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Lonely Planet USA
Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher
Lonely Planet's USA is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Gaze into the mile-deep chasm of the Grand Canyon, hang ten on an iconic Hawaiian wave, and let sultry southern music and food stir your soul - all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of the USA and begin your journey now!
Inside Lonely Planet's USA:
NEW pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' card with Wi-Fi, ATM and transportation info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel
Colour maps and images throughout
Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests
Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots
Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices
Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss
Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics
Covers New England, New York, the Mid-Atlantic, Florida, the South, Great Lakes, Great Plains, Texas, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, California, Alaska, Hawaii, and more The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's USA is our most comprehensive guide to the USA, and is perfect for discovering both popular and off-the-beaten-path experiences.
About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, video, 14 languages, nine international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, eBooks, and more.
'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times
'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves, it's in every traveler's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' - Fairfax Media (Australia)
Lonely Planet's USA is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Gaze into the mile-deep chasm of the Grand Canyon, hang ten on an iconic Hawaiian wave, and let sultry southern music and food stir your soul - all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of the USA and begin your journey now!
Inside Lonely Planet's USA:
NEW pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' card with Wi-Fi, ATM and transportation info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel
Colour maps and images throughout
Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests
Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots
Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices
Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss
Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics
Covers New England, New York, the Mid-Atlantic, Florida, the South, Great Lakes, Great Plains, Texas, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, California, Alaska, Hawaii, and more The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's USA is our most comprehensive guide to the USA, and is perfect for discovering both popular and off-the-beaten-path experiences.
About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, video, 14 languages, nine international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, eBooks, and more.
'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times
'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves, it's in every traveler's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' - Fairfax Media (Australia)
1216 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1999
359 people are currently reading
285 people want to read
About the author
Lonely Planet
3,656 books882 followersOUR STORY
A beat-up old car, a few dollars in the pocket and a sense of adventure. In 1972 that’s all Tony and Maureen Wheeler needed for the trip of a lifetime – across Europe and Asia overland to Australia. It took several months, and at the end – broke but inspired – they sat at their kitchen table writing and stapling together their first travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap. Within a week they’d sold 1500 copies and Lonely Planet was born. One hundred million guidebooks later, Lonely Planet is the world’s leading travel guide publisher with content to almost every destination on the planet.
A beat-up old car, a few dollars in the pocket and a sense of adventure. In 1972 that’s all Tony and Maureen Wheeler needed for the trip of a lifetime – across Europe and Asia overland to Australia. It took several months, and at the end – broke but inspired – they sat at their kitchen table writing and stapling together their first travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap. Within a week they’d sold 1500 copies and Lonely Planet was born. One hundred million guidebooks later, Lonely Planet is the world’s leading travel guide publisher with content to almost every destination on the planet.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 18, 2022
Lots of information - good for high level or initial planning of a trip.
January 28, 2025
“Lonely Planet USA” by Trisha Ping, Isabel Albiston, Mark Baker, Amy C Balfour and Robert Balkovich (and 38 writers inputted to this book in total!) This book is 12th edition, August 2022.
I found this book very useful when researching my upcoming road-trip exploring the Eastern USA.
Though this book is very detailed, when it comes to certain places it’s very limited. E.g. I looked up places I have already visited and certain museums were not listed.
My copy was borrowed from the library, sadly it didn’t have a JFK airport pullout card.
However saying that, the information is very up-to-date. There are symbols in the book to quickly identify sights, beaches, activities, tours, sleeping, eating, information, transport etc.
I liked the map of all 50 states in America, the state’s abbreviation. The book has been divided into 4 sections:
1. Plan your trip
2. On the road
3. Understand
4. Survival guide
I liked the detailed maps and colourful pictures. The Month by Month highlighting the all the special regular events that happen in different states across the country, e.g. in January, Mummer’s Parade in Philadelphia. There’s a whole chapter about itineraries, road trips and scenic drives, which is handy.
Scenic Drives: Blue Ridge Parkway…
“Before you hit the road:
- join an automobile club that provides members with 24hr emergency, roadside assistance and discounts & bring your member card
- Check the spare tire, tool kit (e.g. jack, jumper cables, ice scraper, tire pressure gauge) and emergency equipment (flashers) in your car.
- Bring good maps - don’t reply on GPS unit, they can malfunction.
- Always carry your driver’s license and proof of insurance.
- If you’re an international traveler, review USA Road rules and common road hazards.
- FILL UP THE TANK OFTEN, because gas stations can be few and far between on the USA’s scenic byways.”
“Miami is fairly safe city, but there are a few areas considered by locals to be dangerous:
- LIBERTY CITY, in northwest Miami; OVERTOWN, from 14th to 20th Sts, LITTLE HAITI and stretches of the Miami riverfront.
