Those bound west along Interstate 90 will cross I-35, running north to south, just outside of Albert Lea. Though travelers are often only passing through, this is a fine place to stop for an afternoon or bunk in for an overnight stay. During daylight hours, find a handful of historic sites, from old log cabins to memorabilia from some long gone age.

Buffalo is the second biggest city in New York. Only 20 minutes from the great Niagara Falls and a stone's throw from wine country, Buffalo offers its guests sophisticated accommodations, fine dining and sparkling night life.

Tourism is at the heart of Canandaigua, where a drive along Main Street leads right to the shores of Canandaigua Lake. The 17-mile lake is hugged by acres of lush vineyards and caressed by little cruise boats that offer narrated tours along the picturesque Finger Lake. The crispy clean village is strewn with shops and galleries.

In this, the state of 10,000 lakes, Fillmore County is an anomaly ? there are no natural lakes. Passed by when glacial movement carved pockets all over the rest of Minnesota, this region, nestled in the southeast corner, is instead noted not only for its splendid landscapes and abundance of outdoor opportunities, but also a rich Amish heritage and charming historic towns, like Lanesboro.

In a region noted for distant horizons and sweeping carpets of grass and grains, Makato offers a pleasant cultural respite to anchor seemingly endless landscapes. Locals escape the city for places like Minneopa State Park, home to the biggest twin waterfalls around.

With a combined population hovering in the 3 million range, Minneapolis, Minnesota's largest city, and St Paul, the state capital, serve as the region's urban hub. Certainly, from America's largest shopping mall on to science and art museums, historic architecture and activities in the great outdoors, there's no cause for anyone to complain of boredom.

Niagra Falls is both a town, with great fishing, antique shops, and restaurants, and a world-famous natural attraction that has drawn honeymooners and sightseers for centuries.

On the journey down to the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River weaves past towns like Red Wing and Winona, paralleled by the Great River Road, before surging on into Iowa. In spring, this stretch of country is known as the 100 mile garden, and hosts, the first weekend of May, a 100 mile garage sale ? one man's trash they say!