American Road Trip Talk

In this week’s edition of American Road Trip Talk, Sharon Strouse joins us whose has been involved with the National Scenic Byway program since 1997. As Executive Director of NSBF, she leads our member driven nonprofit organization to be the ‘National Voice of Scenic Byways and Roads,’ along with our national partners. Supporting byway leaders to protect and enhance their byway resources has been...

Across America, Holiday celebrations are in full swing. Road trip expert Jessica Dunham joins us to talk about notable places where Christmastime is happening spectacularly with unique experiences to offer. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Leavenworth, Washington captures the seasonal magic of the Cascade Mountains, where snow-dusted, peaked Bavarian roofs and a spectacular lighting festival create a landscape that looks like a hand-painted greeting card. Beyond the world-class Christmas charm and German delicacies, listeners will also receive essential winter travel tips, from navigating snowy mountain passes with the right tires t...

While Santa is out enjoying his milk and cookies, Greg Rynearson has another perfect pair… Cops & Doughnuts! Since 1896, a doughnut shop and bakery in Clare, Michigan dubbed “Cops and Doughnuts,” offers a warm fresh doughnut and a steaming cup of cops coffee while you enjoy the police decor and friendly, and very safe, atmosphere. Greg is a former police officer of Clare City and a proud owner...

In this week’s edition of American Road Trip Talk, we feature a special spotlight of Highway 12 Winery for the first few minutes of the show. Then for the rest of the episode, Jennifer Morrison joins us who is the Director of Vehicle Safety at Mazda North American Operations, overseeing the strategic vision and execution of MNAO’s comprehensive vehicle safety program, aligning industry-leading rat...

This episode of American Road Trip Talk, hosted by Matt Shea, explores historic and cozy Pacific Northwest lodging, focusing on the comforting tradition of finding a "good cozy fire" after Thanksgiving. Matt tours numerous venues in Washington State, highlighting beautiful settings, award-winning dining, and the warmth of well-crafted fireplaces for a perfect cold-weather retreat. See Privacy Poli...

From Seattle’s free holiday meals, festive events, cruises, and Winterfest fun… to Plymouth’s 404th Thanksgiving, the 101st Macy’s Parade, TWO parades in St. Louis, San Antonio’s #1-ranked celebration, and Fountain Hills’ “Greatest Show” Thanksgiving parade—it’s your guide to holiday magic nationwide. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.co...

With a history full or pioneers, early legislators, and adventurers, Saint Charles, Missouri has the distinction of being one of the must-see holiday destinations in the country. For half a century, visitors from around the world have flocked to this quaint river city for a blast of yuletide nostalgia. Listen and learn what all the local excitement is about! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com...

In this episode: New York Times Best Selling author of “Confessions of A Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated”, Alison Arngrim is best known to viewers world-wide for her portrayal of the incredibly nasty “Nellie Oleson” on the much loved, long running hit television series "Little House On The Prairie," and continues to amuse audiences through her many film,...

A good scare is the goal on this night of nights; the spirits would not have it otherwise! Author (Absent Witness) Karl Petry joins us for a particularly eerie angle on the festivities by way of independent filmmaking. He knows whereof he speaks, having produced and directed several such movies himself. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19....

The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile scenic drive that runs through Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, following a historic travel corridor. It is a designated National Scenic Byway popular for scenic driving, hiking, biking, and camping, with a leisurely 50 mph speed limit. Our guest for this episode is Kim Foster. She is the Executive Director of the Natchez Trace Compact, helping her to un...

This is the time of year when we are enticed and horrified by the nocturnal frights that beckon us into the mysterious realm. Seattle and Puget Sound are perfect for celebrating Halloween; days are short and nights are long enough for spooky encounters at many venues that compete to see who is the scariest of them all. Ghost host Matt Shea describes a worthy variety of them in this episode. ...

Visiting the Capital of Illinois affords a rare opportunity to see into the past with all the perspective of the ensuing years on glorious display. Here is the Land of Lincoln, hallowed ground intimately interwoven with the pulse of today. The city has many ways to welcome, educate and entertain you. The people of Springfield know the value of where they live and work and are eager to share it wit...

They are a version of Legends of the Fall: Corn Mazes and Pumpkin Patches. In this episode, guest host Matt Shea offers a survey of the places where we love to get lost. Spectacular orange and ruddy foliage and crisp zephyrs herald the change of seasons. There are many who wait all year for this experience. They are seldom disappointed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Californi...

Travel Nevada, officially the Nevada Division of Tourism, is a state government agency responsible for marketing Nevada as a tourism destination to domestic and international visitors. It promotes the state's varied attractions through its official tourism website, TravelNevada.com and publishes the state's official magazine, Nevada Magazine. Megg Mueller, executive editor, is our guest. See Priva...

Oktoberfest celebrations in Washington state vary, with popular events like the massive, Munich-style Oktoberfest Northwest in Puyallup featuring authentic food, beer, and traditional and rock music, and the Bavarian-themed Leavenworth Oktoberfest, which transforms the town into a German village with traditional music, yodelers, and a Ferris wheel. Other events include the Fremont Oktoberfest in S...

This episode focuses on children and parents around the Puget Sound enjoying an end-of-summer vacation. We will cover many venues designed for children of all ages. This will include: The Great Wolf Lodge, Seattle Children’s Museum and a number of small farm petting zoos. Also included are places where families can sit down together and enjoy great pizza and other menu favorites while the kids are...

Joey Madia is our guest for a look at the cafes and restaurants that made their name with good food and friendly service on The Mother Road. Whether you like to stick with your favorites or prefer to explore, we have you covered in this episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

As Wikipedia states, Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday of September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements in the United States. Karl Petry joins us for a survey and appreciation of the unofficial end of summer and the start of holiday season.  See Priva...

Our guest this week is Harriet Baskas, author of 111 Places in Seattle That You Must Not Miss, a guidebook… that explores the hidden gems and unique attractions of Seattle. It's designed to help both locals and visitors discover the city's lesser-known spots, offering a blend of history, quirky attractions and favorites. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice...

Monroe and West Monroe, Louisiana, are known for their twin-city dynamic, blending culture, outdoor recreation, and local attractions. They are particularly known for the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge, the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo, and the Masur Museum of Art. West Monroe's Antique Alley is a popular destination for shopping, and both cities offer a variety of restaurants fea...

Guest host Matt Shea takes you on a whirlwind tour of the rugged coastline in Oregon and Washington in this episode. There is unspoiled beauty here that does not overlook the conveniences that travelers appreciate. Here are the places where you can get away from it all and, as an old song says, take back something worth remembering. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pr...

“History Comes Alive” 2025 is a summer program in full swing from June 6 through August 9 in Springfield, Illinois, bringing the city’s history to life through interactive events, reenactments, and costumed interpreters. Visitors will meet characters like Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd and are welcome to participate in activities at the Lincoln Home and the Old State Capitol. Food and beverages of...

An article appeared in American Road magazine featuring Michigan's Upper Peninsula (U.P.) titled "A Superior Road Trip" in the March 23, 2021 issue. The article highlights the region's natural beauty and attractions. In this episode, travel writer and Michigander Amy S. Eckert talks about the glories of the region in summertime. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privac...

Guest host Matt Shea has spent countless hours hiking, camping and fishing historic lands of The Evergreen State and in this episode, he surveys a few of the best to be found north of Seattle. Summer is here and life is for living. Why not go out and grab some memories to last a lifetime while the weather is most favorable and Mother Nature is on radiant display? See Privacy Policy at https://art1...