Colorado's mountains are perfect for snowboarding, skiing and casual winter sports. The Cascade Mountains in Washington State are ideal for rock climbers, kayakers and hikers since the temperature is mild, and the views of the plush evergreen forest are breathtaking. Jacksonville, Florida, beaches offer soft quiet winds for windsurfing and body boarding. California and Hawaii also offer ideal environments for beach activities. Each of these states has a major international airport and family-friendly hotels for outdoors enthusiasts.
Escape from the noise of the city or just get away from the office by booking a few nights in a cabin or spa. The Appalachian Trail, which runs from New York to Georgia, is chock-full of mom-and-pop bed-and-breakfasts overlooking the serene mountains. Traveling to a secluded and idyllic location is best reserved for driving. Find a local national park, book a reputable, often family-owned hotel to best enjoy the local food, and plan on taking a few favorite books and setting up an appointment at a spa.
New York City offers several museums covering the experiences of immigrants to the U.S. during the 1800s, including Ellis Island (ellisisland.org). Or you can visit Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, to see how the Pilgrims lived. It is filled with beautiful gardens, horse-and-buggy rides are available, and re-creations of historical moments are numerous. Native American history is best found in North Carolina and Oklahoma, where there are monumental archives, museums and universities dedicated to the preservation of Native American history and its diaspora.
Any time of the year is ideal for art shows in New York City. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (metmuseum.org) has continuous rotating displays, and Central Park regularly hosts sculpture exhibits. Plus you can seize the opportunity to enjoy an afternoon or evening at the theater or ballet. Washington, D.C., is less famous for art than politics yet has an impressive amount of medieval, Renaissance and modern art in its various galleries. The best time to visit D.C. is in the spring or fall when the temperatures are pleasant and tourists are few.
