On Wednesday, I received a copy of Fodor’s “Essential USA” (688 pages, $21.95), which is sub
titled “Spectacular Cities, Natural Wonders and Great American Road Trips.”
I requested the book from Fodor’s because of this description:
The book includes classic road trip itineraries like Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway, where to stay and eat for all budgets, “best bet” tours and attractions in dozens of locales, best places to slow down (Maine coast, Western Montana, California desert, North Carolina’s Outer Banks and the Florida Keys), and best destinations for foodies (New Orleans, New York, San Francisco and Texas Hill Country).
But having perused it extensively, I found that the entries on Route 66 are scant. The “Best Road Trips in the U.S.” section takes up only three pages, and Route 66 only five paragraphs.
Worse, the Route 66 text contains at least one significant error. It lists the National Historic Route 66 Federation (National66.com) as a place to download turn-by-turn directions, when it actually is Swa Frantzen’s Historic66.com site. And it is curious to list from Arcadia, Okla., to Stroud, Okla., as “one of the longest surviving stretches” of Route 66 when there are others that are longer and more prominent.
“Essential USA” contains chapters on Chicago, Los Angeles and the Santa Fe / Albuquerque / Taos. Each is informative, but has almost no information on the “kitschy roadside attractions, old diners and motels … often marked by huge elaborate neon signs” that Route 66 travelers would seek. The “Along the Way” short summaries of other cities include Amarillo and St. Louis, but omit prominent towns such as Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Flagstaff, Ariz., and both Springfields.
This is the first edition of “Essential USA.” Maybe Fodor’s will devote comprehensive chapters to the best road trips, including Route 66, in future editions (hint, hint).
My wife knows some people who worked on the new Route 66 Travel Brochure for the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Dept. They seem to be pretty happy with the retro look and feel of it. Thought you may like to take a looksee and give a critique.
Order it at https://travelok.com/brochures/index.asp, or I’m sure they have them at any OK TIC around the state.
OKDad
Oklahoma City boasts a variety of charming antique stores. Highlights include 23rd Street Antique Mall in the Paseo Arts District, Warehouse Antique Mall with over 30,000 square feet and 60 dealers, and Decades Revisited, a family-owned shop with 50 dealers. Antique Avenue in the Film Row district and Sara Sara’s offer unique finds, while the Antique Co-Op features over 40 vendors. Newer additions like Antique Avenue Market and specialized shops like Windsor Place Antiques cater to collectors and casual shoppers alike, offering everything from vintage furniture to rare collectibles.
For more information, visit https://oklahomaweek.com/antique-stores-in-oklahoma-city/
You are offering travel guide insights into spectacular cities, natural wonders, and American road trips, including Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway. However, upon my review, I found that the book falls short in detailing Route 66, dedicating only five paragraphs and including factual errors, such as misattributing a website for directions. The book also lacks comprehensive coverage of iconic Route 66 attractions and key towns. While it contains informative chapters on cities like Chicago and Los Angeles, Oklahoma https://oklahomaweek.com/antique-stores-in-oklahoma-city/) it misses crucial roadside highlights. Future editions could improve by expanding and accurately detailing Route 66 and other road trips.