What's New: An Online Update for Frommer's The Carolinas and Georgia

The New South is in no way mired in its plantation heritage. In fact, it's one of the fastest-growing and most rapidly changing regions of America. Here's a preview of some recent developments.

North Carolina

Outer Banks -- The 5.2-mile-long Virginia Dare Memorial Bridge, the longest bridge in the state, opened in August 2002, providing a much-needed -- and some say more efficient -- alternative transportation link between the mainland and the barrier islands.

In Kill Devil Hills, the centerpiece of the 2003 First Flight Centennial celebration of the Wright Brothers' December 17, 1903, aeronautical feat will be a re-creation of the original flight in what is being touted as the only accurate reproduction of the Wright Flyer.

In Duck, the oddly named Advice 5¢ (tel. 800/ADVICE-5 or 252/255-1050; www.advice5.com) is being discovered as an affordable B&B alternative to the more expensive and long established Sanderling. It's a small place but choice.

On Ocracoke Island, the Back Porch (tel. 252/928-6401) has emerged as the island's finest choice for dining, serving a superb cuisine of local seafood. The grilled yellowfin tuna is memorable.

Durham -- In the Piedmont section of North Carolina in the city of Durham, Pop's (tel. 919/956-7677), is attracting attention to its renovated warehouse setting and its hearty and hip Italian cuisine. It also makes the city's best pasta platters.

Asheville -- The biggest hotel news in the state is the opening of the Inn on Biltmore Estate (tel. 800/858-4130 or 828/225-1600; www.biltmore.com/inn), on the most lavish estate in the South, erected at the turn of the 20th century by the Vanderbilts. North Carolina's most elegant inn has every modern amenity yet is imbued with traditional charm. Its cuisine is also among the finest in the western part of the state.

The city was gearing up for the fall 2002 reopening of the historic Grove Arcade Public Market, 1 Page Ave. (tel. 828/252-7799; www.grovearcade.com). This circa-1929 structure, closed for more than 50 years, will reopen as a public market, with food stalls, restaurants, crafts stalls, and more.

The century-old golf course at the Grove Park Inn Resort, 290 Macon Ave. (tel. 800/438-5800; www.groveparkinn.com), reopened after being closed for a year for a $2.3-million restoration.

South Carolina

Charleston -- A sleek, modern departure from the antebellum B&Bs of Charleston, The Inn at Middleton Place (tel. 800/543-4774 or 843/556-6020; www.middletonplace.org) is nonetheless a winner. A striking luxury hotel, it lies on the grounds of Middleton Place, an 18th-century plantation that is one of the area's most intriguing sightseeing allures. Situated on the Ashley River, with its old oaks, the hotel is filled with Southern charm and grace in spite of its modernity.

Hilton Head -- Taking over from the tired Hyatt Regency, Hilton Head Marriott Beach & Golf Resort (tel. 800/228-9290 or 843/686-8400; www.marriott.com) has poured $23 million into restoring this resort, and today it's better than ever. Standing at Palmetto Dunes, it borders the oceanfront.

Pawleys Island -- One of the premier places to stay along South Carolina's Grand Strand is the new Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club (tel. 800/367-9959 or 843/237-6009; www.pawleysplantation.com). Elegant structures border a nature preserve, and the retreat, 25 miles south of Myrtle Beach, has the aura of a private club. Guests are housed in one-, two-, or three-story luxury villas.

Columbia -- The once-sleepy capital of South Carolina is on the rise, especially in its newly emerging Congaree Vista neighborhood. More and more intriguing restaurants are opening, such as The Bull Market & Taverna (tel. 803/343-2855), serving a curious but tasty medley of Greek and Southern cuisines.

Georgia

Atlanta -- In historic Inman Park, King-Keith House Bed & Breakfast (tel. 800/728-3879 or 404/688-7330; www.kingkeith.com) has opened in a restored Queen Anne-style home from 1890. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The place is ideal for a romantic retreat yet is convenient to the heart of Atlanta.

One of Atlanta's hottest master chefs, Joël Antunes, has opened his own chic little French brasserie -- named simply Joël (tel. 404/233-3500; www.joelrestaurant.com) after guess who? Head here for the finest in French and Mediterranean cuisine and a selection of imaginative dishes found nowhere else in Atlanta.

Adairsville -- At last, North Georgia has a top-of-the-line resort to compete with those anywhere else in the South. A German prince has restored the old Barnsley Gardens and opened the Barnsley Inn & Golf Resort (tel. 877/773-2447 or 770/773-7480; www.barnsleyinn.com). Its 18-hole golf course has already been proclaimed the best resort course in Georgia by Golf News. The setting, the food, and the accommodations are without rival in this part of the sate.

Thomasville -- This historic town in southern Georgia, where the first screening of Gone With the Wind took place, now has a full-fledged resort called Melhana -- The Grand Plantation (tel. 888/920-3030 or 912/226-2290; www.melhana.com). The resort lives up to its namesake. It's modern but traditional, Old South yet with 21st-century comforts and diversions.

St. Simons Island -- One of the best resorts to open in the Golden Isles in many a year, The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club (tel. 866/GOLFLODGE or 912/634-4300; www.seaisland.com), is a golfer's delight. Connected with Georgia's most deluxe hotel, the Cloister, the lodge overlooks Rees Jones' Plantation Golf Course and offers deluxe, beautifully furnished rooms.

Do you know of a hidden treasure in the Carolinas or Georgia? Do you have the inside scoop on a recent opening in the tri-state area? Share it all with your fellow Frommerphiles in our popular Message Boards by clicking here. Who knows? Your tip could be featured in an upcoming Frommers.com Newsletter.