USA 101: A Guide to America's Iconic Places, Events, and Festivals

By Gary McKechnie

Countless travel books display some aspect or region of America, but USA 101 stitches together a whole crazy quilt of iconic places, events, fairs, and festivals that celebrates our country in all its quirky diversity.

Whoever you are, wherever you’re going, whatever you like to do, it’s here somewhere. And if you just stay home and travel armchair-style you’ll still find this guide a vivid, often humorous, always fascinating blend of world-famous and distinctly local places and events that add up to a national portrait.

Here are fivescore and one indelibly American destinations, from the Statue of Liberty to the Golden Gate Bridge, from Graceland to Disneyland; perennial sporting rituals like the Army-Navy football game, the Indy 500, the Soap Box Derby, and the Little League World Series; plus dozens more favorite institutions old and new, from Native American powwows to the Miss America Pageant and monster truck rallies.

USA 101 features entertaining descriptive narratives—concise, lively sketches that capture each selection’s history and special appeal—as well as detailed practical advice and essential information for visiting. Well seasoned by eclectic, irresistible sidebars, this guide is a panorama of treasured traditions, favorite pastimes, and beloved national possessions that will surprise, amuse, and inform even the most sophisticated traveler.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: May 19, 2009
• ISBN: 9781426205316

Gary McKechnie

Nancy Howell is a former television producer and on-air personality who currently owns and operates the Coconut Cottage Inn B&B and runs Mount Dora Productions with her husband, Gary McKechnie. She also serves as the executive director of the Mount Dora Music Festival and has volunteered extensively throughout the community for many years. Her service on numerous local boards, committees and organizations has left an immense impact on the historical and cultural legacy of Mount Dora. Gary McKechnie is a former stand-up comedian, improv actor and author of the nation's best-selling motorcycle guidebook, Great American Motorcycle Tours. He has written for National Geographic, Walt Disney World, Fodor's, Rand McNally, People, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Atlanta Constitution, Orlando Sentinel, Miami Herald and many more. McKechnie also lectures on American travel, culture and music aboard the Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and the ships of Seabourn and Silversea.