This Nevada hotspot has been dubbed "Sin City", "America's Playground", and "The Entertainment Capital of the World". Think of Vegas as a theme park rather than a city; it can be awe as well as overwhelming, which is part of its allure. In this city, inhibitions are not tolerated: Every night, the brightly lit Strip of Las Vegas attracts pleasure-seekers like moths to a flame. While you don't want to go so far as to reenact "The Hangover", you also don't want to leave without experiencing a little "Viva Las Vegas".

Today, Las Vegas can offer any type of vacation you can think of. You can go for the classic high-roller experience, complete with all-nighters at the blackjack table or TAO Nightclub. You can also make it all about luxury by visiting hotel spas, upscale boutiques, and gourmet restaurants. Las Vegas is also an excellent starting point for outdoor activities such as ATV tours, hiking in Red Rock Canyon, and helicopter or bus tours to the Hoover Dam. You can even bring the kids: a Cirque du Soleil performance, the Bellagio Fountain show, and the Neon Museum are all fun for kids.

Miami Beach is a melting pot of cultures, residents, and visitors. The renowned shores of "America's Riviera" are enjoyed by a diverse range of people, including waifish models, amateur architecture critics, distinguished seniors, and sun-seeking families. North Miami Beach has the most kid-friendly beaches as well as the most affordable restaurants and hotels. Greater Miami's galleries, museums, and theaters are less than ten miles away.

There's also South Beach. This popular southernmost neighborhood demonstrates that Miami Beach is more like two cities: a family-friendly vacation destination during the day and a super-chic metropolis at night. To keep up with the Joneses, you'll need to use your credit card at high-end stores, schmooze at cutting-edge fusion restaurants, dance at energetic nightclubs, and relax poolside at art deco-style hotels. The rich and famous, however, aren't the only ones who will have a good time here. More relaxed visitors can unwind on the sands of Haulover Park or Lummus Park, learn about architecture on an art deco tour, or even try their hand at fishing off the South Pointe Pier.

New Orleans is known for its European-style architecture, delectable Creole cuisine, and overall good vibes. And music serves as its backbone: jazz, blues, rock 'n' roll, and Zydeco tunes ooze from every city crevice. For many, however, the main reason to visit is Mardi Gras, an extravagant party with Carnival elements such as masks, music, floats, and merriment. Even if you don't make it to Mardi Gras, there's always a party going on in New Orleans, with revelers pouring out of Bourbon Street clubs until the early hours of the morning and a festival of some kind almost every weekend.

Despite previous environmental disasters, such as the BP oil spill, Hurricane Katrina, and Hurricane Isaac, New Orleans thrives. Significant efforts have been made in recent years to restore the distinct districts. Today, Crescent City appears to be almost brand new. Begin your visit with a walking tour of the French Quarter, which is rich in colonial history and ghost stories. From here, you can visit the major architectural sites before settling in for a hearty plate of jambalaya and a wild night out.

The Big Apple combines big city splendor with small-town charm. It is cool, cosmopolitan, crowded, and constantly evolving. In the midst of Gotham's iconic landmarks and towering skyscrapers, you'll discover a vibrant culture that pervades each of the city's distinct neighborhoods and boroughs. Trendsetters flock to the East Village and Brooklyn to visit indie boutiques, iconic bakeries, and hip coffee shops. After that, peruse the racks of the chic shops lining Fifth Avenue, admire the cutting-edge art collections at the MoMA and the Met, see a memorable Broadway show, or dine at the latest "it" restaurant.

As the most populous city in the United States, NYC necessitates endurance. It is at the cutting edge of food, fashion, and the arts. But don't let the Big Apple's frenetic sights and sounds keep you from soaking in its splendor. As you walk through the concrete jungle, you'll notice roaring taxis zipping down busy blocks, fast-paced pedestrians strolling by on their way to marquee galleries and trendy cocktail bars, and Times Square's neon lights flickering at all hours. Nonetheless, the city's twinkling lights and chaotic corners invite you to embrace every New York minute, explore every enclave, and design your own urban adventure. There are countless ways to spend your time in the city that never sleeps, but before you go, take a moment to look around.

Los Angeles confirms and deconstructs all of its stereotypes. Sure, it's a sprawling metropolis with perpetually congested freeways, but it also has one of the most diverse and distinct neighborhoods in the country. The glamour of chic Hollywood name brands and movie set backdrops abound in La-La Land, but it's also home to renowned art galleries like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and architectural marvels like the Getty Center. The world's visual entertainment empire, Los Angeles, provides tourists with behind-the-scenes access to the worlds of filmmaking and television broadcasting at studios such as Paramount Pictures Studios and Warner Bros. Studio.

Furthermore, the City of Angels has some of the most diverse cuisine in the country, as well as dozens of highly acclaimed restaurants. Away from the revitalized downtown area, the beaches of Malibu and Santa Monica offer sun, sand, and surfing, while Venice Beach provides close-ups of the city's most unique residents. Hiking and other outdoor activities are available at Griffith Park and the Angeles National Forest. The area is one of the most popular in the country, especially between June and October when thousands of visitors use their summer vacations to see as many LA attractions as they can.

