Customer Reviews

Off the Beaten Path: A Travel Guide to More Than 1000 Scenic and Interesting Places Still Uncrowded and Inviting

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Beautiful, fascinating, informative. Visually stunning, intellectually stimulating. A true pleasure to peruse. Loaded with nuggets of information. Practical, yet destined to be a collector's item and tabletop treasure. Can I gush any more than that about this excellent work from Reader's Digest?

Off the Beaten Path provides thumbnail descriptions of more than 1,000 interesting sites and destinations in the USA. All of these are places tourists don't normally flock to, but that are worth seeing. These include museums, historic inns, castles, rock formations, dinosaur trails, pontoon boating, parks, lakes, wildlife sanctuaries, and zoos. The book contains over 1,000 photographs of these sites.

The book consists of 50 chapters, each devoted to one state. The tourist bureau in each state has verified that each site listed is, indeed, still not (yet) heavily visited. In each chapter is at least one "Did you know?" box that has an interesting fact. The end of each chapter also has a calendar of events (seasonal activities, such as Strawberry Day in Tennessee) for the state. Each chapter also has a detailed state road map, with the sites marked out. As you read about each site, you can refer back to the map to see where it is.

For a given destination, you will find:
* Title of site.
* Street address (or nearest highway and city).
* Well-written description that explains what the site has to offer.
* Notes on availability, access, tours, and the like (including if an admission fee applies)
* Hyperlink to Website.
* Phone number of the relevant agency, foundation, operator, or owner.
* Icons that show which of 16 different types of amenities are available. Three new ones (since previous edition): pet- friendly, handicap-accessible, and wi-fi compatible.

For those who don't like to travel, this book allows the reader to make a virtual visit to the many wonders and interesting sites across the USA or in your own state. If you haven't taken an interesting trip lately, this book may be just the thing to help you plan one that you'll thoroughly enjoy.

This book has been thoroughly copy-edited and painstakingly fact-checked. The editorial standards evident here are the highest I've seen. All of the other technical details are also high-caliber: layout, binding, artwork, and so forth. The careful attention to detail really shows. In addition, the book is nicely indexed. From looking in the acknowledgements and photo credits, I was struck by the sheer number of contributors to this work. Having worked on the editorial side of the desk, I'm impressed at how well all that input was handled.

It's beautifully bound in hardback, with artwork on the actual hardback covers. The paper is very heavy stock, giving it a luxurious feel. The book jacket has the same artwork as the book itself.

Use Off the Beaten Path as a vacation reference, day trip planner, coffee table decoration, or family heirloom. Buy it as a gift for young people just starting out and you can't go wrong, but it makes an excellent gift for just about anyone. If you do buy it as a gift, you will want your own copy once you see it. If you don't add this to your collection, you are really missing out. I'd give it three thumbs up, but I have only two thumbs.

Off the Beaten Path - Newly Revised & Updated: A Travel Guide to More Than 1000 Scenic and Interesting Places Still Uncrowded and Inviting by the Editors of Reader's Digest is a visual vacation all by itself. This gorgeous illustrated guide to some of the most photogenic and breathtakingly beautiful well kept secrets in the United States deserves to ride up front. For any vacationer taking a well earned break from the rat race, Off The Beaten Path could be your best road trip companion.

This travel guide is big, and I mean big. Weighing in over 4 pounds and with dimensions of 10.5 x 10 x 1.4 inches, Off The Beaten Path isn't something you could stick in your back pocket. It's well worth making space for in your backpack though and could easily become indispensable when you're planning or preparing for a trip. Off the Beaten Path is designed for those who want to look beyond the usual tourist traps and find places that are rich in historic and/or scenic value, yet relatively undiscovered by the masses.

If you're not interested in being amongst crowds and want to discover the real beauty of the US and its roots, look no farther than within Off The Beaten Path. This is the definitive guide that you've always wanted. Even just browsing the stunning photography gives you itchy feet.

The 384 page volume is packed solid with useful information. All states are listed in alphabetical order, each with their own chapter and color coded for easy reference. Within those state listings are these hidden gems' details.

Let's look at Arkansas for example. Want to visit a historic Southern cotton plantation? Lakeport Plantation, lovingly restored and now a museum and educational center, "once covered more than 4,000 acres", we are told. "The house, built in the late 1850s, is the only remaining Mississippi River plantation home in Arkansas". The book contains a beautiful picture of that home.

Would you prefer something more hands-on? Then you will love digging for real diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds State Park, south of Murfreesboro. As Off the Beaten Path explains "Here's a unique chance to combine fun and profit by prospecting in the only significant diamond deposit in North America. Plus, you get to keep any stones you find." I don't know about you, but I'd love to do that! The description goes on to tantalizingly tell us that "many of the diamonds are industrial quality, but every year visitors turn up hundreds of gems of significant quality and value, and some lucky prospectors carry away diamonds ranging from 2 to 5 carats. "

A colorful Did You Know? also caught my eye. These little boxes are scattered along the way, serving up a snippet of trivia about an attraction on the page. This one announces that "The largest diamond ever found at the Crater of Diamonds site was 40.23 carats and as named the Uncle Sam." Wow! I'm packed and in the car already.

