50 Best Vacations in the U.S. to Explore America's Adventure Capitals

Hike among Ouray's majestic peaks or traverse one of three via ferratas in "America's Switzerland."

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Visiting Ouray is like stepping into an REI commercial.

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Outdoor adventure is to Chattanooga what music is to Nashville. On the banks of the Tennessee River, Chattanooga offers whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and hiking. But rock climbing is what it’s known for. High Point Climbing and Fitness’ downtown location wastes no space, with rock climbing walls planted on its exterior. Outdoors, Tennessee Wall is regarded as one of the best trad climbing spots in the Southeast. Digital nomad types on extended vacations also appreciate the super-fast internet.

When to Visit: The best weather window is September to November, which is also when the crowds taper off. Winter temps might dip into the 30s, but that’s nothing a good jacket can’t fix.

What to Do: It's a toss up between renting a paddleboard from River Canyon Adventure and SUPing the Tennessee River or getting the adrenaline going at Lookout Mountain Flight Park, which is technically in Georgia but lets you hang glide with views of Chattanooga. If you’re here in the winter, see the sandhill crane migration from the seat of a kayak.

Where to Stay: The Read House Hotel is a glamorous stay with a lobby that whisks you away to the 1920s and a chophouse on site that’ll make you feel like Gatsby. The dopamine-inducing approach to the interiors at The Dwell Hotel makes for a fun downtown stay. Pop downstairs to Matilda Midnight for a nightcap and late-night munchies, like a pimento panini.

Where to Eat: It doesn't get more southern than a fish fry joint that serves lunch in classic red baskets, and Uncle Larry's delivers with four locations in Chattanooga. Alleia is an Italian spot for housemade pastas, including a seasonal ravioli. Sit in the garden at Rosecomb, where the bar team has put as much thought into its mocktail menu as its boozy drinks. And for something decidedly more chill, Pickle Barrel is a classic pub where you can pair your beer with an order of fried pickle spears or a loaded chili dog.

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Tucked between Los Angeles and San Francisco on California’s sublime Central Coast, San Luis Obispo (appropriately nicknamed SLO) serves up everything you could want in a Golden State beach vacation. This stretch of the coast has great surf, a fantastic farmers market that celebrates tri tip, a growing wine scene, adventurous spoils like ATV dune riding on neighboring Pismo Beach, and one of the loveliest state parks (Montaña de Oro) in a giant state filled with them.

When to Visit: Fall's the perfect time in town when the temps are more moderate and hiking is comfortable. But it’s pretty beautiful year-round out on California’s Central Coast.

What to Do: Let's assume you're not interested in visiting Bubblegum Alley (between 733 and 734 Higuera Street), where you can see 20 years of gum pressed onto the wall. Hit Highway 1 with a 100-mile-ish stretch that cuts through San Luis Obispo County with views of the Pacific. Head north for about an hour to tour Hearst Castle. Soon after that, you’re winding up the incomparable Big Sur.

Where to Stay: Offering a decidedly boutique stay, the 17 rooms at Granada Hotel & Bistro are stylish with exposed brick, steel windows, and Persian rugs. The hotel is walking distance to downtown, but you’ll want to have at least a couple meals and rounds of drinks on property at The Bistro and Nightcap. Or, book a room at San Luis Creek Lodge, where rooms were designed by Nina Freudenberger, the author of “Surf Shack.” It oozes California cool.

Where to Eat: No one does breakfast like Californians. Breakfast Buzz has the classics covered, plus biscuits and gravy and burritos. Come dinner, Buona Tavola is the place in town for killer antipasti and pasta. Explore the beverage scene at spots like Central Coast Brewing, Saints Barrel wine bar, and Rod & Hammer, where whiskey is cut with purified Pacific Ocean water and surfboards double as wall art.

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NOLA has more historic districts (21) than any other U.S. city. It’s pocketed with world-famous neighborhoods, rowdy streets named after booze, and cultural gems like New Orleans Museum of Art and Sazerac House, with its interactive cocktail exhibits. The city’s culinary scene and festivals are second to none, but the city’s wild side isn’t one-dimensional. Visitors can go SUPing with NOLA Paddleboard, kayak a swamp with New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours, choose from nearly two dozen fishing charters that’ll whisk you out onto the Gulf or neighboring marshes, and more. Warm up with a run or unlock a Blue Bike (New Orleans’ bikeshare) to ride through the ancient oaks of Audubon Park—one of nearly 250 parks in the city. There’s a reason 17.5 million annual eaters, drinkers, partiers, music fans, and adventure-seekers are drawn here.

When to Visit: Crescent City crowds swell during Mardi Gras, which can fall any time between early February and the beginning of March. December through May offers comfortably cooler temps, while summer heat is intensified by fierce humidity. A highlight of fall shoulder season is NOLA Funk Fest in October, featuring three days of partying with 21 of the city’s best local funk acts playing alongside top brass and jazz bands.

What to Do: New Orleans barkeeps invented several classic cocktails, so you could create your own drink trail that blends history and booze—say, a Vieux Carre at the Carousel Bar in Hotel Monteleone, a hurricane at Pat O’Briens, and a Sazerac at The Sazerac Bar in The Roosevelt Hotel (bartenders have been slinging them here since 1938).

Where to Stay: Hotel Saint Vincent is the Lower Garden District’s best bohemian boutique, featuring 75 ornately designed guest rooms, a private pool, courtyard, and lively lounge in a historic property that (you’d never guess) once housed a mid-19^th-century orphanage. Kimpton Hotel Fontenont leads NOLA’s downtown renaissance with a sleek, contemporary-yet-playful vibe and full calendar of concerts and events in its flamboyant Peacock Room.

Where to Eat: French Quarter landmarks include Antoine’s (dating back to 1840), Tujague’s (1856), and the original Café du Monde (1862) on Decatur St. for beignets and chicory coffee. After, enjoy a jazzy brunch at hallowed Commander’s Palace (1893) in the Garden District, starring a Creole bread pudding soufflé with warm whiskey sauce that’s worth the wait. Speaking of whiskeys, you’ll find damn near 400 of them to choose from at Barrel Proof, a favorite local watering hole in the Lower Garden District that’s equally appreciated for its $10 beer-and-shot combos.

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Deschutes Brewery helped kickstart the small craft brewery trend back in 1988. Today, there are more than 30 breweries in and around Bend to quench your après-adventure thirst. Sitting on the Deschutes River with Three Sisters volcanic peaks in the backdrop, Bend is geographically spoiled. This is a place where you can ride singletrack, hike, raft whitewater, and climb in the summer, then come back with your skis in the winter to hit Mt. Bachelor. Should you want to leave the city of 100,000 (Bend residents would like to keep it that way, according to the “Bend Sucks, Don’t Move Here” bumper stickers), you can dispatch to Detroit Lake or Mt. Hood.

When to Visit: It's not so crowded in the summer months that you can't get around, but fall's a great time to be outdoors here when temps are milder.

What to Do: For a kick of nostalgia, visit the last Blockbuster in Bend. Even if you don’t have a DVD to watch a rented movie on, you can get blue-and-yellow merch. If you're here in summer, explore Lava River Cave; it offers the rare chance to walk a mile of lava tube with flashlights. If you're with a crew, crush as much of the Bend Ale Trail brewery crawl as you (responsibly) can. The rest of the year, go for a run or hike in Tumalo State Park, or access part of the 12-mile-long Deschutes River Trail right from town.

Where to Stay: The Loge neighbors the Willamette National Forest and has an adventure vibe that mixes lodge-like styling with high-thread-count sheets. Campfire Hotel is proof motor lodges are cool again; it’s stocked with Breedlove guitars should you want to join a jam session around the fire pit. Just north of town, Riverhouse on the Deschutes is a hotel that comes with views of the namesake river. More upscale digs can be enjoyed at Oxford Hotel in downtown Bend.

Where to Eat: Miyagi Ramen is named after the famous Karate Kid instructor, and the ramen shop is bright and modern, with a garage door that opens up to the street and a menu with shareables like steamed buns and skewers in addition to ramen. If it’s beef you crave, order steaks sourced from some of the best ranches in the West at Bos Taurus. At San Simón, make a bespoke charcuterie board with the cocktail bar’s medley of offerings (think black garlic sausage, délice de Bourgogne brie, and mussels in escabeche), and sip cocktails made with fresh-squeezed juices, homemade syrups, and quality spirits.

Visit Boise

The secret’s out about Boise, but thankfully Idaho’s capital city still has more than enough green space inside its borders to keep it from feeling overrun. A whitewater park in the city churns out waves for landlocked surfers and kayakers and more than 100 miles of hiking and biking trails thread Boise and its environs. A 25-mile Boise River Greenbelt that shoots through the city makes getting outside and on a trail a breeze. The food scene is commendable, too. Boise chef Kris Komori won the James Beard Award for best chef in the mountain region last year. Get a reservation at his artistic prix fixe restaurant and cocktail bar, KIN.

When to Visit: Come to ski in the winter or check out Boise in moderate shoulder seasons between March and May and September and November.

What to Do: Notch off a visit to the Old Idaho Penitentiary (on the National Register of Historic Places) before amping the outdoor action. The classic move here is floating the Boise River between Barber Park and out at Ann Morrison Park. You'll need a sturdy tube, raft, or an SUP, which you can rent at Barber.

Where to Stay: Cool kids are staying at The Modern Hotel, a revamped Travelodge that’s bursting with personality and has an on-site bar and restaurant decked with art from locals. Or get your vacation out of the group chat so you and your buddies can take over the five-room Franklin House Bed & Beer, which has a seasonal beer garden.

Where to Eat: You bet you can get a bacon flight at Bacon Boise, which offers five kinds of bacon with varied sweet, smoke, and spice. The cocktail menu at Press & Pony has the classics covered, as well as some creative riffs like an Idaho Fashioned with sugar beet syrup. Get a solid introduction to Idaho beers at Bittercreek Alehouse.

