For a small city, Columbus has a lot to offer. Once somewhat eclipsed by Cincinnati and Cleveland, Ohio's capital city has emerged to offer visitors world-class culture, sports, entertainment and a vibe all of its own. Enjoy a day at the zoo, aquarium or the nationally-known science centre. Art lovers will relish the collections at the Columbus Museum of Art and gardeners will revel in the magnificent roses at Whetstone Park. The Franklin Conservatory and Botanical Garden also boasts beautiful flora and fauna. And the city is chock-full of government landmarks, both historic and modern. Spend the weekend savouring celebrated attractions and exploring unique neighbourhoods, all served up in Columbus's welcoming, friendly style.

Huntington sits on the mid-section of the scenic Ohio River at the point where West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky meet. Founder Collis P. Huntington was the builder and owner of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. West Virginia’s second-largest city and the home of Marshall University, Huntington promises a variety of attractions: a downtown area with shopping, entertainment and a town square with a nostalgic nod to the city's railroad past. Year-round, festivals and special events take place downtown and in Pullman Square, the Civic Arena and the Keith-Albee Theater.

Fort Wayne serves up the perfect mix of urban convenience and natural beauty, boasting a world class cultural scene in a landscape enhanced by plenty of green space. Shopaholics can find the latest trends at open air Jefferson Pointe. The kids will love the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, while the adults can take in a performance at the Embassy Theater. Joggers, hikers and cyclists can keep active on the Rivergreenway that links the city's parks, where they may come across Johnny Appleseed's Grave.

Known for walkable urban villages like Crystal City, Rosslyn and Ballston, Arlington was part of the "10 miles square" surveyed in 1791 to be the United States capital. Just across the Potomac from Washington, Arlington is home to the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima), Air Force Memorial and Pentagon Memorial. With 11 Metro stops, Arlington is car-optional and offers visitors everything from eclectic theatre to Bohemian cafes.

Is there any possible way Las Vegas could not be on our "best nightlife" list? The only way we could possibly omit it is on a technicality—since you can do pretty much anything 24/7 in Vegas, it might be wrong to call it "nightlife."

Copenhagen is one of Europe’s oldest and most popular cities. It’s also one of the cleanest and most metropolitan. The dynamic Danish capital features progressive modern architecture, the must-visit Tivoli Gardens amusement park, stunning palaces, and all the activities and amenities you would expect in a world-class destination. Explore the canals and pretty narrow streets, appreciate beautiful old homes, and find great shopping and people watching on The Ströget.