The bustling US capital, Washington DC, bustles with attractions for those craving a look at history, art, and architecture, not to mention a hip nightlife scene. Join a walking or coach sightseeing tour to admire the famous monuments, including the United States Capitol, White House, Washington Monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Lounge on the National Mall, and get ready to explore the cit

A combination of hippie enclave, cowboy paradise, and snowbird resort town, Sedona pushes the limits—in a good way. Surrounded by 1.8 million acres (728,000 hectares) of national forest land, the Arizona town attracts those who love the wild to explore its countless options for hiking, biking, and off-roading tours, especially in pursuit of killer desert views and stunning sunsets. Adrenaline junkies might opt for a zipline trip or an off-road tour. Take a Jeep tour of the city’s “rock stars” su

Set on the Puget Sound, with Mount Rainier framing the distinctive skyline, Seattle showcases an energetic mix of urban cool with rugged natural beauty. For an overview and incredible views, head to the top of the Space Needle. Back at ground level, browse the bustling stalls of Pike Place Market or brush up contemporary life at the Museum of Pop Culture. The Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Boeing factory provide more indoor diversions. Experience nature with a boat trip to the nearby islands o

With a reputation for being the ""Hostess City of the South,"" Savannah is famous for its historical districts, preserving the architecture of the 18th- and 19th-century American South.

San Francisco is seven square miles of fog-shrouded magic. Travelers come for cable-car rides and the Golden Gate Bridge—and stay for edgy neighborhoods, cultural diversity, and beautiful open-air spaces.

Home to more than a dozen theme parks—including Universal Orlando Resort, Walt Disney World, and SeaWorld Orlando entices families, thrill seekers, and Mickey Mouse fans alike. But this central Florida city (around a 4-hour drive north of Miami) serves up more than just big attractions. For a true taste of the area, catch an airboat tour along the Everglades, off-road in an ATV, horseback ride through an eco reserve, or board a scenic cruise around the city. For a lesson on human spaceflight, he

This island gem—the third largest of Hawaii’s eight—offers city entertainment to the south and outdoor adventure to the north, just an hour’s drive apart. History buffs can visit Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona or get a taste of the island at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Experience the outdoors, from snorkeling to sailing to jetskiing to just plain lounging on Waikiki Beach, or with a hike up Diamond Head. And be sure to plan a night at a traditional lu’au; visit to Haleiwa on the North Shor

A quintessentially coastal California town, San Diego welcomes visitors with picture-perfect weather and a surprising variety of things to do. Within its vast city limits, you can scale mountains, embark on desert hikes, and surf at one of many palm tree–lined beaches. You can also learn about military and Spanish colonial history, and eat fresh seafood and Mexican cuisine to your heart’s content. From its laid-back beach neighborhoods—like Ocean, Mission and Pacific beaches—to the bustling nigh

New York City is one of the most visited places in the world—and for good reason. The city’s diverse population makes it a cultural capital for art, music, food, and much, much more.

Rowdy yet refined, New Orleans is a city that unabashedly mixes all-hours fun with a deep respect for tradition and culture. Late night revelers spill into Bourbon Street, trombone players and tap dancers vie for attention on street corners and in famous clubs, and both old school cuisine and the chefs it inspired entice visitors into the city's varied restaurants. Tour the Garden District and the French Quarter; cruise down the Mississippi River on a steamboat; and watch live jazz all over town

Nashville may sound like twangy country music and smell like barbecue, but this Tennessee city is swinging past stereotypes and fast becoming the hipster hub of the South. Think street art, coffee shops, craft breweries, farm-to-fork dining, and of course, plenty of live music (not limited to country)—all happening along the banks of the Cumberland River in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Come for the Parthenon, a full-scale replica of its counterpart in Athens, and stay for literall

Idyllic beaches, vibrant colors, art deco architecture, Cuban-inflected enclaves, abundant nightlife—turns out, Miami is way more than just a sunny getaway.

With warm waters, swaying palm trees, and the towering Haleakala volcano, Maui is a paradise on earth. Few places can match the island’s postcard-perfect scenery and year-round good weather, and Maui packs a lot into a small package.

From its sun-kissed beaches to the star power of Hollywood, the Southern California metropolis of Los Angeles is known for its celebrity culture, mild weather, and breadth of experiences. Los Angeles visitors who look beyond the bright lights of Hollywood find an increasingly multidimensional destination, a city offering an incredible array of cuisines, historic architectural landmarks including Griffith Observatory, and a wealth of outdoor opportunities such as hiking, surfing, and horseback

Vegas is a shimmering party scene at the edge of the Mojave Desert. A-list entertainment, glitzy casinos, and celebrity-chef restaurants are the games in town, but spectacular scenic beauty is not far from the Strip—Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon are less than an hour away.