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Chicago is a city full of great tradition, including Chicago-style hot dogs and deep-dish pizza, Second City’s improv theater that’s a pipeline for Saturday Night Live. What it lacks in access to national parks it makes up for with a magnificent waterfront and long stretches of asphalt to ride and bike. Plus, you’ve got superlative museums, fascinating architecture, and events worth planning trips around. Time your trip around St. Patrick’s Day, when the Chicago River is dyed leprechaun green; or check out Lollapalooza music festival or the Chicago Marathon.

When to Visit: The best stretch of weather is between June and September (though the humidity is a beast!), and it's worth noting the city gets busy with the marathon in October.

What to Do: Tourist spots are popular for a reason. Visit the Bean in Millennium Park, check out the Chicago Riverwalk, and see works from Monet, Picasso, and other greats at the Art Institute of Chicago. If it’s summer, hang out on the shore of Lake Michigan. For some outdoor fun, head about 20 miles outside of downtown to Forge: Lemont Quarries, a 300-acre park for ziplining, climbing, and biking, along with trails and access to kayaking.

Where to Stay: Hotel Zachary puts you right across from Wrigley Field. Slumber above a whiskey-fueled tavern in one of the half-dozen rooms at Longman & Eagle. (Pro: short distance to bed; con: you can’t tell anyone to quiet down). Chicago Athletic Association Hotel is an icon with Gothic architecture and an atrium on the roof with views overlooking Millennium Park.

Where to Eat: Atta' Girl is the spot for appetizers like cured and smoked fish or charcuterie, and mains like steak frites. John's Food & Wine is from the same team behind NYC's Gramercy Tavern and the focus is to level up simple, seasonal ingredients. Meadowlark is a secret bar (look for bird signage) in Logan Square with boozy drinks and a club-like atmosphere with tufted leather couches and exposed brick walls. Heavy Feather is another great drinking den, with a relaxed 1970’s vibe.

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Spiritual types flock to Sedona for its new-age vibes and meditation-conducive vortex sites believed to be swirling with energy. But even skeptics leave here feeling recharged, thanks to the area’s enchanting red rocks, epic stargazing, and 400 miles of trails coveted by hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers. Taste wine in the Verde Valley, hit the links with glowing rockscapes unfolding behind the greens, or get a two-for-one at Dead Horse Ranch State Park and Red Rock State Park that are connected by the Lime Kiln Trail.

When to Visit: March to May is the sweet spot. Temperatures are warm, but not scorching, and the area is blooming so hikers can spot colorful wildflowers along the rust-colored trails.

What to Do: There’s no shortage of hikes delivering spectacular vistas, but you won’t be alone on Sedona’s most popular trails. Find solitude in the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness on the Jim Thompson Trail, a 5-mile out and back that ascends about 550 feet.

Where to Stay: Soak up red rock views at The Wilde Resort & Spa, a good jumping off point for hiking and biking trails. Or, enjoy the good vibes at Sky Rock Sedona where you can take part in a daily moonrise ceremony, hear scientific vortex talks, and get a reading from an on-call pet psychic.

Where to Eat: Pizzas coming out of the wood-fired oven at Pisa Lisa include a killer veggie pie with mushrooms and another piled high with eggplant. Take a culinary crawl through Mexico at Elote Cafe and enjoy a post-hike beer at Oak Creek Brewery & Grill.

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For visitors, Washington, D.C. is basically one giant park. If you want to soak up the culture indoors, a trip to the nation’s capital is basically free thanks to the vast collection of Smithsonian museums. D.C. is a destination with tons of history and architecture, plus a food and drink scene that rivals that of New York City. Yes, there are crowds, but if you come in late March to early April, you’ll see one of the best cherry blossom blooms outside of Japan.

When to Visit: January to early March is when you'll have an emptier city—though it's full of federal government buildings so it's never dead.

What to Do: Take yourself on the field trip of all field trips by visiting some of the free museums in D.C. The Smithsonian Institution alone has 17 museums and a smattering of galleries. If the paved roads of D.C. are not the running or biking adventures you crave, Great Falls Park is 30 minutes northwest of D.C. in McLean. It features 800 acres of parkland, with hiking trails, fishing, waterfalls, and some rock climbing.

Where to Stay: In the Adams Morgan neighborhood, The Line is a hip hotel housed in a former church, where you can borrow bikes, take a rooftop yoga class, and catch DJs on Sunday afternoons. Riggs Washington, D.C. is a relative newcomer to the luxury hotel scene. Located within a historic bank in the Penn Square neighborhood, you’re a short walk to the National Portrait Gallery and Capital One Arena, home of the Washington Wizards, or you can borrow a bike to take to the National Mall.

Where to Eat: Share a mezze board with your table before moving on to the tagine section of the menu at Medina, which serves Middle Eastern food within a dining room draped in tapestries. The cocktail menu is a standout, calling in ingredients from Tunisia, Morocco, Sicily, Malta, and the Canary Islands for twists on classics. Balos’ Mediterranean menu is focused on seafood, with a raw bar and whole fish options. Expect to order lots of sides (and grilled halloumi cheese). Nice & Easy is where you’ll find fuss-free beer, good deals on drinks, live music on the weekends, and pool tables.

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Portland qualifies as the ideal weekend getaway because the city is compact, walkable, and bustling with restaurants—plus an art museum that punches well above its weight (yes, we’re talking about Portland Museum of Art. Summer highlights include scenic hikes to lighthouses, floating in marshes, and island hopping around Casco Bay. Getting here is easy, too: Portland is served by Amtrak and rideshares are available, so you can make it a car-free getaway from New York City or Boston. But if you’ve got a car, strap your mountain bike to the rooftop rack and head 30 minutes to Bradbury Mountain State Park. Time it around fall for a technicolor leaf-peeping adventure in Acadia National Park, which is three hours out of town. For a real hiking challenge, hoof it along Hundred Mile Wilderness, the end section of the Appalachian Trail, which boasts some of the most technical terrain.

When to Visit: Start your summer off right with a visit in early June before Portland is swarmed with summer crowds. Fall is fantastic, too, but New England draws leaf peepers in droves.

What to Do: Collections at The Portland Museum of Art focus on American, European, and contemporary art. They have a Warhol and a Monet, plus Winslow Homer studio tours. Get outside on the Harborwalk Trail that takes you around the coast and over a bridge, ending at the Bug Light Park. Or hop on the Casco Bay Ferry to visit any of the seven islands just off the coast of Portland. Visit one or a few, then head back to the peninsula for dinner.

Where to Stay: Printing presses for the Portland Press Herald once churned in The Press Hotel, which is now a boutique property in the middle of town. Vintage typewriters make up a mesmerizing wall art installation and pays homage to newsrooms. Alternatively, stay in one of the half-dozen guestrooms at Best Bower, a boutique spot run by restaurant pros in a trendy neighborhood that’s walkable to the bay.

Where to Eat: The best lobster roll changes each year with fierce competition, and Luke's Lobster reigns as the current champ. Third-generation lobsterman Luke Holden’s dining room, right on the working dock, feels modern and new. Book a dinner reservation for Twelve to experience the prix-fixe, four-course menu that rotates with seasonal ingredients. In the port district, try a clarified cocktail at the nautical-themed Blyth & Burrow.

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Los Angeles is a big city with lots of ground to cover, so it’s one of those places you can come back to again and again. The weather makes it easy to visit any time of year, and you’ve got a good selection of beaches to suit your goals—whether it’s surfing at Topanga, oceanside hikes at Point Dume State Park, or checking in on a classic like Venice or Santa Monica. LA is also a great jumping off spot for a killer list of outdoors destinations like Joshua Tree, Channel Islands, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Death Valley, Santa Monica Mountains, and so much more. On top of that, it’s one of the best food cities in the country with a couple dozen Michelin-starred establishments. It's one heck of a sports town, too, with the iconic Dodger’s Stadium and cutting-edge SoFi Stadium.

When to Visit: Shoulder seasons are great in LA. Come March to May or September to November when there are fewer crowds and moderate temperatures.

What to Do: Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park boasts swimming, kayaking, SUPing—plus has equipment like dip bars and hanging rings for outdoors workouts. While Griffith Park is massive, at more than 4,000 acres, it's usually packed. For a quieter run, Elysian Park has fewer people and more punishing hills.

Where to Stay: Silver Lake Pool & Inn is a chic hotel in a trending neighborhood with a kicking pool scene and cool design in the rooms (think terrazzo nightstands). In downtown LA, The Hoxton masterfully blends its London roots with old Hollywood glamour and a California beachy feel. Make your way to the rooftop pool for a swim, then snack on Peruvian eats at Cabra.

Where to Eat: Get a beer-battered Pacific striped bass sandwich at Little Fish. At Ètra, you’ll find a concise menu of well-executed pasta dishes and mains like a pork ribeye with fennel. Big Bar is where other bartenders in town go and it's been referred to as Los Feliz's version of Cheers. Ask for the Corn & Oil, an off-the-menu drink made with rum, falernum, and bitters.

Find DJs and creative cocktails at the dark and moody Normandie Club.

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Jackson is a bit like Hollywood’s version of a mountain town, but outdoors lovers pay no mind to that because the payoff is the proximity to two spectacular national parks, Grand Teton (where planes land at Jackson Hole Airport, so grab a window seat) and Yellowstone (about 50 miles up the road from Jackson to the park’s seasonal South Entrance). During the colder months, you can partake in numerous winter sports here, from fat biking to dog sledding. In the summer, climb the Tetons or enjoy lift-accessed mountain biking and hiking at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Jackson is easy to access via a small airport and the food and hotel scene rivals any resort town in the U.S.

When to Visit: Jackson is a year-round destination, but expect hotel rates to jump in the winter when skiers are in town, and then again in the summer when national park-goers descend on Wyoming.

What to Do: Wintertime visitors have a number of options for skiing. But come in September (just before the town kicks into snow mode) and give the famed via ferrata at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort a whirl.

Where to Stay: A couple blocks from downtown, Mountain Modern’s adventure-friendly amenities include bike tuning and a laundry room. Set on three acres in between the town and Teton Village, Brentwood Inn loans out bikes, snowshoes, and puts out a complimentary wine and cheese spread for its guests.

