100 Things To Do In Chicago Before You Die

Soaring skyscrapers, deep-dish pizza, and improv comedy may be what the city is best known for, but they are only the beginning of Chicago’s story. It could take a lifetime to experience everything this one-of-a-kind town has to offer. But what if you only have a few days to explore? You're in luck! The one hundred adventures in this candid insider’s guide promise an authentic taste of the Windy City whether you’re taking a weekend-sized bite or sticking around for the buffet of a lifetime. You’ll find seasonal and themed itineraries to make planning your explorations easier. Discover which blues club locals swear by, pay a visit to a quiet green space hidden in plain sight, or dig in to an ice cream cone piled high with five different flavors! If you’re visiting for the first time, or you’re lucky enough to call Chicago home, these one hundred iconic experiences should top your to-do list. No matter when you visit or how long you stay, as you cross off each item, you’re certain to learn something new and have fun in the process.

Soaring skyscrapers, deep-dish pizza, and improv comedy might be what Chicago is best known for, but those icons are only a drop in the bucket of things that make the city extraordinary. Chicago's history may not be long, but it's certainly been colorful and impactful. And as its story continues to unfold, there's always something new to discover and explore. This second edition of 100 Things to Do in Chicago Before You Die promises an authentic taste of the Windy City, full of well-known spots and hidden gems alike. Discover which popular sweet treat was born in the pastry kitchen of a famous Chicago hotel. Visit a recording studio where the legendary Muddy Waters laid down tracks. Ride a manually-operated elevator to browse specialty shops in a century-old building. Pay a visit to a collaborative community reimagining waste as a resource. It's time to get beyond what you've heard about this city and experience the real Chicago. This candid insider's guide is a bucket list to get you exploring like a local, even if you're only in town for a few days. Whether it's your first visit or you consider Chicago home, 100 Things to Do in Chicago Before You Die, 2nd Edition shows you these things must be on your to-do list. As you cross off each one, you're sure to learn something new and have a lot of fun in the process.

100 Things to Do in America Before You Die is a fun guide to understanding the complex fabric of the United States and the people that call it home. This book isn't simply a listing of places to visit but a catalogue of uniquely American experiences. From sipping on southern sweet tea to standing where the Wright Brothers tested their first "flying machine", each experience makes up an important piece of our American story. You'll find an enlightening mix of history, entertainment, art, food, sports, and even places to cross off your "selfie" bucket list. As an added bonus, you'll also find amusing trivia questions on every page. Most important of all, 100 Things to Do in America Before You Die was written to inspire road trips across the country. Mountains, museums, fried chicken, small towns, and yes, even the world's tallest mailbox—they all await you. Buckle up. It's going to be a fun ride.

To the Anishinaabe-Ojibwa people it was a gathering place, a sacred burial ground, and the home of the Great Spirit Gitchie Manitou. Throughout the 1600s French voyageurs, explorers, missionaries, and fur traders arrived at Mackinac Island. Its strategic location in the straits between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas made it a military outpost the British and Americans found worth fighting for through the War of 1812. By the late 1800s Mackinac was a destination for city dwellers seeking fresh air, scenic beauty, recreation, and amusements. Today, passenger ferries transport visitors to the car-free island, where getting around is by foot, horse-drawn carriage, or bicycle, the air is still clean, and the scenery spectacular. Most of Mackinac is a state park, fringed with grand Victorian cottages and the whitewashed fort overlooking the compact village of pastel-colored hotels and shops (including the famous fudge makers). 100 Things to Do on Mackinac Island Before You Die helps you make the best of a day trip and reveals dozens of reasons to spend a night—or longer—at this captivating spot.