- SOUTH BEACH, particularly along the carnival-like mayhem of Ocean Dr between 8th and 11th Sts, and deserted areas below 5th St are also dangerous at night.
- Use caution around causeways, bridges and overpasses where homeless people have set up shantytowns.
- In these and other reputedly ‘bad’ areas you should avoid walking around alone late at night, it’s best to take a taxi.”
Useful book, jammed packed with lots of information. A bit heavy to carry with you on the plane if you’re travelling light, but fine for a road trip.
I found this book very useful when researching my upcoming road-trip exploring the Eastern USA.
Though this book is very detailed, when it comes to certain places it’s very limited. E.g. I looked up places I have already visited and certain museums were not listed.
My copy was borrowed from the library, sadly it didn’t have a JFK airport pullout card.
However saying that, the information is very up-to-date. There are symbols in the book to quickly identify sights, beaches, activities, tours, sleeping, eating, information, transport etc.
I liked the map of all 50 states in America, the state’s abbreviation. The book has been divided into 4 sections:
1. Plan your trip
2. On the road
3. Understand
4. Survival guide
I liked the detailed maps and colourful pictures. The Month by Month highlighting the all the special regular events that happen in different states across the country, e.g. in January, Mummer’s Parade in Philadelphia. There’s a whole chapter about itineraries, road trips and scenic drives, which is handy.
Scenic Drives: Blue Ridge Parkway…
“Before you hit the road:
- join an automobile club that provides members with 24hr emergency, roadside assistance and discounts & bring your member card
- Check the spare tire, tool kit (e.g. jack, jumper cables, ice scraper, tire pressure gauge) and emergency equipment (flashers) in your car.
- Bring good maps - don’t reply on GPS unit, they can malfunction.
- Always carry your driver’s license and proof of insurance.
- If you’re an international traveler, review USA Road rules and common road hazards.
- FILL UP THE TANK OFTEN, because gas stations can be few and far between on the USA’s scenic byways.”
“Miami is fairly safe city, but there are a few areas considered by locals to be dangerous:
- LIBERTY CITY, in northwest Miami; OVERTOWN, from 14th to 20th Sts, LITTLE HAITI and stretches of the Miami riverfront.
- SOUTH BEACH, particularly along the carnival-like mayhem of Ocean Dr between 8th and 11th Sts, and deserted areas below 5th St are also dangerous at night.
- Use caution around causeways, bridges and overpasses where homeless people have set up shantytowns.
- In these and other reputedly ‘bad’ areas you should avoid walking around alone late at night, it’s best to take a taxi.”
Useful book, jammed packed with lots of information. A bit heavy to carry with you on the plane if you’re travelling light, but fine for a road trip.
January 2, 2017
Good for overall summary of things to see, but obviously lacks details as you would have in a more specific guide for cities or states themselves.
May 9, 2018
Lonely Planet, the best travel books by far.
June 25, 2014
The Lonely Planet Guide to the USA is a little about a lot. What I mean is, there is a little bit about a lot of places. This is only natural when you try to cover the entire United States in one book, even a book with over 1200 pages.
If you are familiar with the Lonely Planet guides, this book will not be anything “new” other than the location it covers. I've personally used Lonely Planet guides when living and traveling around Asia, and I thought why not pick this up to see what it says about my own back yard, the USA. Obviously it can't give you too much about any one location, but I think it does a very good job of providing highlights and general information about an awful lot.
Naturally I turned to my hometown, Missoula, MT, first, just to see what they included. And while the locations listed wouldn't be my first choices to recommend to family and friends visiting Missoula, they were not bad either. The worst thing was there is so much more here, just like there is so much more everyplace you visit, and that's why this is just a little about a lot.
To try and cram as much as they could into this book, there are not many pictures and they type is small. For each location they provide some highlights, places to stay and places to eat, just like all the Lonely Planet guides do. The more popular and populated places have more than the smaller less populated areas such as cities in Montana.
If you want just one book to cover places in the entire United States, this is a very good guide and a great place to start when determining where you will go and visit. Recommended to anyone wanting to know a little bit about a lot of places across the USA.
If you are familiar with the Lonely Planet guides, this book will not be anything “new” other than the location it covers. I've personally used Lonely Planet guides when living and traveling around Asia, and I thought why not pick this up to see what it says about my own back yard, the USA. Obviously it can't give you too much about any one location, but I think it does a very good job of providing highlights and general information about an awful lot.
Naturally I turned to my hometown, Missoula, MT, first, just to see what they included. And while the locations listed wouldn't be my first choices to recommend to family and friends visiting Missoula, they were not bad either. The worst thing was there is so much more here, just like there is so much more everyplace you visit, and that's why this is just a little about a lot.
To try and cram as much as they could into this book, there are not many pictures and they type is small. For each location they provide some highlights, places to stay and places to eat, just like all the Lonely Planet guides do. The more popular and populated places have more than the smaller less populated areas such as cities in Montana.
