THE STATES: PUERTO RICO - WYOMING

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Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a tropical paradise that offers so much more than beaches and swaying palms and is a Dependency rather than an actual State within the United States of America. This 110-mile/176-kilometer by 35-mile/56-kilometer green and hilly island, the easternmost of the four major islands comprising the Greater Antilles, also offers visitors great history, fascinating architecture, lush resorts and the hospitality of 3.5 million friendly islanders, many of them bilingual in Spanish and English. In addition, if the charms of the main island are not enough, there are three smaller islands - Vieques, Culebra and Mona - situated offshore and accessible by ferry.

Visitors to Puerto Rico who simply want to bask in the sun have a wealth of sandy beaches to choose from, but those who prefer a more active vacation will not be disappointed.

Lovers of history and architecture can spend days exploring the ageless beauty of the streets and buildings of Old San Juan; La Fortaleza, the official home and office of Puerto Rico's governor; Casa Blanca, built in 1523 as the residence of the family of the explorer Ponce de Leon; and San Juan Cathedral, one of the oldest houses of Christian worship in the Western hemisphere. Lovers of nature will thrill to explorations of El Yunque rain forest, the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. Forest Service; the Guanica Forest Reserve, a dry forest housing an astonishing number of bird species; and the Rio Camuy Cave Park, a huge cave system containing one of the world's largest underground rivers.

Vacationers who equate relaxation with the sporting life will find plenty to keep them occupied from golf, tennis and swimming to salt-water fishing and diving.

If shopping is your sport, you'll find unique opportunities here. There is duty-free shopping at the Luis Munoz Marin International airport and bargains at several factory outlets in Old San Juan. Fascinating local arts and crafts items are everywhere you turn.

Sleeping accommodations are diverse enough to suit all tastes and budgets, from large resort hotels to small country inns.

Unique to Puerto Rico are the 18 paradores puertoriquenos (small inns) located throughout the island in historic buildings or at sites of exceptional scenic beauty.

Rhode Island

Though the smallest of states, Rhode Island is varied and each of its regions possesses its own special appeal. The best known is the area around Newport, "Sailing Capital of the World’" which hosted the prestigious America’s Cup yacht races for nearly 50 years and has been a world-class resort for more than a century. Newport’s exquisite waterfront, bustling nightlife and "summer cottages," those famous palatial mansions built at the turn of the century by some of the nation’s wealthiest families, attract more than 3.5 million visitors to Newport each year.

Southern Rhode Island, known as South County, is famous for its wide sandy beaches, excellent fishing conditions and unspoiled woodlands. Cultural attractions, such as the area’s local heritage museums and acclaimed summer theaters, make South County the perfect setting for an unhurried family vacation.

Ecotourism is one of the main attractions at tiny Block Island, located 12 miles/19.2 kilometers off Rhode Island’s coast. Nature trails leading to headlands, isolated beaches, old lighthouses and bird sanctuaries, and the charming atmosphere of Block’s Island Victorian hotels and country inns, combine to make this a great spot for a quiet getaway.

Northwest of Providence, Rhode Island’s historic Blackstone Valley offers a fascinating look at the early days of America’s Industrial Revolution. Riverboat cruises on the Blackstone River, tours of Slater Mill Historic Site, and stops along the Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor reveal the roots of industry and immigration in the United States.

Riverboat cruises on the Blackstone River, tours of Slater Mill Historic Site, and stops along the Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor reveal the roots of industry and immigration in the United States.

The same Blackstone Valley that is so rich in history is also famous for its discounted factory outlet shopping. At the other end of the spectrum, the city of Cranston’s Garden City and Providence’s East Side are noted for upscale chic. Warwick, in the center of the state, is known for its two large malls housing hundreds of stores, while Newport, Wickford, Bristol and Narragansett entice shoppers with unusual waterfront boutiques.

South Carolina

With its mild climate, 500 miles/800 kilometers of sparkling beaches, historic attractions and East Coast location halfway between New York and Miami, it is no wonder that South Carolina is fast becoming a major international holiday destination.

Along the coast is Myrtle Beach where visitors can play some 80 golf courses or walk the Grand Strand 60miles/100 kilometers of broad, uncrowded beaches.

