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Going Places? Travel Tips in Newspapers

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“College Vacation,” Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), July 29, 1928

Taking a road trip across the country this summer? In a “horseless carriage” or Model T perhaps, or maybe even an electric car?  Make sure you have a map to help you find your way (check out this butterfly one!) and enough luggage. And definitely, don’t forget a camera!  If you’re taking to the friendly skies, you’ll want to read up on the early days of flight from The Wright Brothers topics page. Possibly you’ll travel by motorcycle or a bicycle?  Or, maybe you plan to get around in a canoe?

“College Vacation,” Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), July 29, 1928

Visiting a national park or going camping? Check out this topics page on Yosemite National Park.  (Make sure to bring the bug spray!)  Not sure where to go? You’ll find lots of ideas for top tourist attractions from visiting parrots in Miami, Florida, to the Lincoln Memorial, to Alaska’s beautiful scenery (Here’s quite the unique tourist attraction: “Pete,” a squirrel who lives on the White House grounds.) For even more ideas, read the Evening Star’s Traveler’s Notebook column. 

“Florida’s Paradise for Parrots,” Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), January 11, 1942

In Chronicling America, you will find lots of tips for packing for your journey. If you’ll be traveling with children you’ll want to print out some pages from the Book of Magic supplements to keep them occupied.  The Evening Star’s fashion editor Helen Vogt says it’s “really important to select clothes suitable to your mode of transportation.”  And of course, you’ll want to be sure your furry travel companions are well-suited as well, say in the latest Paris fad– the automobile suit for dogs

“Automobile Suits for Dogs,” The Falls City Tribune (Falls City, NE), September 2, 1904

Taking a staycation instead? The New York Tribune lists some ideas for being a tourist in your own city.  You could consider taking one of those sightseeing buses around town.

 ”The Convention,” Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), November 8, 1925

If you’ll be heading to the beach, be sure to pack the newest fad, the “really satisfactory bathing shoes,” the beach kicks.  

“Palm Beach Bathing Number,” New York Tribune (New York, NY), February 27, 1916

No plans to skip town? Travel back in time as far as 1789 with Chronicling America newspapers! Looking for more travel-related images?  Check out the reference aid “Around the World with the Library of Congress Poster Collection” which provides an overview of the thousands of travel posters held at the Library of Congress. 

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