Top 10 Destinations of 2006

TOP DESTINATIONS#1 Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas is a gigantic playground for young and old. No matter what you're interested in, you can find it in Las Vegas. Outside town there are truck stops that have good rooms and gambling as well as really good buffets. Jean Nevada is the best. Once downtown, you can see knights in shining armor battling on horse back in jousting matches, circus acts, an enormous aquarium complete with sharks and sea turtles, carnival rides, tours of Egypt by boat while still inside a casino and a visit to King Tut's Tomb. The shows range from magic to strip tease to famous performers strutting their stuff. And the food is amazing! If you can imagine the perfect cuisine, you can find it in Las Vegas.

TOP DESTINATIONS #2 Dallas/ Fort Worth, Texas. The old west lives next door to all the modern conveniences. You can visit museums, the infamous Book Depository and the Grassy Knoll of the JFK assassination fame. You can see the lights in Fort Worth that edge many of the downtown buildings. It's quite spectacular. The Goodyear blimps sometimes land there for repairs. The eating places have traditional American food and some of the best Mexican food you'll ever eat. Nightclubs range from disco to country and are all loads of fun to go to.

TOP DESTINATIONS #3 Salt Lake City, Utah. The central point of the Latter Day Saints religion, Salt Lake City is laid out like a gigantic wheel. If you can see it from a distance, at night, the temple is in the center and all the streets lead to it. It's a big, white cathedral looking place and a must see for anyone interested in architecture. Nearby is the Great Salt Lake for which the town was named. The salt in the lake is so concentrated you can't hardly sink if you swim in it. Salt Lake City is surrounded by the Rocky Mountains and I-80 runs through it and around it so you don't have to get off the highway unless you want to. But it's a town worth seeing if you can.

TOP DESTINATIONS #4 San Francisco, California. The famous "City by the Bay" is a sight to behold. Even before you get into the city itself, you can see the Pacific Ocean and watch the ships as they come and go. Alcatraz Island is a favorite tourist stop. You can look at the big, scary buildings of the old prison and marvel that anyone even tried to escape, much less made it. On Fisherman's Wharf you can taste everything from crab to lobster to shepherds bread. The museums are fascinating and plentiful. From "Believe It Or Not" to the Wax Museum, you can easily spend days just looking. The food is fabulous, and Ghirardelli Square boasts some great places to eat.

TOP DESTINATIONS # 5 Denver, Colorado. The "mile high city" is close enough to the mountains for skiing. It is a big enough city that even New Yorkers can feel at home. The museums and dining are quite good and can keep a visitor busy for days.

TOP DESTRINATIONS #6 Santa Fe, New Mexico. This is the ultimate artist colony if you're into desert art work. The jewelry and handicrafts of the local Indians are almost like treasures from another time. Be sure to visit them and enjoy the artistry even if you don't buy anything. The food in Santa Fe is wonderful, if you like spicy Mexican. The strands of peppers hanging everywhere will tell you how it tastes.

TOP DESTINATIONS #7 Seattle, Washington. The "Space Needle" stands out as the cities most famous landmark. It towers above everything and is a focal point for finding out where you are. The harbor is beautiful, with ships coming and going, especially in the evenings when there isn't any fog. Seafood is prevalent along the downtown streets and the small bars and nightclubs provide a grand array of local talent.

TOP DESTINATIONS #8 Reno, Nevada. Reno is close enough to the Sierras for all the skiing you might want. Lake Tahoe is nearby, too, of you prefer summer activities. But in Reno, itself, you can find almost anything you can imagine. From circus acts at Circus Circus to the huge water park just out of town, there are lots of things for kids to do. The Planetarium at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) is great for young and old alike. Of course there's plenty of gambling, fine dining and shows downtown.

TOP DESTINATIONS#9 Cheyenne, Wyoming. During most of the year, Cheyenne is like any other western town. But if you go during Frontier Days in July, you can get a taste of what the old west was all about. Everywhere you look, people are dressed in western clothes and there's a barbecue every few blocks. The bars and night clubs sport western music and dancing while the carnival fills the fairgrounds. It's a great time for all cowboys no matter how old they are or where they come from.

TOP DESTINATIONS #10 Chicago, Illinois. Frank Sinatra said Chicago was his "kinda town" and so it has been for thousands of locals and tourists throughout its history. From the Sears Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the country, to the shores of the Great Lakes, you can find something to explore and enjoy. The shopping is excellent, if you have plenty to spend. And the foods are world famous. Riding the El can be an experience all its own. An above the ground subway that zips from stop to stop like lightening, the El is unique to Chicago. You can even catch a very "off Broadway" play or one that is already a success if you ask in the right places. Chicago can be a very interesting and exciting vacation destination.

TOP DESTINATIONS in closing. The USA is full of wonderful places to visit. Give them all a try before going to another country, you might be surprised of how much of the world you can see just by driving down the road and stopping from time to time to see the local sights.