Where to Eat: Sit down for breakfast and coffee at Persephone Bakery and order a sandwich and some other provisions to take out on the trails with you. Pack a pair of cowboy boots to line dance in at Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, which is iconic touristy, and a really good time. The Kitchen’s open kitchen serves whatever is in season, with a little Asian flare.

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In a state rife with adventure, Moab is still commonly tapped as Utah’s adventure capital—at least according to its 3 million annual visitors. Of any town set at the entryways of so many national parks, Moab makes the strongest case for foregoing any entry fees and just gaping at your immediate, sufficiently park-ish surroundings. Of course, it would be silly to come here and not visit the sandstone arches and fins of Arches (10 minutes from town) or forego backcountry camping (and stargazing) in nearby Canyonlands (half an hour away). In Moab proper, you can hike, climb, and crawl over the landscape on four wheels or two.

When to Visit: If you can, avoid summer. It’s hot and crowded. The best time of year to visit is Spring (April-May) when temps are in the 80s to 90s, or the fall, which stretches into November.

What to Do: Get off the road in a 4x4 or ATV to get a sense of the landscape and live the dream Land Rover sells you in the commercials. Rent a Jeep for $330 a day and get lost. Biking highlights here include Moab’s Whole Enchilada or hiking the Fisher Towers Trail to witness one of Mother Nature’s most wildly beautiful art projects.

Where to Stay: Book a cabin and enjoy your morning cup of joe with red rock views at Sorrell River Ranch or stay at Red Cliffs Lodge, where you can wake up with the sun for yoga and meditation with the red rocks in the backdrop. Adventure tourists are catered to at Gravity Haus Moab, which has on-site gear rentals.

Where to Eat: Order the JP Grilled Cheese with spiced jalapeno pepper, bacon, and cream cheese on Texas toast at Trailhead Public House & Eatery. Fill up on Pad Thai or curry dishes at Arches Thai. Choose from dozens of housemade brews on tap and in cans at Moab Brewing.

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San Francisco’s parks and waterfront alone are worth a visit. Add in the food, trendy hotels, nightlife, and access to outdoor experiences a short drive away and you quickly realize why this is a world-class city—despite the tricky weather. Carve out time to visit Muir Woods; you’ll feel like you’re the size of an ant as you hike the trails among towering redwoods. About an hour away, you’ve got a shot at seeing the gray whale migration (January to April) at Point Reyes National Seashore. If you’ve got the time (plus the skill), head 170 miles outside of the city to Yosemite National Park for legendary climbing at El Capitan or some backpacking adventures.

When to Visit: San Fran is a year-round destination with the warmest months between June and October. Avoid crowds in May and June or September and October. Or, come for the San Francisco Marathon at the end of July.

What to Do: You’ve got tons of museums to check out like the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and California Academy of Sciences, the latter of which has a four-story rainforest. It's a rite of passage to walk the Golden Gate Bridge, which takes about an hour round-trip. Cruising out to Alcatraz is epic, and the night tour is a different twist on the visit.

Where to Stay: Designer Kelly Wearstler designs some of the most interesting hotels and the interior of San Francisco Proper showcases some of her best work. The hotel has a rooftop with fireplaces to keep things cozy. 1 Hotel San Francisco is on the edge of the Bay and has an eco-forward design (think native greenery and sustainably sourced linens), as well as group HIIT bootcamps that are free for guests.

Where to Eat: In a city with great burritos, La Taqueria still manages to stand apart with its griddled renditions; this is where you’ll find locals with their sleeves rolled up. Massive slabs of meat are ferried to red leather banquettes at Original Joe's. Hit up Third Rail for its signature combination: A beer, a shot, and a slab of house-made jerky. Left Door is situated on top of a sports bar, but the vibe up here is dark and moody.

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In Richmond, you can paddle and kayak class IV whitewater on the James, which cuts right through downtown. Dry off and then hit one of the city’s breweries or cideries. Other adventures here include biking alongside the James on the Capital Trail, which runs for 52 miles and links Richmond with Williamsburg. The city’s cultural attractions, like the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts or The Poe Museum, are worth a spot on itineraries. Meanwhile, waterfall and vista hikes are just a couple hours away in Shenandoah National Park.

When to Visit: Temps are pleasant and you can get out on the water in late spring and early summer. Fall brings striking autumn foliage.

What to Do: Getting out on the James River with a tour guide is a must. If you're into history, St. John's Church (established in 1611) is where Patrick Henry delivered his "Give me liberty, or give me death" line.

Where to Stay: A former department store, Quirk Richmond today is a beautiful jewel box with regional art decking the hotel’s walls and filling a lobby-level gallery space. The hotel has nice touches, like a coffee bar stocked with locally roasted beans.

What to Eat: Order meats by the pound or on a sandwich at ZZQ Texas Craft Barbeque, which serves pastrami on Fridays. Brenner Pass brings a touch of the Alps to Virginia with fondue. GWARbar is a heavy metal-style dive bar with stickers on the walls, familiar beers on draft, and late night nachos and other pub grub.

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The high altitude brings Olympic distance runners to train in Albuquerque, but the trails in town coupled with the surrounding Sandia and Manzano Mountains are fantastic amenities for mere mortals, too. Mountain bike in the Sandia Foothills or go for a tamer ride in town on the Paseo del Bosque Trail. Wintertime visitors can cross-country ski across a super volcano at Valles Caldera National Preserve, which is about 1.5 hours from town. White Sands National Monument is about 3.5 hours south of Albuquerque and justifies New Mexico’s “Land of Enchantment” nickname.

When to Visit: Fall temps are perfect and if you come in the first part of October, you can watch balloons fill the blue skies during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

What to Do: Raft the Rio Grande with a guide through MST Adventures. A classic New Mexico experience is to take flight in a hot air balloon with an outfitter like Rainbow Ryders.

Where to Stay: El Vado Motel’s neon sign right off Route 66 is your invite for a nostalgic stay in a renovated motel. While a lot of roadside motels are getting impressive facelifts these days, this one is unique because some of El Vado’s square footage is set aside for artisan shops and food pods where up-and-coming restaurants can gain some fans. Another option? Stay among lavender fields at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm.

Where to Eat: Get round-the-clock burritos at Frontier Restaurant, which is open from 5 a.m. to midnight. (Try the Frontier Burrito for lunch; it’s topped with the green chile stew New Mexico is known for). Try blue corn onion rings, Indian tacos cradled by puffy fry bread, or elk chili and cornbread at Indian Pueblo Kitchen. Even if you’re not staying at Los Poblanos, pop in to Town & Ranch for its local botanical infused gin. And for seasonal beer flights, make your way to La Cumbre Brewing Co.

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The pages of your high school history books come alive in the birthplace of America, where you can see the Liberty Bell and other famous historical sites and attractions clustered at Independence National Historical Park. But Philly, the first World Heritage City in the country, has modern-day appeal that can be felt around town at the hip new restaurants opening in Fishtown (there’s a pizza museum here, too) and at spots like Bok, which has artisanal shops and a seasonal rooftop bar.

When to Visit: March through May, when the city has thawed out and hotel rates are still moderate. Springtime also means photogenic cherry blossoms are blooming.

What to Do: Your Philly visitor’s Bingo card should include sinking your teeth into a cheesesteak and running the Rocky Steps. But save time on your itinerary to check out some of the world-class museums in America’s birthplace, too, like the Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Where to Stay: Stay close to the historical attractions at Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, which is located in Old Town. Over in Fishtown, Riversuites at the Battery has an indoor basketball court and Wm. Mulherin's Sons Hotel’s inventory of four stylish rooms are located above an Italian restaurant.

Where to Eat: Savor big squares of Detroit-style pizza at Down North Pizza, where the kitchen employs formerly incarcerated folks who want to cook. My Loup is a modern French restaurant off of Rittenhouse Square, and you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled into a cool party at 48 Record Bar, which has a speakeasy vibe and a vinyl listening room.

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If you had a Denver bingo card it should look something like this: Soak in hops and barley at Oakwell Beer Spa; catch the best concert of your life at Red Rocks Amphitheater; get a taste of the burgeoning Mexican fine-dining scene at Alma Fonda Fina; and check out the sci-fi-centric museum Meow Wolf Convergence Station, which will make you question the validity of time travel. You’ll also want to jet off to a ski resort or national park like Rocky Mountain. Denver is a great sports city, so you can catch a game while you’re in town pretty much any time of year. Long known as a top beer destination, the Mile High City’s culinary scene is also fantastic, with the first round of Michelin Stars and Bib Gourmand awards handed out last year.

When to Visit: Winter is for skiers and boarders, summer is a great time for hiking, and fall ushers in golden Aspens. Avoid mud season (April and early May) if heading into the high country is on your agenda.

What to Do: Denverites love a park day. Join them at Washington Park, where you can run in the park, paddle around the lake, or join in on pick-up volleyball. You’ve got to see Red Rocks while you’re in town—hopefully for a show, but there are also yoga classes, movie nights, and great hiking if there’s no one rocking out on the stage.

Where to Stay: The Ramble Hotel is a boutique spot in the RiNo neighborhood that’s near a bunch of breweries and great restaurants. (Bonus: Death & Co. bar anchors the lobby.) The Rally Hotel is located across from Coors Field and features a great rooftop pool and hot tub with awesome views of downtown. For a historic stay, check into The Oxford Hotel and make sure you grab a martini from The Cruise Room, which opened the day Prohibition ended.

Where to Eat: For a special meal, get a reservation at one of Denver’s intimate, Michelin-starred chef’s counters like Beckon or Bruto. Restaurant Olivia is known for its Negronis and homemade pastas (think ravioli with caramelized onions and gruyere fondue). Try Denver’s famed green chili at a spot like D’Corazon. Get a taste of the Denver beer scene at Cerebral Brewing in Congress Park, which has a great patio and a food truck presence. The menu at Lady Jane is always ahead of cocktail trends.

