Going on a staycation? Try going Off the Beaten Path with Reader's Digest

With so many of us staying local this summer, we finally have an excuse to explore our home states. A terrific guide to help you get inspired is Reader’s Digest Off the Beaten Path: A Travel Guide to More Than 1000 Scenic and Interesting Places Still Uncrowded and Inviting. The newly revised third edition of this vacation planner covers over 1,000 US destinations and includes information on how to get there and what you need to know before you take off.

Off the Beaten Path is a fun book to look through with its state maps and glossy, full color pictures. It covers everything from museums to national forests and state parks. Here in Colorado my family regularly visits the Routt National Forest, Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, and the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden – all listed in the book. And I’m sure my husband has visited several others during hunting season.

Still, there is much to be discovered: secret destinations, overlooked natural wonders, and out of the way museums. For example, did you know that Mount Airy, NC was the inspiration for Mayberry in The Andy Griffith Show? You can tour the town and have a pork chop sandwich (!) at The Snappy Lunch. There’s even a bronze statue of Andy and Opie at the Andy Griffith Playhouse. As a fan of the show, if I’m ever in North Carolina, that’s a day trip I’ll have to take.

Off the Beaten Path also features a list of seasonal events for every state, and 16 icons highlight each site's activities and features including wi-fi access, if it’s pet friendly, or if it has wheelchair accessible facilities.