Basking in its 300 days of sunshine, Lake Tahoe is a haven for outdoor fun in every season. Swimming, kayaking and windsurfing are popular in the summer months, while epic snowfall makes for spectacular skiing in winter. For those who prefer indoor fun, there's plenty of that in Tahoe, too. With 24-hour casinos and a flashy nightlife scene, the area has a tangible Vegas vibe. A sprinkle of bling, if you will. Not surprising, since Lake Tahoe straddles the border between California and Nevada.

With the bluest of blue water and the greenest of green surrounding forest, Lake Tahoe, quite simply, transfixes. From the early Indians to authors such as Mark Twain, people have tried to capture the beauty and mystique of the lake with nicknames like "Big Blue" and "Grasshopper Soup". Others maintain that it's impossible to describe the magnificence in words. At 6225 feet above sea level, Tahoe is the highest alpine lake in the United States and has long attracted holidaymakers from around the world. In the summer, hiking, windsurfing, golfing, fishing and swimming (usually in wet suits due to the lake's brisk year-round temperature) are all the rage. The winter season starts in late November, around Thanksgiving, and brings throngs of skiers to local resorts. Located between California and Nevada, different sides of the lake tend to attract different types of visitors. The California side draws families and outdoor enthusiasts while the Nevada side beckons those looking for big-name entertainment and casinos. No matter which side you choose, a getaway to stunning Lake Tahoe will not soon be forgotten.

Nestled along the northern shores of Lake Tahoe, Incline Village is a paradise for adventurers, offering exhilarating activities the whole year through. The surrounding Sierra Nevada thrives in winter, drawing flocks of snow-lovers to Diamond Peak’s groomed runs and glade skiing. The same peaks provide secluded and challenging hikes in the summer months. Tahoe itself is the place to unwind. Although some beaches are open only to residents, there are numerous public beaches to dip your feet in.

Nevada's "other" gambling and resort town, Reno is located in the western part of the state near the California border. What the city lacks in glitz or reputation it more than makes up for in attractions and amenities. There are first-rate hotels, golf courses and casinos to rival its southern counterpart and, also like Las Vegas, Reno has become a popular destination for families. Galena Creek Park offers nature trails that even young children can navigate, plus organised educational events for families.

Only 21 miles from RDM airport, Bend is a natural playground for families and adventure travellers. Hiking and fishing along the Deschutes river, mountain biking and skiing at Mt. Bachelor are among the favourite activities. Enjoy award-winning restaurants or one of the nearly 30 breweries and pubs. Sunny weather compliments the many world class festivals and concerts. Bend is a great spot for family-friendly fun as well, from the High Desert Museum to ski areas with no fees for children under 12.

Centrally located near all of Southern California’s major cities, Temecula Valley is the region’s wine country — with 40+ wineries offering everything from tours and events to restaurants and early-morning hot air balloon flights featuring panoramic views. Visitors also enjoy a wide range of outdoor recreational activities; the largest casino in the state at Pechanga Resort Casino; and a historic Old Town featuring wooden boardwalks, artisanal shops and restaurants, and a bustling nightlife.

A mixture of urban chic and outdoor adventures, Spokane has something for everyone. Taste food by James-Beard-nominated chefs at Sante or The Wandering Table. Listen to live music at The Bartlett or the symphony at the iconic Martin Woldson Theatre at The Fox. Glide over the breathtaking Spokane Falls, situated right downtown, in the SkyRide, rated as one of the world’s best gondolas. Kids can feed the Garbage-Eating Goat or slide down the giant Radio Flyer Red Wagon in Riverfront Park.

Shaped by the currents and curves of the Wisconsin River, Wisconsin Dells has been a favourite family holiday destination for more than 150 years. An explosion of indoor water parks has turned the Dells from a summer hot spot to a year-round destination. Kids will enjoy the seemingly endless supply of fun and games, from go-karts to miniature golf, sideshows to thrill rides. If the weather's right, you can take a Duck tour of land and water, and top it all off with a heaping helping of the local fudge

The name "Chattanooga" comes from the Creek Indian word for "rock coming to a point". This refers to Lookout Mountain, one of the city's major attractions. Here visitors can explore extraordinary rock formations, see a roaring enclosed waterfall and travel by train to the top of the mountain for truly breathtaking vistas. Back down on the ground, don't miss the world's largest freshwater aquarium: the Tennessee Aquarium. History enthusiasts will love the city's museums dedicated to Civil-War, Native-American and 20th-century history. More than anything, Chattanooga is a scenic city, full of natural wonders waiting to be explored on foot or by car, bike or train.

Although much of Jacksonville is urban, this sprawling northeastern Florida city also has nature and wildlife reserves, historic residential neighbourhoods and lots of golf courses. Attractions in Jax, as the locals call it, range from art, science and history museums to a brewery tour, from the Jacksonville Landing entertainment complex, along the St John's River, to Bronson Motor Speedway. The city's beaches offer soft sand and warm water - perfect for swimming, surfing and kayaking.

Wilkes-Barre serves as the county seat for Luzerne County, an area containing not one, but four of Pennsylvania's State Parks. Whether its fishing in Frances Slocum State Park, whitewater rafting through Lehigh Gorge State Park, cross-country skiing across Nescopeck State Park, or exploring twenty-two waterfalls at Ricketts Glen State Park, there is something for every outdoors enthusiast. If the indoors is more your thing, the city is also home to the Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs casino.

The capital of Grand Bahama Island, founded in 1955 as a center of tourism, has undergone recent redevelopment and again offers nearly every amenity an island visitor could hope for: pristine beaches, golf, water sports, diving, gambling, duty-free shopping, boating, nightclubs and fishing. Want more? Try the Pirates of the Bahamas theme park, Freeport's International Bazaar, Port Lucaya marketplace, Garden of the Groves botanical garden, the Rand Nature Center or Lucayan National Park.

In friendly Great Exuma, you'll want to be up early so you don't miss a moment outdoors. From fishing and sailing to snorkeling and windsurfing, there's almost too much to do. Design your own adventure and plunge in—particularly around Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, where the scuba diving is world-class.

Sipping coconut milk while bargaining for handmade jewelry and swaying your hips to live music—just another Saturday morning in Rarotonga. After a few hours of checking out the wharf-side Punanga Nui Market, hit the beaches of this reef-protected volcanic island. There are plenty of picturesque lagoons that allow peaceful swimming or snorkeling, and moonlit strolls along the East Side sands are pure magic. Raro Safari Tours are a popular way to explore the island’s vivid rainforest.