Come and visit the “Windy City,” which lies along Lake Michigan’s exposed shore. Embrace the vibrant arts scene at the Art Institute of Chicago, or create memories at Millennium Park with its vast gardens, sculptures, and trails. Wander down the Magnificent Mile and Michigan Avenue for great shopping and dining.

Find lots of fun along the Mississippi River in this city that was once a famous steamboat port. Don’t miss seeing the iconic Gateway Arch, a soaring structure downtown, before taking a walk just a few blocks to Busch Stadium to see the Cardinals play baseball with aplomb. If they lose, visit the Soulard District afterwards to listen to the Blues.

Book a ticket to the Midwest’s “double city” – it straddles the state line between Missouri and Kansas. Drop by Liberty Memorial’s National World War I Museum, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the fascinating Arabia Steamboat Museum for a taste of history and culture. Try the famous barbequed meat for true local flavour.

Escape to the Big Friendly City, where cowboy culture is ingrained. Find out just how important it still is at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. For a totally different experience, head to the Bricktown neighborhood and hop aboard a water taxi to take you to the American Banjo Museum.

Head to Dallas for some famous Tex-Mex cuisine, a thriving art scene and the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey plaza, the site of JFK’s assassination. Time your visit to attend one of the many annual events, like the Texas State Fair, a huge festival that features the best of Texas food and agriculture. Then, do as the locals do and attend the Red River Shootout, a college football clash.

Experience unending fun in the capital of Texas, a hub for music-makers, never more so than at South by Southwest, a music fest featuring new and established talent. Don’t forget to sample the local cuisine – Austin is known for its eclectic food with everything from breakfast tacos to gourmet donuts on the menu.

Plan a trip to San Antonio’s famous annual fiesta in April, where diverse cultures come together in a bevy of parades, dancing, eating and drinking. Discover the city’s long history at the 18th Century Alamo Mission, and dine at the romantic San Antonio River Walk, a promenade lined with cafes and shops.

Take-off to this city famed for its role as NASA’s astronaut training base. Space Center Houston offers visitors an inside look at what it takes to fly into space. After getting your fill of science, head downtown to the Historic District for hip restaurants amid picturesque 19th Century architecture.