“Perhaps, after all, America never has been discovered. I myself would say that it had merely been detected.”
The United States of America consists of 50 states, five major unincorporated territories, nine Minor Outlying Islands, 326 Indian reservations and a federal district. The third highest country in the world for population, land size and total area, it is hard to find the words to properly do justice to the social, cultural, economic, scientific and political influence of the USA on the wider world.
A melting pot of different ethnicities and cultures, the diversity in its population is only matched by the vibrancy of its natural landscapes and man-made attractions. With all of this in mind, it should come as no surprise that the US is one of the most visited countries in the world. To celebrate this, check out the best USA travel books here at What We Reading!
50 States, 5,000 Ideas – Joe Yogerst
Author Joe Yogerst pulls together all the best travel tips and insights from experts at National Geographic to present the complete US travel guide in 50 States, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go When to Go, What to See, What to Do.
This richly-illustrated manual takes readers across all fifty States that make up the USA, ensuring they will discover all the famous and hidden treasures the country houses. From Dinosaur trails in Colorado to watching Sea Otters in California to hitting the bustling streets of the Big Apple, every entry contains useful travel tips and fascinating facts to help further fuel your wanderlust!
The Open Road – Jessica Dunham
In The Open Road: 50 Best Road Trips in the USA, Jessica Dunham gives readers all the tools they need for turning their dream trip across the country into a reality. Complete with stop suggestions, drive times, food, drink, accommodation and recreational suggestions, it is the perfect guidebook for seeing all there is to see across the United States.
Dunham masterfully combines practicality with the beauty behind America’s road trips, whether it be a bustling hug along the coast or a quiet glide through the Loneliest Road.
Unique America – Jeff Bahr
The USA is a massive country and one that houses all manner of weird and wonderful sights and experiences for travellers to enjoy. Unique America Strange, Unusual, and Just Plain Fun: A Trip Through America is Jeff Bahr’s attempt to guide readers through the quirkiest trip around the fifty States.
From the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast Museum in Massachusetts to the largest ball of twine in the world, the book celebrates the audacious and the absurdities of American society for those looking for a trek across America unlike any other.
The Ultimate Pet Friendly Road Trip – Amy Burkert
For travellers looking for the best USA travel books for their various furry friends, Amy Burkert has you covered. The Ultimate Pet Friendly Road Trip: A Guide to the #1 Pet Friendly Attraction in 48 States & Washington D.C., offers the most comprehensive travel guide for those looking to tour across the country with their pets.
From California’s Carmel Beach to the top of Cadillac Mountain in Maine, Burket combines stunning photography, practical tips and suggested itineraries to help plan the most unforgettable journey.
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Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail – Cheryl Strayed
Following a series of devastating events across her life, Cheryl Strayed made the impulsive decision to embark on a remarkable journey. Hiking over a thousand miles across the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State, it was a journey that she was also going to do completely on her own.
A winner for Best Memoir & Autobiography, Wild is the inspiring real story of one young woman and her perseverance across a truly remarkable trek across America’s Western side.
A Walk In The Woods – Bill Bryson
The Appalachian Trail stretches from Maine to Georgia and houses some of the most breathtaking terrains in the USA. And who better to run readers through the silent hills, sparkling lakes and picturesque mountain ranges than Bill Bryson?
In A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail, Bryson brings this magical part of the USA to life. From the visitors who regularly trek the trail, the bears and other animals that make their home their to the history and vibrancy of its ecology, it is the perfect US travel book for all nature lovers.
Dispatches From Pluto: Lost and Found in the Mississippi Delta – Richard Grant
Richard Grant and his girlfriend were living in a shoebox apartment in New York City when they decided to buy an old plantation house in the Mississippi Delta. Known as the ‘most American place on Earth’, Grant details all the strange extremes that go along with living in this part of the USA.
Presented with an empathetic first-hand take on the various extremes deeply rooted in Pluto’s culture, Dispatches from Pluto is an insightful and ultimately rewarding tale that tackles everything from inequality, race and community in one of the country’s most misrepresented regions.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
