Hither & Yon

By Christiana Roussel | Photos Contributed

Go farther afield this fall with trips to some spots that might not have been on your radar before. When you’ve done the mountains, beach and lake year-in-and-year-out, it might be fun to change course and discover some place altogether new.

Photo courtesy of Thomasville Center for the Arts

Thomasville, Georgia

Fall is a phenomenal time to head south for this small-butsophisticated town. Pass through pecan groves and cotton fields, over red clay roads and under canopies of live oaks before reaching the storied bricks of downtown Broad Street. Known as The Quail Capital of the World, the season opens in early November and draws outdoor enthusiasts from across the globe. A conservationist’s dream, this Red Hills Region, with its hills of rolling wiregrass and longleaf pine, is a biodiverse wonderland. But whether you come for the bobwhites or just a long weekend away in a vibrant and charming town, Thomasville hits all the right notes.

Photo courtesy of Thomasville Center for the Arts

Photo courtesy of Thomasville Center for the Arts

What to Do

This region has a rich and storied history that is centered upon the land. After the Civil War, many northern industrialists came to the area and purchased large parcels, building magnificent plantation-style homes. The vast majority of these are still privately held, but visit a site such as Pebble Hill Plantation to learn more—explore the grounds, take in the museum, attend an on-site art show or event. pebblehill.com

Whether you grew up shooting or are new to the sport of upland hunting, there is no finer place to chase quail than in the Red Hills. The lucky few lock down their invitations to private plantations when offered, while others book spots at places such as Pine Hill Plantation in nearby Donalsonville or Rio Piedra Plantation in Camilla or Orchard Pond Estate in Tallahassee (just 30 miles south).

If you just want to get a taste of the sporting lifestyle and history, attend Kevin’s Southern Game Fair (Nov. 9-11). This annual event kicks off the season and serves as a fundraiser for Tall Timbers, a non-profit organization dedicated to land stewardship and conservation. kevinscatalog.com

If quail is king in these parts, then the arts are queen. Philanthropy runs deep in the Red Hills and a robust arts scene is one of those beneficiaries. The Thomasville Center for the Arts (TCA) was founded more than 30 years ago as a creative hub for the community. TCA hosts exhibits and performances and offers a wide range of after-school classes (dance, drama, visual arts and design) to more than 300 students daily. The annual Wildlife Arts Festival (Nov. 9-19) is a 10-day celebration and fundraiser that spotlights the best of the region with events such as the Red Hills Rover Rally, Whiskey in the Woods, Fine Art Show, Artisan Market, lectures and workshops. thomasvillearts.org

Where to Stay

The Courtyard by Marriott is ideally situated at one edge of downtown, making it a walkable location to great restaurants ( Liam’s, Jonah’s, Sweetgrass Dairy, Grassroots Coffee, Hubs & Hops ) and shopping ( Kevin’s, Sensoree, C.H. Whitney, ABODE, Firefly, Relish, The Hare & The Hart ) Pebble Hill Plantation—Immerse yourself in the genteel surroundings of this estate, with a room in the Overflow Cottage or The Firehouse Apartment.

Staying for longer than a weekend? Book a VRBO or AirBnB.

Of note: Lagniappe Artistry Afield offers curated sporting, outdoor and cultural experiences around the world. This fall, they will partner with legendary gunmaker, Holland & Holland, to offer a three-day, two-night South Georgia plantation hunt boutique experience. One-on-one shooting instruction, bobwhite quail hunts from mule-drawn wagons and world-class dining are all included. Secure your spot at artistryafield. com.

Photo Courtesy of the City of Thomasville Office of Downtown & Tourism Development

Photo courtesy of Thomasville Center for the Arts

What to Expect

Even if you don’t know a hind-end from a muzzle, there is so much to enjoy at this ultra-luxe 300-acre property, where no detail has been overlooked: the soaring 20foot high marble-clad lobby, adorned with oil paintings of beloved canines and horses; the English-saddle-festooned Yellow Pony Pub ; the Hermès-inspired carpets that line the guest hallways; the sweeping floor-to-ceiling views of the Grand Arena from your suite.

What to Do

During eventing season, dine al fresco and watch world-class horses compete for $100k+ purses. Book treatments at the hotel’s 7,000-foot Calluna Spa . Shop for your next bauble at Lugano Diamonds or put the Master Sommelier to the test with wine pairings at Stirrups Restaurant . Or maybe you caught pastry chef Yohann LeBescond on Food Network’s “Summer Baking Championship,” and you’re dying to try his confections.

