If you're looking for some great Florida beaches but aren't necessarily interested in a mega-resort or theme park atmosphere, Pensacola might just be the place for your perfect weekend. Home to Gulf Islands National Seashore, the city offers some of the best fishing and boating in the area. Inland, canoeing enthusiasts won't want to miss the beauty of the Blackwater River. Closer to town, the city has a proud military heritage, which can be seen at attractions like the National Museum of Naval Aviation and the Pensacola Naval Air Station.

Old southern charm meets modern city allure in Montgomery, where the weather is sublime and the food is divine! Explore life in the 19th-century South at Old Alabama Town, sample the city's artsy side at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts or spend the day reliving the era of Civil Rights. Rosa Parks, the African-American woman who changed history in the United States by refusing to ride in the back of the bus, was arrested in Montgomery, and there are a number of interesting attractions in her honor. Literary buffs will be wowed by the Fitzgerald Museum, while kids will want to spend hours at the Montgomery Zoo. Everyone will enjoy the delicious southern cuisine, from black-eyed pea soup to country ham and red-eyed gravy. Fancy or no-frills, a visit to Montgomery will leave you with a taste for more.

The Missouri State Capitol dominates a bluff overlooking the Missouri River and the bronze statue atop its 238 foot-high dome is the first thing that comes into view for visitors of Jefferson City. The same bluff was one of the first sites passed by Lewis and Clark on their famous expedition, and the city is close to both the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and KATY Trail State Park. The city is also home to the imposing Missouri State Penitentiary, the “bloodiest 47 acres in America.”

With a pristine coastline, a rich antebellum history and a charming, historic downtown, Beaufort is more than one of the most enriching getaways in South Carolina. Here travellers discover a unique destination where stunning views of rivers, marshes and moss-hung oaks couple with authentic Lowcountry cuisine and a relaxing rhythm of life to create an experience that stays with them long after they leave.