Looking for travel guidebook recommendations

[FarawayFriend]

We are planning a vacation next year in VA, WV, maybe NC and of course the Gettysburg area. We will start and end our round trip in Washington, DC.
When travelling the US we liked the Frommer's guidebooks a lot, but they don't do travel guidebooks anymore. Which other travel guide did you find useful? Which ones should we use to get prepared?

 

[dlofting]

When we did our "tour" of Civil War battlefields I pretty much used the internet to plan everything. Most states have at least one good "tourist" website that lists attractions, events and accomodations....I think some of the cities do too. The NPS sites are great for info on the major battlefields, but the lesser known battles, like Kernstown often have an association website you can go to. Suffice to say there is no lack of battlefield information on the internet.

 

[dlavin]

I believe VA and NC have Civil War Trails websites that provide maps. I know MD does, but wasnt on your list.

http://www.civilwartrails.org/

Oh WV does as well, per website above

 

[Drew]

The Moon Handbook on Virginia and Maryland (including DC) is pretty good. It can be found right here.

We love our Civil War history but Goodness sake don't come all the way across the Pond and overlook everything else!

 

[MRB1863]

NPS, Gettysburg has excellent resource on their website!
Also try: http://www.civilwartraveler.com/EAST/VA/trailsFAQ.html

 

[FarawayFriend]

Thank you all!
Yes, I think we will use the internet a lot, this forum also offers a lot of information, but for restaurant recommendations or places to see beyond the battlefields a printed guidebook is still a nice thing. Thank you @Drew for the hint to the Moon guidebook, that defintely looks good!

 

[chellers]

Frommer's was always my standby, can't believe they're gone. Fodor's was another series I used, but they're probably gone as well.

Found these and tons more like them:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g28967-Virginia.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g28967-Virginia-Hotels.html

Just google the state and tourism.

 

[theoldman]

How long will you be staying here?

 

[Nathanb1]

Civil war trust can hook you up for most areas through links and suggested reading. I use Trip Advisor extensively, too.

 

[photoman475]

I'd suggest the Civil War Trust's Official Guide to the Civil War Discovery Trail. The edition I have is a bit on the old side, 1996, but it does have a very good list of all the CW sites for where you are going. I don't know if they've updated it, but it's a start for some trip planning. I'd use this book to find internet sites for the lesser known battlefields and parks for more recent information.

Alan

 

[FarawayFriend]

How long will you be staying here?

We will stay 3 weeks, starting Aug. 31st until September 21st. Can't wait!!!!

Civil war trust can hook you up for most areas through links and suggested reading. I use Trip Advisor extensively, too.

Thank you, yes, we are using trip advisor also, but we seem to be a bit old fashioned... we like to have the book with us and I will read aloud while my significant other is driving or vice versa. And we will not have internet unless there is a hotspot, otherwise it is ridiculously expensive, 19.90 Euros for - attention! - 10 MB!!
Incredible!
So a book still is best for us, which is also a nice thought in this electronic world!

 

[PeterT]

We are starting finalise our dates for May. So will need to keep all of the above in mind for my detailed planning.

 

[donna]

Know you will have a great trip. Most states have their own guide books. I always get them at the Visitor Centers when we stop. I know both Virginia and North Carolina have them. Always have picked them up. You can also go to the states and order them. They are always free.

 

[nitrofd]

Here are a couple of Web sites for Virginia that have free travel guides that you can get and may be a big help to you.

www.virginia.org

www.virginia.gov/Visit
Hope this helps.