• The Thirteen Colonies
  • Courtesy of Fodor’s Travel Publications

The Thirteen Colonies: Travel Historic America

Fodor’s Travel Publications, 2003; $16.95

This Fodor’s guide is one of my favorites. I’ve used it for the past few years for not only weekend trips throughout the East Coast and into the south, but also to learn more about my home city of New York, including sites in my borough of Brooklyn. It covers everything from the history of colonial destinations and attractions and their operating hours and entry costs, to historic dining and lodging options in many of the destinations covered.

Pros

There is a wealth of information in this guide that is useful to have around in general, not just for vacations. Plus there are many destinations covered that reach far beyond the popular and commonly known historic, colonial sites. In fact, the book’s name is a bit misleading as it covers 15 states, plus Washington, D.C. A resource list at the end of the book provides contact information for additional historical and tourism organizations, tour and package organizers, and recommendations for further reading.

Cons

Adding regional or local maps for areas that are densely populated with sites would be a big help, especially when planning a driving trip. It also would have been nice if the book included some Native American history and sites that related to the country’s colonial era.

Worth Buying?

Yes, if you can find it. Unfortunately, Fodor’s had decided not to update the guide, nor is it being reprinted. However I did a search on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Borders Web sites, and there are 77 new and used copies of the book available for sale.