If you love exploring new places or just want to plan a road trip without spending hours scrolling online, you’ll love this travel hack: almost every U.S. state offers free travel guides—and they’ll mail them right to your door.
Whether you’re dreaming of mountain hikes, beach vacations, small-town escapes, or city food tours, these guides are packed with ideas and resources to help you plan.
Best of all? They’re completely free. No strings attached.
Here’s everything you need to know about free state travel guides—plus where you can request them directly from the source.
Why Request Free Travel Guides?
In the age of the internet, you might wonder why paper travel guides are still a thing. But they’re actually super useful for a few good reasons:
Offline Planning: Great for road trips when Wi-Fi is spotty.
Hidden Gems: Many include lesser-known attractions and local favorites.
Event Calendars: You’ll often find seasonal festivals, fairs, and free local events listed.
Maps & Scenic Drives: Most guides include full-color fold-out maps and suggested routes.
Coupons & Discounts: Many come with deals on hotels, attractions, and dining.
Plus, flipping through a glossy travel guide can be a fun and inspiring way to daydream about your next trip.
Free State Travel Guides You Can Request
Here’s a breakdown of free travel guides by state and how to request them!
Alabama
Explore Southern hospitality, Civil Rights landmarks in Birmingham and Montgomery, scenic drives through the Appalachian foothills, Gulf Coast beaches, and BBQ trails across the state.
Alaska
Cruise through icy fjords, witness the Northern Lights, explore Denali National Park, visit native heritage centers, and discover the remote beauty of the Last Frontier.
Arizona
Tour the majestic Grand Canyon, hike red rocks in Sedona, discover saguaro-studded deserts, explore historic mining towns, and drive Route 66.
Arkansas
Relax in Hot Springs National Park, float the Buffalo River, hike the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, and enjoy the charm of small-town festivals.
California
From San Francisco to San Diego, explore Pacific Coast Highway, Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks, wine country in Napa and Sonoma, and top-tier theme parks.
Colorado
Visit the Rocky Mountains, ski in Aspen or Vail, explore Garden of the Gods, soak in hot springs, and ride historic railroads.
Connecticut
Explore colonial towns, visit maritime museums in Mystic, take scenic drives in the Litchfield Hills, and enjoy coastal seafood stops.
Delaware
Tour charming beach towns like Rehoboth and Bethany, visit tax-free shopping outlets, and explore historic sites in Dover and New Castle.
Florida
From the white sands of the Gulf Coast to the clear springs of Central Florida, discover theme parks, hidden fishing villages, and vibrant small towns.
Georgia
Take in mountain views in North Georgia, wander through Savannah’s historic squares, tour Atlanta’s top attractions, and explore small towns with rich culture.
Hawaii
Plan island-hopping adventures, enjoy cultural festivals, hike volcanic landscapes, relax on world-famous beaches, and experience the Aloha spirit.
Idaho
Fish in pristine rivers, hike the Sawtooths, soak in natural hot springs, explore Sun Valley, and tour scenic byways.
Illinois
From Chicago’s skyline and museums to Route 66 landmarks and small-town charm in Galena, there’s something for every traveler.
Indiana
Visit family-friendly attractions like the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, explore covered bridges, and hike Indiana Dunes along Lake Michigan.
Iowa
Drive scenic byways, explore Amish country, discover quirky roadside stops, and visit charming river towns.
Kansas
Tour cowboy towns like Dodge City, take sunflower selfies, visit Tallgrass Prairie, and explore quirky museums and local art.
Kentucky
Sip bourbon on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, attend the Kentucky Derby, hike Red River Gorge, and explore horse farms.
Louisiana
Explore the French Quarter in New Orleans, take swamp tours, discover Creole and Cajun culture, and dance to live Zydeco music.
Maine
Visit charming coastal villages, eat fresh lobster rolls, hike Acadia National Park, and enjoy scenic fall foliage drives.