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Minneapolis-St. Paul is a giant, twin-citied park that affords easy and fast access to bike routes, hiking, hunting, climbing, skiing, waterfalls—you name it. Night owl adventurers can head 4 1/2 hours north to Voyageurs National Park for exceptional stargazing and a shot at seeing the Northern Lights. If you happen to catch a spell of bad weather while in the Twin Cities, there’s plenty of art galleries and world-class museums. The region is served by Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, one of the best in the country.

When to Visit: June to August—which is the peak season for festivals and farmers markets.

What to Do: Get out for a run at Chain of Lakes Regional Park in Minneapolis with about 15 miles of lakeside routes, which you can also bike. Paddlers can rent a kayak and take in a great view of the city from the water. Nearly every Minneapolis resident is within 10 minutes of a park. Theodore Wirth Regional Park is right in town and has just about every activity short of rock climbing.

Where to Stay: The Chambers Hotel is a Hennepin Avenue property with punchy design that draws inspo from the arts district and leads out to Target Field where the Twins play. A convent-turned-boutique hotel, Celeste of St Paul + Bar also has a prime location neighboring a historic theater and a 10-minute walk from where the Minnesota Wild play.

Where to Eat: Bar La Grassa’s chef won a James Beard Award for high-level Italian takes on classics like meatballs and Bolognese. Over the river in St. Paul, El Burrito Mercado has massive portions of Mexican staples and a nice patio. Pay homage to the cheese-stuffed Juicy Lucy burger at its birthplace, Matt's Bar. Catch live music at ROK, where you can also get a good pulse of the region’s craft cocktail scene with a margarita crafted with Palo Santo bitters or a spiked yuzu lemonade.

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Bellingham is the sleeper Pacific Northwestern hotspot hiding between Seattle and Canada. It’s packed with hiking trails, singletrack, waterfalls, and a postcard bay for paddlers, beachcombers, and ferry-catchers to the San Juan Islands. The former paper mill town now brims with brewpubs, local dining shrines, and quirky attractions including the landmark Whatcom Museum and SPARK Museum of Radio & Electricity. But it’s what’s outside that really counts in Bellingham—a town overrun with 125 parks and vast alpine escapes like Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

When to Visit: Spring and early fall are ideal for most outdoor activities, and warmer summers for boating on Bellingham Bay. November is the wettest month.

What to Do: Book a three- or four-day Mt. Baker Skills and Climb trip with Bellingham-based American Alpine Institute, geared toward introducing new climbers to glacier hikes and reaching northern Washington’s highest summit: 10,781-foot Mt. Baker.

Where to Stay: The Chrysalis Inn & Spa Bellingham, Curio Collection by Hilton is a top option on the water. Historic Hotel Leo is downtown’s proudest restoration property with a long guest list that includes Clark Gable.

Where to Eat: Bellingham’s best breakfast sammies and eggs Benedict happen every weekend at Mount Bakery; for tacos and tequila it’s Black Sheep; top fire-cooked dining and craft cocktails are reservation-worthy at Carnal.

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San Diego is a surfer’s delight, with 70 miles of coastline and famous beaches like Trestles (be prepared for a long lineup) and Black’s Beach. In addition to riding waves, visitors can check out trails, bluffs, and sea caves at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park or explore Balboa Park, which is packed with world-class museums. You’ll find plenty of spots to quench your thirst, too: San Diego is a bona fide beer city with some 150 breweries in the area. This sunny Southern California city is also the birthplace of Comic-Con, and draws thousands for the pop culture festival in July.

When to Visit: It’s sunny and 70 here most of the year, but dodge June Gloom and enjoy the best weather from March through May.

What to Do: Hike around Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, a coastal wilderness wonderland with rare pines, sandstone cliffs, and hiking paths like Beach Trail that drops down 300 feet to the shores of the Pacific.

Where to Stay: Beachy and boutique, Tower23 Hotel commands the Pacific Beach boardwalk. Pendry San Diego is a boutique hotel in the buzzy Gaslamp Quarter with plaid and leather in the guest rooms, an on-site beer hall, and a fun pool scene.

Where to Eat: Enjoy croque monsieur and pastries at Patisserie Melanie that’s led by a Paris-trained pastry chef. Quixote, inside the Lafayette Hotel, feels like you're eating in a church with fine Oaxacan dishes. (Order Oaxacan fondue for the table.) Indulge in tropical fantasia at False Idol, a tiki bar with a hidden entrance and inventive libations. Charles + Dinorah, inside Pearl Hotel, has that Mad Men vibe with outdoor space and a wide range of menu items from bao buns to aged porterhouse steaks to shrimp carbonara.

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Greenville has become a mainstay on best-destination lists in recent years. The reason it lands on ours is largely because of its phenomenal food scene coupled with its adventure-ready state parks. With 200 restaurants in downtown Greenville—about a quarter of which serve international dishes—your best strategy is to visit during a culinary festival like Euphoria, a food and music festival held each September. As far as outdoor adventures, Congaree National Park’s old-growth forests are two hours outside of town, but you hardly have to travel that far to get in nature because state parks like Paris Mountain, Lake Conestee, Table Rock, and Jones Gap provide easy access to hiking, climbing, biking, and paddling. Of course, we’d be remiss not to mention Falls Park in Greenville, which plays host to inviting trails and gardens.

When to Visit: Avoid the heat and humidity in peak summer by coming in spring or fall. Depending on where you're from, you might consider the 50-degree days in the winter to be mild.

What to Do: Once you've seen Falls Park, bike or run Swamp Rabbit Trail System, a 23-mile trail ride with restaurant stops along the way.

Where to Stay: Grand Bohemian Lodge is the heart of town and overlooks a park and waterfalls. The massive stone fireplace anchoring the lobby and antler chandeliers give it the true western lodge feel.

Where to Eat: Birria comes in different forms at Comal 864, from ramen to tacos to grilled cheese. The concise entree menu at Urban Wren is full of hits from Korean fried chicken to steak, but save room for desserts like the “Cereal Bowl” with strawberry ice cream and homemade cereal like Coriander Fruity Pebbles. Sink into a vintage sofa or sit under an umbrella on the patio at Fireforge Crafted Beer and try a couple of the 15 house-brewed beers.

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Madison is an overachiever. It’s a college town. It’s a lake town. It’s the capital of Wisconsin. It’s a destination for mid-century design lovers who get to see architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s finest works. And it’s a hot spot for culinary travelers who want to Pac-Man their way through countless stalls at the Dane County Farmers Market. Straddling two lakes, you bet there’s paddle sports, and the city has more than 200 miles of hiking and biking trails, too. Come winter, follow the lead of hardy locals and embrace the cold by getting out to ice skate and cross-country ski. About an hour away, at Devil's Lake, discover an unlikely element to this Midwestern destination: a thriving bouldering scene.

When to Visit: You get four seasons here, though, fall's football schedule can either feel spirited or crowded, depending on your outlook. Winter's not for the faint of heart, but if you're willing to layer up and pack some handwarmers you'll do fine and feel like you have the city to yourself.

What to Do: Spend an afternoon walking State Street, which is bookended by the Capitol and University of Wisconsin. Architecture fans can tour the home and studio of Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin, while adventure buffs can hike a section of the Ice Age Trail.

Where to Stay: Graduate Madison leans into the collegiate theme with plaid and wood paneling in its rooms. It feels nostalgic in the best way (no looming final exams).

Where to Eat: Mosey through the Dane County Farmers Market; pace yourself, as it features 300 vendors. The Harvey House’s fancy execution of Midwestern classics like chicken schnitzel and walleye is not to be missed for dinner. If you’re itching for casual brews and chews, The Old Fashioned has over 150 beer choices to wash down cheese curds and a fish fry. The Caribou Tavern is a cozy dive bar that acts as a catch-all where everyone seems to end their night.

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Roughly 1.2 million tourists arrive in Juneau on cruise ships each year, but it’d be a shame to pop into Alaska’s capital for just a day because this is a place where you want to get lost. This part of the state is the closest to the lower 48. It’s a 3-hour plane ride from Seattle.

Some things to put on your short list in Juneau include salmon fishing, embarking on a whale watching tour (April through September), kayaking in Auke Bay, and hiking on the 6.8-mile out-and-back Mount Juneau Trail. If you want to see a storied Alaskan national park, you’re a short flight (or a ferry ride) away from Glacier Bay.

When to Visit: Weather-wise, the best time is between May and August. While the days are long and sunny, you'll have to contend with all those cruise ships pulling in to see whales during the migration season. If you can deal with the cold, the off-season in September through April, provides a completely different vibe, and you’ll snag better deals.

What to Do: Access Mt. Roberts Trail on Basin Road and climb 1.5 hrs to the Mountain House, or commit 4 hours to get to the summit. Or just take the Goldbelt Tram for killer views. Head 20 minutes outside of Mendenhall Glacier to see a 13-mile ribbon of ice. The visitor center hosts a fireside lecture series and the recreation area has several short walks and hikes, but the worthy 2-mile round-trip Nugget Falls hike shows off a waterfall cascading into Mendenhall Lake.

Where to Stay: The Silverbow Inn pampers guests with a daily cookie and cocoa hour and a rooftop hot tub. The rooms at Alaska's Capital Inn have no shortage of personality, and if it feels more like you’re staying in an heritage home, it’s because you are. It was built in 1906.

Where to Eat: Pucker Wilson's is the spot for big burgers and loaded fries. In Bocca Al Lupo is a modern wood-fired pizza joint, also serving pastas with Alaskan touches (think: smoked salmon and creme fraiche). If you’re in town during the summer, grab tacos and seafood chowder at Deckhand Dave’s, operated by a former commercial fisherman-turned-restaurateur. For beer and grub in a wooded brewery that looks like a Scandinavian ski lodge, hit up Devil's Club Brewing.

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A UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Tucson’s on the radar for its food scene. Explore where this blooming culinary capital is headed by trying fresh-baked artisan breads at Barrio Bread, helmed by James Beard Award winner, Don Guerra, who is reviving heritage grains—and eating tacos and salsas (there’s new flavors daily) at “Top Chef” alum Maria Mazon’s Boca. To justify all that indulgence, there’s really no reason to stay inside, especially with Tucson’s reliable weather and access to Saguaro National Park (just outside the city), offering excellent backcountry hiking, camping, and riding. On the other side of the city, go for a scenic drive along the Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway, where you can stop at scenic lookouts to take in all of the desert beauty and rockscapes.

