1,000 Places to See in the United States and Canada Before You Die

This is a fun book. The reader can build vacations around it. The work is based on the philosophy that (page x): ". . .travel has always been based on removing myself from what is comfortable and safe, on seeking out experiences that broaden my horizons and enrich me in ways superficial and profound." The author also notes that she (page xiii) ". . .discovered time and again the country that is my home." I'm from Illinois originally, so I immediately looked at the sites in the Prairie State. Many of these make a great deal of sense. Of course, one can always ask questions like: If Nauvoo, why not Bishop Hill? Still, good selections from my home state. I lived in New York for quite awhile. I love the inclusion of the Anchor Bar (home of "Buffalo chicken wings"). I enjoyed the weekend jazz music and the wings. This is where Buffalo chicken wings began. The inevitable question: Why not the Genesee River Gorge? Once more, no criticism of the author's choices--just that there are a lot of possibilities that don't show up in the book. Now, I live in Pennsylvania. And while I can understand the places included in this book, I also wonder why the exquisite Capitol Building of the Commonwealth in Harrisburg is not listed. However, that is part of the charm of such books. Engaging in a dialogue with the authors' choices. All in all, a very nice work and a good read.

I asked for (and received) this book for my birthday. I am so glad I did! I have traveled a lot in the US and am working on seeing the rest of the world, but wanted to know what I was missing here in the US. I anxiously flipped through the book and made a note next to each place I had visited. I was amazed and impressed to find locations just a few miles from my home that I had never seen. I'll be visiting soon. I am sure I will think of a couple of places that (I think) should have been included. Overall, though, this book is very comprehensive. It is fun and easy to read. Nice touches inside include web links, phone numbers, etc. for each of the places. I also like the way the book is indexed in the back: active travel and adventure, culinary experiences, glorious nature, great golf, scenic drives, take the kids, etc. This makes it easy to search for a particular type of site, even if you don't know exactly what part of the country you want to see.

We just got this book yesterday, but already I am planning our road trips for the next few months with this book's assistance. Excellent descriptions of places and events. For example, we went to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta last year (2006) and the book's description of the Fiesta and surrounding area in New Mexico was outstanding and accurate. In my opinion, if the author does this good of a job conveying information about something we are familiar with, then I will trust her about the other places she describes in her book. The book is organized well with a nice index and use of pictures and maps. Text-heavy (which I like) and easy to read. We are excited about using it to add to our vacation trip experiences.

Schultz has come up with a companion book to her first best-selling book, and has done all the homework for us and has drawn up our To Do List: 1000 places in North America that should get even the most lethargic out of their armchairs. I like the balance of the wellknown and unknown, the extravagant and free-of-charge, the easily accessible and those gems way off the beaten track. Even those who proclaim they know America inside out will have a few hundred new must-do's to keep them busy and elated for the next few decades.

I loved Patricia Schultz's 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, and gave away copies to friends who loved travelling. This second follow-up, 1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die is another winner. Though Canada is not as comprehensively covered as the USA, the book serves its purpose - to entertain and inspire, even armchair travellers like me. There are enough nuggets of information in here, and a treasure trove of ideas that can keep most aspiring/keen travellers happy, content, and entertained.