What are the top New Year's Eve travel destinations in the USA?

New Year’s Eve is just around the corner and the entire world will be celebrating with fireworks and oversized clocks counting down the last few minutes of 2009. Where will you find the best New Year’s Eve parties and most unique celebrations in the United States? Check out these top New Year’s Eve travel destinations in America.

Top 5 New Year’s Eve Travel Destinations in America

Fireworks at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

5.  Orlando, Florida

Orlando is a great place for families to celebrate New Year’s Eve together.  The amusement parks will be packed, but Disney World, Sea World and Universal Studios are each sure to give you your money’s worth in terms of fireworks displays and celebratory parades.  Do, however, consider spending the night in a very nearby hotel if you want to avoid spending the first several hours of 2010 sitting in traffic.

Floats in the Rose Bowl Parade

4.  Los Angeles, California

What makes Los Angeles stand out as one of the top New Year’s Eve travel destinations is not the celebrity residents, but rather the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade that coincides with college football’s Rose Bowl.  The parade comes complete with floats made of roses, marching bands and a celebrity Grand Marshal that leads the way.  After the parade, you’ll find an over the top party at hundreds of world class nightclubs all over Los Angeles, and of course, a spectacular fireworks display at midnight.

New Year's Eve On Bourbon Street

3.  New Orleans, Louisiana

You’ll find the New Orleans locals heading to Frenchmen Street for New Year’s Eve, but Bourbon Street is sure to be overflowing with partying tourists.   No matter where you get started, you’ll want to be at Jackson Square by midnight to see the ball drop.  This year, the Sugar Bowl teams (Florida Gators and Cincinnati Bearcats), alumni and students will also be in New Orleans for New Year’s Eve, which is sure to add to New Orleans’s infamous party atmosphere.  Expect dancing in the streets, impromptu brass bands parading through, eccentric costumes, and tailgate style madness.

Las Vegas, Nevada

2.  Las Vegas, Nevada

It’s no surprise that Las Vegas is a top New Year’s Eve Travel Destinations.  Sin City is notorious for knowing how to throw a good party, and New Year’s is no exception.  The strip is pedestrianized for one giant outdoor party, complete with fireworks, sound and light shows.  Of course every casino, nightclub and hotel in Las Vegas will be offering specials and over the top parties of their own.  And who knows – maybe you’ll ring in the New Year with a jackpot win!

Times Square - a New Year's Eve tradition

1.  New York City, New York

Of course, the most famous New Year’s Eve event in the world is the celebration in New York City’s Times Square.  Dick Clark’s big ball drop is watched by a million people in the flesh, and a billion more on television.  Yes, that means you’ll have to fight an unbelievable crowd, but star-studded musical performances, pyrotechnics and the sheer notoriety of the event put New Year’s Even in Times Square on many “must do once in your life” lists.

Photo credit: Bob Jagendorf, d4rr3ll, erinbrace, Gary J Wood, eyeliam, Paul Mannix on Flickr

The only way I'll ever ice skate.

Most famously and traditionally, Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles plays winter this year until January 18.  The location is home to the Winter Holiday Festival on December 12 and 13.

No need to leave the Valley (San Fernando) if that’s where you’re staying.  This is the first year that Woodland Hills Ice operates at the Westfield Topanga Mall until February 2010.  Special events, birthday parties, and open until midnight on Christmas Day.

Over yonder on the West Side, there’ll be no swimming in the pool at the W Hotel for a while.  That’s because they ingeniously turned it into a skating rink!  The outdoor restaurant/bar will serve up wintry goodies, too.  Frozen until January 24.  In Santa Monica, meet your friends at 5th and Arizona for some ice skating by the ocean until January 31.

If you’re in more southern areas of Southern Cal, there are opportunities to trip the ice fantastic down there, too.  Seaside Ice Rink Redondo Beach boasts a large parking lot and proximity to the fabulous Portofino Hotel.

Photo:  Pershing Square website

See what's important to you, skip what's not

For me, travel is about experiences. I love going places I’ve never been and doing things I’ve never done and meeting people I wouldn’t normally meet. I once spent a highly amusing morning on a step in San Francisco’s Union Square communing with three friendly pigeons and a very odd man who insisted that I should be a model. This is not something that happens to me during the course of a normal day. Nor does it occur when I’m hiding my pale body under an umbrella on long weekend at the beach. And it certainly wouldn’t have happened if I’d opted for an overpriced breakfast in my hotel’s dining room. It happened because I took my Starbucks venti regular and my chocolate croissant and ventured out to see what I could see.

