Product Description

Hidden guides combine unique travel choices, outdoor adventures and little-known locales into a guide where vacations meet adventures. Each guide includes detailed maps, complete internet information for each listing, highlighted author favorites, suggested itineraries and walking and driving tours. Let Las Vegas transform its bit of desert into billion-dollar resorts -- they aren't covered in this book. This guide is happy to focus on the natural attractions, authentic historical sites and outdoor activities spread all across the arid Southwest. Hidden Southwest leads travelers on a journey through an amazing landscape like no other -- uncovering old ghost towns, frontier missions, regional festivals, lost redrock canyons, American Indian trading posts, hiking trails and whitewater rivers. It zeros in on unique lodging including a monastery, a tepee, a 200-year-old adobe hacienda, a former bank building circa 1882, a floating mobile home, and a fire lookout tower. Hidden Southwest brings the wild west to life at 5 dude ranches, 6 ghost towns, 52 places to horseback ride and 64 places to buy Indian crafts. It offers equally descriptive review of local camping out (76 campgrounds) and dining out (47 Southwest cuisine and 25 authentic Mexican restaurants). This edition features 65 new maps.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #747861 in Books
• Published on: 2002-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 680 pages

Review
If it's a general car tour of the region you're planning, make this a part of the trip: it covers everything from unusual lodging and special local dining opportunities in the Southwest to byways and outdoor adventures to be had in the region. Hidden Southwest covers the diversity of people and places that composes the vast, varied terrain of Arizona, New Mexico, Southern Utah, and Southwest Colorado. From the desert oasis of metropolitan Phoenix and the art gallery of Santa Fe to the natural wonders of the Red Rock State Park and White Sands National Monument, Hidden Southwest shows readers the path to a unique travel experience. Whether a first time visitor to the Grand Canyon, a thrill-seeking rafter in search of white water, or shopping for authentic Navajo Rugs, Hidden Southwest has the details. Hidden Southwest provides reviews of one-of-a-kind sights, hotels, restaurants and outdoor adventures overlooked by most travelers, with the particularly hidden spots clearly marked in the margin of the text. Now in its third edition, this 600 page travel guide is more comprehensive and "user friendly" than ever! -- Midwest Book Review

About the Author
Richard Harris' fascination with ancient civilizations started in the Anasazi cliff dwellings of Colorado's Mesa Verde National Park, where he guided tours during the summer while in college. When he is not climbing over mesa and browsing trading posts, he is writing travel books for publishers such as Ulysses Press and Fodor's.

Customer Reviews

Hidden Southwest
I purchased this book in order to plan a 6 week trip to New Mexico and Arizona. If you want a book that will clearly and intelligently tell you about everything in these two states, this is a good option. Unfortunately, this book isn't very helpful in prioritizing sites. For example, I'm sure every single indian pueblo is listed, but it's difficult to tell which ones are worth allocating time to. Don't get me wrong, this is an excellent book, but, if this is your first visit to the area, you will need a more opinionated book to help you sift though the many, many sightseeing options.

Best places to stay
I had earlier editions of this book and just loved them. We found the best places to stay, motels and bed and breakfasts that are really special, at a great price. I used this book for planning many trips to the Southwest, for myself and friends, and it was always a great experience. It is the best reference books on places to eat and to stay, phone numbers of attractions etc. You can find every place in the Southwest. However, I would still use another travel guide for more detailed information about e.g. national parks and monuments or specific hiking tips.

Detailed info, very good
Very personal writing style and detailed recommendations make this a great read and a great guide. This book covers the major sights in more detail than most compact guidebooks. The maps are easier to read than most guidebooks due to higher contrast. I loved the suggested iteneraries and "hidden" travel suggestions you may not find in other guidebooks. This is a thick book, maybe a bit bulky for travel. I do recommend it. It has been a great guide to help me plan a trip.