The story behind Plano mom Abbie Alter’s newest book, “100 Things to Do in Plano Before You Die”

A hidden vault at the A.R. Schell Building. Climb to new heights at Movement Plano. Find a costume at Dallas Vintage Shop. According to Abbie Alter, founder of Plano Moms and author of 100 Things to Do in Plano Before You Die, these are underrated spots and activities.

It was a book that almost wasn’t written. When Reedy Press first reached out to her about writing a book for their 100 Things to Do in __ Before You Die series, she told them no.

“I already felt like an imposter because I’m not from here,” she says. “I was like, why would I write the book? That should be somebody else.”

Alter moved to Plano from England in 2013 and quickly fell in love with the city. The following year, she founded Plano Moms, an online platform highlighting businesses, nonprofits, hidden gems and motherhood must-dos.

So six months after their first request, when the publisher asked again, Alter said yes.

The book is organized into categories, including culture and history, food and drink, music and entertainment, and shopping and fashion. Though her job is to know the goings-on in Plano, making a list of 100 was harder than she thought.

Especially given the categories. Finding five or six historic landmarks would have been easy, she says. Finding 20 was a challenge.

To tackle it, Alter consulted local historians like author Mary Jacobs and sought out public art, historic neighborhoods and landmarks.

“I was trying to dig into all the stories and figure out what things people just completely drive past every day or walk past every day and not know about,” she says.

Choosing businesses also required intentionality, seeking out independent businesses like specialty retailers, game shops and popcorn stores, rather than national chains.

“I’m trying really to dig in and show people that there’s so much more than they even realized,” she says.

In the end, surprising the businesses and organizations by showing them they were included in the book after it was published was one of the most rewarding parts.

“I wanted it to be a surprise,” she says. “I get a chance to champion places that otherwise may not have that visibility.”

Alter says one thing was made clear through writing the book: Plano has its own identity.

“It’s not just north of Dallas,” Alter says. “It happens to be near Dallas, but it’s its own place.”

Now that her children are older, the book has brought up conversations about legacy.

“You should always do something cool that you can be proud of,” she tells them.

“I think when you move here, and you choose to live here and make it your home, you should always do something better for the community that you live in,” she says. “I want people to enjoy where they live. I want people to feel proud that they live here.”

ALYSSA’S PICKS

1. A night out at Legacy Hall.

2. Drink coffee that gives back at Local Good Coffee Co.

3. Catch a roller derby match at Thunderbird Roller Rink.

4. Enjoy a live performance at the historic Courtyard Theatre.

5. Climb at Movement Plano.

6. Check out Plano’s nature at Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park.

7. Meet my good friend Poncho the Donkey at Heritage Farmstead Museum.

8. Reflect on art at the Museum of Contemporary Visual Art (MOCVA).

9. Take a look in a book and meet its author at Bibliobar.

10. Score a vintage find at Plano Antique Mall.