It's abundantly clear from the first few pages that this is not a book for fans of open-around-the-clock malls and theme parks. The places are perfect for campers, hikers, adventurers and road trip fans. Reader's Digest has been considerate enough to include an icon guide at the bottom of each description shaped with these groups, amongst others, in mind.

These 16 icons provide the reader with at-a-glance key information on what that particular spot offers. Categories include Accessible Features, Pet Friendly, Camping/Tenting, Camping/RV Camping, Picnicking, plus all kinds of activities such as Fishing or Sight-Seeing/Bird-Watching. Even Wi-fi Access is conveniently listed for those who can't stray too far without their laptop coming along for the ride.

Each detailed description begins with the full address, has the descriptive element in the middle and closes with the location's opening hours, their website address where available, and a contact telephone number. All the information you could possibly need on the venue is in one compact, informative and orderly place.

This weighty volume also contains up-to-date state maps highlighting each location. As if the full color photos aren't enough to entice you to pack a suitcase, the chapters also each have their own State Seasonal Events calendar. This tells you when and where local festivals are being held and shares a brief description of what's on offer at them.

Overflowing with the superior quality, precision and minute attention to detail we've come to expect from Reader's Digest publications, Off the Beaten Path covers over 1000 destinations including state parks, wildlife centers, historic towns, scenic rivers, lighthouses, museums and much more.

If this large volume doesn't bring out the wanderlust in you, I don't know what will. It's absolutely beautiful, with over 400 photographs to guide you on your travels and help you select your next destination. Nature and history lovers especially will adore where Off The Beaten Path takes them. Don't hit the road without it.


Kay Elizabeth,
Editor/Owner,
The Cuckleburr Times.

Was very informative & definiately WORTH getting. The size is both an advantage in that it is easy to read & the maps are clear but it makes it a bit cumbersome to use in the car. Great for a reference for highlighting road maps. Been to several places & the discriptions etc. were dead on. The book is a Wonderful adjunct to other travel books such as "1000 Places to See before you Die.USA & Canada."

Has all state parks, thought it would have some small interesting or historial towns to also visit. Including other items beside state parks would make this a better product

Off the Beaten Path is a must have guide for any family. I live in NY and I found many great places I'd love to visit in the Tri-State area that I never heard of before.

With the economy such as it is many families are going to have to look in their own "backyard" to find fun and entertaining things to do. Off the Beaten Path gives readers many interesting options to explore.

The pictures are beautiful. I love the seasonal calendar guides as well as the maps. It's also helpful that each entry has a web site you can visit for more information.

This is a FABULOUS book!

It has happened many times - you're on a road trip for a special occasion like a wedding or a reunion and while you're out there, you want to grab the opportunity to check out what special sights the town, the city, or the state has to offer. That's when "Off the Beaten Path" would be your best friend.

Reader's Digest has prepared a valuable book... no, an indispensable tool... that helps make U.S. trips and vacations an optimized, memorable, and awe-inspiring experience. "Off the Beaten Path" devotes comprehensive chapters to the states of the union from Alabama to Wyoming. Each chapter opens with an introduction about the essence of the state and lists an average of 20 visitor attractions that are mostly obscure but pristine and undoubtedly inviting.

Each attraction's description is packed with information including address, website URL, phone number, and icons to indicate accessibility, picnic and camping grounds, fishing, hiking, cycling, pets, wifi, winter activities, bird-watching, and horseback riding. Even hours, days, and months of operation are indicated. Seasonal events are listed as marginal notes. Of course, each state has an up-to-date atlas-type map showing all the featured attractions. The crisp and colorful pictures are icing on the cake.

"Off the Beaten Path" is for the traveler looking for interesting hidden wonders and scenery. No theme parks or party districts. This book focuses on natural wonders, state parks, museums, and historical attractions - places not too many people have seen but must be appreciated for their raw beauty and undying stories at least once in your lifetime.

Whether you suddenly found yourself in the middle of a town with a name you can't even correctly pronounce, or your children want to drive out to see the green animals at the oldest topiary garden in the United States; whether you're just killing time, or meticulously planning a momentous cross-country tour, you'll be glad "Off the Beaten Path" has all the priceless nuggets of information you need. - Ruby Bayan, OurSimplejoys

We used this book while planning our trip around the country. We stopped at several places we didn't know existed as a result. Going to these places usually required taking non-freeway roads which added to the experiences. My cousin was so impressed with the book I bought a copy for her.
It was fun to read about non-famous places I knew about as a kid. Also, it is good reading even if you don't go to these places.

Had already looked at this book in the library and wanted my own copy. Excellent list of locations to see. Book arrived promptly and is already in use.

A really enjoyable book if you want to learn things about places you haven't been to; or, perhaps you have and missed something!A great way to find the non-touristy things, if you want to wander.

Just love this book. The narative and pictures is almost like being there yourself. It definately directs you to places not always found in the traditional travel guides. A Great Coffee Table Book.