SALISBURY — Frizzy hair, aviator sunglasses and farmers’ tans. Ah, the early signs of summer. In a few short weeks, summer will descend upon us like ants on a watermelon. Whether you plan to take a vacation, daycation or staycation, the library has some great resources to inspire your next summer trip.
If you are in need of a little inspiration as you plan your summer vacation, look no further than Patricia Schultz’s “1000 Places to See Before You Die,” which includes the Biltmore House in Asheville and the Outer Banks along the coast of North Carolina. Other general guides include
Greg Witt’s “Ultimate Adventures: A Rough Guide to Adventure Travel” for the more adventurous and outdoorsy traveler; Maureen Hennessy’s “How to Go Almost Anywhere for Almost Nothing” for the budget-conscious traveler; and Frommer’s “500 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up” for family travelers.
Once you’ve chosen your destination, now to the fun part. Taking any trip requires an exorbitant amount of planning. Transportation, lodging and food are just a few considerations. The library has the most current copies of guidebooks for a range of locations both in and outside the United States. Fodor’s, DK Eyewitness Travel and Lonely Planet are the three most commonly found types of guidebooks in the library.
Fodor’s full-color guidebooks are by far my favorite, as they break down a destination by region, city and neighborhood. They include possible itineraries for various lengths of stay, and often give driving, public transportation and walking directions. Contact information is included for each location reviewed, and concise pros and cons are noted for each lodging accommodation listed.
Also included are sections for offbeat attractions like little-known restaurants, parks and museums; kid-friendly attractions; and free/almost free things to do.
Lonely Planet and DK Eyewitness Travel Guides are also worth mentioning, as each has unique attributes. While Lonely Planet guidebooks are not full-color, they do offer the essentials, including suggested itineraries, detailed maps and lodging and dining information.
They also encourage reader feedback and offer a free guidebook for the best contributions. They also donate a percentage of proceeds from sales to aid projects, human rights campaigns and wildlife conservation.
DK Eyewitness Travel Guides are extremely colorful and offer a variety of maps, charts and images to help you plan your days. The guide provides an overview of the location’s main attractions, specific excursions surrounding the location, and a survival guide with advice on everything from personal security to using public transportation.
One seemingly small yet incredibly helpful feature is a key to symbols that appears on the inside flap of the back cover; no flipping back and forth to try to figure out what the hand symbol means.
If you’re sticking closer to home this summer, the library also has a variety of guides for exploring the Tarheel State. “Compass American Guides North Carolina” by Sheila Turnage provides information about scenic drives, Civil War sights, arts and crafts hotspots and restaurants across North Carolina.
If you want to shy away from tourist destinations, try Sara Pitzer’s “Off the Beaten Path North Carolina: A Guide to Unique Places.” Plan a picnic at Morrow Mountain and catch a double-feature at nearby Badin Road Drive-In Theater or go zip-lining along Richland Creek in Albemarle. Jerry Bledsoe’s “North Carolina Curiosities” is an oldie but a goodie, and features quirky sights and festivities, including the World’s Largest Coffee Pot in Winston Salem and the Hog Day festival in Hillsborough. We also have a number of hiking, scenic driving and biking guides for North Carolina.
The Visitor’s Bureau in Salisbury (www.visitsalisburync.com) has a wealth of information about things to do in Rowan County and surrounding areas. Tour Patterson Farms; hike at Dan Nicholas Park, Dunn’s Mountain Park or Eagle Point Nature Preserve; picnic at Gold Hill Mines Historic Park; or play a game of disc golf at Kelsey Scott Park. Maps and brochures are available at the Visitor’s Bureau and the library.
Whatever your destination, the library is happy to help you plan your next summer trip. We’re even offering a free computer class on how to set up a blog so you can post pictures and keep family and friends up to date on all your summer fun.
Call April at 704-216-8229 for class times or for more information.