Redefining Fall with Discovery Map

Fellow geography fans...you may know that Discovery Map is located in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains. And what better place on earth to be is there than right here during fall foliage, amid all this glorious and golden (and red, and orange, and purple) splendor? Well...because Discovery Map has an intimate knowledge of 130 destinations, they know that New England doesn’t have an exclusive on fall fun.

Many communities and cultures have distinctive traditions to celebrate the harvest season. Two of my favorite examples...first, while Oktoberfest is beloved worldwide, travelers seeking the truly quirky can take in the quackin’-action of the annual Entenrennen race in Tübingen, a university town in central Germany. Early October is when you’ll see as many as 7,000 rubber ducks dash down the Neckar River. Or, in the Swiss canton of Valais, cows butt heads, or perhaps butt herds, at the Battle of the Queens on October 1 to bring home the grand prize. Spectators can watch cows nudge each other in “combat” to see who will be crowned harvest queen (Queen Cow, that is).

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Day in the Life of a Map Maker

Blog Cropped Hand DrawToday there’s a real treat in store for my fellow map lovers. I recently sat down with one of our real-life mapmakers to get insights on how a map is actually made. Hand-drawn maps like Discovery Map’s are really and truly hand drawn. So buckle up! You're about to see how the magic happens.

Map Geek (MG): Let's start by giving folks the lay of the land. How would you sum up modern day map making?

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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."

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Maps I Wish Were Real

So many books, television shows and movies throughout history either center around or feature famous maps. These maps inspire characters and lead them on epic journeys, from Middle Earth and Narnia to Hogsmeade and Oz. And I just can’t help but think… what if they were real?

I mean, c’mon…how cool would that be?

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Instagram Sweepstakes Alert


Travel, Explore, Snap, and WIN! The Discovery Map staff, along with followers on Instagram are being treated to some beautiful photography of destinations all across the US and Canada. Active, pastoral, whimsical and stunning images are posted daily.

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Test Your Geo Skills!

A US Geography IQ survey of Americans by Discovery Map International found that nearly half of participants (46%) do not know how many states make up New England and nearly a quarter (22%) cannot name the capital of New York state. Just in time for holiday travel, Discovery Map International, creators of the colorful and functional maps used by 40 million people in more than 130 destinations, now invites travelers to test their geography IQ.

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New Destinations Featured

DMI is rolling out new maps over the summer to destinations that include Tacoma, WA, Albuquerque, NM, and Cave Creek and Carefree AZ, with its first map of New York City’s vibrant downtown slated for fall publication.

These new destinations will receive the same hand-drawn, cartoon-like treatment featured in more than 130 cities and towns. Familiar to nearly 40 million users each year, DMI maps are found in participating hotels, restaurants, shops, activities and other local businesses.

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Have You Ever Visited a Quirky Museum?

Do you know there is a carnivorous plant garden in Wilmington, North Carolina? A wordless language that relies on pitch variation to communicate meaning in La Gomera, Spain? A baobab tree in South Africa that is so large it has a pub in it that can comfortably fit 15 people? Or, how about that the ice cream parlor with the most flavors in the world – around 900 total and 60 in any given day – is located in Mérida, Venezuela, and that there is a temple made entirely of beer bottles in Khun Han, Thailand?

Now, I know I love maps and geography more than the average Joe, but how can that not jazz you?!

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