Anyone visiting the Raleigh , North Carolina area will need a map of the area. The book, “Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill: North Carolina ” is a spiral bound atlas of these areas. The book is edited by the ADC the Map People, and it contains a myriad of maps including details of where hospitals, shopping centers, airports, parks and other points of interest are located. The book is a great reference to use for anyone not at all familiar with the area. It costs about $15 and can be purchased in some bookstores as well as from Amazon.com .

“Walking Raleigh/Durham” by Rebecca C. Mann is a paperback that sells for about $10. Again, it may be available in bookstores, but is for sale on Amazon.com . It is a book that contains historical information about Raleigh and guides readers on amazing walking tours of the city. The tours in the book can last anywhere to half an hour to half a day, and historical areas and landmarks are described in detail.

For anyone interested in the hidden secrets of Raleigh, and its surrounding areas, the book, “Hidden Carolinas: Including Ashville, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Great Smoky Mountains, Outer Banks, and Charleston,” by Catherine O’Neal, is a great resource. The book is a guide to the tourist areas as well as the not-so-well-known (but fantastic) smaller areas. Many of local favorites, which are not well-known to tourists, are described within. This book is also available from Amazon.com .