I planned my trip; I knew what I didn’t want to miss, where I wanted to go. What I didn’t do was schedule it. In the morning I picked a destination and sort wended my way there. Occasionally I didn’t make it where I wanted to go, but I was never sorry. I met interesting people and saw the real San Francisco; I found little places I would never have seen otherwise. Plus, seeing what I missed the first time is a great excuse to go back to a city I absolutely loved. I can’t help but wonder if I would have enjoyed it so much if I hadn’t spent a leisurely dinner at Trattoria Pinocchio (I highly recommend the Gnocchi Enzo) talking with my waiter–who was from Naples and introduced me to my beloved limoncello–or chatting with the gentleman walking his bicycle down Fisherman’s Wharf. Yes, I rode the cable cars, but I also rode the bus. And I walked through neighborhoods and took pictures of people’s houses and doors in addition to the Golden Gate Bridge.

It was a journey, not a quest to see as much as I could in my allotted time. I wanted to experience as much as I could and leave feeling an intimacy with the place I’d spent a week of my life.

When you travel, slow down. Really see what’s in front of you. The character of a place, the feel of it, is the basis for every experience you have there. Don’t miss it while you’re focused on the next tourist trap.

There are a few things you can do to help you travel more deliberately:

1. Find a centrally located hotel. Being in the center of all the action makes it much easier to get to more of the things you want to see without tons of travel time. This way you can walk a lot more and experience more in the process.
2. Do your research. Find out everything you can about where you’re going. In addition to traditional travel sites/guides, you might also want to peruse resources for people planning on relocating to your destination. You’ll get an insider’s view and also learn about neighborhoods it’s best to avoid while you’re wandering around.
3. Talk to a friend who’s been there. Or better yet, lived there. They can give you the real lowdown on what’s worth seeing and what’s better to skip. And they can also give you great recommendations on places and events that the guidebooks don’t tell you about.

When you’re on vacation, don’t just see where you are, be where you are. You will be amazed at how rich your trips will become simply by changing the way you approach them.

Photo by Finn

Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle

If you’ve never been to Disneyland during the winter holiday season, allow me to submit that a visit to the park at this time will cure your “been there, done that” blues.  The enormous Christmas tree, the holiday music piped in, the lights over Main Street USA, the LED icicle-draped Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle at the center of the park – all conspire to melt the heart of the Scroogiest among us.

I’ve been to the park twice in just a few months, after a very very long spell of not ever visiting at all.  My first visit was on my birthday, a Wednesday in September that, besides being my birthday, was just another day in the life of the happiest place on Earth.  Since it was my two young sons’ first time there, I looked at everything with a critical travel blogger’s eye.  We all had a great time, but for the ticket price of $72 for adults and $62 for children, I expected perfection and that is not what I found.  The first castmember we encountered was snarky and rude.  Several bathrooms were closed, a display was malfunctioning, and the moat around the castle was murky and still, with garbage floating in it.  Not exactly a sight to behold.  True to form, I sent a summary of my disappointments to the PR department of the park.  A representative responded soon after, apologizing and explaining some of the circumstances, assuring me that each of my criticisms would be forwarded to the correct departments and thanking me for my valuable feedback.  I appreciated the response.  It demonstrated that indeed, the park staff does pay attention to guests’ needs and that reactions are considered going forward.

So when I headed to Disneyland again last weekend for a Holiday Parent Blogger event, I was excited to bring my son along and I was ready for the park to show me what’s it got.  Dazzle me, I said to the park.  Fix what was broken.  Sure enough, they had.

With a party to attend and a Studio 365 makeover scheduled for my boy, there was not enough time to fully explore the park all over again, but I did make a point to visit the attractions where I noticed imperfections back in September.  Everything had been addressed and I was happy to see it.  In fact, an extra air of magic seemed to infuse the environment.  Maybe it was because I was a guest this time.  Maybe it was the holiday atmosphere, or the slight touch of cold in the weather as the sun started setting.  Either way, this longtime amusement-park-phobic was fully won over when she saw the light in her son’s eyes as he said hello to Silvermist in Pixie Hollow, an expression of starstruck amazement on his face.

