Tuscaloosa is the pride of West Alabama beckoning visitors with the lure of outdoor activities, arts, and culture, plus the calling card of the University of Alabama. Football may be the reason for your visit, but a fabulous sampling of Southern foods will bring you back. Dig into some of the South’s best barbecue at Dreamland or savor both food and atmosphere at River restaurant. Shop for antiques and relics or invest in some official UA gear at The Supe Store; there are boutiques, galleries, bars, and fancy eateries spread throughout the city for everyone’s pleasure. Meander down University Boulevard where you can duck in and out of live music venues, grab a signature Yellow Hammer drink at Gallette’s or choose a high-end meal at Half Shell Oyster House. You’ll find shopping along the way as well as several Civil Rights Trail markings. With 100 Things to Do in Tuscaloosa, AL Before You Die as your guide, explore the myriad of museums like the Paul W. Bryant Museum and the Alabama Museum of Natural History. Hit the water or the trails at Lake Lurleen State Park or catch the next concert at Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater. It is impossible to include all the opportunities Tuscaloosa has to offer within these pages, but it’s a mighty decent start. Travel writer and native Alabamian Becky Beall has been visiting Tuscaloosa for over 40 years. Sharing her love of all things Tuscaloosa, complete with game day pageantry, timeless traditions, loads of history and hidden gems, prompted the writing of this book. As a youngster, she fell in love with a sport…and a team…and that is where her love of Tuscaloosa and that famous ROLL TIDE battle cry originated.

From its white, sugar sand Gulf Coast beaches to the sparkling lights and excitement of big cities to peaceful landscapes and breathtaking mountain scenery, this state truly is Alabama the Beautiful. In 100 Things to Do in Alabama Before You Die, author Mary Johns Wilson captures that beauty, making it easy for travelers and locals alike to experience the state’s best restaurants, shops, museums, venues, sports, and more. There’s the obvious, such as the annual Iron Bowl football game between the University of Alabama and Auburn University. There’s the lesser known, like the Aliceville Museum that tells how the tiny town was home to the state’s largest World War II Prisoner of War Camp and housed thousands of Rommel’s German troops. There’s the quirky, including the Boll Weevil Monument in Enterprise—the world’s first monument to an insect. There’s the belly-filling, such as Big Bob Gibson’s Bar-B-Q in Decatur and Jesse’s Restaurant in Magnolia Springs near the coast. Spending a day on the Civil Rights Trail in Birmingham or at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery is a meaningful way to encounter the painful and powerful history. Local author Mary Johns Wilson ties the lessons of history to the promise of the future woven throughout the state she loves. Hit the road and use this book as your guide to discover all Alabama has to offer and learn why it’s such a sweet place to call home.

Athens, Georgia, is simply a classic. From the birthplace of higher education to the magnetism of Athens-born rock bands like B52’s and R.E.M., every corner of the city is saturated with rich culture, good eats, and bustling gatherings. And with 100 Things to do in Athens, Georgia, Before you Die as your guide, you’ll have all of the locals’ tips for exploring the best the city has to offer. Stroll through the inspirational North Campus of the University of Georgia, where in 1785, public higher education was born. Walk through historic homes that have withstood wars and the steamroller of time. Eat a blue-plate special built by a James Beard Award-winning chef, and then cruise from one home-grown brewery to the next on the Athens Beer Trail. Live music and local musicians crank up the nightlife in many of the theaters and bars. Natural beauty blooms at the State Botanical Garden and the North Oconee Greenway welcomes cyclists and walkers from sunrise to sundown. A team of locals, Judy and Len Garrison encourage you to let this book introduce you to the uncharted adventures and to the familiar celebrity that is Athens. Whether a weekend or a lifetime, these experiences connect you to the energy and passion of the Classic City.

Since the inception of the Alabama football program in 1892, Crimson Tide has claimed 14 National Championship titles, all of which are explored in this guide. The book zeros in on critical moments, such as when running back Mark Ingram became the first Alabama player to win the Heisman Trophy in 2009, despite the team being led to six championships from 1958 to 1982 by the celebrated coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, as well as key figures from the college's history. This updated version includes highlights from the 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2015 championship seasons.

Alabama is famous for its rowdy sports fans, scholarly rocket scientists, and more good-eatin' restaurants than you can shake a stick at. Whether you were humming Hank Williams tunes before you could walk, or you're just now making your visit to the Yellowhammer State, you'll discover new treasures in 100 Things to Do in Alabama Before You Die. Visit hallowed grounds including the Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard near Tuscumbia, Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn and the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville. Or search for spirits in the ghost towns of St. Stephens and Cahawba. If that's not enough to creep you out, head to the city of Phil Campbell and Dismals Canyon at dusk to discover creepy, crawly, glowing insects. And don't forget the Boll Weevil Monument in Enterprise, the world's first monument honoring an insect. Get insider's tips for dining in Alabama, like the best places to sample the fruits of farmers' labors, from satsumas in Mobile County to Chilton County peaches. If you need something more substantial, enjoy a stick-to-your-ribs meal at The Chicken Shack in Luverne or a more refined meal at Acre in Auburn from James Beard Award semifinalist chef David Bancroft. Local author and history buff Mary Johns has criss-crossed Alabama, from its majestic mountains to its beautiful beaches to help craft the most interesting itineraries for visitors and Alabamans alike. The result is this thoughtful guide chock-full of tidbits that's sure to make your Alabama experiences special and memorable.

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.

Amazing Alabama: A Potpourri of Fascinating Facts, Tall Tales and Storied Stories chronicles a brief history of the state, famous personages associated with Alabama, a discussion of state firsts, unique occurrences, antiquated laws and other fascinating topics.

State Oddities takes a different kind of look at the American nation, spotlighting the fun foibles, peculiarities, and twists in each of the 50 states that are (mostly) united under the Stars and Stripes. State Oddities is a fascinating trip through the 50 states for students studying America, teachers planning classroom activities, and general readers who will enjoy an eye-opening journey through the nation's fun side. It offers a compelling look at the character of America through the individuality of 50 very distinct states that together form the USA. This book paints a picture of the broad sweep of the American story, offering a gateway to the country as it developed into one nation filled with individual states that can be remarkably different from each other, yet unified under such national symbols as the American flag and "The Star-Spangled Banner." The author of State Oddities has become known as a master of "painless history," telling America's story in a sparkling style along with the historian's eye for fascinating detail. On the book's cross-country journey, the reader will find that it differs from other works by taking a fresh look at stories we think we know.

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.