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Beaufort's entire downtown has been designated as a historic district, so it's worth a wander down the leafy streets to admire the architecture. While you're walking, you may want to meander down the Spanish Moss Trail, which is a 10-mile greenway that connects the marshy areas with paths that weave their way through groves of moss-draped trees.

Stockbridge was a popular summer retreat for the wealthy during the 19th century. The elite from Boston and New York would head to the mountains for fresh air and lovely scenery. Today it's still a popular hot spot for city-dwellers looking for an escape. While in town, don't miss the beautiful examples of historic Gilded Age architecture.

Surrounded by Vermont's Green Mountains Manchester shows off its charm all year round, whether it's bursting with flowers and greenery in the spring and summer, brushed with fiery autumnal colors in the fall, or swirling with snow as a wintry wonderland.

This seaside town in northwest Oregon with a storied legacy. Its location near the mouth of the Columbia River was a magnet for early explorers, including Lewis and Clark. Later, Astoria was poised to be a major port city on the West Coast, and although that didn't go as planned, the town still wears the title of "Little San Francisco."

In nearby Arches National Park, enjoy the famous Delicate Arch hiking trail; following that take a stroll down Park Avenue and be awed by the incredible sandstone towers. Later in the day, let your car do the hard work and ascend to Dead Horse State Park, where you'll be treated to views over a bizarre landscape of serpentine rivers, mesas, and canyons. Also in the vicinity is Canyonlands National Park, with some of the best vistas in the state.

The skiing and snowboarding at Sun Valley are still legendary, and this is one of the top ski destinations in America. The mountain combines Wild West appeal with an Alps-inspired European vacation, offering rugged but accessible downhill adventures. And with a wide variety of runs, the mountain caters to all levels of downhill enthusiasts. A stay at the legendary Sun Valley Lodge really caps a winter visit.

Signature annual events like Maifest and a wintertime Village of Lights attract thousands of visitors to Leavenworth each year, many from Seattle, located two hours west on Highway 2. And even without these yearly traditions adding a lively chatter to the streets, any visit entails sample German dishes, alphorn recitals, and at least one person wearing lederhosen.

But it's not all about skiing here; Breckenridge is a year-round destination with spectacular hiking trails, including the renowned Hoosier Pass Loop and the more difficult Quandry Peak. For those who like to explore from the comfort of a car, take the 22-mile-long Boreas Pass, where you'll ascend to 11,481 feet.

Nestled in New York State's mid-Hudson Valley, surrounded by the rolling green mountains of the Catskills, Woodstock is one of America's most idyllic small towns. Only two hours from New York City, and yet another world away, the village is steeped in New York State history, from early indigenous tribes and Dutch settlers to 20th-century hippies and modern-day bougie bohemians.

Hidden in the Ozark Mountains, Eureka Springs is a treasure trove of Victorian architecture, history, and outdoor adventure. Take a stroll down Spring Street, marvel at the well-preserved buildings, and be tempted to pop into any of the many unusual stores and galleries, recharge with a coffee at a funky café, or grab a bite at one of the restaurants. Of course, don't forget to swing by the springs for a sip of the water that made the town famous.

Pismo Beach is an iconic beach destination in San Luis Obispo County on California's Central Coast, approximately halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. A focal point here is the 17-mile Pismo State Beach extending south from the Pismo Beach Pier and Promenade, next to a charming downtown district.