When to Visit: Visit from April to May and from September to October for comfortable temps and fewer crowds. Winter offers sunny skies and nice weather too, but with Northerners looking for the same thing.

What to Do: Check into the hotel, grab your runners (or rent a bike) and get out on the Chuck Huckleberry Loop, a 137-mile paved trail that loops from Pima County to South Tucson near the river.

Where to Stay: Across from the University of Arizona, the historic, boutique Arizona Inn exudes charm and has casita-style rooms, a year-round pool, mature gardens, and tennis courts. The Tuxon Hotel is a revived motor lodge with rooms clustered around a popular pool.

Where to Eat: Enjoy mesquite-fired dishes at Tito & Pep, dine at classic Western steakhouse, Charro Steak & Del Rey, and for a nightcap or dessert (but preferably both), pop into Batch Whiskey & Donuts, which is exactly what it sounds like—featuring 1,000 bottles of whiskey plus house-made donuts.

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New York City can be just about anything you want it to be and is a spot you’ll never run out of things to do. You can (and should) check out some of the touristy spots, like venturing up the Empire State Building and exploring a section of the 843-acre Central Park. Make some reservations ahead of your trip, too, because there are 69 Michelin-starred restaurants and another 91 spots with more affordable price points that earned Bib Gourmands.

When to Visit: If you can, avoid the peak summer tourist season and enjoy NYC in the fall. If you’re a runner, the New York City Marathon in November is a legendary race and winds through all five boroughs.

What to Do: Museum of the City of New York has an exhibit called This Is New York that runs until July 21 and covers life in NYC through art, film, music, and theater, providing one heck of an intro to the city. If you want to get outdoors, visit the floating Little Island, where you can go for a run or, in the summer, catch a free show at the amphitheater. For something more adventurous, Mohonk Mountain House, about 2 hours north of NYC, has a new via ferrata that’s available for overnight guests to book. It comes with sweet views of Lake Mohonk and the Shawangunk Cliffs.

Where to Stay: The Wall Street Hotel is tucked into the Financial District, a quiet part of the city, and provides easy subway access to Brooklyn. Williamsburg’s The Hoxton is a boutique hotel with a killer cocktail bar. Graduate New York’s location on Roosevelt Island makes it a unique stay, although less central than the rest.

Where to Eat: Manhattan’s Bangkok Supper Club sets out to give you a taste of the late-night Bangkok food scene with small bites (think uni and crab tartlets) and larger plates (such as beef cheeks cooked for 12 hours served over massaman curry). If you fancy a trip to Brooklyn, go for the flaky red snapper at Fort Greene’s newly opened Sailor (you’ll need to score a reservation, though). You’ve got to have a drink at Angel's Share, a legendary cocktail bar that reopened in Greenwich Village. Start or finish your night at The Long Island Bar in Brooklyn Heights, where you can get a martini or beer to pair with the cheese curds. Mosey into Brooklyn Bridge park after to ease your now-full belly.

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With mild winters conducive to February tee times, rock climbing routes for all levels, and dream terrain for four-wheelers at nearby Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, it's no surprise St. George’s population has jumped 30 percent in the last decade. This sunny pocket of Southwest Utah is also a suitable basecamp for quick trips to outdoor playgrounds like the red sand beaches at Sand Hollow State Park as well as big names like Zion National Park and Lake Powell.

When to Visit: Weather is crisp and comfortable in the fall, perfect for any outdoor activity you want to enjoy. Mild and mostly snow-free winters make St. George a top destination for golfers, hikers, and bikers.

What to Do: Rent a UTV from Mad Moose and tour (or have a guide lead you) to Sand Hollow State Park, one of Utah’s newer and most popular parks—a paradise of rugged red rocks and rideable dunes, featuring a scenic reservoir that attracts paddlers, anglers, and divers.

Where to Stay: After a day of adventure, retire to Inn on the Cliff St. George and enjoy prime views of Snow Canyon. Another top hotel in town is The Advenire, a cozy lodge-like spot with an old-school aesthetic that includes leather maps in each room tipping off guests to the precise location of an old gypsum mining site in the area called Glitter Mountain.

Where to Eat: George's Corner is a reliable spot for classics at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, featuring live music and other events that attract a local crowd. Painted Pony serves contemporary dishes like red-wine braised short ribs. Sip classic cocktails at Spiritual Parlor, or shoot some pool and drink local at Zion Brewery Station II.

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The Hawaiian islands draw tons of honeymooners and families. But Hilo is the spot for those who want their island vacations spiked with adventure because of its proximity (about 40 minutes) to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a complete wonderscape for hiking and crater rim driving. Plus, it has a great downtown area, and not much in the way of chain restaurants or hotels.

When to Visit: December and January are busy with snowbirds and families on holiday break taking advantage of the weather and volcanoes open to visitors 24/7. September to November have fewer crowds and more affordable room rates. But if you surf, and you’re good at it, winter is when the Pacific churns its biggest waves.

What to Do: Grab your snorkeling gear and hit any of the parks that dot the coast just east of the airport: Richardson Ocean Park, Carlsmith Beach Park, and Onekahakaha Beach Park are all great spots to move your flippers.

Where to Stay: For classic Hawaiian charm and postcard views, check into Hilo Hawaiian Hotel—located on Hilo Bay just walking distance of town. To really get away, rent off-grid cabins from the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls. They’re within eyeshot of thundering waterfalls, but you can get even closer with guided waterfall rappelling.

Where to Eat: Try laulau (fatty pork and fish cooked in taro leaves) at Kuhio Grille. The menu of curries, rice, and noodle dishes (plus barbecue) is long enough at New Chiang Mai Thai Cuisine that you’ll want to come back a couple times during your stay. Pair sashimi-grade ahi tacos with a Hawaiian beer at The Temple Bar.

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Whisky Row and Churchill Downs need no further introduction. But hang out in Louisville a little longer and you’ll become better acquainted with the city’s burgeoning brewery scene and some of its local gems like 725-acre Iroquois Park that’s anchored by an open-air amphitheater and the pedigree of being designed by Frederick Law Olmsted of New York’s Central Park. After personalizing your own baseball bat at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, tour the Muhammad Ali Center to test your rhythm on a speed bag, or head into the belly of Louisville Mega Cavern and zipline through a former limestone mine.

When to Visit: Crowds in seersucker suits and fancy hats descend on Louisville during the first weekend in May for the Kentucky Derby. But you can avoid the crowds by coming earlier in the spring or in autumn months when the weather is pleasant (and Mint Juleps are still on the menus).

What to Do: Day trip to Mammoth Cave National Park, which has 400 miles of known caves. Or stay above ground: You can rent a stand-up paddleboard from Endless Summer to explore the Ohio River then catch a sunset on the Big Four Bridge.

Where to Stay: A former medicinal bourbon apothecary, The Grady Hotel today is a design-forward building that looks like it belongs in an architectural magazine. Another cool spot to rest your head is The Myriad Hotel, a reincarnated disco ball factory with a retro-inspired swim club.

Where to Eat: Devour Louisville’s most famous dish, the open-face Hot Brown turkey sandwich, at the spot where it was invented, Lobby Bar and Grill at the Brown Hotel. Get your barbecue fix at Four Pegs, ask a bartender to help you navigate the 100-bottle deep bourbon list at Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar, and try a local brew at Holy Grale, a beer garden in a church with a substantial menu of eats.

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Most mountain towns aspire to be year-round destinations, but Park City, with a population of 8,500, actually pulls it off. Utah’s powder is trademarked as the Greatest Snow on Earth, and winter months draw powderhounds to Deer Valley (skiers only), Park City Mountain, and Woodward Park City. After the snow melts and the ground firms up, mountain biking and hiking for all levels takes center stage. Paddling, hot air ballooning, and fly-fishing in a float tube or pontoon are some of the best ways to while away an afternoon in the off-season—if you can call it that.

When to Visit: Ski season dominates from mid-November through March. Sundance happens in the second half of January, so do what you please with that intel. Park City is about 20 degrees cooler than other areas of the state, so summer is popular for locals and visitors. We’d be remiss not to mention just how great the fall foliage is here, too. Park City Wine Festival in early October lines up time-wise for an autumnal getaway.

What to Do: Less than 10 minutes out of town is Jordanelle State Park, a certified Dark Sky park providing excellent views of the stars without the light pollution. In town, skiers can pay tribute to their sport at Alf Engen Ski Museum.

Where to Stay: Washington School House Hotel makes the grade: The luxury hotel is inside an old school house. The roaring fire is a nice après-ski touch. Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley is iconic, with a spa menu that comes with unique treatments (think whiskey scrubs and massages with hot river stones chased by chilled marble).

Where to Eat: Pop out of your skis and warm up with some mezcal and queso fundido at Dos Olas Cantina. Riverhorse on Main is the longtime champ of Park City fine dining (so, no ski gear allowed) and the brick-lined restaurant has a ton of beef waiting for you, including buffalo tartare. High West Saloon is a ski-in, ski-out spot with a solid menu of pub food, so you could just eat here, but we prefer to belly up to its bar for its revered whiskey. If High West is packed (and it usually is), head to No Name Saloon, one of the oldest businesses in the city. Inside you'll find four bars, the main one is a classic Western saloon.

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Marquette proves you don’t need touch-the-cloud mountains for wintertime fun. This grounded cold-weather playground is great for snowshoeing, skiing, and zooming around on snowmobiles—oh, and locals take fat biking seriously here. From May to October, you can take a two-hour drive to the ferry in Houghton, then get whisked away to Isle Royal National Park, an island in Lake Superior that’s one of the least visited in the national park system (likely because getting here takes a little work). In the summer months, experienced scuba divers can submerge underwater and check out intact shipwrecks that span 70 years. Don’t leave Marquette without trying a pasty—a tasty little meat pie typically made with ground beef, potatoes, and onion tucked in dough. It’s what 19th-century Cornish immigrant miners used to chow down on.