If you’re schlepping your own children around Disneyland and the holiday decorations or the presence of Santa Claus aren’t enough to  get you in the spirit, stick around for the fireworks show, aptly titled “Believe in Holiday Magic.”  Beautifully choreographed to original music, the show is breathtaking, capped off by a surprise snow flurry at the end.  (Just don’t eat the snowflakes.  They aren’t real.)  Be sure to catch the holiday-themed “It’s a Small World” attraction before the fireworks show, because afterwards the line is simply ridiculous.  Oh, and get a churro.  To die for.

Other holiday touches include:

• “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade
• Santa Claus and his reindeer in Big Thunder Ranch
• “The Nightmare Before Christmas” theme at The Haunted Mansion
• Holiday decorations and the Electrical Parade at Disney’s California Adventure park
• A big celebration on New Year’s Eve in both parks

Holiday magic at Disneyland continues through January 3, 2010.

[Photo credit:  Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland]

All we are is just another tap on the wall

Everyone knows The Bull and Finch Pub in Boston (known as ‘Cheers’ on T.V.) as the place ‘Where everybody knows your name’. To me, that is an essential ingredient in any  place you frequent, visit once, or always hope to get to. For years living in San Antonio there was a drought for a place where you could get more than the average beer served at the ‘insert your name here’ bar on the corner. Sure, one or two places pop up here and there, but they do not have the overall atmosphere and selection that many craft beer bars on the west coast, east coast and Colorado have. Namely, an incredible selection of what many refer to as craft beer bars. Places that serve beer for those with a more refined taste of our favorite malted beverage.

Craft beer has gained quite the following in the last few years, with breweries, brew pubs and beer bars popping up everywhere.  The last decade has seen quite a lot. San Antonio and Texas have long been known for the Alamo, John Wayne and drinkers of Miller Lite, and not for craft beer. Well, times have changed. Texas has around 9 craft breweries, numerous more brewpubs and a growing number of what are known as craft beer bars.

Slowly, Texas and San Antonio have begun to come around.

Up until that point, there were few choices and frankly I was tired of heading to places that had the same old choices of beer that you saw on TV. Waiting to get back home to Colorado or visit friends and family in California became a favorite pastime. I am a lover of craft beer for its attitude and creative approach. I, and others, needed something more. Well, in January of this year, Jimmie Maricle opened up The Tap Exchange Alehouse and Grill and my new oasis.

The backside of good times.

Tucked away in the northeast part of San Antonio, The Tap Exchange boasts 61 beers on tap, more than 50 in bottles, dozens of wines. Located at, 22250 Bulverde Rd, #106 (at Evans Rd.) in San Antonio, Texas, it is a place that balances a wide selection of draft and bottled beer and great pub food, with the atmosphere of a place that you can call home. This was apparent upon walking through the door, where you are always greeted warmly by the incredible staff, you are instantly greeted with a warm, inviting and obviously fun atmosphere. Having been here a few times before, I always love introducing friends who want to expand their horizons to Jimmie’s place. They are always impressed and several have come back.

Each day features something at The Tap Exchange, from Glass night on Tuesday’s where you ‘buy the beer and keep the glass’  and Geeks Who Drink Trivia night on Wednesday to all day NFL games on Sunday with many of the craft beers on special during the games. Lest we keep the kiddos out, The Tap Exchange is also VERY family friendly. Boasting a kids menu and family friendly atmosphere, it is very common to see families here both day and night. It’s a place for all types of folks with all types of needs.

However, I digress about the selection of craft beer here. The Tap Exchange also features some out of the world pub food, too. From the typical Fish and Chips, signature salads and custom burgers to Jimmie’s Baked Ziti. Oh, and least I forget the homemade beer ice cream created here as well.

What’s great about this place, is that the owner doesn’t just stay behind the bar, he very often walks around talking with every patron as if he’s known them for years. He really works to really get to know his customers and not to get repeat business, but because that is just who he is. His wife Traci, a.k.a ‘Mrs. Tap Exchange’ is often seen here milling around the room dazzling the customers as well. You may even catch a glimpse of regulars Jill, Sean, Mark, Joser and Jessica.

Jimmie taking time to talk with the customers

The staff here tends to exude Jimmie’s approach too: Amber, Billy, Karen, Roxie and Stephanie will definitely make your experience one you will want to back to have again. All this serves to create the family atmosphere that ‘Cheers’ could not begin to match.

