Title: 50 States, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do
Paperback: 288 pages
Author:Joe Yogerst
Publisher: National Geographic (February 7, 2017)
This post contains affiliate links. We were given a copy for review from TLC Book Tours and National Geographic in exchange for our honest opinion. Thanks for supporting AftT!
Want to win your own copy? Read on…
If there’s one thing we love in this family as much as traveling, it’s books. So, when we were given the opportunity to review a new National Geographic book, we obviously jumped at the chance. The first thing I did upon opening our copy of National Geographic’s 50 States 5000 Ideas by Joe Yogerst was flip to the section on our home state of Oklahoma. When a book boasts 5000 things to do, there is hope that some of the coolest things in your own state will be highlighted for others to discover. I was pleasantly surprised that not only were some of our favorite local spots like Philbrook Museum and the Woody Guthrie Center featured, but I also learned that there was much more to discover in our own backyard than I thought.
Covering an entire state in 4-5 pages is a difficult task, and obviously, there will be a lot left out for any given destination, but there are several elements of this book that I like. Yogerst gets off the beaten path and travels down the backroads where new and unique things are waiting to be discovered. It would be a perfect companion for anyone’s “Great American Road Trip.”
Each section begins with an overview of the major metropolitan areas of the state, but then goes on to tell about the fun things families can discover in the smaller communities. The bold typeface allows the reader to quickly pinpoint areas he or she would like to visit and learn more about.
Another key feature of the text includes boxes with unique information for each state, such as the contact information for the tourism boards, great places to shop and dine, and further travel inspiration like the best books and movies set in that state.
Just like we’ve come to expect of a National Geographic publication, the photography in the book is stunning and inspiring.
Kids will love to look through the pictures and pick out the next places they want to visit. As for our family, the whole section on Canada looks mighty appealing.
This book is probably not going to replace your favorite guidebook. However, I think it would be perfect for the pre-planning stages of any North American trip.
It will inspire you to seek out things you might not otherwise see, and it will spark your imagination for new states to visit.
AftT’s Travel Book-o-Meter
In a nutshell: We recommend this book for travel lovers who are looking for an overview of the states and some "off the beaten path" things to do.
About the Author
During three decades as an editor, writer, and photographer, Joe Yogerst has lived and worked on four continents—Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. His writing has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Islands magazine, The New York Times (Paris), and numerous National Geographic books. During that time, he has won four Lowell Thomas Awards, including one for Long Road South, his National Geographic book about driving the Pan American Highway from Texas to Argentina.
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Congratulations to our winner Darla C! Thanks for reading everyone!
Giveaway! 50 States, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do
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