When to Visit: Come for national park excursions in the summer, striking foliage in the fall, and powder sports in the winter.

What to Do: In the summer, paddle a section of Hiawatha Water Trail, a nearly 120-mile route that follows the southern shore of Lake Superior. In colder months, get a fat bike and hit Snow Bike Route, 15 miles of singletrack built specifically for big-wheeling.

Where to Stay: Request one of the rooms with a fireplace at Landmark Inn, which is within walking distance of Lake Superior.

Where to Eat: Start your day off right with a flaky, buttery ham and cheese croissant or a yogurt parfait topped with a homemade maple granola at 231 West Patisserie. Steinhaus serves heavier-hitting German dishes—think fried pork cutlets—and your pick of wursts and bratens. Ore Dock Brewing Co. is in the center of town, with a garage door in front that opens in summer so the party can spill outside.

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In Pittsburgh, you’ve got access to mountains, parks, and the opportunity to cross more bridges in a long weekend than ever in your life. Steel City is also a top arts and culture destination, with more than 30 museums, including giants like August Wilson African American Culture Center, honoring Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson; the Andy Warhol Museum; and the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, which is dedicated to art, science, and natural history. When you want to get outside, Ohiopyle State Park boasts 20,000 acres to explore while biking, climbing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, and backpacking just one hour south of the city.

When to Visit: Runners may want to time their trip with the Pittsburgh Marathon, which shuts down streets in May. Otherwise, summer and fall are the best times to visit.

What to Do: Tackle a section of the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage Trail that starts downtown at the tip of Point State Park. One of the neatest ways to see the city is via Monongahela Incline or Duquesne Incline funiculars on Pittsburgh’s south side.

Where to Stay: Stay on the historic “Millionaire’s Row” at Mansions on Fifth, where you can enjoy a martini or single-malt Scotch in the cozy Oak Room Pub. Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh is a design-forward hotel in a Beaux-Arts building that’s close to the cultural district and Market Square.

Where to Eat: Plant-based eaters, rejoice: The pierogies, dumplings, schnitzel, and other Central and Eastern European dishes at James Beard-nominated Apteka are all vegan. For tradition’s sake, order a sandwich with French fries on it at one of Primanti Bros’ locations. Get a taste of the local beer scene at Hop Farm Brewing Company, where trivia nights are hosted by a “Jeopardy” champ. Over at Bridges & Bourbon, the whiskey list is deep and includes some limited-edition tipples.

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Beaufort has architecture and culture like Charleston plus natural beauty that stands up to Hilton Head—but sans crowds. Take a walk along the Spanish Moss Trail, with 10 miles of paved walkway and complimentary marsh views, or rent a kayak to paddle through a salt marsh at low tide. Better yet, go out on a Dolphin Ecology Tour with Beaufort Kayaks, and guides will help point out Bottlenose dolphin hangouts. Of course, another way to explore Beaufort is by slurping oysters along the Low Country Oyster Trail.

When to Visit: While you'll never escape SC's humidity altogether, you can find less of it by visiting in early spring or late fall. The city is quieter in winter, so you'll have it all to yourself—just know that things slow down here event-wise. Culinary travelers should align their trip with something like the Beaufort Shrimp Festival in early October.

What to Do: Less than 30 minutes away, the beach at Hunting Island State Park is a great spot to fish, walk along trails, climb a lighthouse or take a dolphin watching cruise.

Where to Stay: Anchorage 1770 is a stately Southern stay with a killer restaurant on site. Each of the meticulously restored rooms are a little different, with details like waterfront views, bay windows and detailed plasterwork.

What to Eat: Diners at Blacksheep enjoy a unique format where you pick three things to eat for $60 and it’s coursed out for you. Old Bull Tavern is a local mainstay for dishes like cider-brined pork chops and wood-fired oysters and pizzas. Lost Local is the spot for tacos and margs.

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If you’re coming for the Austin City Limits music festival or are in town for SXSW, your schedule is probably jam-packed. But tack on a few extra days or come back another time to experience the outdoorsy side of Austin. Ride some gravel in nearby Bastrop State Park, which is laced with 35 miles of trails. If water's more your speed, kayak or SUP with Rowing Dock on Lady Bird Lake. About 45 minutes out of town, Reimers Ranch Park has riding, hiking, and climbing. Cool down at a museum like The Contemporary Austin and, of course, get your fill of barbecue.

When to Visit: Dodge the summer heat and visit in spring or fall.

What to Do: Get a solid swim workout in at one of the country’s most unique pools: Barton Springs, a three-acre, spring-fed pool that’s open year-round. Robert Redford learned to swim here when he was a kid.

Where to Stay: Stay in a Greek Revival-style mansion at Hotel Ella, which has a courtyard pool and Texas modernist art adorning the walls. Located in the 2nd Street District, Austin Proper is a stylish place packed with amenities, like Teslas you can borrow, a spa, plus a fifth-floor pool with an accompanying bar serving small-batch tequila and mezcal alongside lobster quesadillas.

Where to Eat: Enjoy beautifully charred Neapolitan pies with wet centers that come out of 900-degree ovens at Bufalina Pizza. Order brisket, pinto beans, banana pudding and anything else that makes your barbecue-loving heart flutter at Terry Black's Barbecue. Agave lovers should head to Whisler's for smoky, complex mezcals. Nickel City is where you’ll find cold beers and espresso martinis on tap.

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In a state known for its 10,000 lakes, go big, and hit up Minnesota’s North Shore—specifically Duluth. Here’s your nostalgic summer vacation spot in the making, right on the shores of Lake Superior, where you can witness the beauty of Black Beach in nearby Silver Bay, watch the Aerial Lift Bridge rise to allow freighters to pass through, and hang out at Park Point, a slender, 7-mile freshwater sandbar. Lighthouses, a historic brewery complex called Fitger’s, and a friendly Midwestern brand of hospitality add to Duluth’s draw.

When to Visit: Summers are pleasant, and if you can swing a September trip, you can participate in a cool tradition: The Northshore Inline Marathon that brings out hundreds to skate along North Shore Drive.

What to Do: Get a solid introduction to the area with a 25-mile scenic drive along Skyline Parkway which provides great views of Lake Superior and St. Louis River, punctuated with several outlooks and points of interest. Hike through Magney-Snively Natural Area, an old-growth forest that lights up with fall colors, and go birdwatching at Hawk Ridge Nature Preserve, specifically in August and September when the raptor migration happens. Bob Dylan tunes feel right for this roadtrip; the rocker grew up here.

The bucket list North Shore day trip in these parts is a 40-mile drive northeast from Duluth up to Gooseberry Falls State Park—the perfect spot for a forest- and coast-lined sampler of the 310-mile Superior Hiking Trail. From here, neighboring Split Rock Lighthouse State Park (home to more stellar trails and one of America’s most photogenic clifftop lighthouses) is just seven miles up the road.

Where to Stay: The Oliver Inn is a 13-room boutique hotel with an old-world industrial vibe inherited from its architectural origins as Duluth’s original city hall. Your other cool, refreshing option is a room with a brew inside a historic brewery complex: Fitger’s Inn shares the sprawling space with restaurants and a microbrewery.

Where to Eat: Northern Waters Smokehaus has gained a cult following with its sammies loaded with smoked deli meats and fresh fish. Find global-inspired eats plus thoughtful vegan dishes like a root vegetable pot pie at Lake Ave Restaurant & Bar. Throw some darts and play foosball at Bent Paddle Brewing.

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Atlanta has everything you’d expect in a major metro—skyscrapers, an award-winning culinary scene, world-class museums, and alluring tourist attractions like Centennial Olympic Park, which commemorates the 1996 Summer Olympics. But the surprise factor here is all of the green space that’s hiding out beneath the skyline, as well as great breweries and lesser-known museums like Delta Flight Museum that lets you inside the first ever Boeing 747-400. Escape the crowds by heading out to bike or paddle in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. If you’re here to sample the culinary scene, come for the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival.

When to Visit: Spring, when the temps are more comfortable and you can beat some of the crowds.

What to Do: Make at tee time at Stone Mountain Golf Club. Or, for something out of the box, Tree Climbers International holds classes that teach technical tree climbing.

Where to Stay: Located on Ponce De Leon Boulevard, Hotel Clermont is a lovingly restored landmark where guests are treated to a free PBR at check-in and there’s a rooftop taco truck slinging good eats. Hotel Colee, in the Buckhead neighborhood, is a colorful hotel with a convivial pool and rooftop bar with bedazzling skyline views.

Where to Eat: A James Beard-recognized chef at Miller Union puts forth approachable farmstead dishes with Southern influence, like shrimp gumbo with andouille sausage and greens; save room for thick-as-bricks ice cream sandwiches. Score a reservation at Bacchanalia for the four-course tasting menu and optional caviar add-ons. Northside Tavern has neon beer signs and live music. JoJo's Beloved is a fun cocktail lounge with an all-vinyl soundtrack that channels the disco era.

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On the Western edge of Texas, El Paso borders Mexico and New Mexico, and the destination itself is filled with diverse landscapes, from mountains to desert to the Rio Grande. Just as varied is the food scene, with a tasty selection of Tex-Mex cantinas and barbecue joints. Gain some elevation in the Franklin Mountains, a state park with hiking, biking, camping, and climbing. El Paso also capitalizes on the biggest international airport in the area and is a jumping off point for Big Bend National Park (4 hours south), Carlsbad Caverns (2 hours east), and White Sands National Park (just 90 minutes north). Each of those parks offers unique experiences, from riding the Rio, to cave exploring, to a lunar landscape.

When to Visit: Try March to May or between September and November. Temperatures during these spring and fall months are temperate, with highs ranging from the upper 60s to the upper 80s—conditions that are perfect for exploring all of the area's parks.

What to Do: For views of the city you can't beat the summit of 7,200-foot Franklin Mountain. Take the North Franklin Mountain Peak Trail, which is 13 miles round-trip, so start early and bring plenty of water.

Where to Stay: The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park’s Ámbar Restaurante claims to have the largest and rarest agave spirits collection in North America. Texan, Mexican, and North American styles fuse with old-world glamor at the lovingly restored Hotel Paso Del Norte.

