This new guide simplifies trips to an assortment of fun and versatile destinations across the South. Focused on the best cities, activity-packed towns, beaches, and roadside attractions in 10 southern states, coverage includes:The Souths top tourist attractions, such as Colonial Williamsburg, North Carolinas Outer Banks, Nashville and Memphis, Savannah and Charleston, and the Great Smoky Mountains Short features such as How to Snack, History You Can See, and Strange But True that make the South fun and accessible for your entire familyReviews of the top Civil War sites that are really worth the tripItineraries to help you navigate the two essential routes through the South: U.S. Route 1 and the Great River RoadTrip reports from Fodors readers like you on their favorite journeys through the SouthMore than 50 detailed maps of the Souths top cities and regions to plan your perfect vacationFodors. For Choice Travel Experiences.Table of ContentsBe a Fodors Correspondent............3About This Book............6When to Go............7Whats Where............8Quintessential South............12If You Like............14Great Itineraries............187 Mistakes Not to Make on Your Next Family Road Trip............23Top Experiences in the South............25On The Calendar............26 Chapter 1: Alabama............29Orientation and Planning............30Birmingham and North Alabama............34Montgomery and Central Alabama............44Mobile and the Gulf Coast............50 Chapter 2: Florida............61Orientation and Planning............62The Emerald Coast............66Tallahassee............79Daytona Beach and the Space Coast............81 Chapter 3: Georgia............93Orientation and Planning............94Atlanta............98Savannah............119The Coastal Isles and the Okefenokee............136 Chapter 4: Kentucky............151Orientation and Planning............152Louisville............154Midway and Versailles............162Lexington............164 Chapter 5: Louisiana............169Orientation and Planning............170New Orleans............172Plantation Country............198Cajun Country............203 Chapter 6: Mississippi............209Orientation and Planning............210The Gulf Coast............214The Natchez Trace............222Holly Springs and Oxford............234Mississippi Delta............240 Chapter 7: North Carolina............247Orientation and Planning............248The North Carolina Coast............253The Triangle............273Charlotte............286Asheville............293 Chapter 8: Great Smoky Mountains National Park............307Orientation and Planning............308North Carolina Side............312Tennessee Side............322Whats Nearby in North Carolina............329Whats Nearby in Tennessee............335 Chapter 9: South Carolina............341Orientation and Planning............342The Myrtle Beach Area............346The Southern Grand Strand............357Charleston............364Hilton Head and the Lowcountry............382 Chapter 10: Tennessee............399Orientation and Planning............400Memphis............404Nashville............422Chattanooga............443Knoxville............450 Chapter 11: Virginia............455Orientation and Planning............456Alexandria............461Mount Vernon, Woodlawn, and Gunston Hall............468Charlottesville and Shenandoah National Park............472Richmond and Fredericksburg............480The Historic Triangle and Virginia Beach............499 Travel Smart Essential South............519Getting Here and Around............520Essentials............524 Index............531 About Our Writers............543 MAPSAlabama............33Birmingham............36Downtown Montgomery............46Mobile and the Gulf Coast............52Florida............65The Emerald Coast............67Daytona Beach and The Space Coast............82Georgia............97Downtown Atlanta and Sweet Auburn............101Atlanta Neighborhoods............105Savannah Historic District............122The Coastal Isles and the Okefenokee............137Kentucky............155Louisville and Kentucky Bluegrass............165Louisiana............173The French Quarter............175Plantation Country............199Cajun Country............204Mississippi............213Natchez Trace............225Mississippi Delta............241North Carolina............251The Outer Banks............254The Crystal Coast and Wilmington............266The Triangle and Charlotte ............274Charlotte............287Downtown Asheville............295Great Smoky Mountains National Park............313Towns Near the North Carolina Side............330Towns Near the Tennessee Side............336South Carolina............345Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand............347Downtown Charleston............366Hilton Head and the Lowcountry............383Tennessee............403Downtown Memphis............408Downtown Nashville............425Greater Nashville............428Virginia..