If you want just one book to cover places in the entire United States, this is a very good guide and a great place to start when determining where you will go and visit. Recommended to anyone wanting to know a little bit about a lot of places across the USA.
March 2, 2015
I have never reviewed a guide before and unlike with books there is not much I can say about this guide besides it provides a lot of information that I think will be very helpful to those who live in the USA and visitors to the country.
The guide starts off with a introduction titled "Welcome to the USA. Followed by a map that shows all of the states and the capitals. This is then followed by the USA's Top 25. One quibble that I had with this list is that the authors combined attractions and cities. I wish that they had separated out the lists. A two page "Need to Know" provides a reader with details on the currency of the U.S. (the U.S. dollar), time zones, language, etc. There are also some other sections called "If you Like" that provide details on certain destinations if you happen to like the beach. Following that is a "Month by Month" section provides information on festivals, holidays, etc. that are celebrated throughout the U.S.
Eventually the guide provides information on the different regions in the USA and the states within those regions. I did like the color photos throughout the guide as well as the emphasis placed on certain restaurants and attractions that are popular at those cities.
I still gave this guide 4.5 stars due to the fact that though it contains a ton of detail this is a bulky guide. I can't imagine that many people would want to take this with them on a trip let alone carry it around all day when exploring a city.
Please note that I received this guide for free via the Amazon Vine Program.
The guide starts off with a introduction titled "Welcome to the USA. Followed by a map that shows all of the states and the capitals. This is then followed by the USA's Top 25. One quibble that I had with this list is that the authors combined attractions and cities. I wish that they had separated out the lists. A two page "Need to Know" provides a reader with details on the currency of the U.S. (the U.S. dollar), time zones, language, etc. There are also some other sections called "If you Like" that provide details on certain destinations if you happen to like the beach. Following that is a "Month by Month" section provides information on festivals, holidays, etc. that are celebrated throughout the U.S.
Eventually the guide provides information on the different regions in the USA and the states within those regions. I did like the color photos throughout the guide as well as the emphasis placed on certain restaurants and attractions that are popular at those cities.
I still gave this guide 4.5 stars due to the fact that though it contains a ton of detail this is a bulky guide. I can't imagine that many people would want to take this with them on a trip let alone carry it around all day when exploring a city.
Please note that I received this guide for free via the Amazon Vine Program.
December 16, 2023
Lonely Planet, U.S.A. es una guía imprescindible para cualquier viajero que quiera explorar los Estados Unidos. El libro está bien organizado y es fácil de usar. La información está actualizada y es precisa. Los consejos prácticos son útiles y prácticos.
La guía cubre una amplia gama de destinos, desde las grandes ciudades como Nueva York, Los Ángeles y Chicago hasta los parques nacionales, las playas y las pequeñas ciudades. La información sobre cada destino es completa y detallada.
Los consejos prácticos son muy útiles. Incluyen información sobre cómo moverse por el país, cómo encontrar alojamiento, cómo comer y cómo disfrutar de las actividades locales.
Las recomendaciones de alojamiento y restaurantes son acertadas. Incluyen opciones para todos los presupuestos y gustos.
En general, Lonely Planet, U.S.A. es una guía de viaje excelente que ayudará a los viajeros a planificar y disfrutar de su viaje a los Estados Unidos.
La guía cubre una amplia gama de destinos, desde las grandes ciudades como Nueva York, Los Ángeles y Chicago hasta los parques nacionales, las playas y las pequeñas ciudades. La información sobre cada destino es completa y detallada.
Los consejos prácticos son muy útiles. Incluyen información sobre cómo moverse por el país, cómo encontrar alojamiento, cómo comer y cómo disfrutar de las actividades locales.
Las recomendaciones de alojamiento y restaurantes son acertadas. Incluyen opciones para todos los presupuestos y gustos.
En general, Lonely Planet, U.S.A. es una guía de viaje excelente que ayudará a los viajeros a planificar y disfrutar de su viaje a los Estados Unidos.
May 23, 2017
This is a great overview of the many states to travel in America. I like how the authors divided into the regions and have a chart listing what is distinctive about each region. After reading this book, it inspired me to explore more of America as I've only been to California, Nevada, Texas (short weekend wedding but didn't really get to sightsee), and Minnesota. I would like to explore the East and go to New York someday.
October 13, 2014
Generally OK and well written. Tends to give more detail than I would like about places the authors consider interesting, but not enough detail about duller places. Probably better for someone deciding where to go than for someone who is already stuck someplace.
October 24, 2015
Not perfect or comprehensive, but an invaluable resource on cross-country road trips and for a general overview of fun and interesting things to see, do, or eat in a particular state or city.
January 24, 2016
Again, this really helped me plan my first trip to the states.
September 2, 2017
So helpful and I loved it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews