Which American Mountain Town Should You Visit?

There's never a dull day in Breckenridge. See if you can keep up. After skiing, there will be snowshoeing and then some light shopping after dinner. You aren't the kind of person to really relax on vacation. There's too much to do and way too much to see. And if you can't fit it all into a few days, then what's the point of going at all, am I right?

The vibrant art district in Taos makes it the perfect destination for your next vacation. You've got an eye for this kind of thing, and you might just see something you like in one of the many galleries or history museums in this quirky mountain town. Don't forget to catch a bird's-eye view of the beautiful landscape in one of the city's signature hot air balloon rides.

You're a bit of a history buff, aren't you? Well if not, you'll still appreciate the historical value of this mountain city in West Virginia. It's one of the oldest in America, with the most impeccable preservation techniques, it seems. Take a tour of a 250-year-old log cabin, and maybe visit some very creepy graveyards. If you think that's boring, though, go ahead and jump into a white-water raft. Lewisburg may be one of the oldest, but it is ranked among the most adventurous in the country.

If you're coming in from the West Coast and looking for the Portland of the South, you've found it. Book your next flight to Asheville, North Carolina. Get yourself a good buzz going at a local microbrewery before hitting up their edible park for a snack. That's right, an edible park. Unwind from your busy world for a minute in a surreal place where dreams can come true.

Lake Tahoe is overrated. Take a trip up north to nearby Truckee instead. Enjoy all the perks of lake living without the crowds from the resorts and the casinos. In winter, you can still get in all the skiing you want, but don't forget to wander downtown for a drink afterward. You don't really appreciate the quiet ease of mountain living until you actually sit back and enjoy it.

You enjoy your solitude, don't you? Homer should be your next vacation destination. Dress warmly, but enjoy the almost cosmic nature of this Alaskan city. Take a nice, quiet drive out onto Homer Spit--the country's longest road into the ocean--to bird-watch, explore, or just enjoy the quiet. There's a wildlife park tucked away in the mountains too, if you fancy meeting some sea otters.