It is a living, breathing time capsule suspended in the era of I Like Ike buttons and tail fins. It is the crossroads of the past and future where an electric vehicle museum shares space with a Route 66 museum in a century old powerhouse, and you share the road with Model T Fords and Toyotas. It is America's longest attraction and the most famous highway in the world. It is the Main Street of America, iconic Route 66, the highway of dreams. It is a grand adventure and the ultimate American road trip. It is a destination for legions of enthusiasts from New York and Japan, Australia and the Netherlands, Germany and California in search of an authentic American experience. If you motor west (or east) on this storied old highway, there isn't enough time to see it all, to sample all the delightful restaurants, to explore all the quirky museums, to take in all the wonderful photo ops, or enjoy a restful night under the neon at all the time capsule motels on just one trip. So, make the most of your odyssey along iconic Route 66 and let 100 Things to Do on Route 66 Before You Die be your guide to 100 of the best stops on legendary Route 66. Join author, tour guide, adventurer, historian, and lecturer Jim Hinckley on a memory making journey through the heartland of America, and discover why this is the most famous highway in the world.

From a hip urban downtown overflowing with arts and culture, to exciting activities and must-visit spots surrounding the city’s core, the Toledo region is a wonderful metropolis waiting to be discovered. Near western Lake Erie’s Maumee Bay, you’ll find a world-class art museum and zoo, a thriving arts scene, and a remarkable choice of outdoor activities. And with 100 Things to Do in Toledo Before You Die as your guide, you’ll discover all the exciting places and events that make Toledo a vibrant city. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore miles of trails in the Metroparks Toledo parks. Water sports abound, such as boating or fishing on Lake Erie or kayaking on the mighty Maumee River. Feeling festive? Mark your calendar for the many family-friendly ethnic festivals Toledo has to offer. Craving a taste of Toledo? Make reservations at the restaurants and bars included in these pages. Plus, in addition to great ideas for your next Toledo adventure, this book offers insider tips to make every experience even better. Whether you’re new to the Glass City and interested in becoming a certified Toledoan or just exploring how to spend your next Saturday afternoon around town, this book is for you! Local author and master storyteller Tedd Long’s unique appreciation for the city comes through on every page, and even longtime residents will find something new to do among his suggestions.

Missouri is called the Show-Me State for a good reason. From cosmopolitan rooftop bars to breathtaking mountain views, there are so many amazing things to do here that you could spend a lifetime exploring and still not cover it all. Make your goal easier with 100 Things to Do in Missouri Before You Die, a curated collection of the best from every corner of the state. Discover architectural wonders beyond the Arch, outdoor escapes like scuba diving in the Bonne Terre Mine, and museums and festivals celebrating everything from ragtime to road trips. Take the time to experience the legacy of George Washington Carver, Daniel Boone, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Harry S. Truman. Find ideas for exploring the Ozark mountains, Missouri’s big cities, unique small towns, and even prehistoric caves. Don’t miss insider tips to world-famous attractions, distinctive food and nightlife scenes, cultural creatives in fashion and the arts, and where to shop for everything from fine furniture to fine whiskey. Local authors John W. Brown and Amanda E. Doyle invite you to buckle up for this nonstop adventure ride around their home state. Special features such as seasonal and themed itineraries make planning a snap, so there should never be a reason for you or your family to say, “I have nothing to do!”

Las Vegas may have risen to fame as hotbed of forbidden fun, but in its modern incarnation, there’s something here for everyone. Whether you’re a sinner or a saint, 100 Things to do in Las Vegas Before You Die will guide you to places you never knew existed and give you that extra nudge to visit that landmark you’ve always wanted to see. Come here for a weekend or stay for weeks. These pages will guide you to world-class dining and entertainment on the Strip, the hippest new restaurants in Chinatown or cheap but delicious eats in the city’s suburban strip malls. Hike Alpine heights just an hour away from the bright lights, or soak up mob and natural history right in town. Come any time of year: If it’s summertime, there are pools galore. If it’s winter, get an up-close view of the Mojave Desert’s beauty. Let 100 Things to do in Las Vegas Before You Die be your insider’s guide to everything the Las Vegas Valley has to offer. You’ll see why 40 million people a year visit this desert oasis - and why many of them keep coming back.