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NPR Road Trips
NPR Road Trips: Roadside Attractions: Stories That Take You Away
Prairie Dog Town in western Kansas. The Elvis Is Alive Museum in Wright City, Missouri. The Velvet Museum (“Velveteria”) in Portland, Oregon. A 13-foot Styrofoam scale model of Stonehenge. The Largest Ball of Twine in Cawker City, Kansas . . . or is it in Darwin, Minnesota? Roadside attractions are the staples of the American road trip. Many are slowly disappearing from our highways and byways. Are they culture or kitsch? Are their creators artists or innovators? Listeners are invited along for the ride to decide for themselves.
60 pages, Audio CD
First published April 21, 2009
2 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 18, 2019
The most memorable highlights of a road trip are often the quirky and sometimes kitschy attractions you discover along the way. Unusual museums, small town claim to fame attractions, long-dead celebrity shrines, local landmarks – all the stuff you never knew you wanted and needed to see until you stumble onto it. After all, you’ve come this far and when will you ever get the chance to see it again. A short stop to see what it’s all about soon turns into a fun, and dare I say, worthy diversion. And don’t forget how you’ll have the honor and distinction of telling others how you stopped to see the unexpected, unusual, and unique roadside attraction that turned out to be more interesting than one would think.
It’s an interesting and educational listen; you’re sure to hear about something that piques your curiosity and interest enough to want to visit!
It’s an interesting and educational listen; you’re sure to hear about something that piques your curiosity and interest enough to want to visit!
February 20, 2017
This is an audio full of interviews and quick stories about road trips. One of the stories is about the parents taking a road trip with young kids. It was hilarious...from this side of the fence. When I was that young parent I wished for a wall I could install in the backseat so they couldn't even look at each other.
January 22, 2019
I enjoyed it. I've been to a couple of these, and look forward to seeing more.
July 14, 2019
“The people who listen to public radio don’t necessarily look like our stereotype of listeners. They’re not all sort of high tone people in LL Bean outfits” —Garrison Keillor
This is a fun audio collection of clips specific to fairs around rural America. Although the county fair was not a mainstay for my childhood, I do have memories of it and similar, smaller festivals. These clips brought some of those memories back to me as I listened. It’s interesting to hear about a culture of Americans which is focused so little upon.
This is a fun audio collection of clips specific to fairs around rural America. Although the county fair was not a mainstay for my childhood, I do have memories of it and similar, smaller festivals. These clips brought some of those memories back to me as I listened. It’s interesting to hear about a culture of Americans which is focused so little upon.
February 14, 2010
Hearing the call of the open road but not quite ready to answer it? Not to worry - just give a listen to NPR ROAD TRIPS / ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS, and enjoy all the baffling, odd, humorous, really weird things to be found across our great land.
With a variety of commentators and interviewers you will meet the stand-up comedians who run the elevators at Seattle's Space Needle, visit the Elvis Is Alive Museum (have they heard about this at Graceland?), and discover some small towns with a purpose - each wants to have the biggest ball of twine.
If you think most exotic sights are to be found across the big pond, think again. Bet they don't have a velvet museum, but we do. You may not want to admit that you're old enough to remember Burma Shave signs, whether you do or not you'll thoroughly enjoy being reminded of them. If you truly don't know what Burma Shave signs are - be prepared to grin.
So many of the sights visited are pure Americana and may never be seen again, so it's a pleasure to hear about many for the first time. ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS is a gem of a CD - 60 minutes of fun and remembering for you, your family, and friends.
- Gail Cooke
With a variety of commentators and interviewers you will meet the stand-up comedians who run the elevators at Seattle's Space Needle, visit the Elvis Is Alive Museum (have they heard about this at Graceland?), and discover some small towns with a purpose - each wants to have the biggest ball of twine.
If you think most exotic sights are to be found across the big pond, think again. Bet they don't have a velvet museum, but we do. You may not want to admit that you're old enough to remember Burma Shave signs, whether you do or not you'll thoroughly enjoy being reminded of them. If you truly don't know what Burma Shave signs are - be prepared to grin.
So many of the sights visited are pure Americana and may never be seen again, so it's a pleasure to hear about many for the first time. ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS is a gem of a CD - 60 minutes of fun and remembering for you, your family, and friends.
- Gail Cooke
November 11, 2016
Little snippets of travel. It made me want to go on a road trip! Totally what I needed to escape right now.
September 18, 2022
Most of these roadside attractions I have never heard of before. I have heard and seen other roadside attractions, that this book doesn't mention, and of course I have heard of and been to The Space Needle...but most of these were hidden gems, that I just learned about.
The library only had an audio version of this book, and I am not sure if there is a physical book, with photos....but, there should be. This may have been a broadcast, or several broadcasts on NPR radio, put together to form an audio book.
I decided to do my own research while listening this book, to get an idea of the attractions described. I looked up videos and photos. It was quite a fun experience.
This audio book is only an hour long, if you listen without deviating into research. When I was listening to the first chapter, I kind of zoned out, and thought the book was going to be a long, boring one-hour read.
By chapter 2, it mentioned the Space Needle, and then I actually started paying attention. When I finished listening to the book, and finishing my research, I listened to the first chapter again, and realized I missed a couple of other fun things.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but only because I was able to look up the visuals for it.
I just noticed there are some pictures on the cover that did not show up at all the book. How strange....
The library only had an audio version of this book, and I am not sure if there is a physical book, with photos....but, there should be. This may have been a broadcast, or several broadcasts on NPR radio, put together to form an audio book.
I decided to do my own research while listening this book, to get an idea of the attractions described. I looked up videos and photos. It was quite a fun experience.