At nearby Brookgreen Gardens, visitors can enjoy the largest outdoor collection of American sculpture in a setting of moss-draped oaks on the grounds of a former colonial rice plantation. This area also attracts country music fans with the Carolina Opry, Southern Country Nights, Dixie Jubilee, the Alabama Theater and Dixie Stampede.

In the port city of Charleston, where the American Civil War began, history comes to life in cobblestone streets, plantation gardens and hundreds of historic sites and buildings.

South Carolina’s southern coast is dotted with romantic resort islands like Hilton Head Island, one of America’s finest resorts with 12 miles/20 kilometers of white sandy beaches and the lush greens of over 20 championship golf courses. There’s tennis, too: four of the nation’s top 50 racquet clubs and over 300 courts in all three surfaces - hard, clay and grass.

In the center of the state is the capital city of Colombia and nearby Lake Murray. Here visitors can explore the Riverbanks Zoo, one of the top zoos in the United States, the State House, which still bears the marks of Civil War cannon fire, and the new State Museum.

The Upcountry and the Greenville-Spartanburg area are known for their magnificent scenery, cultural events and historic sites along the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills. Here you will find some of the Southeast’s finest recreational opportunities, including rafting on the white water Chattooga River rapids. Near Rock Hill you’ll find Paramount’s Carowinds, a theme park offering thrilling rides, and the Outlet Marketplace loaded with shopping bargains.

From the rice culture of Georgetown to the thoroughbred horse racing at Aiken and Camden. From the peaceful historic farming community at Pendleton to the excitement of auto racing at Darlington. From great golf at Sumter to the magnificent rose gardens of Orangeburg and the waterfront of Beaufort, South Carolina has something for everyone.

South Dakota

With an area of 77,615 square miles/200,000 square kilometers, and a population smaller than Boston’s, there’s plenty of room in South Dakota. Room to explore, as the early trailblazers Lewis and Clark did in 1804. Room to discover, as archaeologists have been doing since 1933. Room for adventure on horseback, bicycle or snowmobile through acres of unspoiled wilderness. Room to escape to an uncrowded ski slope or the top of an isolated granite peak.

But South Dakota is far from an empty wilderness. There’s history and culture here at the "Shrine of Democracy," as Mount Rushmore is known. This granite monument to four American presidents draws more than 2.5 million visitors a year to western South Dakota. At DeSmet, the "Little Town on the Prairie," join thousands who come each year to see the area made famous by Laura Ingalls Wilder’s series of pioneer adventure books.

For a taste of the Old West, you can join a trail ride, sample a chuckwagon dinner or visit towns like Deadwood, where two of the West’s most colorful characters, Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane, are buried. Experience the drama of life and the meeting of cultures at frontier sites such as Wounded Knee, located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and the Sioux Indian Museum in Rapid City.

South Dakota’s dramatic terrain was shaped eons ago by powerful geologic forces. Today, visitors can witness sculptural wonders in soaring Black Hills rock formations, as well as underground in one of the world’s largest cave systems. Two of the world’s longest caves lie beneath the Black Hills at Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park. To the east lies Badlands National Park whose mysterious spires and buttes where shaped by 37 million years of erosion.

Dining and shopping are varied in this land of contrasts. Homecooked meals using state’s local products, including buffalo meat and Black Hills rainbow trout, are widely available in relaxed settings. The memories can go home with you in the form of Black Hills honey, prairie-grown popcorn and native American artwork and crafts.

Tennessee is soaring mountain heights and rich bottom lands. It is stern-wheeled river boats and white water rivers, log cabin homesteads and ante-bellum mansions, Civil War battlefields and vibrant, modern cities.

Nashville, Tennessee’s capital, is the world’s country music capital, home to many country stars, dozens of recording studios and the legendary Grand Ole Opry. Today, the Opry originates from a state-of-the-art broadcast facility which is the focal point of Opryland USA, a huge theme park.

Tennessee’s music reaches far beyond Nashville. In 1953, a young man named Elvis Presley paid $4 to Sun Studio in Memphis to make a recording for his mother. That recording launched the rock ‘n’ roll era. Today, Presley’s Graceland mansion is a mecca for fans from around the world.