Maryland
Tour the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, explore Civil War trails, enjoy crabs by the Chesapeake, and relax on Ocean City beaches.
Massachusetts
Explore history along Boston’s Freedom Trail, relax on Cape Cod beaches, and hike the Berkshires.
Michigan
Take a ferry to Mackinac Island, visit the Great Lakes, tour lighthouses, and enjoy winter sports in the Upper Peninsula.
Minnesota
Explore the Twin Cities’ museums, paddle the Boundary Waters, and take scenic fall drives past lakes and forests.
Mississippi
Follow the Blues Trail, taste Southern comfort food, drive the Natchez Trace Parkway, and tour historic mansions.
Missouri
Float the Ozark rivers, visit Branson’s entertainment strip, explore caves, and tour Kansas City’s BBQ scene.
Montana
Experience Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, enjoy fly fishing, and tour historic cowboy towns.
Nebraska
Discover Chimney Rock, explore prairie museums, hike scenic trails, and visit quirky roadside attractions.
Nevada
From Vegas nightlife to desert ghost towns and Lake Tahoe’s outdoor beauty, Nevada offers diverse adventures.
New Hampshire
Tour covered bridges, hike in the White Mountains, ski in winter, and see spectacular fall colors.
New Jersey
Walk the boardwalk in Atlantic City, tour lighthouses, and enjoy beach towns like Cape May and Ocean City.
New Mexico
Explore adobe villages, attend balloon festivals, hike desert trails, and soak in artsy towns like Santa Fe and Taos.
New York
Visit Niagara Falls, hike in the Adirondacks, sip wine in the Finger Lakes, and enjoy NYC’s iconic landmarks.
North Carolina
Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, relax on the Outer Banks, and explore vibrant cities like Asheville and Raleigh.
North Dakota
Visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park, discover Native American culture, and take scenic drives across vast plains.
Ohio
Ride coasters at Cedar Point, visit Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and explore Hocking Hills and Amish Country.
Oklahoma
Tour Native American heritage sites, hike Wichita Mountains, explore Route 66, and catch live rodeo action.
Oregon
Marvel at Crater Lake, explore Portland, hike waterfalls in the Columbia Gorge, and drive the Pacific Coast.
Pennsylvania
Tour Amish country, visit Gettysburg battlefields, explore Philly history, and enjoy Hersheypark with the family.
Rhode Island
Drive the coastal cliffs of Newport, explore Providence’s art scene, and enjoy fresh seafood by the shore.
South Carolina
Tour Charleston’s historic homes, relax on Myrtle Beach, and golf the award-winning courses in Hilton Head.
South Dakota
Visit Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, drive the Badlands, and experience Native American and pioneer heritage.
Tennessee
Tour music cities like Nashville and Memphis, hike the Smoky Mountains, and enjoy Southern cuisine.
Texas
Tour the Alamo, relax on the Gulf Coast, explore Austin’s live music, and road trip through hill country.
Utah
Explore the Mighty Five national parks, hike red rock canyons, and stargaze in International Dark Sky Parks.
Vermont
Tour maple syrup farms, visit charming villages, ski mountain slopes, and enjoy fall foliage drives.
Virginia
Explore colonial Williamsburg, drive Skyline Drive, tour Civil War sites, and visit beaches and vineyards.
Washington
Tour Seattle, hike Olympic and Mount Rainier National Parks, visit islands, and explore the coast and forests.
West Virginia
Whitewater raft, explore scenic byways, hike mountain trails, and tour charming small towns.
Wisconsin
Enjoy lakefront getaways, explore Door County, visit dairy farms, and attend classic supper clubs.
Wyoming
Tour Yellowstone and Grand Teton, see Old Faithful, hike mountain trails, and experience true Western charm.
If you’re even thinking about a trip, order a few free state travel guides. They’ll give you ideas you didn’t expect, save you time, and maybe even help you discover a new favorite place. Most states offer a form on their official tourism website where you can request a guide by mail—usually within a week or two.
It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s a great way to start planning your next adventure.
