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20 Must-Read Books for Your Ultimate USA Travel Bucket List


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Setting a goal to see all fifty states is an American dream. With America's vast landscapes, iconic landmarks, and hidden gems, there's no shortage of adventures to explore. To help you create the ultimate USA travel bucket list, we’ve compiled a list of 20 must-read books that will inspire and guide you every step of the way.


Most of these books are available both as physical books and as Kindle eBooks.


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Fodor’s travel experts present Fodor’s Bucket List USA: From Epic to Eccentric, 500+ Ultimate Experiences, a guide to the U.S. featuring over 500 must-see attractions across all 50 states. It combines classic highlights with unique finds, enhanced by vibrant photos and an easy layout. The guide includes insights on local cuisine, itineraries for different trip lengths, distinctive accommodation suggestions, and tips from local writers. Additionally, it offers ten regional maps for efficient navigation of iconic destinations like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone.




Moon USA State by State: The Best Things to Do in Every State for Your Travel Bucket List

Explore the best of the United States with Moon USA State by State, a comprehensive guide organized by region. It highlights the unique character of all 50 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico, featuring the top three experiences in each state, from national parks to festivals and beaches. Discover outdoor adventures, including leaf-peeping in Vermont and stargazing in Texas, along with enticing road trip ideas and local flavors like New Mexico's hatch chilis. The book also includes historical insights, fun facts, and a foldout poster map with adventure checklists. Moon USA State by State is a Gold Award winner in the Best Travel Book or Guide category at the 31st Annual NATJA Travel Media Awards Competition.



Moon USA National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 62 Parks

Moon USA National Parks is a comprehensive guide for outdoor enthusiasts. It covers all 62 national parks and their diverse landscapes, from the eastern misty mountains to the western redwoods, including Alaska's glaciers and Hawaii's volcanoes, organized by region. It features strategic lists and itineraries for hiking, wildlife watching, family trips, scenic drives, detailed hike descriptions, and trail maps. The guide also offers tips for planning national park road trips, including driving times and nearby attractions, and expert advice from former park guide Becky Lomax on avoiding crowds and choosing optimal visiting times. Additionally, it provides climate, terrain, wildlife, and safety information, complemented by full-color photos, a keepsake section for national park stamps, and a detachable fold-out poster map, making Moon USA National Parks our go-to guide for National Park trips.



Lonely Planet Ultimate USA Travel List

Lonely Planet has released its first compilation of the top 500 must-see experiences in the USA, creating the Ultimate USA Travel List. This guide, inspired by the success of the Ultimate Travel List, serves as a bucket list featuring stunning photos, insightful commentary, and practical visiting details. It includes a variety of attractions, from national parks and family-friendly spots to museums, scenic road trips, culinary experiences, and vibrant entertainment, ensuring memorable adventures for all.



This ultimate travel list counts down 500 must-have experiences for every traveler. With over 40 years of expertise, DK Eyewitness highlights essential sights and optimal visit times worldwide. The book features once-in-a-lifetime trips, showcasing ancient sites, modern wonders, and breathtaking landscapes. Readers will find stunning photography, practical maps, and valuable tips, making The Definitive Travel Bucket List a cherished resource for achieving their travel dreams.



This beautifully illustrated book from National Geographic highlights the top travel experiences in every U.S. state, from famous sites to hidden gems. Discover national parks, beaches, Civil War battlefields, and unique attractions like Tennessee's longest yard sale, Louisiana's swamp tours, and dinosaur trails in Colorado. Each entry provides travel details and interesting facts to inspire your wanderlust. The book also includes Canadian provinces and territories.




Road Trip USA: Cross-Country Adventures on America's Two-Lane Highways

Travelers can explore classic road trips across America with Road Trip USA. This guide offers 11 curated routes, each color-coded for easy planning, highlighting attractions that celebrate Americana, including roadside curiosities, parks, diners, and local histories. With over 125 maps covering 35,000 miles, vibrant photographs, and insights from road expert Jamie Jensen, who has traveled nearly 400,000 miles, this book is a valuable resource. It also includes historical context and fun facts, making it a must-have for anyone ready to experience the essence of the American road trip.



The 50 States Bucket List: The Ultimate Journal for a Journey across America

Travelers can document their journeys with the beautifully illustrated, vegan leather-bound The 50 States Bucket List. This unique guide organizes information by region, offering quick facts about each state, including its nickname, bird, and flower, along with major attractions and a customizable checklist. Stunning state maps provide an overview of each state's offerings, while journal prompts capture personal experiences. Whether visiting iconic sites like Mount Rushmore or the Wizard of Oz Museum, this guide helps uncover famous landmarks and hidden gems, creating a keepsake filled with cherished memories across America.



National Geographic Secrets of the National Parks, 2nd Edition: The Experts' Guide to the Best Experiences Beyond the Tourist Trail

This guide to America's national parks offers over 500 tips to help readers escape crowds and discover hidden gems. While famous sites like Yosemite's Half Dome and Yellowstone's Old Faithful draw millions, the focus is on less-traveled paths for a more intimate nature experience. With insights from rangers and seasoned travelers, it provides advice for enjoying popular locations like Acadia's Sand Beach without the crowds and encourages exploration beyond the Grand Canyon's rim. Fully updated with the latest parks and expert recommendations, this resource is essential for road trips, camping, or day hikes, enhancing the experience of exploring the nation's treasured parks.