Of Note: Nov. 3-5, The Equestrian Hotel plays host to the Ocala Food & Wine Festival , where their chefs go head-to-head with celebrity chefs all weekend long. Bourbon, BBQ and Blues are the theme for Friday night. Breakout classes and Taste of Ocala take place during the day on Saturday, while that night, the chefs vie for guests’ tastebuds, as each prepares a different course for the grand dinner.

The Equestrian Hotel

Ocala, Florida

Horses may not be the first thing you think of when considering a Florida vacation, but hear us out: this is a destination like none other.

The city of Ocala—situated halfway between Orlando and Gainesville—traces its proud equine history back almost a century when industrialist Carl G. Rose founded Rosemere Farm in 1935, as the country’s first thoroughbred farm. Today, almost 1,000 horse-breeding farms and training facilities pepper the Central Florida region, known for its temperate winters and easy climate. No doubt, Carl G. Rose had visions of what Ocala could become but surely The Equestrian Hotel and The World Equestrian Center (WEC) would be beyond his wildest dreams.

Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

Photo by Ethan Tweedie

Photo by Maven Photo & Film

Photo by Maven

Photo & Film

Northern Kentucky Bourbon Trail

When most readers think of bourbon, they think of Louisville. But, there is so much more to the brown water scene than just that one locus in lower Kentucky. Head north to the cities of Covington and Newport for a completely different take on the heritage spirit that has shaped this region.

Where to Stay

Downtown Covington is so visually charming that it has been the backdrop for scads of movies filmed in the area. Robert Redford, Zac Efron, Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise and Ryan Gosling have all shot scenes in the area. The Hotel Covington is a boutique hotel in the former Coppin’s Department Store space, very centrally-located. Their brand-new sister property, North by Hotel Covington, is just down the block. As the former YMCA, the hotel boasts design nods to its athletic past while featuring luxury suites and penthouses (for ahem, visiting movie stars perhaps)?

What to Do

Plan a long weekend here to explore the region’s B-Line, Northern Kentucky’s self-guided Bourbon trail. A number of local craft distilleries, bars (all of which have been named to The Best Bourbon Bars in America list) and restaurants have earned coveted spots. Print out your passport before you go or pick one up at any stop along the line.

Stop in to Revival Vintage Spirits where co-owner and curator Brad Bonds shares his passion (and collection) of found spirits. The passage of the 2018 Vintage Spirits Law allowed bars and retail shops to purchase “dusties” from individuals’ collections and Brad’s collection is jaw-dropping. The best part is, these spirits are meant to be opened, tasted and enjoyed. The full bottle might set you back a pretty penny, but Brad is happy to sell individual pours that will knock your socks off.

Prohibition Bourbon Bar (and Newberry Bros. Coffee

Café & Bistro)—Owners Kim and Peter Newberry are as charming as you hope they might be, as stewards of one of the largest collections of bourbon anywhere in the world. Enjoy a pour from any of the thousands available and then come back the next morning for Peter’s hand-turned-out pastries and uber-fine coffee.

New Riff Distilling Company—Take a tour and tasting of this family-owned independent spirit maker where their core Bourbon riffs on the 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Act, ensuring a consistent and often times exemplary product, are free of artificial flavor enhancements or colorings.

At Second Sights Spirits, two former Cirque du Soleil engineers and prop designers hand-crafted their spirits in a fortune-teller themed venue. Just across the street, in the old Ludlow Theater building, is Bircus Brewing, owned and operated by a former Ringling Bros. circus clown, Paul Miller. Come for the up-and-coming circus acts that regularly perform here, and stay for the pizza.

Where to Eat

Emily Wolff and Paul Weckman are the husband-and-wife team behind several standout eateries in town, namely Frida, Otto’s, The Standard and Larry’s. Their newly opened Mama’s on Main in Mainstrasse Village is classic Italian where red sauce rules and the lively décor emulates their passion for these dishes.

The Baker’s Table and The Baker’s Table Bakery are where Chef David Willocks and designer Wendy Braun create stand-out fare that is both seasonally-sophisticated and approachable in a lovely relaxed atmosphere. Go early, and enjoy a cocktail with house made shrubs.

What the heck is ‘goetta?’ This local staple with German origins is a sausage-like mixture of pork, beef and pinhead oats. Pronounced “get-UH,” you’re likely to see this item on breakfast menus or on pizzas in the region. If you try it and REALLY love it, come back for GoettaFest, held on the banks of the Ohio River with neighboring Cincinnati just across the iconic John A.

Roebling Suspension Bridge.

Photo by Hotel Covington

Photo courtesy of Revival Vintage Spirits