San Francisco, a jumbled collage of colorful neighborhoods and breathtaking views, attracts the free-spirited types with an eye for edgy art, a taste for imaginative cuisine, and a thirst for adventure. It's hardly surprising that Tony Bennett left his heart here: The city has jaw-dropping sights, world-class cuisine, cozy cafes, and a plethora of thriving nightlife venues – there is no shortage of things to do here. Spend an hour or two sunning alongside sea lions on the bay, admiring city views from Twin Peaks, or strolling along the Marina. And for a truly San Franciscan experience, take a cable car ride or a boat tour beneath the Golden Gate Bridge.

Cool and compact San Francisco, often described as Los Angeles' more refined northern cousin, combines the big-city buzz of its southern counterpart with a sense of small-town charm. You'll find a patchwork of culture flourishing in San Francisco's many vibrant quarters. Follow the crowds to the touristy Fisherman's Wharf area (which offers spectacular views of Alcatraz) before continuing along the bay to the Presidio to catch a glimpse of the famous Golden Gate Bridge. But don't forget to leave time for the Mission District, the Haight, and the Castro to get a taste of all the different flavors of San Francisco life. When you're ready to get away from the city, take one of San Francisco's best wine tours for a relaxing day trip.

Throughout its history, America's third-largest city has been described in a variety of ways. When Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla competed for the right to use their forms of electricity to illuminate the World's Columbian Exposition (also known as the Chicago World's Fair) in 1893, Chicago was known as an industrial city. When Prohibition came into effect, infamous mobsters like Al Capone turned Chicago into their own dangerous playground. Throughout the twentieth century, intense immigration surges brought a slew of new identities to Chicago, including Greek, Polish, Italian, Irish, and Jewish.

Today, Chicago is just as diverse, with a thriving arts scene, numerous shopping districts, and a veritable cornucopia of eateries. Visitors to Chi-Town for the first time are bound to be transfixed by the sky for at least a day or two. The skyscrapers and public art in Chicago are absolutely stunning: Take a Chicago Architecture River Cruise or spend some time in Millennium Park, and you'll find yourself looking up a lot. Head to the Willis Tower's Skydeck Chicago or the John Hancock Center's 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck for a bird's-eye view. After that, immerse yourself in everything the city has to offer, from exceptional museums to a thriving sports culture and deep-dish pizza that takes delicious to new heights.

Austin, known as the "Live Music Capital of the World", has more live music venues per capita than any other city in the country. It has seen the beginnings of several famous musicians' careers, including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Janis Joplin, and the Dixie Chicks. Despite significant growth in recent years, Austin retains a quirky, laid-back atmosphere that is unlike any other Texas city. Outsiders often perceive Austin as a haven for eccentric characters, but Austinites relish their eccentricity and proudly proclaim the city's motto, "Keep Austin Weird".

Apart from its vibrant live music and nightlife scenes, the main reason to visit is to enjoy the great outdoors. With an average of 300 sunny days per year and large swaths of green space such as Zilker Metropolitan Park, many experts rank Austin as one of the Best Places to Live in America. It's probably because there's something for everyone here, whether you're a history buff (LBJ's library and the Texas State History Museum are both here), an art lover (Blanton Museum of Art), a sports fan (the University of Texas at Austin football), or a budding musician (Sixth Street).

Consistently sunny weather and 70 miles of magnificent coastline, along with mouthwatering Mexican cuisine, a thriving nightlife, and one of the country's favorite zoos, draw active types and sun-seekers alike to San Diego all year. Then there are the beaches: Visit Mission Beach to catch a wave, La Jolla to soak up the rays, and Coronado to take a leisurely seaside stroll. Furthermore, San Diego offers some of the best California tours, such as whale watching tours, boat tours, and fishing charters. When you're ready to trade in your flip-flops and board shorts for more formal attire, there are pockets of vivacious nightlife throughout the city, particularly near the historic Gaslamp Quarter.

The months of March through May, as well as September through November, are ideal for a visit to San Diego. When compared to the peak summer season, you can find some great deals on travel rates during the low seasons. However, due to the warm weather, which averages around 60 to 70 degrees year-round, there is never a bad time to visit. But that doesn't always imply that there will be plenty of sunny days. Overcast days are common in May and June, so much so that the months are nicknamed "May Gray" and "June Gloom" by locals. When it comes to rain, San Diego receives the most during the winter months, so a day at the beach is out of the question.

Boston is more than just a baseball town with brownstones and bookish collegiate types. It also has America's first large free municipal public library, the subway system, public school, and public park. To say the city is historic is an understatement, but this wicked smart college town doesn't get stuck in the past. A well-rounded trip to Boston combines the classic and the modern: Spend your time visiting historic sites such as the Paul Revere House and Faneuil Hall, as well as modern attractions such as the Museum of Fine Arts. If you go to Beacon Hill, you'll see graceful mansions from the past mixed in with chic boutiques and cutting-edge hotels.

Despite its rough-and-tumble reputation, thanks to Hollywood appearances in gritty films like "Black Mass", "American Hustle", and "The Town", Boston has a cool, cosmopolitan personality that is reflected in its trendy restaurants, urban parks, and modern museums. Residents are still rooting for their beloved Red Sox, but they're also visiting the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway for a free yoga class or meandering to the quirky SoWa Open Market for some antique shopping. So pull up a stool and join them at their favorite pub for oyster shooters and New England clam chowder, or head to Back Bay to sip a coffee while strolling down trendy Newbury Street. You'll need more than a few days to fully appreciate the city's offerings.