I asked Jimmie a little about his background and how he approaches The Tap Exchange:

How did you come up with your menu selections? “Menu choices started with ‘what do I want’ and then was fine-tuned by “what can I get”.  Really wanted a broad selection of taps, covering most styles.  No matter what style of beer you like, you’re sure to find something to your liking.

“What made you open a craft beer place? “Am a big fan of beer, but didn’t have anyplace within 45 minutes of my house to get anything other than the staples (Bud Light, Dos Equis, Shiner, etc.)  Besides, doesn’t every guy want to own a bar?

“What is your experience with craft beer? “Being from CA I had the luxury of many great brewpubs and beer bars within my reach. Traci and I grew up in places like these.”

This is what you won't see at airports this holiday season.

The good folks at Orbitz were nice enough to send along a list of the U.S. airports with the heaviest amount of holiday travel. They also offered up some words of wisdom.

Their travel advice falls along the lines of flexibility, utilizing technology and staying in the know. It’s fairly straightforward common sense, but you know what a lot of people forget to pack for when traveling? Common sense. It’s true.

The list and links are provided below.

Please note that New York’s LaGuardia isn’t getting special treatment.  It’s just really happy.

Apparently.

The Top 10 Busiest Airports for Thanksgiving Travel:

1) Chicago, IL – Chicago O’Hare International (ORD)

2) Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles International(LAX)

3) Denver, CO – Denver International (DEN)

4) San Francisco, CA – San Francisco International (SFO)

5) Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Hartsfield International (ATL)

6) Boston, MA – Boston Logan International (BOS)

7) New York, NY – New York LaGuardia (LGA)

New York – New York John F. Kennedy International (JFK)

9) Newark, NJ – Newark Liberty International (EWR)

10) Seattle, WA – Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)

The least busy? San Jose.  For a complete list of the top 10 least busy airports and some timely holiday travel advice please check out Orbitz.  As an added bonus, here are our suggestions for flying with kids.

Gobble, gobble.

Photo: Wikipedia Creative Commons

Kathy Griffin performs at the Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, MI

There are so many, many ways and reasons to make fun of Hollywood. I mean, just look at how much reality TV there is out there and the way it’s cheapened what we call “celebrity.” Not to worry – there are still genuine celebrities that are ridiculous enough to make fun of, and nobody does it better, in my opinion, than Kathy Griffin.

The subject of her own reality show, and let’s face it, a shameless publicity whore, Griffin will finally perform in her own town on Black Weekend. (Okay I know it’s really Black Friday but she’s performing on Saturday, too, so I’ve coined a new term. Unless somebody’s already coined that term in which case I borrow the term.)

The more she shoves her face into the spotlight, the bigger the crowds Kathy Griffin attracts to her shows. I am not ashamed to say that I am excited to see her live. This time she’s performing at the Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal Studios, so you can add this sure-to-be hilarious show to the end of a day at the theme park. Please note: this one’s not for the younger kids. If you have to bring them, cover their ears.

Photo from flickr courtesy of KC Starlight Theatre

In late August a group of us spent a Sunday in Pacifica, California. I’d have done this post earlier but somehow or another Lisa didn’t manage to upload all the pictures until just recently, so I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.

My brother-in-law, RS, currently engaged in a battle with kidney cancer, grew up in Pacifica and has fond memories of this small coastal town. Our decision to visit Pacifica was for him, to allow him to relive some memories of a better time in his life.

Before that weekend, my only tryst with Pacifica had been a sort of impromptu beach party one cold weekend afternoon during my San Francisco State days. A group of us ended up on a foggy beach with several packs of Kent cigarettes and a case of beer. Our exploration of Pacifica did not really extend beyond the bottom of our beer cans and the tips of our smokes.

Pacifica is a coastal town located between San Francisco and Half Moon Bay. Take note would-be visitors – Pacifica is a Northern California coast town, which means that it spends most of its life cloaked in fog and 50-60 degree temperatures. Our destination that day – the Lighthouse Hotel and Pacifica’s famed Rockaway Beach.