Where to Eat: Indulge in queso fries at L&J Cafe, enjoy a steak dinner and piano music at Cafe Central, and a phone booth is your portal into 1922—a speakeasy with punch bowls and classic cocktails.

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Spokane is a sporty city in the Pacific-Northwest known for drawing thousands of visitors to its annual Hoopfest (June 29-30, 2024)—slated as the “largest outdoor 3on3 basketball tournament on earth”—as well as its state-of-the-art, multi-sport venue called The Podium that’s favored by runners for its hydraulic banked track. Riverfront Park, an unofficial 40,000-square-foot green living room, is the city’s crown jewel. Everyone gathers here to enjoy public art, a historic carousel, and the cascading waterfalls that tumble through downtown—all best viewed with a bird’s-eye aboard the Numerica SkyRide.

When to Visit: Get here in May when the waterfalls are their most powerful, thanks to the snow melt. Otherwise, any time in summer is great.

What to Do: Mount Spokane State Park is 40 minutes east of town and boasts 100 miles of hiking and biking trails, plus a diverse landscape of creeks and peaks. In the winter, you can ski here.

Where to Stay: The Historic Davenport Hotel is Spokane’s grand dame in the center of the city and home to the Peacock Room—a flamboyant space where you can order Cougar Gold Cheese that’s made by Washington State University’s creamery. Or, Hotel Indigo Spokane is a modern hotel with an urban vibe.

Where to Eat: Cochinito Taqueria is a favorite local, mural-filled taco joint. Seafood fans can head to Zona Blanca, a happening ceviche bar with oysters, crudo, and coastal Baja-inflected faves. Volstead Act is a refreshing starting or ending point for craft cocktails in the heart of downtown. Get a taste of the local beer scene at Whistle Punk Brewing, tucked in an industrial park.

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Glacier cracks the top 10 most visited national parks, and Whitefish puts you at the front porch of the “Crown of the Continent.” Skiers are also close to Whitefish Mountain Resort, which offers epic night skiing on the weekends and during the holiday season, so you can plow through untracked powder from late-afternoon storms. In the summer months, try snagging trout in Whitefish Lake. When you're done adventuring, you've got a top-notch mountain town to traipse through without the crowds of Billings or Bozeman. Getting here is part of the fun: Do so aboard Amtrak’s Empire Builder route that stitches Chicago to Seattle along the Lewis and Clark trail.

When to Visit: Winter is go-time for skiers, but summer is the best time to hike and camp in Glacier National Park.

What to Do: If it's summer, you'll need a reason to visit the mountain resorts and zip lining is a big one to check out on Whitefish Mountain, with six routes that let you soar 300 feet above the ground.

Where to Stay: Friends of the Firebrand Hotel would describe it as an extrovert. The hotel hosts one heck of a happy hour, plus live music on weekends; if you’re here during the town’s Winter Carnival Party, aerial silk artists twirl from the ceilings. In the winter, the hotel has ski-and-stay deals to get you on Whitefish Mountain Resort. Located on the river, Après Whitefish Mt. is also a great stay for Glacier National Park adventurers, with a beautifully designed ski lodge-like lobby. After a day of skiing, thaw out in the hotel’s wood fire sauna.

Where to Eat: Margs, tacos, and fried ice cream is the trifecta you’re going for at Jalisco Cantina. If you’re craving steak and potatoes (maybe some tuna tartare, too?) head to Whitefish Lake Restaurant. At Bonsai Brewing Project, you’ll feel like you’re having a brew in your buddy’s backyard, with killer mountain views to boot. Also a friendly spot, the cocktails at Spotted Bear Spirits make good use of local ingredients, like vodka distilled from Montana sugar beets.

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After you’ve checked in, tried your luck at the blackjack table, and seen enough of the bright lights on The Strip, head out for some real adventure. Vegas is a jumping off point for a number of outdoor itineraries. Paddle on Lake Mead. Hike amid sandstone outcrops and 2,000-year-old petroglyphs at Valley of Fire State Park. Or, time travel to the Ice Age at Tule Springs Fossil Beds, which was once known as mammoth central. When you head back into town, enjoy Vegas nightlife—which we consider to be a good bourbon, steak, and maybe a cigar.

When to Visit: Beat the 100-degree heat and come March to May or September to November.

What to Do: Venture off The Strip to Red Rock Canyon to hike or rock climb. The Neon Museum is an interesting visit that's like a graveyard of Vegas past.

Where to Stay: Retreat from the noise and the flashing lights with a stay at NoMad Las Vegas, a hotel within a hotel that’s part of Park MGM. Or check out the shiny new Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

Where to Eat: Order a bunch of Tijuana-style tacos at Tacos El Gordo, find some of the finest sushi in Vegas off-Strip at Kaiseki Yuzu, and drink at Atomic, a Vegas institution.

Beaches, easy access to deep-sea fishing, plus cool scuba diving sites all combine to make Miami the ideal spot for travelers who start to stir if they’re stuck inside for too long. The nightlife and fine dining draws visitors from all over, but the reason Miami lands on this list is because of its actual wild side: Everglades and Biscayne National Park are both close. Paddle, see some crocs, and hike in Everglades National Park. At Biscayne, your move is to duck underwater so you can snorkel the reefs or scuba dive and marvel at shipwrecks. If you do catch an odd rainy day or need a reprieve from the heat, there are several world-class museums to check out like the Institute for Contemporary Art Miami; Pérez Art Museum Miami; or the nightLAB adult’s-only experience at Frost Science, where you can do science experiments—ideal for the generation that grew up watching Bill Nye the Science Guy.

When to Visit: Avoid hurricane season (it’s technically June through November) and slide into town between March and May when the highs are in the 80s and the beaches aren’t too crowded.

What to Do: Wander among the color-drenched Wynwood Walls to see some of the world’s best street art, then grab one of the latest seasonal beers on tap at Veza Sur, a Latin-inspired brewery. Get out on the water with Double Threat Fishing Charters and chase some mahi mahi.

Where to Stay: Arlo Wynwood Miami matches the arty vibe of the neighborhood. The Standard Miami Beach is set on Biscayne Bay and a stay here gives you complimentary access to a wellness spa with a Turkish-style hammam, Arctic plunge, ice room, aroma steam room, and more.

Where to Eat: Biscayne Bay Brewing makes craft beer for the Marlins, the Heat—and you! Shoot some pool and play foosball at the roomy brewery. Pastis is a French bistro by way of NY with all the onion soup and frites you can stomach. Dante's HiFi is a listening room where DJs play and good cocktails flow. Don’t leave town without trying Cuban delicacies at a spot like Tinta y Café, which Michelin honored with one of its Bib Gourmand awards.

Vermont is considered the skiing epicenter of the East, but Burlington knows how to summer, too. Set on Lake Champlain, you’ve got iconic spots for ice cream (Ben & Jerry’s started scooping here) and lots of great breweries for patio drinking. Visitors are treated to endless nearby adventures with the Adirondacks a short drive away, rock climbing at Bolton Quarry and mountain biking at Sunny Hollow Natural Area. Get out for a hike at Mount Philo State Park for superb views of Lake Champlain Valley.

When to Visit: It’s hard to play favorites with the seasons. You’ve got famous fall foliage, five resorts for skiing all within an hour reach of Burlington, and summers are just downright fun here.

What to Do: Rent a stand-up paddleboard to take out on Lake Champlain. Or, go for a run or bike ride on the Burlington Greenway that traces the shoreline.

Where to Stay: Blind Tiger is a brick mansion with 14 guest rooms each designed differently with moody paint colors, plaid, exposed brick, and unique chandeliers. Any one of them could be the cover of a design magazine. Get a good night’s sleep at Hotel Vermont, which has a nighttime menu with options like a hot toddy.

Where to Eat and Drink: American Flatbread whips up inventive specialties; try New Vermont Sausage with house maple-fennel pork sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, caramelized onions, mushrooms, and grana padano. It also has an attached brewery so you needn’t travel far to wash it down. Bistro de Margot is a fine-dining French restaurant with a three-course, prix-fixe menu that changes weekly. Save room for dessert. The Paris-Brest is a French pastry with praline buttercream that honors the Paris-Brest bicycle race. Play Mortal Kombat and try Vermont beers at The Archives arcade bar. Or hang out on the patio at Citizen Cider, which also serves brunch on the weekends and has non-alcoholic sparkling cider for kids.

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If you love Asheville, try Boone for a second serving of Blue Ridge Parkway beauty. Home to 18,000 students at Appalachian State University, Boone has all the biking, climbing, hiking, and skiing you and the local collegiate crowd require—plus live bluegrass music, great coffee shops, and exactly the sort of beer specials you’d hope for and expect in a happening mountain college town with zero attitude. While here, learn about Appalachian history at Horn of the West and hike the technical Daniel Boone Scout Trail that summits at Calloway Peak on Grandfather Mountain and involves some ladders and cables along the way.

When to Visit: The fall, when the Blue Ridge Parkway explodes with fall colors.

What to Do: Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park boasts five trails of varying difficulty. If you feel like stretching your legs out, hike to Flat Top Tower, through the Moses Cone Memorial Park. The hike starts in the parking lot of the Cone Memorial and ends up at a fire tower (Flat Top Tower) with 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Where to Stay: Find restored A-frames and glass treehouses on Airbnb. Or, stay downtown and close to campus at The Horton Hotel, which has a rooftop bar with a fire sphere and blankets for crisp fall nights.

Where to Eat: The Cardinal reinforces the mountain theme in its A-frame building, anchored by a stone fireplace. The restaurant is known for its gourmet burgers, and also serves snacks like vegan tempeh fingers and pimento cheese dip. Proper is a solid choice for Southern dishes like fried catfish. Nerd out over craft beer at Appalachian Mountain Brewery where brewers will share recipes for baked goods like stout brownies and apple cider donuts.

