10 Charming Midwestern Towns to Visit This Summer

While New England hamlets are perhaps the epitome of small towns, the Midwest has its fair share of quaint communities with a unique charm all their own. During the summer season, these towns can nearly double in size on any given weekend, with the promise of relaxed sailing and throwback street festivals offering a pleasant reprieve from city life.  Go there...

Driving Vermont's Very Tasty Cheese Trail

I'D BEEN DRIVING for hours through southwest Vermont, steering my rental car up and down idyllic, tree-lined country roads that less resembled a transportation system than an unraveled ball of yarn. An atlas and a state map lay discarded on the passenger seat. Neither showed my destination, a farm somewhere along the flank of Vermont Route 30. A lot of farms lie along that road. I had no idea what would distinguish this one from the others.  Go there...

Year-round beauty: Mount Rainier National Park

Visible throughout much of Washington State, Mount Rainier is an iconic, almost regal volcano. The contiguous USA's fifth-highest peak stands at 14,410 feet and is surrounded by sub-alpine meadows thick with wildflowers and 35 square miles of glaciers and snowfields. About 2 million visitors enter the national park annually to hike, camp and soak up the ethereal beauty of Mount Rainier, located about 80 miles from Seattle.  Go there...

25 beautiful piers, promenades and boardwalks

There's something undeniably appealing about a beautiful waterfront, and these 25 Piers, promenades and boardwalks represent some of the country's most picturesque waterfront.  Pictured here is the Fort Myers pier in southwest Florida.  Go there...

The 10 Best Small Cities in America

Instead of planning a trip to New York City or Los Angeles, explore some of America's quainter cities. These spots, voted among the best in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler's readers, have plenty of cultural attractions, stylish hotels, and charm to spare.

See how they compare with the 10 Best Cities in America.  Go there...

5 Great Travel Alternatives to a Beach Vacation

There are many good reasons why beach vacations are such an obvious choice for families. The things that make them up -- water, sky, and sand -- are elemental. No matter what beach town you choose to visit, it's sure to have a casual, laid-back atmosphere.   Go there...

5 Awesome & Affordable American Drives

Every corner of the U.S.—including yours!—offers a bold, beautiful road trip that rolls out an unforgettable vacation at a reasonable price. Here, five that we bet you haven’t taken yet. Canyonlands National Park, with its beautiful Mesa Arch, is just one of the stops along our five amazing American drives.  Go there...

 

Summer suppers: Great beer gardens with bites

We want you to get out to eat this summer -- literally -- so we're featuring the best spots to soak up the sun or the stars with food, drinks and friends wherever you're traveling. This week's great places in the great outdoors: Beer gardens! Popular throughout Europe, beer gardens come alive in the summer when people from all different walks of life gather to drink and nosh under the sun. Here are some of the best the world has to offer.   Go there...

10Best: Southern tourist attractions worth the crowds

We've all been there. A place that's clogged with so many tourists that the first reaction is "get me outta here!" Be that as it may, there are a few tourist attractions in the South that both bear and wear their title well – and definitely merit a visit. Muster the courage, block out the noise, and you'll be rewarded with an enlightened experience of the South. Click through the photo gallery above for our picks, from 10 to one!  Go there...

Breathtaking beauty: Utah's Zion National Park

Spanning across Southwestern Utah,  Zion National Park encompasses over 229 miles of canyon country. Utah's first National Park, this oasis amid the high plateau is rich with wildlife and fertile soil. This land was once home to the Paiute and Anasazi Indians, and settled by Mormon pioneers.  Go there...

10 Beaches That Will Make You Want To Plan A Trip To The Great Lakes Immediately

 Here's a problem we love to have: too many stunning beaches to choose from.              That's the constant conundrum with the Great Lakes, where you could spend an entire summer adventuring, swimming and sunning at a new spot each day and still not see most of the shoreline.                                             Though there are many reasons the Great Lakes are a truly incredible (and under appreciated) destination, we definitely put the beaches at the top of the list.  Go there...

