In this updated edition, it's plain to see that the state of Illinois has only gotten weirder. Where there was once just a single Popeye statue in downstate Chester, today the town has monuments to Olive Oyl, Swee' Pea, Bluto, the Sea Hag, and more. The creepy Piasa Bird petroglyph on the bluff in Alton now has a roadside pullout with picnic tables, and the two-story outhouse in Gays has a new contemplative garden. With almost twice as many destinations as its predecessor, this edition boasts detailed information on each site—address, phone number, website, hours, entry fees, and driving directions—as well as maps, photos, and a wealth of regional history in the descriptions. Some new sites include Henry's Rabbit Ranch, the World's First Jungle Gym, Ahlgrim Acres (a miniature golf course at a funeral home), the Leather Archives and Museum, General Santa Ana's two wooden legs, the World's Largest Sock Monkey, the Friendship Shoe Fence, a truck stop with a marionette show, and a coin-operated fire-breathing dragon. There is more between Chicago and St. Louis than cornfields and plenty of fascinating places in the Windy City that aren't on Michigan Avenue, and here is a chance to see these underappreciated sites throughout the state.

This offbeat travel guide is a mix of Fodor's( and News of the Weird. Behind all the odd sights is some wonderfully interesting history and a chance to see some under-appreciated sites throughout the state. Photos.

Chatty Belle, the World's Largest Talking Cow. The Mendota Monster. Apostles on Parade. The UFO Capital of the World. Romeo, the clown-stomping elephant. Car-washing octopi. Other travel guides suggest the same old scenic driving tours, homey bed-and-breakfasts, and the best fall foliage—Oddball Wisconsin offers offbeat travel destinations and little-known historical tidbits. Where was Liberace born? What is a hodag and where do you catch one? Who invented the hamburger? And will a Polka Hall of Fame ever be built? This is the guide to the real Wisconsin, birthplace of the snowmobile, the typewriter, and the ice cream sundae, home to Jimmy the Groundhog and home of the Rudolph Grotto and Wonder Cave—the state where people proudly wear the moniker “cheesehead.”

Test your knowledge of the Land of Lincoln, and learn a few new things with this fun collection of puzzles and trivia from Illinois. Filled with fun facts, this book is an essential addition to any Illinois trivia lover's library or for those who want to learn about this beautiful and historic state. The book also includes word searchers appropriate for readers of all ages.

There are numerous guidebooks to Chicago, but a comprehensive guide to Illinois is certainly lacking on travel bookshelves. Local author Christine des Garennes guides history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, wine aficionados, and shoppers alike through the rural and metropolitan destinations of the region: Ulysses S. Grant's home, Shawnee National Forest, wine boutiques, world-class department stores, antique shops, Chicago's Millennium Park, and The Art Institute of Chicago. Moon Handbooks Illinois helps you have truly personal experience, on or off the beaten path. Suggested travel strategies and lists of must-see sights provide you with real insights so you can decide where you should go, stay, and eat—without hassles or regrets. Christine details where to trek, climb, and mountain bike, and includes a wealth of information about the birds, animals, and plants of Illinois. Complete with maps, photographs, illustrations, and special emphasis on leading destinations, Moon Handbooks Illinois has the tools you need to create your own unique trip.

Offering indispensable advice on planning stress-free, simple family trips, this guide is tailored specifically to moms. Tips on packing, organizing, and entertainment are included to make trips relaxing and enjoyable for everyone in the family.