Memphis’ newest landmarks include the Pyramid, housing a 22,000-seat sports arena, and the National Civil Rights Museum located on the site of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King.

Tennessee’s history is full of notable figures whose lives are now memorialized at historic sites and museums. President James K. Polk’s ancestral home is in Columbia, legendary railroad engineer Casey Jones’s home in Jackson is now a museum and the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum at Vonore honors the Cherokee who invented the first written alphabet for an Indian language.

Nearby Knoxville, home of the University of Tennessee and the Tennessee Valley Authority, is also gateway to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the United States. Gatlinburg, a major resort area, boasts more than 300 shops filled with imaginative wares, many created by the largest concentration of working crafts people in the South.

Pigeon Forge is a town for family fun, packed with entertainment, recreation and shopping, including Dollywood, entertainer Dolly Parton’s personal theme park. In the state’s southeastern corner, Chattanooga sprawls at the foot of Lookout Mountain. Rising above the banks of the Tennessee River is the new Tennessee Aquarium, the world’s largest aquarium dedicated to freshwater habitats.

The tiny town of Lynchburg is known worldwide as the home of Jack Daniel’s Distillery, a National Historic Site.

Texas

Ever dreamed of saddling up a horse and riding off into the sunset? Then come live your dream in Texas where the cowboy mystique is alive and as big as your imagination. Texans are also equally proud of their sandy beaches, mountains and forests, cosmopolitan cities with spectacular skylines, performing arts, theme parks; and much, much more. Add friendly, hospitable folks and a warm climate and you’ve got a big time in Texas.

The cowboy stand tall and handsome in Texas’ past and present. The romance of the Old West is the subject of countless films and lonesome ballads; the cowboy is a symbol of freedom, strength and the pioneering spirit. Though many of the movies are mythical, one thing is for certain - the cowboy and his spirit have survived and continue to reign in Texas, from cowhands working ranches to high-powered professionals conducting business in suits and boots.

You can savor the Old West at dude ranches that offer a wide range of amusing western-style activities, from working with the cowboys and horseback riding to horseshoe pitching and square dancing. End the day with a chuckwagon cookout, an evening hayride showcasing the breathtaking colors of majestic sunsets, or a moonlit campfire with lively fiddle music.

Throughout the state, there are all types of ranches - from guest centers to working cattle and exotic wildlife ranches. One of these is the renowned King Ranch, the largest ranch in the continental United States, famous for developing its own breed of cattle and line of championship horses.

In the states’ western region, great canyons offer dramatic vistas for adventures. A hearty country breakfast prepared by friendly cowboys awaits hungry visitors at Palo Duro Canyon. The canyon’s red walls and jagged cliffs dropping more than 1,100 feet from the rim offer an inspiring view during breakfast. Palo Duro creates a natural amphitheater during the summer months for the acclaimed musical drama "TEXAS," through which visitors can recapture the state’s pioneering era.

Rodeos gather spirited Texans from small rural towns to large metropolitan areas throughout the year. Spectators thrill to displays of skill such as bull riding, team and calf roping, barrel racing and bronco riding - with cowgirls showcasing their talents as well. Rodeo-goers can mingle with Texas cattle barons at livestock auctions, commercial ranching exhibits, and horse shows. Carnivals, barbecue and country and western entertainment add to this western outing.

Texas has several prized western heritage museums. The Panhandle-Plains Museum in Canyon brings to life the historic exploits of the Old West pioneers; Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock chronicles the early days of Texas ranching; the American Quarter Horse Heritage Center and Museum tells the colorful history of this choice steed; Texas Cowboy Museum in stamford showcases cowboy artists’ original paintings and prints; the Cattleman’s Museum in Fort Worth profiles the state’s rise to leadership in the U.S. cattle industry.

Texas offers more than its western mystique. Let your imagination drift to sandy beaches, balmy breezes and ocean sprays. Texas has all this and more; its coastline also features natural wonders, wildlife sanctuaries, and historic cities. The Texas coast meanders for more than 620 sun-drenched miles, and most of it is protected by sand-duned barrier islands. There’s beach for every traveler and for every occasion.

