Skip to main content

Let Kevin Costner Narrate Your Next Road Trip with the HearHere App

Due to COVID-19, most of us won’t be going anywhere international for a while. For the foreseeable future, travel means road tripping. Sadly, crisscrossing the U.S. these days has become more about efficiency and “making good time” than slowing down and enjoying the ride. But, if the Great American Road Trip is as much about the journey as it is about the destination for you, Kevin Costner has a few words for you — literally.

HearHere App
Image used with permission by copyright holder

HearHere provides historical audio tidbits about thousands of destinations along the Pacific Coast. Subscribers download the app and pick their interests from niche topics like history, local insights, sports, music, and natural wonders. Using GPS, the app can automatically play relevant “stories” about their location. This includes places like Crystal Cave (“Sequoia National Park’s secret underground world”) and the story of Northern California’s Shell Money (“the most precious currency of the Redwood Empire’s first people”). For out-of-the-way destinations, the content can also be downloaded for offline listening anywhere you might not have cell reception. The audio clips are narrated by Kevin Costner, legendary basketball coach Phil Jackson, and more.

The app was started by Costner and co-founder Woody Sears to keep road trippers engaged and off their phones and tablets. They recognized that seeing somewhere or something truly incredible isn’t always enough to appreciate it fully. Their collaboration is designed to dive deeper than the cursory descriptions found on official highway markers and placards to give a real sense of place.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

In his words, Costner is the nerdy dad who relishes every roadside turnout and scenic vista. “I love stories,” he writes on the HearHere blog. “I am the guy that stops at the historical markers along the highway — usually bringing moans from everyone in the car. But it was this continuing curiosity that I began to think HearHere could satisfy without anyone having to leave the car. Why couldn’t we replicate every marker along the highway — even expanding from the usual paragraph in bronze that always left me wanting more.”

The HearHere App is available for download for iOS in the Apple Store. After the free trial, an annual subscription is $49.99. Early adopters can score a 50% discount through the end of this month. The app currently offers stories in California, Oregon, and Washington state with the goal of adding at least 10,000 more locations in the near future.

Don’t miss the complete list of our favorite road trip apps that’ll make your next journey even more epic.

Editors' Recommendations

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Do you need a passport to go to Canada?
What to know about traveling to Canada
U.S. passport book

Traveling to Canada from the United States is relatively straightforward, but the documentation required can vary depending on your mode of transportation and citizenship status. While a passport is the most widely accepted form of identification for international travel, alternative options are available for U.S. citizens entering Canada by land or sea.

What you need to know about traveling to Canada
So, what exactly do you need to cross into Canada? It really depends on how you're getting there.
What documents do I need to cross the Canadian border by car?
If you're a U.S. citizen traveling to Canada by land or sea, you have a few options for acceptable documentation:

Read more
Monos vs Away: Which is the better luggage brand?
A view of the Monos Monos Hybrid Carry-on Plus suitcase.

It's time to get new luggage. Maybe you already have a trip planned, or you're getting ready to book a vacation, but in either case, you'll need a travel bag to stow your gear. Two of the hottest, upscale, and modern luggage brands on the market, which you've likely encountered at some point, are Monos and Away. As competitors, a head-to-head of Monos vs Away makes a lot of sense, albeit the comparison is not as simple as you might think. There are a lot of similarities but a lot of differences, too, especially depending on what you're expecting out of these high-end luggage offerings. Let's discuss.
Monos vs Away luggage: Who wins?

If you're not interested in the full comparison and just want to know which brand you should purchase, the answer is Monos. While offering better designs, premium materials, and higher build quality, Monos luggage still manages to be priced more competitively. That said, you can't go wrong with luggage from either brand, so you wouldn't be making a poor choice if you decide to purchase luggage from Away.

Read more
This ultra-luxury, 6-star cruise trip usually costs $102,780 — but it’s 64% off
scenic arctic cruise gilt march 2024 eclipse at sea

If you want the ultimate vacation and at a fantastic discount, Gilt has a spectacular offer on a fantastically luxurious cruise. Right now, you can enjoy travels around the Arctic Circle and Northern Europe for 17 nights for $35,990, for two people (that's $17,995 per person) instead of the usual $102,780 that Gilt says it would cost. That means a huge saving of 64% off the regular price and the chance to enjoy a vacation and cruise of a lifetime. It’s all thanks to Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and we’ve got all you need to know about this phenomenal cruise. There’s just one space left on this highly exclusive cruise.

Why you should travel on the Scenic Cruise
This time around, there’s hardly any need to read up on cruise ship packages and add-ons worth paying extra for as this Scenic Cruise has everything you could need to be included. All you need to do is make sure you have a passport. You get 17 nights on board the Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours ultra-luxury yacht, the Scenic Eclipse. It leaves from Tromso, Norway on June 25, 2024. The small-ship experience has room for just 228 guests so it’s an exclusive trip.

Read more