Nothing screams summer in the South like a good old-fashioned fruit or boiled peanut stand. Any time a roadside stand gets brought up in the Southern Living office, our editors wax poetic about how no produce is ever as tasty and no clerk is ever as knowledgeable as the people who run these stands. You can get your fill in more ways than one, with good eats and good talks too.

Perfect for all ages, trains mix the simple pleasures of travel with the beautiful scenery the South has to offer. If you're lucky enough to visit the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot in Bryson City, North Carolina, you can get not only a great train experience but also some good summer fun during the midway pit stop and excursion. You can even book a special package and tack on some white water rafting or zip-lining to really feel like you're submerging yourself in the summer camps of your youth.

Let's be clear, any frozen treat is welcome during hot summer afternoons (or mornings for that matter). But there's something extra special about the shops and ice-cream parlors that nod to those that came before them. There's no doubt still a shaved-ice stand at the very least in your area, but some places that dial up the nostalgia are Leopold’s Ice Cream in Savannah, Hansen's Sno-Bliz in New Orleans, and Borroum's Drug Store & Soda Fountain in Mississippi.

This list wouldn't be complete without mentioning the South's many beautiful beaches. You can also get your jollies on the slow-moving waters of a lake or river, but there's just something about a beach trip that can't be matched. Between digging into a cooler full of sandwiches and fruit or building a towering sand castle, you can't help but slip into summer bliss here. Not to mention, basically every beach town has the kind of kitsch you just can't find in the big cities, whether that be boardwalk games or seafood shacks right on the water.

Thanks to the pandemic, there was a rise in interest in drive-in theaters, and I'm not complaining. It's a relatively inexpensive way to get out of the house and into the great outdoors without having to give up your creature comforts. Also, there's something romantic about setting up blankets in pillows in a truck bed and settling in under the stars. The Wilderness Theater in Georgia boasts that it is the largest drive-in theater in the world, so that may be worth the trip just to say you've been there. But really, as long as you have a screen and a car to stretch out in, you're sure to feel that classic summer magic. 

Zoos seem to get all the love when it comes to easy summer activities, but a true Southerner is always looking for a reprieve from the relentless sun. You can get all the same thrills as the zoo at the aquarium—but with a healthy amount of AC too. I grew up in Chattanooga, so I was utterly spoiled by the two high caliber aquarium buildings downtown, but the South has no shortage of incredible facilities. Even though places like the Georgia Aquarium and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium are beloved (and for good reason), I would still suggest the trip to Chattanooga to see the Tennessee Aquarium, and then you can go for a stroll along the river or lay out a blanket and read at the adjacent park. It doesn't get more simple or joyous than that.

Summer brings some of the best produce with it, and it tastes even sweeter when you get to pick the fruit yourself. You-pick farms are a great way to introduce children to how their food is grown and harvested (and, as an added bonus, it's sure to tucker them out for their afternoon naps). The classic you-pick summer fruits include strawberries and blueberries, but you can have a little extra fun by finding a farm that has you-pick blooms, like Woodstock Lavender in Kentucky. Add on a picnic with an oversweet glass of lemonade or tea, and you have the perfect summer afternoon.

At only 40 years old, is Dollywood really that old-fashioned? Maybe not, but it'll still hit you with such a pleasant dose of nostalgia. The Craftsman Valley section of the park alone will feel like a time capsule—in just a few steps you can watch blacksmiths hard at work, peruse handmade leather goods, and sample the best cinnamon bread you'll ever have. There is a certain authenticity that Dolly has woven throughout the place that is sure to make you feel like you're experiencing the kinds of summers Dolly might have during her own childhood, just a bit more glamorous and with a little extra shine (plus a handful of roller coasters and other thrill rides too).