That the Last Frontier is a nature lover's dream is no revelation; its beauty has long made it a popular destination for adventure travelers and cruise passengers. But history buffs will find much to explore in the 49th state, as well, given Alaska's storied past as a hub for fishing and mining industries. Anchorage, Juneau and other cities across the state might surprise foodies with the variety and sophistication of their culinary offerings, as an increasing number of award-winning chefs are calling Alaska home.
From north to south, California attracts millions of visitors each year to its beaches, mountains, cosmopolitan cities and rural areas, including world-class wineries, unspoiled wilderness and Gold Rush towns from the 1800s. Major destinations include San Francisco, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, San Diego and Orange County, which is home to Disneyland.
Beyond Colorado's famed ski slopes, sports enthusiasts who visit the Centennial State will find world-class hiking, mountain biking and fishing. Its cosmopolitan capital, Denver, offers dozens of festivals and a growing roster of microbreweries. The state's ski resorts are placing more emphasis on their off-season offerings in an effort to lure multigenerational and year-round travel.
The Sunshine State is America's pre-eminent family vacation destination, with theme parks in the Orlando area in the central part of the state, the beaches of the Panhandle in the northwest and the iconic Florida Keys. Miami offers both urban and beach charms as well as along with nearby Fort Lauderdale a wealth of Caribbean-bound cruise departures.
Hawaii continues to offer a unique history and culture and a warm "aloha" welcome that serves as a strong motivator for the leisure traveler. The four major islands the Island of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui and Oahu have a diversity of outdoor recreation activities, including championship golf courses.
New York state is more than its famed namesake city. The state has 62 counties, four mountain ranges (Adirondack, Catskill, Shawangunk and Taconic) and Niagara Falls. The central part of the state boasts the Finger Lakes region with its wineries, gorges and recreation as well as the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. From New York City, Hudson River tour boats take visitors upriver to Washington Irving's Sleepy Hollow and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.