Rand McNally Publishing

02/19/2025

Map geeks, assemble! 🤓 🗺️✨

This week, we're digging into the Rand McNally archives again and sharing part three of our favorite stories from Rand McNally's history, including:

🗺️ Rand McNally Photo-Auto Guides from the 1900s - In the early 1900s, road conditions were generally poor and for the few people with automobiles, traveling on these roads was a risky endeavor. Most roads were just dirt or gravel and had no markings or signs along the route. Paved roads were uncommon so getting around was a challenge, yet most automobile owners were adventurous and wanted to travel with their new machines. Automobile associations began to form, and the demand for better roads increased, so new governmental agencies were created, and more money was allocated for road construction. As the transportation network vastly improved, Rand McNally saw the need to offer products that would assist travelers along their journey. One of those products was the Photo-Auto Guide. Head to the blog to learn more about it.

🗺️ Rand McNally's 20-year participation in the the Tournament of Roses Parade, a New Year's Day tradition since the late 1800s, when horse-drawn carriages covered in flowers were on display at the Valley Hunt Club.

For the full scoop and to see all the vintage photos, click on the link in comments. Also feel free to leave your questions for the cartographer in comments.

02/10/2025

We're excited to share that our 2025 Large Scale Road Atlas has made it onto Amazon's best sellers list! 🎉 A huge thank you to all our loyal customers who've chosen our atlas as their travel companion. We're so proud to be your trusted guide on the road.

Get your copy today and start planning your next adventure!

02/05/2025

Tired of squinting at maps? Our Large Scale Motor Carriers' Road Atlas is 37% LARGER for easy reading! Plus, it's laminated, tear-resistant, and water-resistant. It's built for the road.

Get 25% OFF for a limited time and navigate smarter and safer. Perfect for truckers and RVers! (Link in comments)

02/05/2025

Map geeks, assemble! 🤓 🗺️✨

This week, we're digging into the Rand McNally archives and sharing part two of our favorite stories from Rand McNally's history, including:

🗺️ Rand McNally's role during World War II and how immediately after Germany invaded Poland in 1938, stores across the United States sold out of Rand McNally's map of Europe.

🗺️ Check out some of Rand McNally's unique "bird's eye view" maps. Rand McNally was a pioneer in developing this unique perspective and used this technique in a variety of maps and images. Think about how this “viewing angle” is used today in popular online map engines or GPS devices, which allow users to tilt the perspective or get a 3-D view of a city. Rand McNally was using this technique without any modern technology over 130 years ago.

For the full scoop, click on the link in comments. Also feel free to leave your questions for the cartographer in comments.

01/28/2025

Digital detoxes and screen-free vacations are the latest travel trend. Global search interest for "digital detox retreat" has increased by 50% in the last 12 months.

Unplugged, a cabin company in the UK, offers nature retreats where phones are locked away upon arrival.

Guests get a paper map, Polaroid camera, and a Nokia phone for emergencies. With a 94% occupancy rate and bookings up 209%, it's clear people are craving connection with nature, not notifications. Learn more about this booming trend in disconnecting to reconnect. (Link in comments.)

01/21/2025

Map geeks, assemble! 🤓 🗺️✨

This week, we're digging into the Rand McNally archives and sharing some of our favorite stories from Rand McNally's history, including:

🌕Creating the "Official Map of the Moon" 🌕

🏁The Uniroyal One Lap of America road rally 🏁

✈️Creating maps that Charles Lindbergh used to use early in his flying career ✈️

For the full scoop, click on the link in comments. Also feel free to leave your questions for the cartographer in comments.

01/14/2025

This winter weather has us dreaming about our spring break plans. Have you planned a trip yet?

Maybe it's time to tick off "Road to Hana" on your road trip bucket list. Here's our comprehensive guide including when to go, the 17 most picturesque stops and your packing list.

Discover 17 must-see Road to Hana stops in Maui, from waterfalls to cultural gems. ✓ Plan your Hawaiian adventure today with our helpful insider tips and maps!

01/10/2025

We are deeply saddened to share that the historic Andrew McNally House, built in 1887 by Rand McNally's co-founder, was tragically destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California yesterday.

