Map Out Your Summer

The AAA estimates a whopping 79% of families are taking to the road this summer to explore the nooks and crannies, and vast landscape, of America. If you're one of the 40 million map-users out there, we've got you covered!

Back in the old days, or what I call BA (Before Apple), parents did everything they could to keep us kids interested....and well-behaved. My parents traveled a lot and always loved maps (from treasure maps to plotting out Route 66) so I picked up the map bug as a kid. Your kids will pick up the bug too because now we've got kid-friendly maps with classic car games like (my personal favorite) the "License Plate Game."

And, because getting there is half the fun, we devised an answer to that perennial kid question, "are we there yet?" We call it the "Are we There Yet?" Survival Guide.

The "Are we There Yet?" Survival Guide

This must-have survival kit is a veritable walk down memory lane for moms and dads who want to cut back on screen time and immerse the younger members of the family in the sights and sounds around them. Sure, it's easy to tap an app or turn on a movie, but playing tried-and-true car games stretches the creativity factor, tests memory skills and taps into knowledge, in a fun way. Plus, your family road trip really becomes a family road trip because children become active participants in the journey.

On tap, we've got classics like "I Spy," "Twenty Questions" and "Going on a Picnic." Plus, we threw in a geography IQ quiz (for all you die-hard geeks) along with pointers that'll help kids (of all ages) learn how to read a map. So, before you fill up the tank and load up on the sunscreen, check out our "Are we There Yet?" Survival Guide at www.discoverymap.com/are-we-there-yet and think about downloading the guide as a part of your pre-trip prep to get kids excited about what's down the road.

New Destinations

Because America is an ever-evolving landscape of go-to hotspots we rolled out new maps with new destinations to help with your summer plans. From Beaufort, SC to Niagara Falls, NY, our new destinations have the same hand-drawn, cartoon-like treatment used to bring to life our other 133 cities and towns across America. And, because we're definitely "old-school meets new-school," we even designated "Selfie Spots" this summer for travelers who want to capture a Selfie moment in front of an iconic landmark.

Speaking of social media.....

Instagram Sweepstakes Alert

Because part of creating memories is capturing memories, each month we're giving away a $100 gift card to one randomly-selected Instagram user through 2017. As long as the pic is from a Discovery Map location, travelers of all ages can enter by posting an image, destination shot or Selife on Instagram using the hashtag #discoverymap. Visit www.discovermap.com/instagram to check out the rules and regulations and btw, you can pick up our whimsical, factual maps in hotels, restaurants, shops, activity centers and tons of local businesses along your trip.

So remember, where ever your curiosity takes you, we've got a map for that!