The Lighthouse Hotel- located at the end of Rockaway Beach Ave, the main drag through the little knot of shops and restaurants that form the bedrock of commerce at Rockaway Beach – is a somewhat weather-beaten structure that doesn’t quite live up to the freshly painted, sun-drenched image in the brochure. The rooms have sort of a too-lived in look about them, but for a one-night stay and a beach front location, I wasn’t complaining. There’s also a Holiday Inn Express a stone’s throw or two down the beach, which looks like it may be a little newer, and perhaps, just perhaps, a little better cared for.

Given the motivation for our visit, we did not go to Rockaway to get our party on. The plan was 24-hours of beach combing, eating, relaxation and reflection. Upon arriving we grabbed some food at Rock’n Rob’s, located a vacant hotel patio, and ate a quick lunch. After tossing our bags in the room we went to check out the beach. It was a windy day and the water was like ice, so naturally the kids went straight for the ocean.

We spent the next several hours enjoying the beach, engaging in obligatory beach activities (we must have a dozen bags of rocks, shells and sea glass from beaches nationwide) before retiring to the hotel hot tub.  As the weather continued to cool and it became time to think about eating again, we decided to make dinner really simple and have pizza delivered to the hotel from one of the local joints. We all gathered in my mother-in-laws room and splayed ourselves across the two queen-beds, munching pizza and watching TV.  However, the next time I visit Pacifica, (and there will be a next time) I’d like to check out Nick’s, which is right across the street from The Lighthouse Hotel.  I’m not saying I’ll take part in the dancing, but I can definitely get behind the drinks, dining and ocean views that Nick’s has to offer. Oh, who am I kidding? After a few drinks I’ll get behind and on top of the dancing. But I digress.

Later that night, Lisa and I took a stroll further down the beach and came across a gentleman tending to a little fire in a little cove while waiting for his wife to toddle over from the Holiday Inn. Apparently she had not been feeling well, and he’d been tending the flame for over an hour. We got to chatting and enjoying his fire.  He and his wife were from Sacramento, and discovered Rockaway Beach and Pacifica several years ago. Prior to their discovery, when they wanted some beach time they would make the drive down the coast to Carmel and Monterey. He told us they like Pacifica not only because it’s much closer, but because it’s more secluded and still remains largely undiscovered.

The next morning, a few of us decided to have breakfast at the on-site restaurant, The Ristorante Portofino. Being a Monday morning, the place was pretty empty; however the lack of diners did nothing to speed up the service. We must have stood there for five minutes waiting to be seated. Then, because we asked for a window seat, (why not, right??) we had to wait for them to clean a table. Several times during breakfast I got up to refill my own coffee cup from the waiter’s coffee station. The wait time did give me a chance to take a walk, and snap some pictures of a nearly deserted Rockaway Avenue.

After breakfast, check-out, and the joy of packing and loading the car, we made the short drive south on Hwy 1 to check out Linda Mar Beach, a popular surfing spot. But RS informed us that, much like Cubs and White Sox fans, those who grow up in Pacifica form strong allegiances to either Rockaway Beach or Linda Mar. Being a Rockaway boy, RS stayed true to his alliance, and watched the rest of us explore the beach from the car.

I hereby pledge my allegiance to Rockaway, and look forward to my next visit.

(All photos by Lisa or Joe Romano)

Pink's hot dog stand

Bill Cosby and Jason Alexander are among the notables who will be dishing up famous franks at Pink’s Hot Dogs at the corner of La Brea and Melrose.  The dog stand is celebrating its 70th year in Los Angeles by selling its wares for 70 cents, during 7 days, 7 hours, and 7 minutes – with proceeds to go to the charity of each daily celeb’s choice.  Pink’s is a landmark food stand in a town that has a lot of landmark food stands, and if you’re in Hollywood during this promotion it’s a sure chance to get a star sighting.  For me the only thing legendary about Pink’s is the line outside every time I drive by.  I have yet to sample the dogs, being an impatient Angeleno who hates to pay for parking.  But if you stop on by, let me know how the hot dogs taste.  I’ll bet they’re much more tasty at 70 cents a pop.

Also next Sunday (on that day only; sadly, this one doesn’t last all week) the cast of “Glee” will appear at the Barnes & Noble location at The Grove, adjacent to The Farmer’s Market at Third and Fairfax.  The show is releasing an album of cast recordings from the show on November 3.  The event begins at 4:00 PM, but I would advise getting there early.  If the trending topic on Twitter during any airing of this show is any indicator, I’d say this one’s gonna be mobbed.

