Page 276 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

274  THE SOUTHEAST

Practical Information the Southeast. Nevertheless,
driving is the best way to get
Successful traveling around the Southeast requires a great around the region, as public
deal of advance planning, as there is so much to see and do transportation can be limited.
in the vast area. With miles of sandy beaches, picturesque Seat belts are required for
historic cities such as Charleston, the stunning rugged wilder­ drivers and front-seat passengers
in all of the five states. Most
ness of the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains, and rolling states also require seat belts
hills and valleys of the foothills, the Southeast truly has it all. for back-seat passengers, and
In addition to myriad natural wonders, the region also offers child seats are required for all
burgeoning commercial centers such as Atlanta, and engaging automobile occupants aged
cultural towns including Memphis, the birthplace of the blues, 4 and under. Speed limits vary,
but are usually 70 to 75 mph
and Nashville, the commercial and cultural capital of “country­ (112 to 120 km/h) on Interstate
western” music, arts, and entertainment. Highways outside of densely
populated urban areas,
weather permitting.
Tourist Information
the most troubling times for
Each of the five Southeast visitors. Hurricane season
states, North Carolina, South stretches from August to the Etiquette
Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, end of the year, but since storms Compared to the rest of the
and Georgia, publishes travel form in the Atlantic Ocean country, Southerners are largely
information that can be near the Equator, emergency teetotalers. Many of them are
ordered by phone or via alert systems usually give at Baptists, a religion that frowns
websites. State “Welcome least a day or two warning on the consumption of alcohol.
Centers” located along most before strong winds and heavy “Dry” counties can still be found
major highways greet visitors rains arrive. in some rural areas, particularly
as soon as they enter each of Watch out for tornadoes in the mountains where alcohol
the Southeast states. Open and thunderstorms in late cannot be legally served or sold
between 8am and 5pm daily, spring and summer, especially to the public. But exceptions
these centers offer free road in the south, where they strike to this tradition are legendary.
maps and a full range of tourist suddenly and create flash Makers of “moonshine”, a 100-
information, covering climate, floods. If a tornado watch or proof home-made whiskey
transportation, attractions, warning is issued, take cover typically distilled from corn,
and accommo-dations. More straight away. gained an outlaw reputation
information is available from in the days of Prohibition as
a multitude of tourism bureaus they evaded federal agents
across the five states. Getting Around by hiding stills deep in the
Like much of the US, the South- woods and working them by
east is a region where it can be cover of darkness – hence the
Natural Hazards hard to get around without a name “moonshine”.
The end of summer in the South- car. Greyhound buses do serve Drinking mint juleps on the
east can be very pleasant, but some larger towns and cities, day of the Kentucky Derby in
this is also the main hurricane and visitors can also take Louisville is such a revered
season, and potentially one of Amtrak trains to travel around local custom that girls start
collecting the traditional
The Climate of the Southeast sterling silver “julep cups” as
young as 12 years of age.
The region’s states have a mild
climate with temperatures rarely ATLANTA
dipping below freezing in winter, Festivals
though summer in the low-lying 88/31 The southeast states stage
areas can be very hot. Spring sees °F/C 74/23 a diverse range of annual
azaleas and other blossom in the 70/22 69/20 community, regional, and
region’s famous gardens. 52/11 54/12 national festivals. In February,
Summer, with its sunny days and 32°F 50/10 cultural sites all over the South-
warm water along sandy beaches, 0°C 36/2 east, especially the Martin
is the most popular time for
travel. The end of summer is the 20 20 20 15 Luther King Jr. Center for
primary hurricane season. In days days days days Non-Violent Social Change
inland areas, leaves change color 4.2 5 3 4.7 in Atlanta, celebrate Black
on mountain hardwood trees in in in in in History Month with various
October. In winter, snow can fall month Apr Jul Oct Jan special programs. In March,
across many areas. Savannah, Georgia, hosts a lively
St. Patrick’s Day celebration,

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm