks among the Flowers which will be coming back later this July! They really have something for everyone!

4. Head to the Big River Crossing

Editor Stephanie Stephens—The Scout Guide Memphis & Oxford, Tennessee

Big River Crossing is a pedestrian walkway for walkers, bikers, and runners to cross the grand Mississippi River from Memphis into Arkansas. Almost a mile in length, Big River Crossing is the longest public pedestrian bridge across the Mississippi. You can enjoy the beautiful view of Downtown Memphis while truly seeing the movement of the Mississippi River while barges and boats cross underneath you. In the summer months, you can time it right to cross the river and hop on the Big River Trail to enjoy the blooming sunflowers!

5. Go Glamping at The Kentucky Castle

Editor Jennifer Mueller The Scout Guide Lexington, Kentucky

Go camping, but make it beyond glamourous. What could be more fun than heading to the Kentucky Castle and have the stress melt away? The glamping tent is surrounded by the rest of the resort offerings including a spa, fine dining, garden, and pool.

6. Boat on Mobile Bay Waterways

Editors Katie McNeil & Jamie Crow Conger, The Scout Guide Mobile Bay

Mobile Bay is surrounded by several amazing beaches and waterways. I enjoy taking full advantage of all of them. Boating to see friends wharf to wharf in Point Clear, exploring the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, fishing Dauphin Island, taking in one of our famous sunsets over Mobile Bay while strolling a white sandy beach, as well as tubing and water skiing Mobile Bay and Dog River, and visiting all the dive restaurants and bars along the way. These are all local favorite things to do outdoors as well as sailing in Mobile Bay because of the windy afternoons we have. Be sure and check out the City of Fairhope also!

7. Kayak or take a Boat Tour of The Augusta Canal and The Savannah River

Editor Ann Knox, The Scout Guide Augusta, Georgia

There is so much to do along the Augusta Canal and the Savannah River! You can kayak or take boat tours. There are trails for you to walk/bike. You can enjoy a gathering in Boeckh Park in North Augusta!

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