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Southern hospitality has been well preserved in Charlotte. Although those looking for an action-packed adventure vacation may have to look elsewhere - the pace here is sedate and the atmosphere relaxed - there is plenty to see and do in this town.

Phoenix, Arizona, is the gateway to the wide salty deserts that mark this part of the US. Phoenix itself though is a major metropolis, with steel-and-glass skyscrapers jostling for space with turn-of-the-century architecture and the occasional oddity.

Tuscon is one of the major cities that mark the Wild West frontiers of American history. Tourist attractions, even those that are off the beaten path, all revolve around the hot dusty history of cowboys, Indians and the ongoing rivalry between North and South. Even the city's largest 2010 event, The Tuscon Rodeo Parade and Museum focuses on the history of the cowboy and pioneer living.

Sacramento, California is the most diverse city in the United States. Here, you can easily hear four different languages, smell the food from five different countries and hear the notes from six different styles of music, all while strolling down one of the boulevards with a famous Sacramento ice-cream in hand.

Colorado Springs lies under the majestic vista that is Pike’s Peak. Considered one of the best places to live in the country, it also makes for a wonderful vacation destination. With a vast selection of outdoor recreation, thrilling amusements, breathtaking natural areas, and world-class attractions, Colorado Springs is much more than just a spot on the map.

Richmond is the former capital of the Confederacy. Although the nation is now united, there is still plenty of ways to experience a little of pre-civil war life with memorials and monuments detailing Richmond's history, and plenty of southern hospitality oozing out of jazz clubs. In contrast, the event for 2010 is RavenCon, a fantasy and sci-fi convention guaranteed to bring out the inner geek in any visitor.

While Washington DC is the capital of the United States, Olympia WA is the Washington state capital and it is well worth a few days spent exploring this historic and yet quirky part of the world. The yearly Procession of the Species is part Mardi Gras, part family-fun carnival and part homage to Darwin, while the stately and sedate historic buildings and museums provide the cultural counterbalance.

If a thrill-a-minute is your idea of a good vacation, then you're in the wrong town. Bismarck, North Dakota is a great place to enjoy the more sedate and wholesome pursuits that the US has to offer. Hiking, swimming, historical snippets of the cowboy era, and dinner on the Riverboat – these are the kinds of leisurely pursuits to be found in North Dakota's State Capital.

Helena, Montana, is not on the usual tourist itineraries. Like most Montana towns, it is small, and lacks the obvious attractions of the Glacier National Park. Nonetheless, it's off-the-beaten-path appeal can be a pleasant diversion and pit-stop for those passing through to other parts of the state.

While most tourists generally opt to visit the bigger cities within the United States, Fayetteville, Arkansas boasts a unique southern charm. Fayetteville is a relatively small town but still manages to please its visitors with just enough attractions, off-the-beaten path spots and the occasional sporting extravaganza to fill a three-day weekend.

Long before it was a petrochemical stronghold, Baton Rouge was the dividing strip between the hunting lands of the Bayougoula and Houma native tribes. The ghoulish marker was a tree stained red with blood and it was this that inspired the name given to the area by the 17th century French conquerors (Baton Rouge translates as Red Stick).

Minnesota is called the land of ten thousand lakes. And although Minneapolis and its twin city St Paul have plenty of urban entertainment, the main attraction of Minneapolis is as a gateway to the natural beauty of the state.