A rich 300-year history, a thriving arts community and seemingly endless wilderness make this New York capital city on the Hudson River a great weekend getaway. Outdoor enthusiasts come here to ski, hike, canoe and fish; trout and small-mouth bass fishing is among the best in the U.S. Mountains surround the city, and the tapestry of golds and reds on an autumn day is breathtaking. The city is dominated by an elaborate 10-building complex that includes the State Capitol; the New York State Museum, with life-like dioramas such as American Indian life and an Adirondack logging operation; and the oval-shaped Empire State Performing Arts Centre, nicknamed "The Egg." History buffs will enjoy the colonial homes, historic churches and museums, and can tour 18th-century mansions, like the Schuyler, a superb example of pre-Revolutionary War architecture. Whether nature or history is your passion, you'll find an abundance of both in this upstate New York gem.

Named for legendary explorer, Daniel Boone, Boone, North Carolina retains the pioneer spirit, despite having grown into a busy college town, the home of Appalachian State University. The surrounding area is one of the country's best destinations for outdoor adventures. Walk across the Mile High Swinging Bridge to Grandfather Mountain's Linville Peak, the highest point in the Blue Ridge Mountains, or grab your bike and head to Pisgah National Forest, featuring over 200 miles of exciting trails.

Let the Gulf Shore breeze carry you to a weekend of sun-kissed fun. The Tampa-St Pete area is Florida's second-biggest metropolitan area. Not as flashy as Miami or as crowded as Orlando, the region has grown as a tourist destination, and it's easy to see why: miles of waterfront, sandy beaches, cultural attractions and exciting amusements. Busch Gardens has been drawing visitors for years, but the city also has another zoo, an aquarium and several major museums for those who need some time in the shade.

One of Poland’s most beautiful cities, Gdansk, on the Baltic Sea, has played major roles in history, especially in the 20th-century. It was the 1939 flash point of World War II, and then in 1980, the birthplace of the Solidarnosc labor movement, ushering the end of Communist domination in Eastern Europe. Gdansk’s Old Town, painstakingly reconstructed to its Hanseatic League glory after being leveled in World War II, is a highlight. The 14th-century Town Hall houses the city’s historical museum.