Pack your bags, summer’s calling to get out and discover.
Story by Judy Spaar
Route 66, 100th Anniversary Edition: The Mother Road ~ by Michael Wallis
If you are going anywhere this summer, make sure your travels have you rolling along the iconic Route 66, as it celebrates its official 100th anniversary throughout 2026. This beloved book has been updated with a new chapter to commemorate this monumental anniversary of the most famous road in American culture. First published in 1990, this read sparked an unprecedented revival of the forgotten towns, diners, and motels along Route 66, transforming the road from a distant memory into a vibrant, internationally recognized destination. For this 100th anniversary edition, Wallis revisits the people and places that make Route 66 what it is: an American icon.
Colorado Bucket List Adventure Guide ~ by Don Harris
Traveling through Colorado is a majestic trip, and this book offers a guide to the best spots, from mountain views like Pike Peak’s summit to the Colorado River and the breathtaking Garden of the Gods. With this book you can enjoy and discover places in the different regions. As you travel the distance through the canyons and mountains, you’ll have the time of your life getting lost in the Centennial State’s immersive beauty and easily find each one with detailed driving.
Here Today, Oklahoma’s Ghost Towns ~ by Jeffery B. Schmidt
The history of Oklahoma comes alive when you visit towns that have been around since this territory became a state. Jeffrey B. Schmidt provides readers, armchair travelers, and adventurers a roadmap with photos, maps and GPS coordinates to 100 of these towns, from the arrival of long-gone pioneers and settlers, to the rise of buildings and businesses, to the decline that came with natural disasters, man-made crises, and cultural change. These “ghost” towns whisper of the rural lifestyle of these people.
Scenic Natural Wonders of Missouri: Lakes, Trails, Caverns and Vistas ~ by Don Corrigan and Diana Linsley
When an environmental journalist and landscape photographer join forces to collaborate you know you are in for a treat! Their book features over 80 sites of natural wonder and offers valuable insights on how to enjoy each Show-Me State gem. This collection of nature locales is for people who want to make a day of it or maybe more. Hikers and bikers, climbers and environmentalists, poets and philosophers, all will find something to take away from this detailed collection.
Secret Iowa ~ by Megan Bannister
If you love a good roadside attraction that everyone loves to talk about, Secret Iowa is the perfect read for you. Written by local Des Moines gal Megan Bannister, the book’s quirkiness makes it one of the best Iowa travel books. Even though you may think there’s nothing to see in flyover country, she takes a closer look, and readers will discover that Iowa is home to more than just cornfields. In fact, across the “Hawkeye State” readers can discover hidden gems and secret spots.
Kansas Bucket List Adventure Guide ~ by Douglas Huber
Traveling to Kansas is unlike any other adventure you crossed off your bucket list. The dreamland for adventurous spirits whose soul craves deep connection with nature, Kansas is rich in picturesque landscapes that’ll leave you breathless. This book will guide you through the tallgrass prairie and historical sites, where you’ll have the time of your life getting lost in the immersive beauty. From stunning views like the Grinter Sunflower Farms, to the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site, Kansas just begs to be explored!
Explorer’s Guide Arkansas ~ by Jana Wood
Jana Wood covers all the attractions well-known and little-known in “the Natural State.” Arkansas is home to the only public diamond mine in the world, the first federally protected river and the first national park. From the Ozarks to the Mississippi Delta, this book offers complete coverage of towns, large and small, along with information on local history and the state’s 52 state parks. As with all Explorer’s Guides, readers will find helpful maps, food and lodging recommendations, contact information, hours, pricing and beautiful color photography throughout.
