Last March, I drove through America’s heartland, giving sold-out talks to large crowds of enthusiastic travelers. From towns high in the Rockies, through our country’s breadbasket, and to the Deep South, Rick Steves’ Road Trip USA was a huge success and thrilling travel.
As I reported on my journey, many of you asked me to include stops in the Northeast and Canada. Well, I’ve listened. In March of 2013, I’ll embark on Road Trip USA: Part II. I plan to start in North Carolina, then travel north through Washington DC, Massachusetts, and Vermont. I’ll then cut west into Canada until I finally dip down into Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
Do you live roughly along this route and work with a library, university, performing arts center, or town hall that would like to host me for a travel lecture? If so, please email my publicist at media@ricksteves.com.
Thanks for helping make the next Road Trip USA a hit.
What about northern California?
Please stop in Windsor, Ontario or Detroit, Michigan. It’s a great place to have an international stop with plenty of fine folks to fill any size room.
I don’t have any library etc connections, but I do want to stress that if you pass through Greensboro NC, you have to stop for a meal at Stamey’s Barbecue. It’s easy to find, as it is directly across the street from the Greensboro Coliseum (though it was there decades before the Coliseum was built). Lexington-style North Carolina barbecue is one of the world’s great dishes. Equally good, and more in the shack tradition, is Allen & Son just north of Chapel Hill on NC 86.
Chicago. C’mon Rick…it’s the Paris of the heartland…or something…
I’m so excited that you’re coming to Vermont! I work at the University of Vermont, but don’t have anything to do with inviting speakers, but I’ll try to find someone to suggest it to. You have to visit Burlington (church street, the Intervale (small scale farms incubator)), Lake Champlain, the mountains, Shelburne Museum & Shelburne Farms, and some small towns like Waitsfield and Rochester (which suffered severe devastation but incredible town spirit and fortitude after hurricane Irene flooding). Oh, and I like that Montpelier is the only US state capitol without a Mc Donalds, and there are neither billboards nor toll roads in Vermont!
It will be informative to learn how RS is perceived on this part of his trip. Sold out does not necessarily mean more tours but possibly increased book and “apps” sales. Traditionally, he has been successful in the Pacific NW and the West. Since then, he has enjoyed exposure on PBS in the East. Places like Raleigh and its research triangle have the interest and the affluence to buy his stuff. D.C. and certain places in Massachusetts are probables. Vermont, certainly the university-concentrated population centers (again, affluence). Toronto has money but a highly diverse population which might not need a “tour” if residents were previously from Baghdad, Islamabad, Istanbul. Chicago has possibilities in the affluent suburbs. Ditto Madison, Wisconsin. Surely the staff will analyze the pluses and minuses of these trips months and years afterwards. But maybe that’s all irrelevant as long as Rick feels he has covered the map and can make cogent comments about the ambiance and culture of North America. Personally, I like places like Lunenburg, Nova Scotia and Portland, Maine.
Come to Louisville, Kentucky! We have the Clifton Center, the Kentucky Center for the Arts, and the Muhammad Ali Center – possible places to speak. The people are friendly and the food is awesome here!
b, you just described Rick’s niche: the liberal, affluent tourist, hence his preference for the university crowds, which from a business perspective (which is his primary concern) this can benefit his son’s business as well.
Boy that is really sad if only Liberals are the ones traveling and going to college these days.
Please include a stop in NY City, Westchester, Long Island or even northern NJ or coastal CT. We live on LI & would love to attend one of your talks, especially since Europe is on our radar for next summer & we love your travel guides. Thank you!
Charleston, SC would warmly welcome your presence here. The College of Charleston is an ideal speaking venue!
Glad to hear you’ll be back in NC. I saw you at Quail Ridge in Raleigh a few years back (you autographed my copy of the 2nd edition of ETDB), but you haven’t been through recently. Have forwarded this to a possible site.
Another vote for Allen & Sons!
Rick, would love for you to visit the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area of NC!!! We really enjoy all of your programming!!
Why not Gettysburg, PA ?
Right on your planned route
Tops in American history
Gettysburg College- small liberal arts school
Gettysburg Luthern Seminary
Just sayin’…
Liberals are certainly not the only people who travel for pleasure or business and they clearly
are not those who only go to college (college and fifty cents will give you an even higher student loan.) I’m not even certain what a liberal is. Perhaps we need more THINKING independents. People do tend to become more understanding if they have traveled. But let’s be honest about it, ANYBODY who has a rigid opinion is doomed. Because we are hopefully all too informed to believe all that we are fed – from anybody