At the southernmost point of Texas on the Gulf of Mexico is South Padre Island. With its pristine beaches, the Island has some of the state’s most luxurious resorts. A year-round temperate climate is conducive to thrilling water sports like windsurfing, diving, parasailing, surfing, jet skiing, waverunning or water skiing, or relaxing on a sail boat or on a pier fishing. The Island offers a wide variety of hotel, motel, and condominium accommodations, along with more than 40 restaurants, some specializing in exquisite seafood. Adventurers can thunder across endless dunes and down gently sloping beaches in a four-wheel drive vehicle at the adjoining undeveloped Padre Island National Seashore, one of the last natural beaches in the nation. With Mexico only 30 minutes away by car, visitors can enjoy shopping for curios in boutiques and open-air markets, and sample spicy cuisine in bustling restaurants.

At the northern end of Padre Island lies Corpus Christi Bay, the site of international sailboard competitions, and home of the port city of Corpus Christi with its varied cultural and historic attractions. Further north on the gulf are the popular beach resorts and fishing havens of Port Aransas, Rockport, and Fulton, Galveston, a city discovered by Spanish explorers, a home base for pirates, and as a lucrative port city, is a treasure trove of Victorian buildings, seaport and railroad museums, gardens and a boardwalk fronted by miles of beaches. At the northernmost end of the Texas coast is Port Arthur’s Pleasure Island, a new oceanside resort offering numerous water sport activities.

For nature lovers, the Texas coast is a great vantage point for birdying, with its prodigious number of waterfowl and migratory bird species at unique national wildlife refuges, state parks, and sanctuaries. The Laguna Madre, the bay separating the island from the mainland, is listed as one of the 100 U.S. ecosystem treasures. Here guests can view the near-extinct whooping cranes and more than 400 bird species and other wildlife via boating, driving, or walking expeditions.

Nature buffs and outdoor enthusiasts can find beauty and adventure in diverse natural wonders throughout the state - from the sandy beaches on the Gulf of Mexico to the plains, mountains and canyons in the west; from towering pine forests and crystal lakes in the northeast to spring-fed rivers and rolling hills in the heart of the state. Enjoy tubing on sparkling green rivers and spelunking in fascinating caves in Central Texas. Explore the paradise of birds, plants and wildlife in Big Bend National Park, a remote national park with a desert soaring to mountain peaks, where adventurers can challenge the whitewater rapids of the Rio Grande River. The Big Thicket Preserve in East Texas offers ecotourists acres of majestic forest, and wetlands that support hardwoods, palmettos, orchids and even carnivorous plants in addition to varied fauna.

Dallas is a hub for haute couture and cuisine with more shopping centers and restaurants per capita than New York City. The city boasts a rich downtown arts district including a new symphony center and a museum paying homage to the life, death and legacy of President J.F. Kennedy. "Big D" is also the home of Southfork Ranch, the setting of the famed television series "Dallas." Neighboring Fort Worth is a symbol of the New West - a cosmopolitan city with its roots in the cattle trade. Visitors can marvel at its nationally-acclaimed first-class museums or revisit the state’s cattle legacy at the Stockyards Historic District, which is also the site of the first indoor rodeo and the world’s largest country and western dance hall. Sandwiched between these contrasting cities are numerous smaller communities with professional sports teams, amusement parks and other family attractions.

In San Antonio, stroll along the romantic downtown Riverwalk, lined with restaurants, charming hotels, boutiques, cafes and nightclubs. Bargain at El Mercado, marketplace for Mexican crafts or step back into the past at the Spanish missions including the Alamo. A shrine to the 189 defenders who lost their lives for the independence of Texas, the Alamo is located in the heart of the city. Four other Spanish missions can be seen along the San Antonio River south of downtown.

There’s plenty to keep a visitor busy for days in San Antonio. The Institute of Texas Cultures brings the history of the state and her people to vibrant life. See a symphony orchestra or a Broadway musical at the Majestic Theater; attend performances by nationally acclaimed artists at the Carver Community Cultural Center or visit the Armeson River Theater for an outdoor summer concert. Sports lovers won’t want to miss Alamodome, a new arena for basketball and football; and golfers can choose from any number of new courses that dot the city.