Taos is synonymous with (really good) skiing in the winter. But this Northern New Mexico destination is a hedonistic playground in the summer, too, when you can raft the Rio Grande Gorge or pick any kind of rock you want to climb—conglomerate, granite, or basalt. You’ll also get a good dose of culture with a visit to Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage site and architectural marvel that’s been continuously inhabited for 1,000 years. From Taos, take a daytrip 90 minutes south to Santa Fe for all things arts-related (including of the culinary variety) or travel two hours out of town to Carson National Park to hike, camp, and be one with nature.

When to Visit: Skiers flock here in the winter, when 300 inches of snow dump on Taos Ski Valley. But September and October is a great time of year for everyone else.

What to Do: Go on the all-day “saddle and paddle” excursion with Rio Grande Stables that starts with a horseback ride across the Cebolla Mesa and ends with whitewater rafting on the Rio Grande.

Where to Stay: Stay in Taos-style digs and pamper yourself with a spa treatment at El Monte Sagrado or opt for an adobe-style, Route 66-inspired motel called Taos Inn that welcomes weary travelers with a neon sign out front.

Where to Eat: Classic Oaxacan food is made with locally sourced beans and peppers at The Love Apple, and the mains at Lambert's of Taos don’t pull any punches: We’re talking lamb shank, duck breast, and prime filet mignon. Beer flights at Taos Mesa Brewing Taos Tap Room come with five samples.

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About a million gallons of thermal spring water emerge daily from the 4,000-year-old hot springs that gave this steamy town its name—and was also called the “Valley of the Vapors” by Native Americans. Start with a soak in the healing waters piped into the historic bath houses on Bathhouse Row, and you’ll get why folks of all stripes (see below) were drawn here. Then take a hike in Hot Springs National Park, a mossy green enclave where steam lifts from the springs. Fill up your water bottle from the free thermal water fountains. Drink a beer that’s been brewed with the spring water at Superior Bathhouse Brewery. Hit Bathhouse Row again. Rinse and repeat.

While in town, you’re sure to hear lots of scandalous stories about Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Frank Costello because this central Arkansas destination was, for decades, a magnet for mobsters. Babe Ruth and other legendary ball players of yore reportedly enjoyed themselves here too.

When to Visit: Temps are most comfortable in the shoulder seasons, like April and May, or September and October.

What to Do: Once you’ve soaked up enough spring time, head an hour west to 40,000-acre Lake Ouachita that’s surrounded by a forest and has waters clear and clean enough for scuba diving. You can also go fishing in the coves and spend the night at one of 93 campsites.

Where to Stay: Mineral soaking tubs come in all nine rooms at Hotel Hale. Or check into a former mansion with Gilded Age vibes at The Reserve at Hot Springs.

Where to Eat: Charred pies come out of the 725-degree oven at DeLuca's Pizza. For steaks and a comfy ambience, head to The Porterhouse. Hungry to hear some good gangster lore? That would be at the Ohio Club.

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Fayetteville’s outdoor credentials got a boost when New River Gorge gained national park status in late 2020, but those who call this small town home have always been clued in on vast outdoor recreation opportunities and water sports. Fayetteville has world-class whitewater to ride on the New and Gauley rivers, or change up your pace with a guided paddle boarding trip to waterfalls with Mountain Surf Paddle Sports.

When to Visit: Take advantage of the water activities in the summer. Or, time your trip around the Bridge Day festival (third Saturday in October, so Oct. 19, 2024). Daredevils can BASE jump off the New River Gorge Bridge into the Gorge 876 feet below.

What to Do: For your own bridge adventure, clip into a safety cable and walk the New River Gorge Bridge Walk. You’re about 25 feet below the roadway, nearly 900 feet above the river, and the length of the bridge is 3,030 feet.

Where to Stay: The 14-room, Queen Anne-style Historic Morris Harvey House is our favorite historic hideaway here, equipped with an on-site speakeasy called Rosa’s.

Where to Eat: Enjoy breakfast sammies and lunchtime paninis inside Cathedral Cafe, which took over an old church and kept the stained glass windows. The housemade chips get rave reviews at Secret Sandwich Society. Drink local and catch some live music in the arty, mural-filled Freefolk Brewery.

Saint Francis Tulsa Tough

The Tulsa Tough race (June 7-9, 2024) takes over the city for three days in late spring, highlighting the bikeability of this underrated town for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. The rest of the year, you can get your outdoors on at the nearby state park Turkey Mountain Wilderness Area for hiking, hunting, kayaking, and fishing. For a bit more fun on the water, there’s an inflatable water park in town, along with an impressive riverfront park called the Gathering Place where you can kayak, see some art, or join a pick-up basketball game. Tulsa has a strong live music scene, along with the Bob Dylan Center.

When to Visit: Plan for a spring or fall visit (unless you love the heat).

What to Do: Get acquainted with Tulsa’s history and arts and culture scene by taking an architectural tour. Tulsa was known as the “Oil Capital of the World” in the 1920s, and the opulence is reflected in its Art Deco buildings. Learn about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre at the Greenwood Rising museum and stop into Silhouette Sneakers & Art, which is among the Black-owned businesses creating buzz in the revitalized Historic Greenwood District.

Where to Stay: A stunning example of Art Deco architecture, The Mayo Hotel was built in 1925, and its guest list includes JFK, Elvis, Babe Ruth, and many more famous visitors. Feel like a local at Hotel Indigo Tulsa, which shares a space with bars, restaurants, shops, a comedy club, and bowling alley.

Where to Eat: Open for breakfast and lunch, Wanda J’s Next Generation is a local institution famous for its fried chicken. Stonehorse Cafe is the spot to throw back oysters, order surf and turf, or stop in for afternoon tea or a cocktail. Give the bartenders at Valkyrie a few boozy adjectives, and they’ll make you a custom cocktail.

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If you been flying over South Dakota all these years, Spearfish should entice you to touch down here and stay awhile. Just north of Black Hills National Forest, the region is one big playground with hiking, climbing, biking, and waterfall tours. In the winter, you’ve got wide-open cross-country skiing and fat biking, and guided ice climbing in the canyons. For a day trip, head about 1 1/2 hours southeast to Badlands National Park and see the buttes, spires, and wildlife at lookouts on the Badlands Loop Trail. Just 15 miles from Spearfish, Deadwood is that thoroughly touristed Wild West town where Wild Bill Hickock was once dealt the deadman’s hand—aces and eights.

When to Visit: Generally late May to September is peak season, with up to 16 hours of daylight. June is considered the sweet spot. September brings fewer crowds, but the weather, while crisp, is still pleasant.

What to Do: Hit US Highway 14A to drive Spearfish Canyon, a scenic 20-mile stretch that's a mix of gorgeous driving and pulling over to explore a string of cascades, including Bridal Veil Falls, Roughlock Falls, and Spearfish Falls.

Where to Stay: Spearfish Canyon Lodge is at the foot of Black Hill and has the lodge vibes you’d expect with lots of timber, roaring fires, and taxidermy. The lodge rents out snowmobiles and snowshoes if a winter vacation is in the cards.

Where to Eat: The Original Spearfish Breakfast House is a no-frills, consistently good spot for all your favorite a.m. meals. Head to The Farmhouse Bistro and Bar for dinner, where the Beast Bolognese is for game lovers and loaded with wagyu elk, bison, wild boar, and venison. Specialty burgers and wild mushroom poutine are other menu standouts. The libations scene is small, but solid. Try a barrel-aged beer at Spearfish Brewing Company or grab a drink and hear some live music alongside locals at Spearfish Public House.

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Springfield is the home base for digging into the oft-overlooked and spectacular Ozarks. In town, a top tourist attraction is Fantastic Caverns, where you can ride through stalagmite-studded caves aboard a trolley. For less scripted fun, though, nature lovers can hit up the Ozark Greenways, which stitch together paved and unpaved trails, along with waterways, for walking, running, biking, and paddling. Or head out to massive Mark Twain National Forest to rip around on an ATV.

When to Visit: September and October to enjoy crisp temps and blazing fall foliage.

What to Do: Drive about 90 minutes north to Lake of the Ozarks for paddling and swimming. If tubing is more your speed, Ozark National Scenic Riverways is about two hours outside of town.

Where to Stay: Set in a former Masonic lodge, Hotel Vandivort is a stylish boutique hotel with a rooftop bar. Springfield is the birthplace of Route 66, and the local Best Western pays homage to the Mother Road with some kitschy themed rooms.

Where to Eat: Pair wagyu burgers with truffle and parm fries at Black Sheep, order Tuscan specials at Avanzare Italian Dining, and, at 417 Taphouse, pour yourself a beer from the self-service wall and play some retro-arcade games.

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The best way to get a lay of the land is by hopping on a trolley for the “Wild West History Tour” to see where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid liked to hang out (and cause a ruckus). Cheyenne is less than 90 miles from Denver International Airport. You’ll find plenty of shops selling leather boots and custom cowboy hats, which is the unofficial uniform for Cheyenne Frontier Days that brings rodeos and big-name concerts to town each summer. Do pack some hiking boots. Curt Gowdy State Park is just west of the city and has three reservoirs for fishing and paddling, plus trails for hiking and biking. Devils Tower, a famous crack climbing destination, is about four hours away.

When to Visit: Time your trip with Cheyenne Frontier Days in the second half of July.

What to Do: Terry Bison Ranch is home to a herd of 2,500 or so bison. Explore the land aboard custom-made train cars, which the bison often approach. If that’s the case, you can feed them pellet treats from the palm of your hand. You can also go horseback riding here, crossing between the Wyoming-Colorado border.

Where to Stay: For accommodations that keep you entertained, Little America is a resort with a pool, 9-hole golf course, and disc golf. For a more historic stay, Nagle Warren Mansion has been lovingly restored to its Victorian opulence and is known for its elaborate breakfasts.

Where to Eat: A spot for hamburgers and steaks, The Albany is a restaurant with an attached liquormart. Bella Fuoco Wood Fired Pizza serves pizza, calzones and a pasta of the month. Grab an American pale ale and catch some live music at Blue Raven Brewery, a local indoor-outdoor brew pub. Paramount Ballroom serves creative drinks, including several great whiskey cocktails that feature Buffalo Trace Bourbon and Bulleit Rye—among the best whiskeys to drink straight or mix up.

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