Glee cast members at a mall appearance in Boston

[photos from pinkshollywood.com and myspace.com/musicfromglee]

Perhaps you should check out one of the Top 10 US Cities to Visit.  Of course, whether or not a city is the best is a subjective opinion – but Conde Nast Traveler has taken a poll of its readers collective subjective opinions and come up with 10 American Cities that you’re most likely to enjoy visiting.  With cities from across the country highlighted, there should be a great vacation destination for everyone.

Top 10 Best Places To Visit In The Us

San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge - Best US City to Visit

1.  San Francisco, California

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of San Francisco, California is The Golden Gate Bridge.  Residents rave about the culture and the year round mild weather that’s never too hot or too cold.  Visitors to San Francisco can stay in some of the country’s most eco-friendly hotels and enjoy organic dining.  UpTake’s own Cat Lincoln shares insider information on San Francisco via podcast.

Charleston, South Carolina

2.  Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina offers a slow paced, historic vacation opportunity.  The city is filled with old buildings and homes closely monitored by an attentive Historical Society.  The best way to see Charleston is by taking advantage of a carriage tour.

New York, New York

3.  New York City, New York

It should come as no surprise that New York City makes the list of one of the best places to visit in the United States.  While there may be arguments about living in The Big Apple, the city is jam packed with tourist attractions.  Visitors from all over the world flock to experience everything from world class theater to the Statue of Liberty.  The best of the best – in any industry – can be found in New York City.

Santa Fe, Nex Mexico

4.  Santa Fe, New Mexico

Travelers looking for a genuine Southwest experience will be happy to see Santa Fe, New Mexico make the list of best American cities to visit.  While Santa Fe isn’t known for an exciting night life, it offers an extraordinary amount of excellent restaurants.  Santa Fe is a great place for photography enthusiasts to capture sights unseen in other parts of the country.

Chicago, Illinois

5.  Chicago, Illinois

I love Chicago.  I think the best time to visit Chicago is during the winter holidays when the city is decked out in white lights and holiday displays.  Of course, during the summer months you can find a festival or free concert on any given weekend.  Chicago offers almost as many entertainment options as New York City, at a (slightly) lower price.

Carmel, California

6.  Carmel, California

Visitors to Carmel, California will find a relaxed community and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.  From Point Lobos State Reserve you can watch migrating whales for just $10 per car (or free, if you walk in).  Carmel is a great vacation destination for pet lovers, offering pet friendly beaches and shops.

Honolulu, Hawaii

7.  Honolulu, Hawaii

Do we really have to make the case for including Honolulu, Hawaii on this list?  Reason number one: It’s in Hawaii.  As Hawaii native Stefani Pomponi Butler describes it, “Honolulu is much-maligned for being touristy and crowded, but if you love the energy of big cities combined with a tropical locale, this is the place for you.”  It certainly has to be the prettiest metropolitan center on the list!

River Street in Savannah, Georgia

8.  Savannah, Georgia

Savannah, much like Charleston, offers a slow, Southern vibe to travelers.  But Savannah does it with a gracious smile and a reputation for a heck of a party.  No trip to Savannah, Georgia is complete without a stroll and lunch along River Street.

San Diego, CA

9.  San Diego, California

There is an endless supply of things to do in San Diego.  Whether you prefer amusement parks or museums, you’ll find something that tickles your fancy here.  And chances are, the weather will be perfect for whatever you plan.

Sedona, Arizona

10.  Sedona, Arizona

While listed as one of the top cities in the United States to visit, odds are that most of the photographs you come home with will be of Mother Nature in and around Sedona.  A Sedona vacation is perfect for someone into horseback riding and off roading tours.  It’s also a great place to visit if you’re traveling on a budget.

Choosing which of the Top US Cities is right for your vacation is about deciding what kind of travel experience you’re looking for.  Are you looking to relax or enjoy the thrill of big city night life?  Do you prefer a beach to a Broadway play?

Do you think there’s a great American city that the Conde readers missed?  Share your suggestions in the comments!

Photo credit (in order of appearance): A Million to One, Smudge on Flickr, Ferguson Photography, Puroticorico on Flickr, KM Photography, the tahoe guy on Flickr, Cliff 1066 on FlickR, Britt Reints, WouteR on FlickR