San Juan is the vibrant, cosmopolitan capital of the island of Puerto Rico. Encompassing hundreds of years of history, the city blends Spanish-era historic sites, such as the San Felipe del Morro fortress, with modern entertainment and fashionable shopping districts. More than a million people call San Juan home, while hundreds of thousands of tourists call it their favorite place to vacation each year.

Traverse City’s claim to fame is its position as the largest producer of tart cherries in the United States. The Michigan city hosts annual events to celebrate the cherry harvests, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. The land is also ripe for Traverse City’s numerous vineyards, which place it among the Midwest’s top centers of wine production. After touring the orchards and attending the wine tasting events, head to Traverse City’s freshwater beaches, the National Lakeshore, downhill skiing areas, and verdant forests.

Portlanders respond eagerly to the summons of the city's unofficial motto: ‘Keep Portland Weird.’ Although the real deal is miles away from the grotesque version famously portrayed in "Portlandia,” some tropes of the TV show do ring true. The city's thriving food, beer, and coffee scenes are mixed with whimsy, as self-expression and creativity abound. Portland is not only the hometown of James Beard but also a place where unique experiences are born, like wedding ceremonies held at a doughnut shop, "brew 'n' view" movie theaters, and even a vegan strip club.

Washington’s mountains rise from the ground like the mighty, mythical gods of lore. Stretching upwards with little regard for the communities of people peppered around them, such grand indifference captures our imaginations and awe. We strive to scale and conquer them, to master their trails and hills, and their magnificence allows us to transcend who we are in some magical way. Grand Mound, Washington places you within reach of the state’s majestic mountains, and thus its main attractions.