Sitting only 18 miles South of the US border with Quebec, Plattsburgh was once a major hub in the fur trade with Montreal. The city is made for walking, full of beautiful turn of the century buildings and manicured parks. A River Walk follows the Saranac River as it cuts through town, ending at the shores of Lake Champlain, home to Champy, the American cousin of the Loch Ness Monster. The surrounding area is part of Adirondack Park, America's largest wilderness preserve outside of Alaska.

Vermont's Green Mountains are the peaks that gave the 14th state its name. Still largely covered by verdant forest, the area is a year- round destination, popular with both skiers and hikers. The Long Trail, a wilderness hiking trail, traverses the state, while drivers set a slower pace on Vermont's scenic roads. Quaint towns, such as Stowe and Montgomery, acres of farmed valleys, apple orchards, covered bridges and speciality stores take visitors back in time, and charming inns await.

Vermont's largest and perhaps most cosmopolitan city, Burlington beckons with the perfect blend of old New England charm, arts, culture and nature. Located on the shores of Lake Champlain, between the Adirondack and Green Mountains, Burlington is one of those places you can't help but fall in love with. During the spring and summer, the streets come alive with festivals and outdoor concerts. The picnic benches, playground and bike paths of Leddy Park are filled with warm weather revelers, and opportunities to swim, fish or just kick back on the beach abound. In the fall, the Burlington Bike Path is bustling with leaf peepers who come to view the vibrant autumn colours. In winter, lace up your ice skates and head to the Paquette Arena or grab your skis and head to any of the nearby resorts. Church Street Marketplace, with its early 1900s architecture, great restaurants, live entertainment, one-of-a-kind shops and well-known stores, is the focal point of the downtown area. Anytime of the year is a good time for chocolate. Be sure to stop by Lake Champlain Chocolates for a tour and taste.

Ottawa is a compact, clean, cleverly planned centre of culture and politics. And it's an ideal choice for a weekend getaway. Start downtown at the architecturally stunning National Gallery of Canada, and don't miss the Canadian Nature Museum and the National Aviation Museum. Rideau Canal offers boating in the summer and ice-skating in the winter. Gatineau Park attracts cyclists and walkers, while Byward Market blends old and new Ottawa.

We've heard Toronto described as "New York City run by the Swiss," and it's true—you can find world-class theatre, shopping and restaurants here, but the sidewalks are clean and the people are friendly. The best place to start is literally at the top—the CN Tower, the tallest freestanding structure in the Western Hemisphere.

travellers say Halifax is best seen on foot, so park the car and start walking. Immerse yourself in Halifax's rich history at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, and be sure to survey the city from the 18th-century Citadel National Historic Site. Then walk into any of Halifax's great bars and restaurants and catch some live music to round out your day.

As North America’s northernmost large metropolis, Edmonton is a fascinating study in contrasts — a vibrant urban centre in the heart of the wilderness. It’s a city that’s never been afraid to do things a little differently, as visitors discover through close encounters with free-roaming bison, a shopping mall that spans more than 48 city blocks, and a dynamic arts and culture scene that embraces more than 40 annual festivals, including the continent’s biggest and wildest Fringe Theatre Festival.

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."

What happens when a "gassy" Englishman rows into town feeling thirsty? A pub is born. And from that a city—in this case Vancouver. Though the pubs are plentiful, food and drink aren’t the only things to take in during your trip. In its 150 years, Vancouver has grown into a cosmopolitan city nestled in the great outdoors. Enjoy the snow-capped mountains, waterfront forests, cityside beaches, Olympic history and the world’s highest suspension bridge. Hipsters welcome. (Don’t worry, they don’t bite.)

History reigns in Lincoln, where Roman ruins, medieval monuments, and a Norman castle can be found within steps of each other. Even the modern trappings of this student city feel nostalgic—cobbled lanes harbour independent boutiques, cutesy tea rooms hide behind half-timbered façades, and old warehouses are now cool music venues.