Charleston, South Carolina
The lovely, whimsical Charleston beckons visitors into what feels like another era. The Southern charm is felt throughout, while the historic buildings, wide avenues, military remnants and antebellum architecture in its Historic District, making Charleston one of the most visited cities in the United States. To get a true feel of Charleston, head to the only surviving urban townhouse complex, the 1820 Aiken-Rhett House where the stark contrast of the slaves’ dorm quarters is seen against the grandeur of manor living.
The oldest plantation gardens in the US at Middleton Place, with their surprising mix of formal French landscaping and wild woodland, make for a delightful day-time excursion. The self-supporting staircase – the star of the 1808 Nathaniel Russell House – is complemented by hundreds of intricate details seen throughout the home-museum. A more chilling side of Charleston’s history can be seen at the Old Slave Mart Museum. Oral recollections and artifacts such as leg shackles highlight the tragic slave experience in the South. Used as a prison for Americans captured by the British during the Revolutionary War, the Provost Dungeon is located beneath the 1771 Old Exchange customs house, while the Fort Sumter National Monument, where the first shots of the American Civil War rang out at Fort Sumter, touches on an iconic moment in US history. Despite its title as ‘The Best Mannered City in America’, Charleston knows how to live it up and regularly hosts cool food and wine festivals, fashion shows and other cultural events. The Southern hospitality is felt at world class restaurants that whip up delicious meals from homegrown vegetables, fresh fish and shrimps or other local delicacies
New Orleans
New Orleans is a Louisiana city on the Mississippi River, near the Gulf of Mexico. Nicknamed the "Big Easy," it's known for its round-the-clock nightlife, vibrant live-music scene and spicy, singular cuisine reflecting its history as a melting pot of French, African and American cultures. Embodying its festive spirit is Mardi Gras, the late-winter carnival famed for raucous costumed parades and street parties.
Savannah, Georgia
Whether your ideal pace is strolling around the famous Forsyth fountain or a wild night of cabaret and karaoke, Savannah provides the perfect playground. History buffs swarm Savannah, taking in the rich, significant sites like Old Fort Jackson, Fort Pulaski National Monument and Bonaventure Cemetery. Fashionistas comb Broughton Street for high-end designs, and foodies crave specialties in gourmet shops. Art lovers enjoy the renowned Telfair Academy and the SCAD Museum of Art as well as an eclectic variety of art galleries and home decor shops.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe, New Mexico’s capital, sits in the Sangre de Cristo foothills. It’s renowned for its Pueblo-style architecture and as a creative arts hotbed. Founded as a Spanish colony in 1610, it has at its heart the traditional Plaza. The surrounding historic district’s crooked streets wind past adobe landmarks including the Palace of the Governors, now home to the New Mexico History Museum.
New York City
New York City comprises 5 boroughs sitting where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean. At its core is Manhattan, a densely populated borough that’s among the world’s major commercial, financial and cultural centers. Its iconic sites include skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building and sprawling Central Park. Broadway theater is staged in neon-lit Times Square.
Did you know: New York City ranks fifth among cities in the world for the number of high-rise buildings (6,486).
Chicago
Chicago, on Lake Michigan in Illinois, is among the largest cities in the U.S. Famed for its bold architecture, it has a skyline punctuated by skyscrapers such as the iconic John Hancock Center, 1,451-ft. Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower. The city is also renowned for its museums, including the Art Institute of Chicago with its noted Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works.
Did you know: Chicago has the third-most professional sports championships among U.S. cities (30 overall championships for five major leagues). wikipedia.org
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is a major city in south-central Texas with a rich colonial heritage. The Alamo, an 18th-century Spanish mission preserved as a museum, marks an infamous 1836 battle for Texan independence from Mexico. Following the San Antonio River, the miles-long River Walk is a landmark pedestrian promenade lined with cafes and shops. HemisFair Park’s 750-ft. Tower of the Americas overlooks the city.
Did you know: San Antonio is the seventh-largest United States city by population (1,511,946). wikipedia.org
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s known for a vibrant arts scene and historic architecture, including the dome-topped Basilica of Saint Lawrence. The vast 19th-century Biltmore estate displays artwork by masters like Renoir. The Downtown Art District is filled with galleries and museums, and in the nearby River Arts District, former factory buildings house artists' studios.
Nashville
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and home to Vanderbilt University. Legendary country music venues include the Grand Ole Opry House, home of the famous “Grand Ole Opry” stage and radio show. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and historic Ryman Auditorium are Downtown, as is the District, featuring honky-tonks with live music and the Johnny Cash Museum, celebrating the singer's life.