We are heartbroken to see this important piece of history lost in the fire. We extend our deepest sympathies to the homeowners and all those in California impacted by these devastating wildfires.

ABC News has shared an interview with the current owner of the house, providing insight into its history:

Frank Mayor owns the historic mansion that was lost in the Southern California wildfires in Altadena.

01/07/2025

Map geeks, assemble! 🤓🤓 🗺️

Ever wonder what the most challenging part about working in cartography is? Head to the blog for the latest edition of "Ask a Cartographer."

(Link in comments.)

01/07/2025

12/30/2024

Rand McNally Publishing is proud to donate more than 72,000 of our coloring and activity books to students at Madison County Schools in Richmond, Kentucky. We hope these books spark curiosity, a love of geography and help keep young minds engaged over the holiday break.

12/24/2024

🤓🤓 🗺️ Map geeks, gather 'round! This time on "Ask a Cartographer", we're sharing the most common misconceptions people have around cartography.

Spoiler alert: No, Greenland is not the same size as Africa and no, the computers don't do all the work for us. 🤨

Head to the blog for the full discussion:

https://hubs.ly/Q030xlJ70

12/11/2024

It's and we're planning a trip to these mystery sister national parks with some of the biggest singular organisms on Earth: giant sequoia trees. You'll also find Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48. Can you guess where these are?

Although technically two parks, these national parks are managed as one unit. One is centered on its namesake Sequoiadendron giganteum trees, which can grow to more than 300 feet in height and nearly 30 feet in diameter over life spans measured in millenia. It's most famous tree is named General Sherman.

To the north, the other mystery national park is home to the iconic Grant Grove stand of towering trees.

Any idea where these twin national parks might be? Leave your guess in the comments and check out our Road Atlas and National Park Guide to find out if you're right.

Feeling inspired? Check out our 2025 Road Atlas and National Park Guide which includes essential visitor information and insightful travel tips for all 63 of America’s national parks.

12/10/2024

Map geeks, assemble! 🤓🗺️ And hey, , this one's for you, too!

This week on "Ask a Cartographer", we're diving into the differences between our Road Atlas and our Motor Carriers' Road Atlas. Discover why our Motor Carriers' Atlas can be the perfect traveling companion when you're cruising in a camper van. Head to the blog for the full scoop.

12/09/2024

POV: This is the holiday season you and your loved ones realized you don't really need more stuff. You need more shared experiences. More time away from screens. More cozy nights by the fireplace playing board games. More inside jokes. More road trip singalongs. More vacation mishap stories.

This December, give your family the gift of unforgettable experiences.

Pick up your Rand McNally Road Atlas and plan your family's next adventure.

Your road trip stories today will be the family legends your kids one day tell to their kids.

12/03/2024

🤓🗺️Map geeks, gather round! 🤓🗺️

Ever wonder if Rand McNally has contributed to any map board games or video games? Spoiler alert: We have! We're proud to have played a part in some pretty iconic ones such the Carmen Sandiego video game franchise.

This week on "Ask a Cartographer", we're geeking out about maps and games. It's a good one! Head over to the blog to get the full scoop. Link in comments.

12/03/2024

Happy ! First there was Black Friday, then Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and now it's Travel Tuesday, the best day to find travel deals.

Hopper, a global travel booking platform, first coined the term back in 2017 when they found that the Tuesday after Thanksgiving is consistently the best day for travel deals around this time after analyzing travel pricing data they had collected.

“The day has grown in popularity so much that last year, the term ‘Travel Tuesday’ saw a 500% increase in searches during the shopping week from 2021 to 2023, according to a McKinsey report,” Katy Nastro, a travel expert and spokesperson for the flight alert service Going told HuffPost. “This year, we expect it to get even more traction as more travel providers offer limited-time discounts.”

And while you're scoring a sweet deal on your dream vacation, don't forget to snag at Rand McNally Road Atlas for 25% off. It's the last day to shop the sale! Use BF2024 at checkout.

Where are you headed in 2025?

12/02/2024

Cyber Monday is here! Save 25% off the whole Rand McNally Publishing store (except globes) with the code BF2024 at checkout.

https://hubs.li/Q02YZ2dV0