Submitted by Alexandria Ducksworth

Stuck planning your southeast summer vacation? Here are six helpful guidebooks to help you out:

1. Charleston, SC

Welcome to the Holy City, known for its historic churches. If staring at church architecture isn’t your thing, have a taste of Charleston’s southern cuisine.

Guide: “Insiders’ Guide to Charleston: Including Mt. Pleasant, Summerville, Kiawah, and Other Islands” by Lee Davis Perry

Attractions:
-Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry
-Drayton Hall
-Fort Sumter National Monument
-Rainbow Row

2. Memphis, TN

Fun fact: Memphis is not only the birthplace of early rock n’ roll, but to Piggly Wiggly. There are over 60 attractions in this music town. Plan your daily sightings in advance!

Guide: “Frommer’s EasyGuide to Nashville and Memphis” by Ashley Brantley

Attractions:
-Beale Street
-Graceland
-Memphis Zoo
-National Civil Rights Museum

3. Miami, FL

Miami is the only female-founded city in America. It gained its name after the Mayaimi tribe who lived in the swamps. Deep-sea divers will love the underwater shipwrecks waiting to be discovered in the city’s waters.

Guide: “Fodor’s South Florida with Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the Keys by Fodor’s Travel Guides”

Attractions:
-Coral Castle
-Everglades National Park
-Jungle Island
-Miami Beach

4. Nashville, TN

Travel and Leisure magazine voted Nashville in 2017 as one of America’s friendliest cities. Come for the fun and music (if you didn’t have enough in Memphis).

Guide: “Insiders’ Guide to Nashville” by Jackie Sheckler Finch

Attractions:
-Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
-Grand Ole Opry
-Johnny Cash Museum
-The Parthenon

5. New Orleans, LA

There’s no southern town like The Big Easy. Researchers in 2017 counted almost 11 million tourists have visited NOLA. Don’t let the crowd stop you from sightseeing. There’s plenty of room for you and beignets to share.

Guide: “Frommer’s EasyGuide to New Orleans 2019” by Diana K. Schwam

Attractions:
-Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
-The French Quarter
-Mardi Gras World
-St. Louis Cathedral

6. Savannah, GA

Savannah has been labeled as America’s most haunted city. On the lighter side, there are many of garden, history, and food tours to choose from. Don’t leave the city without tasting River Street’s candy kitchen pralines!

Guide: “Savannah” by Sally Mahan

Attractions:
-Bonaventure Cemetery
-Forsyth Park
-Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace
-River Street

Want more travel guides? Type in “travel guide” in our library catalog to uncover more vacation inspiration.

Have a great trip!