Honolulu
Honolulu, on the island of Oahu’s south shore, is capital of Hawaii and gateway to the U.S. island chain. The Waikiki neighborhood is its center for dining, nightlife and shopping, famed for its iconic crescent beach backed by palms and high-rise hotels, with volcanic Diamond Head crater looming in the distance. Sites relating to the World War II attack on Pearl Harbor include the USS Arizona Memorial.
Did you know: Honolulu is the most-populous census-designated place in Hawaii by population (337,256).
The lovely, whimsical Charleston beckons visitors into what feels like another era. The Southern charm is felt throughout, while the historic buildings, wide avenues, military remnants and antebellum architecture in its Historic District, making Charleston one of the most visited cities in the United States. To get a true feel of Charleston, head to the only surviving urban townhouse complex, the 1820 Aiken-Rhett House where the stark contrast of the slaves’ dorm quarters is seen against the grandeur of manor living.
New Orleans is a Louisiana city on the Mississippi River, near the Gulf of Mexico. Nicknamed the "Big Easy," it's known for its round-the-clock nightlife, vibrant live-music scene and spicy, singular cuisine reflecting its history as a melting pot of French, African and American cultures. Embodying its festive spirit is Mardi Gras, the late-winter carnival famed for raucous costumed parades and street parties.
Whether your ideal pace is strolling around the famous Forsyth fountain or a wild night of cabaret and karaoke, Savannah provides the perfect playground. History buffs swarm Savannah, taking in the rich, significant sites like Old Fort Jackson, Fort Pulaski National Monument and Bonaventure Cemetery. Fashionistas comb Broughton Street for high-end designs, and foodies crave specialties in gourmet shops. Art lovers enjoy the renowned Telfair Academy and the SCAD Museum of Art as well as an eclectic variety of art galleries and home decor shops.
Santa Fe, New Mexico’s capital, sits in the Sangre de Cristo foothills. It’s renowned for its Pueblo-style architecture and as a creative arts hotbed. Founded as a Spanish colony in 1610, it has at its heart the traditional Plaza. The surrounding historic district’s crooked streets wind past adobe landmarks including the Palace of the Governors, now home to the New Mexico History Museum.
New York City comprises 5 boroughs sitting where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean. At its core is Manhattan, a densely populated borough that’s among the world’s major commercial, financial and cultural centers. Its iconic sites include skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building and sprawling Central Park. Broadway theater is staged in neon-lit Times Square.
Chicago, on Lake Michigan in Illinois, is among the largest cities in the U.S. Famed for its bold architecture, it has a skyline punctuated by skyscrapers such as the iconic John Hancock Center, 1,451-ft. Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower. The city is also renowned for its museums, including the Art Institute of Chicago with its noted Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works.Did you know: Chicago has the third-most professional sports championships among U.S. cities (30 overall championships for five major leagues). wikipedia.org
San Antonio is a major city in south-central Texas with a rich colonial heritage. The Alamo, an 18th-century Spanish mission preserved as a museum, marks an infamous 1836 battle for Texan independence from Mexico. Following the San Antonio River, the miles-long River Walk is a landmark pedestrian promenade lined with cafes and shops. HemisFair Park’s 750-ft. Tower of the Americas overlooks the city.Did you know: San Antonio is the seventh-largest United States city by population (1,511,946). wikipedia.org
Asheville is a city in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s known for a vibrant arts scene and historic architecture, including the dome-topped Basilica of Saint Lawrence. The vast 19th-century Biltmore estate displays artwork by masters like Renoir. The Downtown Art District is filled with galleries and museums, and in the nearby River Arts District, former factory buildings house artists' studios.
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and home to Vanderbilt University. Legendary country music venues include the Grand Ole Opry House, home of the famous “Grand Ole Opry” stage and radio show. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and historic Ryman Auditorium are Downtown, as is the District, featuring honky-tonks with live music and the Johnny Cash Museum, celebrating the singer's life.
Honolulu, on the island of Oahu’s south shore, is capital of Hawaii and gateway to the U.S. island chain. The Waikiki neighborhood is its center for dining, nightlife and shopping, famed for its iconic crescent beach backed by palms and high-rise hotels, with volcanic Diamond Head crater looming in the distance. Sites relating to the World War II attack on Pearl Harbor include the USS Arizona Memorial.
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