If one of life’s major quests is for balance, it’s no surprise that Traverse City keeps topping national “best” lists. Here, visitors and locals come for the life balance—the serenity offered by the lapping of waves along hundreds of miles of sandy beach, a dark sky just made for wishing upon stars, the simplicity of picking up dinner at a roadside farm stand or from a chef who got her start at one. There’s a balance, too, of the simple and the elevated, as local chefs get noticed on the national stage, wineries scoop up international competition awards, and galleries attract acclaimed artists. There’s an old legend claiming that a dip in the waters of the 45th parallel, which passes through the region, will cure all that ails you. Others think simply a visit with the right mindset and at least one beach bonfire before you go might do the same. Discover for yourself in 100 Things to Do in Traverse City Before You Die.

Behold, the second edition of this essential bucket list guide awaits you. Whether it’s strolling the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis, sipping a drink on Frost’s patio in St. Paul on a warm summer night, or biking to Stillwater for lunch on the St. Croix River, we’ve got you covered. We’re ready to introduce you to outdoor activities that will let you declare victory over the harsh Minnesota winters. But there are also plenty of things to do indoors when Jack Frost truly has it in for you. The hearty Minnesotan will know it’s a fool’s errand to let weather dictate life’s pleasures, and one hundred activities for all seasons await you. Two truly is better than one, and the Twin Cities are waiting to be explored. Enjoy some pro tips too, to enhance your adventures.

Oklahoma City boomed out of the prairie in 1889 with a land run, and it hasn’t stopped since. At the literal crossroads of the nation where I-35 meets I-40 and one of the key cities on Route 66, OKC welcomes travelers from across the country and world. Today they call it the “Modern Frontier,” where there is no shortage of people to meet or things to do. Take a drive to see highlights of Route 66 like the Gold Dome, Milk Bottle Building, and Lake Overholser Bridge, the background of countless road trip movies. Get to know the history of the city and take in some fabulous culture in museums like the First Americans Museum, Oklahoma Hall of Fame at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum, and the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center. Have a night on the town with a musical canal cruise, a Ferris wheel ride, and the best slice of pie you’ve ever eaten. Shop the new Farmers Market at Scissortail Park, tour the town’s hidden record shops, and the chic’est chic of OKC’s numerous art districts. When you’ve done all that, you’re just getting started! In 100 Things to Do in Oklahoma City Before You Die, you’ll get the best tips from local researcher and ghost-tour guide Jeff Provine and journalist Dennis Spielman on where to meet Sir Indiana Bones the Museum Cat, where to hunt for fairy houses in the park, and where to play retro video games while sipping signature cocktails. There’s always something new to do in OKC!

Centrally located in Michigan, Lansing is 90 minutes from 90% of the state’s population, so it makes an excellent destination for a Michigander’s weekend getaway. And with all the city has to offer, those from outside of Michigan will find plenty to keep busy for a more extended stay. 100 Things to Do in Lansing Before You Die provides a local’s itineraries and tips for enjoying all the must-sees in this diverse town, as well as the secret treasures some locals may never have found. Greater Lansing is famous for the three Cs, cars, the capital, and the campus at Michigan State University. Although almost half a million people call the Greater Lansing area home, Lansing offers a small-town atmosphere while featuring ample city comforts. Learn how to take on the “Ultimate Carnivore Food Challenge,” where to find art from world-renowned artists, and how you can reach tranquility in the serenity of a Japanese Garden. Native Lansingite and resident of South Lansing, Amy Piper is the source to maximize your visit offering adventures in nature, foodie fun, a thriving arts scene, and rich cultural history, everyone will find something to pique their interest in Lansing, Michigan.

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.

The Quad Cities—three hours from both Des Moines and Chicago—is a unique metropolitan area along the mighty Mississippi River, growing in both size and nationwide reputation. This region of 400,000-plus people has all the friendliness, affordability, and short, headache-free commutes of many small towns, but also a staggering variety and quality of things to do. 100 Things to Do in the Quad Cities is an invaluable source to help you track down some of the top places, events, and organizations that make the area pulse and thrive. Take a tour of the creative, intoxicating QC Ale Trail including Bent River and Front Street breweries. Taste some terrifically varied restaurants like Me & Billy, Tantra, and Food Affair Bistro or enjoy live entertainment at Circa '21 or the Adler Theatre. Abounding museums and art galleries like the Figge and Putnam make the QC a genuinely special, entertaining place. Veteran local journalist Jonathan Turner is your knowledgeable, friendly guide to all that is great about the QC and how to make the most of your visit—whether you’re here for a busy, rich weekend, or a satisfying lifetime. You’ll want to check all 100 things off your list and then come back around the River Bend for more!

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.