Springfield owes a lot to Abraham Lincoln and the Illinois Capitol Building. They put Springfield on the map in a way that few other cities of 115,000 can match. Yet Springfield is much more than Lincoln’s hometown or Illinois’ capital. It boasts parks and nature preserves, war memorials and museums. It has one of Frank Lloyd Wright greatest homes and one of the world’s largest carillons. Music and shopping flourish in intimate settings. Even when it comes to Lincoln, there’s more than meets the eye. Sure, you can visit his home and presidential library, but you can also see where he shopped and played handball and visited friends – all the little things of day-to-day life. This book serves as a guide to explore the educational, inspirational and exciting moments that Springfield offers.

You may know Illinois as the former home of Abraham Lincoln or Chicagoland. But Illinois is more than just the Land of Lincoln or the location of one of the US’s largest cities. 100 Things to Do in Illinois Before You Die introduces you to the state’s rich history, showcasing the places with some of the best food and entertainment Illinois has to offer. Discover Cahokia Mounds and Dickson Mounds State Museum, which reveal sacred sites and customs of indigenous tribes who dwelled here before it became the United States. Experience Mark Twain–style paddleboats, world class museums, and unique lodgings like a train caboose or a treehouse. There are boulders for climbing, hot air balloons for riding, and some of the best spectator sports to enjoy—all just beyond the borders of your neighborhood or region. Local author Melanie Holmes shares her favorite tips about her home state. Whether you’re a lifelong Illinoisan or visiting for the weekend, you’ll find something in these pages to add to your bucket list. From sandstone-lined waterways to the best of theater, dance, and comedy clubs, Illinois has it all.

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.

Officially it doesn’t exist. On June 27, 1985, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials voted to decertify US 66 and to remove all its highway signs. And yet iconic Route 66 is more popular and more famous than any time in its nearly 100-year history. Tour companies based in New Zealand, Australia, Germany, the Czech Republic, and other countries specialize in Route 66 tours. There are Route 66 associations in Japan, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Czech Republic, and other countries that organize tours and events. Enthusiasts from throughout the world attended the European Route 66 Festival in Germany, and in 2018, in Zlin, Czechia. There is an infectious magic about a Route 66 adventure. Quirky attractions, time capsule motels trimmed in colorful neon, fascinating museums, and charming restaurants and diners, some owned by the same family since the 1920s, are part of the allure. But what really gives the road a vibrancy is the passionate people who preserve the road’s unique culture. I didn’t write 100 Things to Do on Route 66 Before You Die as a tour guide. It was written to enhance a Route 66 odyssey. From its inception it was envisioned as a companion to guides such as the popular EZ 66 Guide for Travelers written by the acclaimed artist Jerry McClanahan or the Route 66 Navigation app. The foundation for Jim Hinckley’s America is a passion for sharing America’s story, and for inspiring road trips by telling people where to go. And that is what this book is: 100 of my favorite places on Route 66 where the line between America’s past, present, and future is blurred, and where the best of Route 66 can be experienced.

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.

Covering the entire 45-year history of the Blues, author Jeremy Rutherford has collected every essential piece of Blues knowledge and trivia, as well as must-do activities, and ranks them from 1 to 100. Most Blues fans have taken in a game or two at the Scottrade Center, have seen highlights of a young Brett Hull, and are aware that the team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song “Saint Louis Blues”. But only real fans know who scored the first goal in franchise history, can name all of the Blues players whose numbers are retired, or can tell you the best place to grab a bite in St. Louis before the game. 100 Things Blues Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die is the definitive resource guide for both seasoned and new fans of the St. Louis Blues.

The storied history that is KU basketball is revealed in this compilation of the most critical moments and important facts about past and present players, coaches, and teams. Most Kansas basketball fans have attended games at Allen Fieldhouse, seen highlights of a young Paul Pierce, and remember watching the Jayhawks cut down the net in 2008. But only real fans know the origins of the Rock Chalk Jayhawk Chant, where the Jayhawks played prior to calling Allen Fieldhouse home, and can name the former Jayhawk who went on to earn the Republican nomination for president. Scattered throughout the pages are pep talks, records, and Jayhawks lore, including lyrics to “I’m a Jayhawk”; stories from Wilt Chamberlain’s years at Kansas; Phog Allen’s 39 seasons on the Kansas bench; Roy Williams’ memorable 15-year run, including three trips to the Final Four. Whether a die-hard fan from the days of Larry Brown or a new supporter of Bill Self and Mario Chalmers, readers will find that this book contains everything Jayhawks fans should know, see, and do in their lifetime.