Frommer's practical recommendations are judicious ("We highly recommend that you rent a car when in Las Vegas". YES). The guide's 'What to See & Do' is worth adhering to. The maps are excellent and locate accommodations and dining rapidly for you. The comments for restaurants were normally 'spot on the money', but, restaurants can turn over ownership and management quickly and quality can drop. I experienced this in the case of the Frommer's recommended restaurant 'Maria Teresa' in Albuquerque. This is a property needs to be revisited and possibly dropped from the guide.
Very disappointing (and the PRIMARY reason for the 3 star rating) is the absences of any prices for accommodations or restaurants! This is the first major guide I have ever reviewed that omitted prices! This is a major flaw for this guide.
There are better guides for your money. Consider Fodor's (see my review) or if you are economically challenged consider 'Let's Go USA' (see my review). Conditionally recommend
Completely updated every year (unlike most of the competition), Frommer's USA captures the highlights of this massive and diverse region in one handy, concise volume. If you plan on seeing even a sliver of what this country has to offer, this guidebook will serve you again and again.
With 100 page of maps, Frommer's USA has it all: the Grand Canyon, the California Wine Country, the Shenandoah Valley, Cape Cod, New Orleans, the Rockies, North Carolina's Outer Banks, Utah's spectacular national parks, and much, much more--all described in incredible detail. We've chosen the very best hotels and restaurants throughout the country, with selections in every price range, and we haven't skimped on shopping and nightlife. You'll find the nation's best outdoor adventures, plus theme parks, ghost towns, foliage tours, learning vacations, and more.
It's all based on the personal research of our expert writers, who are based all around the country, and who know how to point you to the top places and experiences, no matter what your interests or budget. This guide is a perfect choice for American travelers who want to explore all the wonders across their own country, and indispensable for frequent business travelers and visitors from overseas. You'll even get an online directory that makes trip-planning a snap!