Let’s face it: St. Louis is a big city, and life is short. Whether it’s moving some “must dos” to the “done” column of your bucket list or finding fresh ways to spend your summer in the city, this handy compendium will make the most of your minutes. Bike the Riverfront Trail to the Chain of Rocks Bridge, sip a chocolate malt at Crown Candy Kitchen, hold your breath during the high-wire act at Circus Flora, or admire the architectural and design splendor of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Ebsworth Park home: you just gotta do it! One hundred ways to connect with your town await! Special features include insider tips on getting the most from your stops and themed itineraries for the truly adventurous.

Rich in frontier history and bordered by the stunning mountains of the Wasatch Range, Salt Lake City is an ideal haven for the curious and active traveler. As a clean, walkable, and bikeable city, it attracts some of the most talented and creative people from around the world. 100 Things To Do in Salt Lake City Before You Die provides an updated guide to all the amazing things to do, see, and taste in and around this four-season outdoor playground. Explore the rich religious and cultural traditions at the world headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Historic Temple Square. Discover the best places to ski, snowboard, hike, or bike in the Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountains. You'll even learn where you can go scuba diving at 8,000 feet above sea level! Get the best recommendations for dining and entertainment, like the top spots for après-ski at all nine resorts in the area. Or take the train to nearby Ogden for one of their famous concerts on 25th Street. Lifetime resident Jeremy Pugh brings even more local knowledge to the insights and itineraries in the second edition. Let this be your guide to the best that Salt Lake City and Utah offer every adventurer who comes to town.

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 a hip urban downtown brimming with arts and culture, to endless recreational opportunities, Rockford, Illinois, might be the coolest place you never anticipated. Just eighty miles northwest of Chicago, you’ll find world-class botanical exhibits, a thriving arts scene, and an impressive dinosaur named Jane. And with 100 Things to Do in Rockford Before You Die as your guide, you’ll discover all of the exciting places and events that make Rockfordians proud. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore miles of trails in the Winnebago County Forest Preserves or Rock Cut State Park. Water sports abound, like boating on the majestic Rock River or standup paddleboarding on tranquil Pierce Lake. Thrill seekers can catch air by wakeboarding or BMX racing. Bringing the kids? Soak up the sun at Magic Waters Waterpark, or soak up the science at the Discovery Center Museum. Don’t forget your appetite! Included you’ll find recommendations for more than fifty unique, locally owned restaurants from high-end dining to trendy brew pubs to iconic joints that residents love. Local author and architect Tamara Gaumond’s unique appreciation for the city comes through on every page, and even longtime residents will find something new to do among her suggestions. With her insider tips and itineraries, you’ll want to join her in catching the Rockford vibe.

Oakland is in the middle of a renaissance and, in the past five years, has quickly become a melting pot for hipsters, techies and aspiring artists escaping the San Francisco fog. But at its heart is the families that have called this city home for decades, giving it a rare sense of community that’s dying in other parts of the San Francisco Bay Area. This can be experienced first-hand every month at Oakland First Fridays, where local bands and artists converge to put on the ultimate block party. Or the Grand Lake Farmer’s Market every Saturday provides another canvas for cultural and ethnic diversity. It only takes about 10 minutes at one of these city-wide events to see how Oakland, the birthplace of the Black Panther Party and other social justice organizations, is the definition of civic pride, welcoming any and all who visit to feel at home.

The St. Louis bucket list has an official handbook! In this second edition of the best-selling guide, you’ll find one hundred purely local ways to connect to the city, from holding your breath during the high-wire act at Circus Flora to finding the story of our town’s earliest days among the headstones at local cemeteries. Check out Frank Lloyd Wright’s contribution to Kirkwood, bike the Riverfront Trail from the graffiti wall to the Chain of Rocks bridge, or catch the thrill of the “clang, clang, clan g” on The Loop’s new trolley. Authentic experiences from the iconic to the little-known await in this candid insider’s guide to St. Louis. Make planning even easier with seasonal and themed itinerary suggestions for many interests: you’ll be turning your “must dos” into “dones” in no time! Perfect for residents and out-of-towners alike, 100 Things to Do in St. Louis Before You Die is the original volume that launched a nationwide series...check out your other favorite cities after you’ve explored STL!

100 Things To Do In Philadelphia Before You Die provides the inside scoop on the city's well-known attractions and hidden gems plus tips on snagging reservations at trendy restaurants, scoring discounts, spotting celebrities, and getting the most out of each experience. This fully updated second edition includes more things to do, see, taste, and experience, new itineraries, and updates to every page. First-time visitors and transplants will discover the city's must-see attractions, including the Reading Terminal Market and the new Museum of the American Revolution along with Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, Mural Arts tours and Spruce Street Harbor Park, and other only-in-Philadelphia sights. Born and raised on cheesesteaks? This book takes long-time Philadelphians to under-the-radar spots, from an old fashioned rodeo to a former opera house turned modern venue for A-list performers, up 60 floors to indulge in cocktails and then down a tiny alley to visit the city's oldest tavern. Author Irene Levy Baker shares secrets she's learned while working in Philadelphia's hospitality industry for nearly three decades. Find out why Philadelphia was the only city in the United States to make National Geographic's list of best places to visit. And don't miss out on the fun!

Where can you find a chunk of the Matterhorn enshrined at a Utah ski resort? What is the origin of Josepa, the Hawaiian ghost town in the desert? And why is Utah called the Beehive State? You hold in your hands the answers to these questions and more in this guide to the oddities, wonders, myths, and legends of Utah’s capital city. Secret Salt Lake City opens a window into the weird, the bizarre, and the obscure secrets of the city, some of which are hiding in plain sight. Founded by religious pioneers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1847, its one-of-a-kind origin story makes Salt Lake City a rich backdrop for frontier grit, culture, and curious relics. Did you know that there is an alphabet hidden in your computer that was invented in Salt Lake City? What is the significance of the religious symbols on the Salt Lake Temple? And how did Sherlock Holmes solve a fictional mystery in London that originated in Utah? Lifetime resident and author Jeremy Pugh and Mary Brown Malouf unlock these mysteries and more to pull back the curtain on the secrets of Salt Lake City. This isn’t your traditional guidebook, and it will enrich your visit to the Crossroads of the West.

Nashville is a chart-topping hit! Known everywhere as Music City, it is alive with entertainment, food, and history. Three intersecting interstate highways and a buzzing international airport make it easy to reach. Whether you are a conventioneer, a vacationer, or a new transplant, 100 Things to Do in Nashville Before You Die delivers a trove of adventures, diversions, tasty meals, and top-notch music. Even natives will have unexpected discoveries. Travel writer Tom Adkinson grew up in Nashville, worked for decades in its entertainment and hospitality industry, and has written about Music City since the 1970s. Throughout 100 Things to Do in Nashville Before You Die, he shows you special places for live music, introduces you to surprising restaurants (including Nashville’s oldest and one that doesn’t open until 10 p.m.), points out that Tennessee’s Capitol also is a crypt, offers quiet places for nature retreats right in the city, and much more. This is no typical guidebook.