Indianapolis is best known for auto racing, but this diverse Midwestern city offers surprises at every turn. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a lifelong local, this second edition of 100 Things to Do in Indianapolis Before You Die points you toward some of Indy’s most popular destinations—and some of its best-kept secrets. Indulge at an Indy bakery beloved by Hollywood celebrities, or sample the city’s best pork tenderloin and sugar cream pie. Explore the world’s largest children’s museum, hear the Midwest’s best blues, or gaze at the stars through Indiana’s largest telescope. See the car that won the original Indianapolis 500, way back in 1911. This guide highlights Indy’s best food and drink, cultural attractions, and shopping districts, as well as options for live music, sporting events, and outdoor fun. Best of all, this second edition of 100 Things to Do in Indianapolis Before You Die is packed with insider tips to help you make the most of your vacation time (or your lifetime) in the Circle City.

Where in Indianapolis can you find a disappearing painting, a towering “ice tree,” or a giant pink elephant holding a martini? What caused the Great Squirrel Invasion of 1822, and why did Hollywood celebrities once flock to an Indianapolis cottage called Tuckaway? Where can you find a hidden museum dedicated to antique fire extinguishers? And what, exactly, is a Recordface? You’ll find the answers to these questions, and many others, in this guide to Indy’s overlooked, offbeat, and unknown. Secret Indianapolis profiles the city’s best-kept restaurant secrets, strangest parks and museums, creepiest urban legends, and weirdest works of art. It also tells the stories of forgotten local heroes, and it reveals the secrets behind beloved Indy landmarks. You’ll discover the only place in the world where it’s still possible to order Choc-Ola, explore the most haunted house in Indiana, and hear about the very dirty prank Hoosiers once pulled on a former president. Written by lifelong Hoosier and local author Ashley Petry, Secret Indianapolis offers a new way to explore the Circle City—from the quirks of local history to bizarre activities you can try today.

There’s more to Louisville, Kentucky, than meets the eye, and certainly more than just bourbon and horses. Louisville is a destination for its diverse culinary scene, not to mention an arts community that rivals big cities and a world-class parks system. So, if you’re planning a trip to the Kentucky Derby or Forecastle, a pair of Louisville staples, 100 Things to Do in Louisville Before You Die will give you the inside track to all the best spots, from popular to obscure, in the Metro area. Discover festivals that garner international attention, ideal places to sip and socialize, historic sites that helped put the city on the map, and plenty of family fun. Written by a home-grown Louisville food and beverage journalist, this guide will help you make the most of a family vacation, romantic getaway, or a weekend with friends. Saddle up, pour yourself a bourbon, and enjoy the ride.

A beautifully photographed tour of the Indiana capital from city streets to state fairs to the world’s biggest Christmas tree. Indianapolis shines like never before in this one-of-a-kind book filled with stunning images. Photographer Lee Mandrell showcases a Circle City of unique architecture and natural areas, outstanding museums, and historic landmarks. Readers will be drawn into the rich culture, history, and art of Indianapolis as well as all things modern. Stroll along the famous Canal Walk. Explore the largest children’s museum in the world. Wander through the city’s parks and enjoy beautiful seasonal displays. Marvel at the campuses of Butler University and IUPUI—and see the two hundred eighty-four-foot-tall Soldiers and Sailors Monument covered in lights and the world’s largest Christmas tree. “This book will inspire with joy and reverence a greater love of Indianapolis.” —Senator Dick Lugar

Two hundred years ago, Indianapolis was carved out of a forest in the middle of nowhere-a planned capital city at the geographic center of a new state. The first few decades were marked by economic isolation, squirrel invasions, and a canal project that bankrupted the state. But the arrival of railroads in 1847 transformed Indianapolis into an economic powerhouse. And this "Crossroads of America" has been growing, transforming, and reinventing itself ever since.Indianapolis: An Illustrated Timeline tells the Indianapolis story from prehistoric times to the present day, exploring its Native American heritage, its rich automotive history, and its most beloved restaurants, sports teams, and cultural institutions. The timeline includes terrible disasters and crimes, but it also celebrates the city's unsung heroes and the rich cultural diversity inherent to a city of immigrants. At its core this is a story about people, from humble pioneers to US presidents-not to mention a celebrity palm reader, a vaudeville mayor, a wide array of writers, and the nation's first self-made female millionaire.Seasoned local author Ashley Petry brings the timeline of her hometown to life from specific event to specific event. It's all right here at the heart of the Hoosier state.

A compassionate, shame-free guide for your darkest days “A one-of-a-kind book . . . to read for yourself or give to a struggling friend or loved one without the fear that depression and suicidal thoughts will be minimized, medicalized or over-spiritualized.”—Kay Warren, cofounder of Saddleback Church What happens when loving Jesus doesn’t cure you of depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts? You might be crushed by shame over your mental illness, only to be told by well-meaning Christians to “choose joy” and “pray more.” So you beg God to take away the pain, but nothing eases the ache inside. As darkness lingers and color drains from your world, you’re left wondering if God has abandoned you. You just want a way out. But there’s hope. In I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die, Sarah J. Robinson offers a healthy, practical, and shame-free guide for Christians struggling with mental illness. With unflinching honesty, Sarah shares her story of battling depression and fighting to stay alive despite toxic theology that made her afraid to seek help outside the church. Pairing her own story with scriptural insights, mental health research, and simple practices, Sarah helps you reconnect with the God who is present in our deepest anguish and discover that you are worth everything it takes to get better. Beautifully written and full of hard-won wisdom, I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die offers a path toward a rich, hope-filled life in Christ, even when healing doesn’t look like what you expect.

Indiana offers life as fast as the Indy 500, as slow as watching bison on a prairie, and everything in between. 100 Things to Do in Indiana Before You Die will guide you to all the best spots in the state with itineraries, tips, and ideas for the whole family. Catch hoops hysteria at the Hoosier Gym, devour your way through the Indiana Culinary Trails, and challenge yourself to the trails at Turkey Run State Park. Get your groove on at the largest music store, or take that much-needed break at the luxurious and historic French Lick Resort. Explore amazing agriculture with the entire family at Fair Oaks Farms. Taste the original tenderloin sandwich for yourself at Nick's Kitchen. Stroll through history at the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, and preserved neighborhoods and main streets. Local author Jamie Ward shows you the Hoosier state as you've never seen it before. She guides you through all of the best places with tips only a native to Indiana would know. With this guidebook, Hoosiers will discover new adventures in their own state, and visitors will be equipped for an epic Indiana experience.