Texas has re-invented family fun. Our amusement parks will thrill old and young alike. San Antonio celebrates Texas culture through song and dance at Fiesta Texas and Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi and at the Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park. Space enthusiasts can touch a moon rock, visit with an astronaut and land the Space Shuttle at the new hands-on NASA Space Center. For a more traditional amusement park experience with a new twist, join Bugs Bunny and friends and Batman on rides at Six Flags in Arlington and Astroworld in Houston.

Visitors traveling through the state will be intrigued by more than 30 international cultures that have contributed to the exceptional character and friendliness of the people in Texas - from the more apparent cultures of Spain, Mexico, Germany and France to those less evident of the Netherlands and the Orient. Attend one of many ethnic festivals where you can delight in merrymaking and Texas hospitality.

The tastes of Texas will astound you. Famed for its barbecue found throughout the state, try mouth-watering smoked beef dripping in a tangy sauce. The influence of Mexican cuisine is found in Tex-Mex specialties that add a "bite" to your meal. More traditional southern cooking, fresh seafood, and haute cuisine can be enjoyed from family-style eateries to first-class restaurants. Texas is home to some of the oldest American vineyards; several wineries have won prestigious national and international awards and welcome visitors for tours, tastings and grape harvesting and stomping.

So whether you dream of days in the saddle or tanning at the beach, whether you love outdoor sports or indoor amusements, whether you crave adventure or culture - the "Lone Star State" has it all. Come live the legend and have a big time in Texas, ya’ll.

Utah

Utah’s scenery has been described as both "mysterious" and "strange." It has also been said that the Mormons, the religious sect who settled the state in the 19th-century, were able to do so only because no one else wanted the territory. If the Mormons were attempting that settlement today, the story would be very different.

Recreational opportunities abound in Utah - from hiking through its red rock canyons and desert valleys, to skiing its 16 world-class slopes, to rafting on its rushing rivers. Whether you visit the state’s five national parks, six national monuments, or national recreation areas and historic sites, you will find your visit a memorable one.

As summer and fall give way to the sparkle of "The Greatest Snow on Earth," Utah is transformed into one of the world’s leading ski meccas. Seven of the best ski destinations are located less than one hour from the state’s capital, Salt Lake City, and its international airport. If you have any doubts about the superlative skiing to be found here, remember that Salt Lake City is America’s choice for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.

Salt Lake City has fewer than 200,000 people, yet it boasts a major symphony orchestra, its own ballet company and its own opera company, as well as the internationally known Mormon Tabernacle Choir, which performs in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, part of a magnificently landscaped cluster of buildings that are the center of Mormon life.

The burgeoning, worldwide interest in genealogical research brings many visitors here. This is the nation’s leading center for research into family history. Sports fanatics, too, can enjoy the excitement created by the local teams, the National Basket Association’s Utah Jazz and the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the International Hockey League.

Salt Lake City is named for the state’s most renowned and peculiar feature: the Great Salt Lake, which is located 4,202 feet/ 1,280 kilometers above sea level. This salty lake, comparable in salinity to the Dead Sea, sprawls in all directions and harbors maritime bird life otherwise found only in coastal areas. The Great Salt Lake eventually disappears at the world famous Bonneville Salt Flats, another of the state’s uniquely eerie landscapes.

Vermont

Blanketed with snow in winter, verdant in spring, a pastoral dream of orchards, and grazing livestock in summer, and on fire with color in autumn, Vermont’s mountains, tiny villages and rolling pasturelands capture the very essence of New England. The most rural state in the nation.

Vermont is also a place of great sophistication. Vermont is rich with possibilities for sports fanatics and culture lovers alike. In and around towns that played starring roles in the American Revolution - and whose village greens and 18th and 19th-century architecture is beautifully preserved - you will find great skiing, superb antiquing, scores of museums devoted to art and history, and artist’ colonies where items produced by local painters, weavers, potters and glassblowers are sold in charming boutiques, some of which offer on-site craft demonstrations.

If outlet shopping is to your liking, this area, and the village of Manchester in particular, is packed with outlet stores selling designer merchandise. Many Vermont villages are still served by classic country stores where shoppers can buy everything from household items and country work clothes to local food products.

