Reviews (5)

5th edition
I purchased a copy of the fifth edition sometime last year and keep it on the dash of my vehicle - to have handy while traveling. I found it contains details of local "hidden treasures" that are usually only discovered by the locals of the given community. I loaned it to a friend and now he is ordering his copy.
Texas - Off the Beaten Path (3rd Edition)
This book is very handy when searching the back roads for interesting information, buildings, history, etc. of Texas. In Texas, Some Roadrunners are Eleven Feet Tall...
If you're planning to travel at all throughout the Lone Star State, this book will be an indispensable guide for your travels.Read more

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. United States - South - Texas    4. United States - South - West South Central (General)    5. Travel / United States / South / West South Central (AR, LA, OK, TX)   

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. United States - Pacific - California    4. United States - West - Pacific (General)    5. Travel / United States / West / Pacific (AK, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA)   

Reviews (6)

not helpful at all as a guidebook
In general, I like to avoid touristy spots, and bought this book in the hope that it would recommend places to visit.The format of this book is like a long essay, which makes it difficult to read, and not very useful as a guidebook.It goes something like: "if you take this street, first you'll pass this restaurant, which some people like for the chicken, and then this museum, etc" without giving definitive recommendations and must-sees for the tourist with limited time.I'm glad that my boyfriend brought a Fodor's, which was pretty comprehensive.But the best part of our trip was at an ecolodge that was very much off the beaten path (45 min on a narrow dirt road, up into the El Yunque rainforest), which I found by doing good old web research (search "elena el yunque").

Great Motivation to Explore More
Noticing this book was a recent guide to Puerto Rico written by a woman, my wife insisted on buying it. We both enjoyed reading it for its combination of listings and colorful background notes. It makes you realize there is an island and culture worth exploring. We liked the descriptions that helped us better understand the way of life and why things are what they are. We decided to stay at smaller hotels where we heard Spanish and could eat local food. It let us appreciate what a fascinating and friendly place the island is.This book really did encourage us to get "off the beaten path."

Pretty good book, but not all that unique
The most helpful thing about this book was the lists of places to stay at the end of every region-discussion.Other than that, "Explore Puerto Rico, 5th Edition" had almost all the same sites & activities listed.For the sake of traveling lightly, we ended up not even bringing "Off the Beaten Path" with us, relying instead on "Explore Puerto Rico" (which has its own issues, see my review on that page for details). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Europe - Switzerland    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel / Europe / Switzerland   

Reviews (4)

New Hampshire Off the Beaten Path, 6th
This is the best series of travel books about New England thatI have found.It is easy to read with information I haven't found in other travel books. The New Hampshire book didn't disappoint.It is up to the standard I expect from this series.

Graet N.H. Guide
This book gives very concise and complete directions to the locations of the places listed. Not only was I able to find every location that I wanted to see and with little or no problem, but also there were good places toeat and other things to do alone the way.The accuracy in the distances fromthe starting points to the destinations is so good that with care there isalmost no chance of getting lost. Obviously the authors took great care tobe accurate in their discriptions and directions and have written a bookthat is a real joy to use. I look forward to using other guides by the sameauthors as I know the will be correct in their information.

Graet N.H. Guide
This book gives very concise and complete directions to the locations of the places listed. Not only was I able to find every location that I wanted to see and with little or no problem, but also there were good places toeat and other things to do along the way.The accuracy in the distances fromthe starting points to the destinations is so good that with care there isalmost no chance of getting lost. Obviously the authors took great care tobe accurate in their discriptions and directions and have written a bookthat is a real joy to use. I look forward to using other guides by the sameauthors as I know the will be correct in their information. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. United States - Northeast - New England (General)    4. Travel / United States / Northeast / New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)   

Reviews (1)

