Best General Southern US Travel Guides of 2025

Southeast Medicinal Plants is an excellent guide to identifying, harvesting, and using wild plants in herbal medicines. The book covers 106 of the Southeast region's most powerful wild plants, with clear photographs, identification tips, medicinal uses, and harvesting suggestions. The author, CoreyPine Shane, is a well-known herbalist with 25 years of experience and founder of the Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine. This book is a must-have for foragers, naturalists, and herbalists in the Southeast region. Overall, Southeast Medicinal Plants is a thorough, comprehensive, and safe guide to the region's medicinal plants.

Rand McNally Easy To Read Folded Map: Tennessee State Map is an essential guide for anyone traveling in and around Tennessee. It provides accurate and reliable information on all interstate, U.S., state, and county highways, along with parks, points of interest, airports, and streets. The map is regularly updated, and the legend and index make it easy to locate destinations. The folded size makes it convenient to carry. The book covers detailed maps of major cities like Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Nashville. The Rand McNally map is a trusted standard for years, and this edition is 63% larger than the previous one.

Rand McNally Easy To Read Folded Map: Georgia State Map is an accurate and reliable guide for anyone traveling in and around Georgia. The map shows all the important highways, parks, points of interest, airports, and streets, making it easy to locate destinations quickly. What sets this map apart is its updated, full-color design and larger type size, making it easier on the eyes. The detailed index and mileage and driving times map are also helpful features. Overall, the Rand McNally Easy To Read Folded Map: Georgia State Map is an essential tool for anyone exploring the state.

Southeast Foraging: 120 Wild and Flavorful Edibles from Angelica to Wild Plums (Regional Foraging Series) is a comprehensive guide to foraging in the Southeastern United States. It includes clear plant profiles with identification tips, ethical harvesting guidance, and suggestions for eating and preserving. The seasonal planner details which plants are available throughout the year. Chris Bennett, a forager, writer, cheesemonger, and trained chef, provides a thoughtful and expert southern perspective. This book is a must-have for foragers in the Southeastern United States and a wonderful reference for anyone interested in foraging.

The Texas Bucket List Adventure Guide is a comprehensive guide for those who are looking to explore the Lone Star State. With over 100 must-see destinations, this book provides driving instructions, GPS coordinates, and information about each location's best time to visit, weather conditions, and average expenses. The guide also includes lesser-known facts about each destination, making readers fall in love with Texas even more. This book is a must-have for free spirits who crave deep connections with nature and want to break their daily routine. Overall, the Texas Bucket List Adventure Guide is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to embark on an unforgettable adventure in Texas.

This field guide, titled "Mushrooms of the Southeast," is an essential reference for mushroom enthusiasts, hikers, and naturalists. The book is jam-packed with descriptions and photographs of hundreds of the region's most important mushrooms. It also includes a general discussion and definition of fungi, information on where to find mushrooms and collection guidelines, an overview of fungus ecology, and information on mushroom poisoning and how to avoid it. With its helpful keys for identification and clear, color-coded layout, this guidebook is a must-have for mushroom hunting in the Southeast. The ruler designed into the back cover is a unique feature that makes it stand out from other field guides.

Dispatches from Pluto is an adventurous memoir by Richard Grant, chronicling his journey of discovery into the enigmatic Mississippi Delta. Grant and his girlfriend leave their tiny apartment in New York City to start a new life in a remote plantation house beyond the community of Pluto. The book is a fascinating insight into the culture of the Delta, with Grant befriending locals and capturing their unique way of life. He also delves into the region's racial tensions and structural problems while observing close, loving relationships between black and white families. Overall, Dispatches from Pluto is a lively, entertaining, and insightful read that is a must-have for any memoir enthusiast.

The Official Guide to Texas State Parks and Historic Sites: New Edition is an essential guide for anyone looking to explore the beauty of Texas. This newly revised edition includes eight new state parks and historical sites, updated information for every park, and stunning photographs. The book is organized by geographical regions, making it easy to plan your trip. Laurence Parent provides all the necessary information, including the natural or historical attractions of the park, types of recreation offered, camping and lodging facilities, and contact details. It's a perfect guide for both locals and tourists.

Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer (P.S.) by James Swanson is a gripping historical account of the pursuit and capture of John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of Abraham Lincoln. Based on rare archival materials and obscure trial transcripts, Swanson's book offers a fascinating tale of murder, intrigue, and betrayal. The author's hour-by-hour account, told through the eyes of the hunted and the hunters, makes for a compelling read. The book is a brilliant example of the "you-are-there" genre, with a CSI immediacy that manages to bring history to life. Highly recommended for history buffs and true crime fans alike.

William Eggleston: The Outlands: Selected Works is a beautiful collection of nearly one hundred previously unseen images from the 1960s and 1970s by the pioneer of color photography. The book takes readers on a journey through the mythic and evolving American South, seen through the artist’s lens, offering a new perspective of the American South in transition. The literary, fictional text by Rachel Kushner and new scholarship by Robert Slifkin adds depth and context to Eggleston's oeuvre. This is a must-have for anyone interested in travel photography books.