Landlocked Vermont is the only New England state without a sea coast, but 112-mile long Lake Champlain offers all the maritime amenities from boating vacations to every water sport imaginable, including outstanding fishing and sailing. The Green Mountains are home to fabled ski resorts offering both cross-country and downhill skiing facilities. When other winter activities including dog sled races, ice skating, winter carnivals and sleigh rides.

When visiting this area, don’t miss a stop at the Shelburne Museum, a complex of 35 historic buildings containing one of the world’s largest collections of American folk art, farm implements, and 18th and 19-century furniture.

The country inns of Vermont are famous. The state has a higher than average number of historic inns, many of them chef-owned, and furnished with antiques. Every season in Vermont has its charms, but skiers and foliage watchers swell the population substantially in fall and during the winter holidays, so booking ahead is advisable at those times.

Virginia

English poet Michael Drayton called Virginia "Earth’s only Paradise." Virginia is a must-see on any quest for the real America. Here you’ll find four centuries of American cultural heritage, great scenic beauty and modern-day thrills.

The first English settlers to put down permanent roots in what would become the United States founded their settlement in Jamestown on the Virginia coast. That was in 1607. Since then, Virginia has become a microcosm of America and the center of many of the nation’s most important historic events. Nicknamed the "Mother of States" and "Mother of Presidents," Virginia has had eight other states formed from its original territory and has produced more presidents (eight) than any other state.

Important events leading up to the Revolutionary War, as well as some key battles in that conflict, took place in Virginia. Travelers can see history come alive at the scene of the fateful battle of Yorktown, where the British general Charles Cornwallis surrendered to the combined American and French forces. More major battles of the American Civil War were fought in Virginia than in any other state. That terrible conflict began and ended in Virginia with the first major land battle at Manassas and the surrender of Gen. Robert E. Lee to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant taking place at Appomattox Court House. Both sites have been preserved and are open to the public.

This South Atlantic coastal state of more than 6.3 million people is centrally located on the eastern coastline, adjacent to Washington, D.C., and midway between New York and Florida. Virginia is conveniently served by daily flights into Washington Dulles International Airport from 19 countries. The state stretches from the coast in the east to the Blue Ridge, Appachian and Allegheny mountains in the west. The majority of the state’s population lives in an urban crescent stretching from Northern Virginia - places like Fairfax, Alexandria and Arlington - to Richmond, the state capital in Central Virginia, to the Norfolk-Virginia Beach-Newport News area.

Other prominent Virginia cities include Charlottesville, a cultural center and home of the legendary statesman Thomas Jefferson and the university he founded; Roanoke, western Virginia’s largest city and site of the Virginia Museum of Transportation; and Abingdon, the oldest incorporated town west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Abingdon is best known for the annual Virginia Highlands Festival, a lively mix of livestock shows, country music, antiques and crafts.

Natural beauty takes many forms in Virginia: the pristine beaches of the Eastern Shore and Virginia Beach, the world’s longest resort beach; the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive, with breathtaking vistas of the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains and the Shenandoah Valley; Natural Bridge, one of the seven natural wonders of the world; and seven magnificent caverns. Much of this natural splendor is set aside for public enjoyment in four national preserves and 35 state parks, all offering facilities for camping, hiking, fishing and other outdoor activities.

Opportunities for sports lovers don’t end with the public parklands: There’s plenty of golfing on private and public courses; bicycle trails galore; sailing, water-skiing and windsurfing in and around the Chesapeake Bay; tennis at public and private courts; whitewater rafting; and, for spectators, both auto racing and equestrian competitions.

Virginia treasures her history, and it comes alive at numerous destinations such as 17th-century Jamestown; Colonial Williamsburg, the world’s most extensively restored 18th-century town; and at the Museum of American Frontier Culture in the Shenandoah Valley. More than three centuries are represented by Virginia’s numerous historic houses. They include world-famous Mount Vernon, home of George Washington and one of the most visited house/museums in the country; and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, which reflects his innovative architectural ideas.

Virginia’s theme parks - Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Paramount’s Kings Dominion, Water Country USA and Ocean Breeze Fun Park - offer visitors hundreds of thrilling rides, entertainment and shows suitable for all ages.

