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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | Home » Off the Beaten Path - Newly Revised & Updated: A Travel Guide to More Than 1000 Scenicand Interesting Places Still Uncrowded and Inviting | | | | | | | Description: | | The best-selling Reader's Digest travel book has 40% new content including over 200 new sites, over 200 new full-color photographs, and all-new, up-to- date maps.
Off the Beaten Path spotlights over 1,000 of the United States' most overlooked must- see destinations. In a state-by-state A-to-Z format, this budget-friendly vacation planner reveals the best-kept secret spots so that no matter where you live, you can plan an unforgettable local vacation within an hour or two of your home. Each of the featured sites has been verified by the respective state's tourist bureau as still being "off the beaten path." Revel in nature, science, art, and culture, and encounter the unexpected as you explore undiscovered gems.
This exciting new edition features:
1,000 sites-more than 200 new sites and over 300 photographs-more than 200 brand new Brand-new detailed state road maps, and revised and updated tourist information- plus links to the attraction's website
New feature-"Did You Know" fact boxes, and three new icons representing pet- friendly, handicap-accessible, and wi-fi compatible sites
Sidebars containing seasonal events for each state
Packed with innovative ideas for fun day trips and truly memorable vacations for travelers of every temperament, penchant, and budget, this unparalleled escape book leads you to New Hampshire's castle in the clouds. pontoon boating through the Florida Everglades, dinosaurs trails through Colorado, an authentic jousting tournament in Virginia, or a stroll down America's oldest street in New York City.
Plan an unforgettable vacation with this best-selling travel book-a super-easy reference that shows you where to go, how to get there, and what you need to know before you begin your adventure. | | | Product Details: | | | Author:
| Editors of Reader's Digest | | Hardcover:
| 384 pages | | Publisher:
| Readers Digest | | Publication Date:
| March 19, 2009 | | Language:
| English | | ISBN:
| 0762107944 | | Package Length:
| 10.5 inches | | Package Width:
| 10.0 inches | | Package Height:
| 1.4 inches | | Package Weight:
| 4.25 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 8 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
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1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Off The Beaten Path could be your best road trip companion.Jan 04, 2010
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.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Worth GettingOct 30, 2009
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."
I won't leave home without it!Sep 28, 2009
This is a wonderful resource if you travel thoughout the USA. I used an older edition for a decade and I am thrilled with the updated information in this revised edition.
Off The Beaten PathJun 20, 2009
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.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
A Collection of Hidden TreasuresMay 24, 2009
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
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