This audio book is only an hour long, if you listen without deviating into research. When I was listening to the first chapter, I kind of zoned out, and thought the book was going to be a long, boring one-hour read.
By chapter 2, it mentioned the Space Needle, and then I actually started paying attention. When I finished listening to the book, and finishing my research, I listened to the first chapter again, and realized I missed a couple of other fun things.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but only because I was able to look up the visuals for it.
I just noticed there are some pictures on the cover that did not show up at all the book. How strange....
May 2, 2022
This was a pretty fun, fast read. I LOVE anything done by NPR anyway but this was about the reporters going around to various state fairs and festivals, sampling all of the unique ways each state celebrates with specific contests and features. I loved the husband calling part. Too darn funny. For a quick way to step away from your everyday life and enjoy a laugh and interesting facts, check this one out. Highly recommend. I don't even know if this one should count as an entire book because it was only an hour.
December 28, 2022
I was looking for some short audiobooks to reach my annual reading challenge goal and found this one on my wishlist. For some reason, I was thinking this would be traveling shows such as Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me that were recorded on the road. Actually, it is a collection of interviews and reports of state fairs and carnivals. It did make me rethink my career choice if a cotton candy vendor can make six figures.
November 30, 2023
Here's your chance to visit a neon museum, and learn what it's like to maintain the world's largest ball of twine (sisal edition) without ever leaving home. What a great way to enjoy those tacky roadside attractions without spending hours in the car with your family. It made me sorry I missed out on seeing Cyprus Gardens.
August 15, 2023
A collection of short NPR segments that all revolve around road trips, most focusing on a specific roadside attraction. The audio was hit or miss with each segment. Some had a lot of background noise, or the interviews were overly quiet, while others were fine. So-so overall.
March 23, 2018
This was not a book, just a collection of NPR clips. Not great.
May 4, 2020
Nice stories for a walk or quiet afternoon at home; a quick listen.
December 28, 2020
This would be good to listen to for an hour of a road trip. Roadside attractions are fun and quirky and the stories of road trips were entertaining.
November 21, 2021
Quirky, informational and delightful! Our library had it to check out - I looked for others, and they didn't have any more. There are many others that are available for purchase.
April 28, 2022
Making dinner on your engine block on the way to Kingman, AZ? That's how this book starts out!
September 4, 2022
This was fun! Disappointed it was so short.
September 7, 2022
There should be fewer white people stories, more indigenous + nature stories.
December 13, 2024
This anthology of short vignettes from NPR reminded me of why I liked listening to public radio. More than worth the listen. This wasn't the CD though. It was an Audible audio. I didn't have a choice for that, so I put my thoughts here.
February 23, 2015
National Public Radio has combed through its broadcast archives and found 13 different stories about the great American institution - the road trip. But, these aren't just any stories. These are stories that feature another great American institution - the roadside attraction.
The stories cover a variety of quirky attractions including the Elvis Is Alive Museum, The Velveteria (featuring black velvet paintings of Elvis and lots more!), the world's 2nd biggest ball of twine, a series of backyard folk art exhibits in Michigan and even a couple of more famous attractions like Florida's Cypress Gardens and Seattle's Space Needle. A slightly off topic, but very interesting, story about the famed Burma Shave signs is also included. The stories wind up with the story of an epic musical piece written in the classical style about the trials and tribulations of the family car-based vacation.
The stories are all told with a sense of good-natured fun and some, like the story about the Velveteria and the musical tribute to the family road trip have moments where they are laugh-out-loud funny. The first story was fairly weak. But, taken as a whole, these stories are well worth your time.
See all of my review of NPR audio materials at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/searc...
The stories cover a variety of quirky attractions including the Elvis Is Alive Museum, The Velveteria (featuring black velvet paintings of Elvis and lots more!), the world's 2nd biggest ball of twine, a series of backyard folk art exhibits in Michigan and even a couple of more famous attractions like Florida's Cypress Gardens and Seattle's Space Needle. A slightly off topic, but very interesting, story about the famed Burma Shave signs is also included. The stories wind up with the story of an epic musical piece written in the classical style about the trials and tribulations of the family car-based vacation.
The stories are all told with a sense of good-natured fun and some, like the story about the Velveteria and the musical tribute to the family road trip have moments where they are laugh-out-loud funny. The first story was fairly weak. But, taken as a whole, these stories are well worth your time.
See all of my review of NPR audio materials at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/searc...
Want to read
August 19, 2009I'm sorry, when Amazon starts out its blurb on a book by mentioning the prairie dog town in "western Kansas" and that same blurb mentions another famous, and I've-been-there-goofy-attraction (largest ball of twine,) I suddenly must read...well, listen....to these tales once they're released!
Another huge bonus...Amazon knew I'd want to read this book because it said those who search for books by Hank Stuever.....yeah, that's right, my favorite WPost journalist.....well, this is now a must read/listen.
Another huge bonus...Amazon knew I'd want to read this book because it said those who search for books by Hank Stuever.....yeah, that's right, my favorite WPost journalist.....well, this is now a must read/listen.
February 2, 2011
Meant to be listened to, this is a collection of NPR style essays. Just fun and light reading.
July 28, 2013
I have a thing for National Parks and another thing for NPR. So, this really thrills me. I loved learning more about my beloved national parks. This was a wonderful collection.
August 29, 2015
Fun review of fairs across the country and across time.
September 16, 2015
This was precisely my jam.
February 2, 2016
A few collection of essays that I might use in class
August 5, 2017
a delightful collection of memories taken in America by families and couples. They visit unusual places like the second largest ball of twine, a cabin without beds or electricity for 2 weeks.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews