Fun Facts - Posts - Rand McNally Publishing

Author: Rand Publishing Team

Date: Feb 20th 2022

Presidential Estates You Must Visit

It’s strange to think of our U.S. Presidents residing somewhere other than the White House, but each President had a place to call home before or after their presidency that helped shape them into the historical figures we know today.  Whether you’re a fan of American history or not, these estates once owned by former U.S. Presidents should be on your bucket list. Take a look at the top Pr

Author: Rand Publishing Team

Date: Oct 27th 2021

The Best Beer Cities in the U.S.

America is experiencing a great brew awakening with more cities making their mark on the emerging craft beer scene. As more and more people try their hands at the fine art of brewing IPAs, sours, stouts, pilsners, and the like, you may be wondering who does it best? So, we've compiled a list of our favorite cities to visit in search of the best frothy glass of beer. Asheville, North CarolinaA

Author: Rand Publishing Team

Date: Jun 14th 2019

Most Scenic Places in the U.S.

Mother nature has done some truly awe-inspiring things in her day. You don't need a passport to visit these naturally stunning places, but you will want a camera. Check out our list of the most photograph-worthy places in the U.S.! Bonneville Salt Flats, UtahWhen the ancient Lake Bonneville in western Utah dried up, salt deposits formed a hard white crust creating a place so barren and flat i

10 Things You May Not Know About U.S. State Flags

Author: Rand Publishing Team

Date: Jun 11th 2019

10 Things You May Not Know About U.S. State Flags

Happy Flag Day! In the U.S., June 14 is an officially designated day that celebrates the anniversary of the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official U.S. flag in 1777. In the U.S., each state has its own particular flag, bursting with symbolism and pride. For example, the striking and colorful flag of Maryland features the 17th Century coat of arms of the family of Sir George Calvert

Author: Rand Publishing Team

Date: Jun 10th 2019

15 Surprising Facts About Chicago

"This is my kind of town, Chicago is." — Frank Sinatra1. The  Chicago River is the only river in the world that permanently flows backwards. It flows away from Lake Michigan, which supplies the city's drinking water. This was done around the turn of the 20th century to provide potential contamination from the river into the lake. 2. From the top of  Willis Tower 

10 Facts About America's 61st National Park: Indiana Dunes National Park

Author: Rand Publishing Team

Date: Apr 25th 2019

10 Facts About America's 61st National Park: Indiana Dunes National Park

Two months ago, America received its 61st national park when Indiana Dunes was awarded the official designation. Prior to February 15, 2019, the northwest Indiana beachfront was a national lakeshore. Get to know the newest U.S. National Park with these top ten tidbits about the Indiana Dunes: Indiana Dunes is Indiana's first official U.S. National Park The park borders 15 miles of beach

Iconic Sites to Visit in Honor of Black History Month

Author: Rand Publishing Team

Date: Feb 5th 2019

Iconic Sites to Visit in Honor of Black History Month

African American History Month, also known as Black History Month, is a dedicated time to celebrate the achievements of African Americans and how they helped shape United States history. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. But you don't need to wait to visit the many important parks, monuments, homes, and other landmarks that are

Coolest Small Towns to Visit in the U.S.

Author: Rand Publishing Team

Date: Jan 22nd 2019

Coolest Small Towns to Visit in the U.S.

When picking a travel destination, many people are drawn to the big cities like New York and Chicago. But we want to inspire you to think outside the box and discover some places that are a little different. These small towns have so much to offer — culture, natural beauty, and a little whimsy. Here are some of the best small towns to visit in America according to our travel experts.Bisbee, A

Author: Rand Publishing Team

Date: Jan 16th 2019

An American’s Guide to Pizza Styles

From its humble beginnings in Naples, Italy, pizza first came to America in the 1800’s. But this dish we all know and love didn’t really become popular until the mid-1900’s when—rumor has it—that soldiers returning from Europe after WWII were craving Italian food.Today, the American pizza industry spends about $40 billion annually on ingredients, with approximately 75,000 pizzerias around the coun

Author: Rand Publishing Team

Date: Jan 8th 2019

Why Visit the Ouachita Mountains?

In northwest Arkansas, a simple road sign reads "Scenic 7." The two-lane byway is scenic, indeed, as it crosses the winding Buffalo National River, ascends the Ozark Mountains, and continues south through the Ouachita Mountains (pronounced WASH-i-tah) to Hot Springs.The Ouachitas might not have the same high profile as the Smokey Mountains or the Rocky Mountains—the highest peak, Mt. Magazine, is

Author: Rand Publishing Team

Date: Jul 23rd 2018

Guide to BBQ Across the Country

In America, BBQ is King. People here are so passionate about this style of cooking, its history, and its culture that you’d think that BBQ sauce courses through their veins rather than blood. Over the past century, people have curated deep and passionate opinions about what makes the best barbecue style, declaring that theirs is better than the rest. However, they can all agree that BBQ is inheren

Author: Rand Publishing Team

Date: Aug 1st 2017

The Strangest Laws from State to State

If you’re planning to take a trip across the country, beware of the laws that differ from state to state. Some of these laws (somehow) are still in place from hundreds of years ago, while others are slightly modernized—but strange nonetheless. Here are the weirdest laws in each state*:AlabamaIf you can successfully drive your vehicle while blindfolded, then good for you! There is a law on the book