Quick question: What's the biggest city in Missouri?

Nope, it's not St. Louis, it's Kansas City. Sure, the fact that a place called Kansas City is actually located in Missouri can be a little confusing, but once you get that figured out you are destined for a dandy time here.

KC straddles both states-with attractions evenly sprinkled throughout both-and is the only American city that can lay claim to being both a cradle of jazz music and barbecue. Spend your days hunting down the best slow-cooked-and-slathered meats or visiting the myriad of museums and your nights partying on the Plaza-a super-classy Spanish-inspired outdoor shopping center.

This mystical mountain range, which mostly lies in the southwest corner of South Dakota packs quite a punch. Here you will find Mount Rushmore, Custer National Park, The Crazy Horse Monument and Sturgis. The region is also the perfect jumping off point to visit the otherworldly Badlands.

While many places try to keep the spirit of the Wild West alive, it positively thrives in the Black Hills town of Deadwood with its dust-floor gambling halls and shootouts in the street (for entertainment purposes only, of course).

Being sandwiched between the Grand Canyon State and Colorado, it's easy to see why some people skip New Mexico. That would be a big mistake.

Not only does The Land of Enchantment have its fair share of natural wonders-White Sands National Monument, Carlsbad Caverns and the Jemez Mountains come to mind-its combination of ancient native history and culinary excellence (mmm, chiles) is unmatched.

And if that's not enough for you, this is the state where the instantly iconic TV show Breaking Bad was shot. Fans can now take tours of filming locations.

Wait, they have beaches in Alabama?

Sadly, this is the reaction of too many people after being told the tales of the sugar white sand of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and their surroundings. The seaside heaven stretches into Florida's Panhandle too, where places like Pensacola, Destin and Panama City are home to scenes of snow-white sand and turquoise water that wouldn't look out of place in the Caribbean.

Can't decide between the two states? Well, then just pull up a chair at the Flora-Bama, one of the country's most famous roadhouse dive bars-which just so happens to be located directly on the border.

Pittsburgh doesn't have the biggest or tallest skyline in the country, but it might just have the prettiest. This metropolis sits at the meeting point of three mighty rivers, and the views of The 'Burgh from the hills above are simply breathtaking.

Pittsburgh isn't just a pretty face though, as this down-to-earth town's residents will welcome you with open arms-as long as you're wearing black-and-yellow (the colors of all three of the city's professional sports teams).