Virginia’s food is famous, much of it relying on local agricultural products such as apples from Winchester, the apple capital of the world. Also bountiful is seafood such as Urbanna’s famous oysters, Chincoteague’s clams and the day’s deep-sea fishing catch. Visitors will discover peanuts so large they’re called "Cadillacs"; a wine industry dating back to Thomas Jefferson’s day; and world renowned, salt-cured Smithfield ham.

Virginia is a shopper’s paradise with numerous outlet malls including Williamsburg Pottery Factory, the state’s oldest and best-known outlet destination, and Potomac Mills, one of the largest specialty malls in the country. Shopping in luxurious surroundings is also part of Virginia’s retailing scene from the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City to Tysons Corner Center to The Galleria at Tysons II. Those in search of crafts will find them at numerous fairs and festivals statewide.

Virginia offers accommodations to suit every style - from modern resort hotels to colonial bed-and-breakfast inns. With a wealth of historic structures ranging from stately hotels to houses converted into inns and B&B’s, travelers who love to sleep surrounded by history have a wide selection of charming old hostelries from which to choose. Campers can sleep under the stars in public or private campgrounds, and those on a budget can check into any one of a number of affordable motels and hotels.

Washington

The state of Washington, tucked into the northwestern corner of the United States, seems to be on everyone’s lips these days - and mostly because of Seattle.

But Seattle, although the magnet that often first attracts visitors and urban pioneers to Washington, is hardly the whole story. There are other cities such as Tacoma and Everett, and then there’s the state’s extreme geographic variety. Puget Sound, where the major cities cluster, is a huge salt water inlet that creates Washington’s uniquely mild but damp climate.

You might start your exploration of Washington at one of the state’s National Parks: Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park or Olympic National Park. Or, begin at Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument where you can see this famous crater still smoking and steaming.

Olympic National Park, in the state’s northwesternmost corner, is part of the Olympic Peninsula. It is a fascinating blend of seaport towns, beaches, logging towns, and even Hoh rain forest, where the average rainfall is 145inches a year.

Or get away from it all on Long Beach Peninsula, a 3 ½-hour drive southwest of Seattle and worlds away from civilization. Here you’ll find miles of isolated beaches, great birdwatching, hiking trails and some fascinating cultural and historic attractions including Cape Disappointment Lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses on the West Coast (built in 1856), and the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, which documents the 8,000-mile journey of discovery taken by the two explorers who mapped the land between Illinois and the mouth of the Columbia River.

With its extensive wilderness and rural areas, the state is a paradise for those who love outdoor sports of all kinds, as well as more sedentary activities like wine and beer tastings, cruises and hot tubbing.

Back in Seattle, take in all the pleasures of civilization in a city still small enough to explore in its entirety on foot and friendly enough to offer free public transportation in the downtown area. Enjoy a performance by one of the city’s numerous theater companies or take in a symphony concert, opera or ballet performed by one of the city’s resident groups. Marvel at the collections of Asian, Native American and Oceanic art at the Seattle Art Museum.

West Virginia

Lovers of mountainous terrain may never want to leave West Virginia, the state with the highest average elevation east of the Rockies and virtually no large areas of flat land to spoil the dizzying views. The state’s unique geography, quaint villages, small cities and dramatic history, coupled with a small population and four distinct seasons, make West Virginia a premier destination for those who like outdoor activity and adventure.

The emphasis is on outdoor recreation in West Virginia’s 35 state parks. Most offer hiking, swimming in lakes and pools, tennis and other court games, fishing and boating, while four feature 18-hole championship golf courses. Lodges at eight state parks provide fine dining, conference facilities, and other resort amenities.

The state park system is complemented by four federal recreation areas. These are Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, which has been painstakingly restored to its pre-Civil War appearance; the New River Gorge National Recreational Area, home of the "Best Whitewater Rafting in the East"; and Monongahela and George Washington National Forests which provide nearly 2 million acres of backpacking, mountain biking, hunting and fishing opportunities.

With its steep terrain criss-crossed with rushing rivers, West Virginia is a premier state for whitewater rafting. There are outings on many of the state’s rivers including the Gauuley, the Cheat and the Tygart, with packages available for every skill level. Outfitters often combine rafting with camping, mountain bicycling, rock climbing or horseback riding in two to five-day vacation packages. In winter, alpine and nordic skiing, as well as snowboarding, are available at four resorts. Once the snow has melted, mountain cyclists claim the slopes. Both touring and mountain cycling are popular West Virginia activities.

