Plus: Upcoming equestrian events and the new Braves food hall

High Water festival in North Charleston, South Carolina.

Anyone with a nose for pollen can tell you that spring has arrived in the South. One other sure sign? Music festival season is back, and this spring’s fests are stacked with quality artists and experiences across the region. Here are seven can’t-miss music festivals.

PHOTOS: JACK KING PHOTOGRAPHY; THE PRIME RIB; CHAROLAIS STEAKHOUSE

Our annual bracket is back—and more mouthwatering than ever. This year, thirty-two restaurants go head-to-head in a March Madness–style showdown to determine the South’s Best Steak House. Who will take the title? You decide.

El Paso, Texas. At the crossroads of Mexico, Texas, and New Mexico, this border city is steeped in history, architectural beauty, incredible food, and rich culture. My visit was all about exploring the people, ideas, and traditions in a community where two nations meet.

More than a place to rest your head. I checked in at Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park, a historic 1930s property built by Conrad Hilton. This restored gem showcases Pueblo Deco architecture, a design style that combines Art Deco shapes and colors with Indigenous and Southwestern motifs. It’s visually stunning, so make sure to take in the sky-high ceilings, light fixtures, and every small detail. A highlight of my stay was dinner in the hotel’s new private tasting room, featuring pairings of rare tequilas, mezcals, and other agave spirits. Chef Lawrence Acosta’s shrimp soup and pastry chef Jakki Rojo’s inventive desserts (a lemon treat that tastes like strawberry and vice versa) were unforgettable.
Inspiring art. El Paso Museum of Art is home to an impressive collection of Latin American, European, and American art, both modern and contemporary. The recently opened La Nube STEAM discovery center engages all ages with interactive exhibits. Inspired by Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, a novel by local author Benjamin Alire Sáenz, I also explored historic neighborhoods, murals, and abandoned storefronts. El Paso’s beauty and complexity make it a muse for artists, dreamers, and storytellers.
Border culture. From downtown, it’s a twenty-minute walk to the Paso del Norte International Bridge, which connects El Paso to Juarez. I visited the World Famous Kentucky Club and Grill for a margarita (they allegedly invented it). The century-old bar still echoes with cross-border camaraderie.