Branson, Missouri may simultaneously be the most fun, toe-tapping, memory-making, laugh-inducing, family-loving experience you will ever have. A gem nestled in the Ozark Mountains, visitors have been coming for over one hundred years to cruise "The Strip" and sample the best of the past and the thrills of tomorrow. It all started with a famous book - The Shepherd of the Hills (still an outdoor theater play) and continued with the award-winning 1800s theme park, Silver Dollar City. Country music and comedy soon took the stage with the Presley's and Baldnknobber shows, until today, where the Live-Entertainment Capitol of the World is home to tens of thousands of theater seats, multiple museums, culinary delights to tempt every taste, and the natural beauty of three extensive lakes. In just one vacation, you can rise to the top of the tower at Inspiration Point, plumb the depths of Marvel Cave, discover the old homestead at Lakeside Wilderness, eat a "foot" of chocolate, honk a wacky quacker, and shop an old-time five-and-dime. From outlet malls to boutique stores, Branson is also the place for bargains. When night falls, find your groove on the Branson Landing's boardwalk as the fire and fountain show blazes into the night, eat at a floating restaurant, and watch the city glow from the top of the 150-foot Ferris Wheel. You won't want to miss a moment of the excitement....unless, of course, you do. In that case, kick back in a cabin at Big Cedar Lodge and watch the sun set over Table Rock Lake. Have a late breakfast at Top of the Rock, then paddle along Taneycomo and fish for rainbow trout. Finish out the day with a lazy scenic drive and a flea market find. National forests and state parks offer hours of happy wandering with wildlife, and you just might stumble on a secret even the locals haven't found yet. Whether you yearn for city fun or country quiet, there's something for everyone here in the Ozarks. In Branson, you can have the trip you've always dreamed of.

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!”

From kayaking on the Salt River to listening to a symphony play from the stage of the state’s largest performing arts center, there’s always something new to discover in Mesa, Arizona. As Phoenix’s largest suburb, Mesa is a city of limitless adventures, just a short trip from its exciting neighbors: Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, and Queen Creek. 100 Things to Do in Mesa Before You Die explores Mesa and the East Valley, taking you to the places most area guidebooks overlook as well as covering the top attractions. Learn about a little-known botanical garden showcasing Native American canals at Mesa Grande Cultural Park, have a spiritual awakening at a Greek monastery in the desert, and take a leap of faith at the largest skydiving center in the world at Skydive Arizona. Not to mention, you’ll find information on spring training in the Valley and different ways to explore the Sonoran Desert. Whether you plan to spend a few days or a month, award-winning travel writer Teresa Bitler has enough ideas to keep you busy your entire stay. Entertaining facts and information on tours and itineraries make this guide an invaluable resource.

Come discover Siouxland, where Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota converge in a rich, vibrant, and sometimes surprising fusion of fun, food, history, and adventure! In 100 Things to Do in Sioux City and Siouxland Before You Die, take a guided tour of all that this wonderful corner of the world has to offer. Cruise the navigational headwaters of America’s longer river, the mighty Missouri. Hike the glacier-made Loess Hills, geologically unique in the world. Party like a 1920s gangster from the days when Sioux City was known as “Little Chicago.” Experience the corn mazes and the county fairs, the shopping and the shows, the architecture and the art by modern master Grant Wood. And since Siouxland is home to the richest, most productive farmland in the world, be sure to save room for farm-fresh meat and produce, served at authentic local eateries of all kinds! Take advantage of local author Lindsay Hindman’s expertise as she takes readers on a tour of her Sioux City community. Whether you’re a life-long resident or a first-time visitor, 100 Things to Do in Sioux City and Siouxland is your insider guide to a great time in Siouxland!

From sunrise in the shadow of the Beavertail lighthouse to sunset on the deck of the Coast Guard House, 100 Things to Do in Rhode Island Before You Die will fill your days with experiences of a lifetime in the Ocean State. Fuel up for adventure with “only in Rhode Island” treats like Del’s lemonade, coffee “cabinets,” and New York System Wieners, then set course for a 12-meter yacht sail on Narragansett Bay, a day trip to Block Island to collect glass orbs and scale the Mohegan Bluffs, and a walk on the wild side of historic Newport’s Cliff Walk. You’ll meet polo ponies, harbor seals, and some leafy green animals by day, and fill your nights with the sounds of live music at the Ocean Mist beach bar and the Rhythm and Roots festival and take in the sights (and smells) of Providence’s Waterfire. Author Robert Curley has always lived within hailing distance of the sea, moving from his native Long Island to Rhode Island more than two decades ago and quickly falling in love with the quirky character and rich history of his adopted home. His carefully curated attractions and itineraries are your personal “Rhode Trip” for creating big memories in the littlest state.

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.

It's the phenomenon: "1,000 Places to See Before You Die" has 2.2 million copies in print and has spent 144 weeks and counting on "The New York Times" bestseller list. Now, shipping in time for the tens of millions of travelers heading out for summer trips, comes "1,000 Places to See in the U.S.A. & Canada Before You Die." Sail the Maine Windjammers out of Camden. Explore the gold-mining trails in Alaska's Denali wilderness. Collect exotic shells on the beaches of Captiva. Take a barbecue tour of Kansas City--from Arthur Bryant's to Gates to B.B.'s Lawnside to Danny Edward's to LC's to Snead's. There's the ice hotel in Quebec, the Great Stalacpipe Organ in Virginia, cowboy poetry readings, what to do in Louisville after the Derby's over, and for every city, dozens of unexpected suggestions and essential destinations. The book is organized by region, and subject-specific indices in the back sort the book by interest--wilderness, great dining, best beaches, world-class museums, sports and adventures, road trips, and more. There's also an index that breaks out the best destinations for families with children. Following each entry is the nuts and bolts: addresses, websites, phone numbers, costs, best times to visit.

Describes essential places to see throughout the United States and Canada, offering information on what to find at each spot, the best time to visit, things to see and do, local accommodations and eateries, and other important information.

The Shepherd of the Hills is the classic story of the stranger who takes the Old Trail deep into the Ozark Mountains, many miles from civilization. His appearance signals intellect and culture, yet his countenance is marked by grief and disappointment. What is his purpose in taking on the lowly work of tending local sheep? And how is it that he befriends these simple hill folk, despite his coming from the world beyond the ridges? Mystery and romance envelop this gentle yet compelling story as the identity and purpose of the stranger-turned-shepherd is gradually unveiled.

The primary thrust of this book is to help people navigate the problems that can errupt during a business or pleasure trip. I have picked certain areas that I know are of interest to people to write about. With that in mind, I have made various suggestions which I feel will be helpful. I traveled extensively throughout the USA and Canada for many years and got to know the places, people and roads of both countries very well. I have tried to offer what I have learned in this simple narrative...