West Virginia’s unique culture is best explored at numerous festivals and fairs highlighting regional foods and handmade crafts. There are festivals and fairs built around Italian heritage foods, pumpkins, apples, strawberries, honey, molasses, chili, black walnuts and one unique foodstuff, ramps, a garlic-like plant that is celebrated in spring. Craft lovers will find much to shop for and enjoy, particularly the state’s renowned hand-blown glass and handmade quilts.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin, located in America’s heartland, is a four-season travel destination offering the best of both city and country. The state owes much of its popularity to its natural beauty: two Great Lakes - Lake Superior and Lake Michigan - and the world’s most famous river, the Mississippi, as well as 15,000 inland lakes, extensive strands of forest, 48 state parks, nine state forests and what is called the best natural golf course landscape in the country.

Wisconsin is rich in urban experiences as well. Milwaukee, located on Lake Michigan, is a city of great culture, boasting a symphony orchestra, ethnic festivals, nationally acclaimed museums, fine restaurants and shopping.

Madison, the state’s capital, is the location of the University of Wisconsin and the stately Capitol Building.

If countryside is your preference, Wisconsin offers several possibilities: Door County, on the eastern side of the state, claims more miles of shoreline, state parks and lighthouses than any other county in the United States.

Wisconsin’s North Woods, spectacular wooded countryside stretching across the northern third of the state, is a land of lush forests, sparkling lakes and rushing rivers. Stay in a resort or in your own private cottage. Fish with an experienced guide or golf on any number of outstanding courses.

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore at Wisconsin’s northern tip is a scenic chain of 22 islands just of the shores of the town of Bayfield. It is a popular spot for kayaking, sailing, fishing, the performing arts, shopping and fine dining. The Wisconsin Dells, in the southern part of the state, is one of the Midwest’s most popular family vacation playlands. Here, you will find the scenic Wisconsin River flanked by towering cliffs and a multitude of attractions including river cruises, the nation’s largest water park, greyhound racing and stage shows.

Old World Wisconsin in Eagle, in the southeastern part of the state, is one of the Midwest’s largest outdoor museums with some 50 authentic 19th-century buildings to tour. If modern architecture is more to your liking, visit Taliesin in Spring Green, the 600-acre estate of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, now a National Landmark.

Wyoming

Wyoming is a living reminder of what America was. It is a big state covering nearly 98,000 square miles with only about 450,000 human residents, making it the least densely populated state in the nation. There are more antelope than people in Wyoming. It is a great and varied landscape where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains. Wyoming is proud of its many "firsts." Topping the list is the reason for the state’s nickname, the "Equality State."

Wyoming women were the first in the nation to vote, serve on juries and hold public office. Wyoming is also home to this country’s first national park (Yellowstone), first national monument (Devils Tower) and first national forest (Shoshone).

Yellowstone National Park is the crown jewel of these treasures. The Park harbors more than 10,000 thermal features and is a total environment of plants and animals living together in a 2.2 million-acre community in which each form of life plays a role in the existence of the other. Wildlife is free to roam in Yellowstone’s unspoiled surroundings.

Devils Tower, located in Wyoming’s northeastern corner, was proclaimed the country’s first national monument in 1906 in recognition of its role as a landmark for explorers and travelers pushing their way west from the Black Hills region. Long before European explorers sighted it, however, Devils Tower played a role in the legend and folklore of Indian tribes. The striking rock formation has enjoyed a rebirth in visitor popularity following its use as a backdrop for the 1978 movie, Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Local pageants and western celebrations reflect Wyoming’s varied heritage. The colorful past comes to life each summer in events such as the Green River Mountain Man Rendezvous, Cody Stampede and Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Known as the "Daddy of ‘em All," Cheyenne Frontier Days, the world’s largest outdoor rodeo event, lights up the last full week of July each year in the state’s capital.

More than 80% of Wyoming’s land is devoted to ranching, and a trip to one of the state’s many guest ranches is a rewarding experience taking visitors back to a time when riding and roping were more than rodeo events and the state earned its other nickname: the Cowboy State.