Summer suppers: Festive street fairs to find

We want you to get out to eat this summer -- literally -- so we're featuring the best spots to soak up the sun or the stars with food, drinks and friends wherever you're traveling. This week's great places in the great outdoors: Street fairs and festivals! There's no better way to enjoy the summer than a festive street fair full of fun bites under warm blue skies. Here are the ones worth putting on your summer travel calendar.  Go there...

Photo tour: The most beautiful places in Alaska

Alaska, the 49th state of the Union as well as the largest and most sparsely populated, is a land where natural wonders can be found around every turn. Plus more Photo Tours of other states.  Go there...

Help the cause with a visit to these animal sanctuaries

Animal sanctuaries act as havens for abused, neglected and illegally obtained animals that have been rescued or retired from zoos and circuses. From large carnivores to reptiles and farm animals, rescued species large and small have found refuge at dedicated facilities across the Southern USA. Go there...

3 Coastal Gems Worth Discovering in Northern California

People typically think of San Francisco when referring to the Bay Area but there are several scenic coastal towns south of the big city that offer value and Northern California charm. Sure, it’s a lot of fun to stay in the city but you pay for it with pricey hotels and daily parking fees. Staying in nearby beach towns is the key to oceanfront rooms and dining options at a fraction of the cost. And they’re a short, breezy commute to San Francisco. And you might just find that these three beach towns are worthy destinations in themselves.   Go there...

Highway rest stops are revving up services, quality

The weary highway traveler in Ohio can pull off at a rest stop and find such delicacies as locally produced cheeses, smoked meats and chocolates. In Maryland, that same traveler could feast on Eastern Shore classics such as crab cakes at Phillips Seafood while using the free Wi-fi to check e-mail. In Pennsylvania, the offerings include a seasonal farmers market and a charging station for electric vehicles.  Go there...

10Best: Places to explore American history

What are the most historic sites in the United States? Are they the oldest attractions in the land? Or are America's most historic places a combination of old and new, weighted by significance as well as age?

These were the questions we posed ourselves when coming up with a list of 10 historic sites to visit around America. Below is a list that takes into account America's rich history, from pre-colonial times to the recent past, in chronological order.  Go there...

10Best: Southern distillery tours

As the craft spirits industry has grown, libation lovers looking to visit the South's top distilleries have more choices than ever before. The big names in Kentucky and Tennessee continue to receive the bulk of the crowds and are well worth a visit, but smaller boutique makers are also luring hordes of eager consumers. What better way to learn about a spirit than to tour the place where it's made while enjoying some samples with a side of friendly conversation. Here are 10 of the best distilleries the South has to offer.  Go there...

These 12 Midwestern Spots Are Actually Awesome In Summer

The Midwest may not have the Atlantic or the Pacific or the Gulf of Mexico, but that doesn't mean it lacks awesome summer destinations.

From lakefront retreats to charming small towns, these 12 spots are perfect for a summer escape.

Go there...

6 Small Towns to Visit This Summer

As a travel writer and a budding photographer, there are things I crave in my own vacations. Unique and surprising culture, off-the-beaten-path hikes and adventures, locally sourced, simple cuisines and one-of-a-kind sights void of mass tourists and instagram photos. Simply put, I'm looking for a location, a moment and a feeling that hasn't already been experienced by thousands of other people.  Go there...

10Best: Fourth of July fireworks around the USA

No matter which state in America you call home, or where you choose to celebrate Independence Day, annual firework displays always cap off the holiday's festivities perfectly by lighting up the night sky in a radiant show of brilliant luminescence.

These are some of the best US destinations for "ooh-ing" and "ahh-ing" over America's fireworks displays:  Go there...

Glacier National Park: Scratch that wilderness itch

Located in Northwest Montana, is renowned for its pristine forests, peaceful meadows, towering mountains and serene lakes. Native Americans who once lived here referred to the stunning landscape as "Shining Mountains." Rugged terrain, opportunities for adventure, and a past rooted in Native American history awaits.  Go there...