Atlas Obscura, 2nd Edition: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders

This book isn't USA-specific, but it's still a great gem for your collection. Atlas Obscura is a bestselling travel book that inspires wonder and wanderlust, expanding readers' views of the world's strangeness and marvel. This second edition includes over 100 new destinations, numerous photographs, city guides for major cities, and a foldout map for an ultimate road trip. More a cabinet of curiosities than a traditional guide, Atlas Obscura celebrates the unexpected and mysterious, featuring wonders like New Zealand's glowworm caves and India's stepwells. It invites readers to explore and embrace the delight and disorientation of travel.



Best Easy Day Hikes: National Parks Series

This series provides concise hiking guides for national parks, ideal for travelers who want to explore nature without committing to strenuous trails.




Weird U.S. Your Travel Guide to Americas Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets

Dive into America’s quirky side with this entertaining guide to unusual landmarks and local folklore.



Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives: The Funky Finds in Flavortown: America's Classic Joints and Killer Comfort Food

Guy Fieri showcases his passion for unique culinary experiences in "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: The Funky Finds in Flavortown." This New York Times bestselling book highlights exceptional American eateries, accompanied by mouthwatering recipes and captivating photographs. Readers are treated to amusing anecdotes from Guy, his crew, and the dedicated restaurant owners, all while enjoying the convenience of a detailed, full-color fold-out map that marks every featured establishment across the country, reinforcing Fieri's unwavering motto: “If it’s funky, I’ll find it.”


Fodor's Best Road Trips in the USA: 50 Epic Trips Across All 50 States

Fodor's travel experts offer invaluable insights for some of the most iconic road trips across the United States, such as Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway. The book includes an illustrated guide to ultimate experiences featuring top attractions by state, fifty organized road trip itineraries, and over sixty detailed maps to facilitate easy navigation. Additionally, it provides local recommendations for sights, dining, and accommodations, along with practical planning tools and insights from local writers that uncover hidden gems. This guide serves as an essential resource for anyone looking to explore the diverse landscapes and experiences that the country has to offer.




The Most Scenic Drives in America: 120 Spectacular Road Trips

The all-in-one trip planner and travel guide is a reliable resource for travelers exploring scenic routes in North America. It features famous journeys like Florida's Road to Flamingo, Hawaii's Oahu Coastal Loop, British Columbia's Sea to Sky Highway, and Cape Cod's Sandy Shores, all presented with stunning images and engaging narratives. Each adventure includes an updated map, making it easy to discover breathtaking byways across the continent. The drives are organized into four sections—Western, Mountain, Central, and Eastern states and provinces—with detailed maps. Recent updates showcase Canada's beautiful destinations, and helpful Trip Tip sidebars provide information on mileage, travel seasons, attractions, events, and contact details. The guide also includes Star Routes, which highlight shorter picturesque roads near the main tours, along with insights into local flora, culture, cuisine, and history.




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Arthur Frommer's Easy Guides cater to travel choices, and many travelers opt to pair a trip to Amsterdam with visits to Brussels and Bruges. These three cities collectively offer a captivating glimpse into both modern and historical Europe. Amsterdam showcases the contemporary Dutch way of life set against a stunning seventeenth-century backdrop, while Brussels and particularly Bruges provide a view into an even older era. Sasha Heseltine captures both elements of these three remarkable European destinations.




The Bucket List: North America: 1,000 Adventures Big and Small

This guide presents a wealth of 1,000 adventures suitable for all ages, inviting individuals to discover the diverse landscapes of North America. It caters to those eager to break away from the mundane, offering a plethora of enjoyable and uplifting activities that promote a renewed appreciation for the U.S. and its neighboring countries. Perfect for recent graduates, retirees, and anyone in need of a rejuvenating getaway, the experiences are thoughtfully categorized by theme and region for straightforward exploration. Noteworthy activities include tracking Alaska’s “big five” in Denali, skiing in the Canadian Rockies, traversing Route 66, visiting Graceland, and indulging in a culinary tour of Mexico City, all designed to inspire wanderlust and adventure.




Route 66 Travel Guide - 202 Amazing Places

This is an essential resource for exploring America’s iconic Route 66. It features QR codes for easy navigation, covering 202 remarkable stops from Chicago to Santa Monica, complete with maps and GPS coordinates. The guide highlights 66 key sites for quick visits and includes off-route attractions like the Grand Canyon. With lodging recommendations, a curated road trip soundtrack, and space for notes, it captures the spirit of adventure on this legendary highway. Authored by Mark Watson, this updated edition is a must-have for any traveler.



American History: 100 Destinations: Visit the Roads, Forts, Buildings, Homes & Monuments That Tell the Story of the USA

This engaging exploration of U.S. history invites readers to discover key locations of pivotal events, from Ellis Island to Pearl Harbor. It highlights sites like the Wright brothers' fields in Ohio, Thomas Edison's workshop, and the birthplace of Motown in Detroit. The book features historic battlefields, important government buildings, culturally rich venues, and significant mining towns. Accompanied by vibrant photographs of national parks, battlefields, and historic homes, this 144-page hardcover edition provides a comprehensive look at the places that have shaped the nation's story.



Conclusion

With these 20 inspiring books, you’ll have everything you need to create the ultimate USA travel bucket list. From scenic road trips to cultural hotspots, these guides provide endless ideas to make your adventures unforgettable. Start planning today and make your travel dreams a reality!


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20 BEST USA Travel Books

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