Even locals love this book!
With so many guide books around, this one offers a refreshing look at some lesser- known spots in and around Philadelphia. Even locals are using this book to find new restaurants, hidden gardens and quirky spots around the city to visit and enjoy. This book is well-organized by areas of the city, ideal for walking, touring and planning your day. The author includes many interesting side-notes and humorous additions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    2. Travel    3. Travel - United States    4. United States - Mid Atlantic - Pennsylvania    5. United States - Northeast - Middle Atlantic (General)    6. Travel / United States / Northeast / Middle Atlantic (NJ, NY, PA)   

Reviews (3)

So much potential......!!
After a week using this book (and its Oklahoma sibling) we were very disappointed. The *content* of the book is, in general, very good, interesting and readable. The problem is with the layout. The author jumps about, geographically, so that you don't really know how close (or far) a place is. It's the same with the Oklahoma book. I will undoubtedly buy other books in this series when we are visiting other states, but next time I will spend some hours highlighting the place name on each page. Best Arkansas Guide I Found!
As with any guide, some information may have changed since the last edition. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the path this guide led me on. I discoved an Arkansas I never imagined! Restaurants were on the money!Accomodation recommendations exceeded my expectations! I felt the contentwas honest, objective, adequately descriptive and thorough. My only realcomplaint was the Cave City Motor Lodge recommendation. The book should beupdated in regards to it being barely open for business and the"restoration" is rather slow in coming. We looked at the fewguides available for Arkansas and we still think this one is best.

Do research before writing!
I gave this book 2 out of five stars because it is informational. But the problem I found when looking at restaurants and places to stay that were in my area of the state I found many things were not right, such as spellingsof names of restaurants.Also, she listed one place as only a restaurantand it is also a place to go for a weekend get away that is very neat.Ionly wonder about the rest of the information.It is fun to look at but Iwouldn't use it as a guide when I travel to any of the places, lord knows Iwould probably be trying to get some place that did not exist as she hadspelled it and look like a completely "dumb" tourist. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. Travel Guides - U.S.    4. United States - West - Mountain (General)    5. Travel / United States / West / Mountain (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, UT, WY)   

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. Travel Guides - U.S.    4. United States - South - West South Central (General)    5. Travel / United States / South / West South Central (AR, LA, OK, TX)   

Reviews (1)

A great guide to a great state!
As someone who has lived in Alabama for over 20 years now, this is old hat for me.However, if you want to get a taste of modern culture with a mixture of the old southern traditions and beautiful countryside, then this book is for you.Come by and see us sometime! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. United States - South - Alabama    4. United States - South - East South Central (General)    5. Travel / United States / South / East South Central (AL, MS, KY, TN)   

Reviews (3)

On and Off the Beaten Path: The Cent/South Bahamas Guide
The initial review looks great!When I get to the Bahamas the real review will begin.

Lacking
I am getting ready to take off for the Bahamas next month so I decided to take a trip to the ship's store and have a look at the cruising guides.I am heading to the Southern Bahamas so you would think that this guide would be perfect.It is NOT.I took a quick look through the contents and index and discovered he did not cover the Exumas.How could this be?Ah... Mr. Pavlidis wants you to buy YET ANOTHER of his books, one specifically covering the Exumas.Appauling.How can you say you are covering the central and southern Bahamas WITHOUT even one chapter on the Exumas? One of the best
Pavlidis' guide will get you to places you didnt think you could visit.It also assumes you are a competent tropical water sailor and wont do stupid things like run into rocks, etc.Where other guides state "local knowledge required" for an area Pavlidis gives you the best current info and then warns you to be aware of possible changes and hazards.If you want to find places where there is still a lobster under every rock and no other boats in sight, this is the guide to use. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bahamas    2. Boats and boating    3. Caribbean & West Indies    4. Description and travel    5. Guidebooks    6. Nautical charts    7. Travel    8. Travel - Foreign    9. Caribbean islands    10. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (4)

This is a great book!!
This book was not intended to show tourists all of Michigan's wonderful attractions, such as the Mackinaw Bridge, Mackinaw Island, etc.(That is why those attractions are not listed in it).This book tells us about all of the "HIDDEN TREASURES" in Michigan.The treasures that one would find if they went down the back roads.This book is excellent.You will not be disappointed.Read the book, pack up your kids, pack some lunches, and go enjoy yourselves by visiting our "hidden" Michigan.

a guide to little-known Michigan attractions
As a native Michigander, and now a nearby Chicagoan, I found this book both amusing and helpful.I had no idea of some of the little sites and attractions of my native state and used the book on some car trips back home. Of course, the book assumes you are aware of the big tourist attractions so it concentrates on the hidden treasures.I have shared thiswith fellow Michigan natives and they loved it also.

Metro Detroit area, MI
I'm from Michigan and I'm truly offended at this book...there are a lot of things to see in Michigan, everything from renting a cottage at one of Michigan's countless beautiful lakes both large and small, to hiking the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, to visiting it's many lighthouses.And that'sjust in the lower peninsula, I'm not too familiar with the U.P.Yet, theauthor mentions the attractions worth visiting as the 'bicycle spokesmuseum?', or the 'Be kind to your mother-in-law bridge?' I've never heardof either one and I've lived here all of my life?They make the state ofMichigan and those who live here look foolish and backwards...If this isa book about locations that can be found 'off the beaten path', there ismuch to be said about Michigan. Some of the most beautiful attractions arelocated here, which do not appear to be in this book.If the sitesdescribed are the featured locations in the book, thanks but I'll pass. Onewould be better off picking up a free brochure from a travel agency... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. Travel Guides - U.S.    4. United States - Midwest - East North Central (General)    5. Travel / United States / Midwest / East North Central (IL, IN, MI, OH, WI)   

Reviews (8)

Handy travel guide
this book is great for people who want a starting point when looking to travel in and around the 50 states. It gives you a brief description of each point of interest, both beautiful and/or historic and a detailed map of the state to help plan a travel route. It is a little big and heavy, but I think worth the look through.

Falls a little short
I ordered this volume anticipating that it would be as interesting as it's sister volume "The Most Scenic Drives in America" which I would recomend highly. Off the Beaten Path by Readers Digest
This is an excellent travelogue with hundreds of pictures inRead more

Subjects:  1. Description    2. Guidebooks    3. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    4. Travel    5. Travel - United States    6. United States    7. United States - General    8. Travel / General   

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. Travel Guides - U.S.    4. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    5. United States - South Atlantic - N. Carolina    6. Travel / United States / South / South Atlantic (DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV)   

Reviews (1)

A good little inexpensive guide
I used this guidebook recently for a brief visit to Georgia.It guided me to Okefeenokee swamp park, the town of Brunswick, and the Ocmulgee National Monument.I will use the guide again on my next trip.
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Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    4. United States - South - West South Central (General)    5. United States - South Atlantic - Georgia    6. Travel / United States / South / West South Central (AR, LA, OK, TX)   

Reviews (4)

Spectacular
This spectacular book is rewarding on every level possible. If you wanted a book that merely included gorgeous photos, this would be it. I have seen Jim Steinberg's photos elsewhere, but never presented so lavishly or effectively. They convey such a strong sense of this beautiful PLACE called Colorado. It's all there:meadows, trees, flowers, rocks, canyons, skies, and much more. I was particularly amazed by the wildflowers. When you look at a photo like the one showing why the "Black Canyon" of the Gunnison got its name, you realize that Steinberg has been sure to take all the time necessary for a photographer to capture the essence of a place. The compositions are splendid, full of rich color and detail. Every page is an eye-opener. In addition, Susan Tweit's text is a perfect complement to the images. I wouldn't change a word of it, and I'm a picky reader. Her text combines with the photos to provide an education into the geology, botany, ecology, and history of Colorado, making this not just an aesthetically pleasing book but also an enlightening one. I've been an occasional visitor to Colorado, but this book makes me feel that I've explored quite a bit of it. And the travelers notes at the end will make it much easier to see these places myself. I highly recommend this book to people who already love Colorado and to those who can appreciate it from afar.

Fantastic!
Even though I have seen so many things in Colorado, this book made me realize I haven't seen it all.The book is a must-have for people interested in beautiful scenery.

Breath of fresh air
This book shows the REAL colorado.If you want to see something
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Reviews (1)

Helpful Book For Travelers
This is a great book to get if you aren't very familiar with the state of Louisiana.Being a native, I picked this book up hoping to find something that I might have missed in my neck of the woods.The book breaks down the state into distinctive regions(much like the guide from the Louisiana Tourism Bureau) and picks out some fairly unique spots to check out.
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Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. United States - South - Louisiana    4. United States - South - West South Central (General)    5. Travel / United States / South / West South Central (AR, LA, OK, TX)   

Reviews (3)

interesting but not thorough
I also bought their guides for new mexico amd arizona, and really didin't need this guide after all--it touches the high points in each state, but in western kansas, e.g., it didn't
My First Choice
While on the road (Las Vegas, Arizona and New Mexico) I reviewed three USA guides (Fodor's, Frommer's and Let's Go) and, for those for whom money is not a primary issue,my first choice would be this guide. The best
easily the best guide of its kind. indispensible for anybody doing traveling of any kind. a must buy. detailed information on all kinds of sites of interest. maps are helpful. very comprehensive. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1981-    2. Caribbean & West Indies    3. Description    4. Description and travel    5. Guide-books    6. Guidebooks    7. Travel    8. Travel - United States    9. Travel Guides - U.S.    10. United States    11. United States - General    12. Travel & holiday guides    13. Travel / United States / General    14. USA   

Reviews (1)

Parents happy
I bought this for my parents as they had recently moved from California to Conn.They love this book as it has allowed them to find some great bedroom communities nearby.Read more

Subjects:  1. Reference - Guides (General)    2. Travel    3. Travel - United States    4. Travel Guides - U.S.    5. United States - New England - Connecticut    6. United States - Northeast - New England (General)    7. Travel / United States / Northeast / New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)   

Subjects:  1. Automobile travel    2. Florida    3. General    4. Guidebooks    5. Tours    6. Travel    7. Travel - United States    8. United States - South Atlantic - Florida   

Reviews (1)

I love this series!
Having discovered the Off the Beaten Path series while planning a vacation to South Dakota, I didn't hesitate to pick up the Missouri copy to see what I was missing in my backyard. I'm really glad I did! Even though I've discovered many things since moving to Missouri, this book has helped me discover quite a few new places to explore. The book has broken Missouri into concise geographical sections, so when planning a trip, you only have to look at the section of the state where you'll be travelling. The usual topics of lodging shopping, and restaurants are covered very well, but what I find most interesting are the little-known cultural artifacts highlighted in the book. If you're planning a trip to Missouri, or live here and want to discover more of your home state, this book is highly recommended. One warning though: you'll never look at any interstate, especially I-70, the same again!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. United States - Midwest - Missouri    4. United States - Midwest - West North Central (General)    5. Travel / United States / Midwest / West North Central (IA, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, SD)   

Reviews (2)

Horrible
Whatever you do- DONT buy this worthless book. Unless you just want to stay in 5 star lodges and do and see NOTHING ELSE. I had the Lonely Planet Kenya that I dragged with me backpacking in Kenya- It was wonderful. The East Africa Lonely Planet is great too. Save your money!

Not for Tanzania
The coverage of Tanzania in this book is quite sparse. I did not find it to be useful at all, and a great disappointment. I then went out and bought Lonely Planet's book on Tanzania, and was very pleased with the depth of information it offered, including such things as maps of towns with locations of ATM's, hotels, etc and color photographs. This is a much more useful book if you are going to Tanzania. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Kenya    6. Tanzania    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Travel / Africa