N. America's Top Destinations: Editor's Top 10

Quebec City looks, at first glance, much like one of France's Atlantic coastal cities. a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site, Quebec City has gabled buildings dating back to the 1600s and narrow, winding streets made of cobblestones. You can amble through airy plazas-past fountains and statues-as you make your way to Terrasse Dufferin, a wide promenade straddling the clifftop with fantastic views of the St. Lawrence River below. Presiding over it all is the Chateau Frontenac, a grand hotel rem... Goto Destination Guide »

Toronto vibrates as a cosmopolitan financial, commercial and cultural center, blending urban chic with its multicultural heritage (some 100 ethnic groups speak more than 100 languages). It has a busy stock exchange, plus a large film and TV industry. Toronto sports fans love their Blue Jays and Maple Leafs, and children learn to play hockey at an early age.... Goto Destination Guide »

Mexico's original seaside resort, Acapulco has enticed vacationers for more than half a century. The Kennedys and the Clintons honeymooned there, Elizabeth Taylor was married there, Placido Domingo and Danny DeVito have homes there, and other film stars have been relaxing beneath its palms since the heydays of Errol Flynn and Frank Sinatra. These days, Acapulco is bigger and, in some ways, better than ever.... Goto Destination Guide »

Puerto Vallarta masterfully plays the part of a remote tropical getaway, even as it grows into a larger city that's connected to the outside world by multinational chain stores and a steady stream of jets and cruise ships.... Goto Destination Guide »

Chicago-style: The adjective seems to attach itself to everything in Chicago, Illinois-from vibrant downtown Chicago, architecture and political machines to deep-dish pizza, hot dogs and blues music. Chicago residents do things with their own distinctive flair, creating innovations that resound far beyond the city's borders. The result is a world-class city with stunning architecture, an internationally acclaimed symphony, champion sports teams such as the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs, a host... Goto Destination Guide »

Visitors to Honolulu, Hawaii, may hear that, because it's Hawaii's largest city, it is less "Hawaiian" than the rest of the state. The high-rise office buildings and traffic of Honolulu don't match people's romantic ideal of what Hawaii should be-remote, palm-fringed beaches and lavish resorts.... Goto Destination Guide »

Las Vegas, Nevada, is always reinventing itself. As older Las Vegas hotels remodel (which they seem to do every five years or so) and newer resorts are built, expect more luxury, including high-end linens, top-notch culinary experiences and spectacular shows. Gambling is of course still a big draw, but fewer than half of current visitors go for gaming. Entertainment, including shopping, nightclubbing, dining, shows and the fabulous outdoor opportunities available within a short drive make Las Ve... Goto Destination Guide »

Miami has always billed itself as a travel destination. Warm weather, sandy beaches and bright sunshine were selling points more than 100 years ago, just as they are today. But Miami's allure extends beyond its shores. People from all over the Caribbean and Latin America have settled in Miami, giving the city its distinctive lively, international character.... Goto Destination Guide »

New York City has always been a city of superlatives: largest, tallest, trendiest, best. It's also one of the world's most resilient. Although the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 left their scars, New Yorkers quickly rediscovered their optimism. They like their hometown. They wouldn't dream of living anywhere else.... Goto Destination Guide »

San Diego California is sunny and mild, not just in weather but in personality as well. This is a place where the people are friendly and the insects don't bite. To top it off, San Diego is blessed with considerable natural beauty: broad, gorgeous beaches on its west side, creviced canyons on the east and sweet-smelling tropical flowers everywhere.... Goto Destination Guide »

Savannah. The very name sounds like a southern drawl. With its history, cobblestoned streets, old homes and beautiful gardens, Savannah, Georgia, is everything you think a southern city should be. Add a collection of glorious beaches and coastal lowlands just a short drive away-including Tybee Island, Skidaway Island, the Golden Isles and Hilton Head Island-and this is the South at its finest.... Goto Destination Guide »

Key West is a haven for the famous, the nonfamous and for those looking to get a little lost. Everyone seems to enjoy the Key West relaxed pace, storybook architecture, colorful history, live-and-let-live local attitude and end-of-the-world feel. The natural surroundings are just as pleasant: Hibiscus, bougainvillea, palm trees and other flora and fauna give the island a tropical feel and smell. And when the sun begins to set each day, there's cause for celebration as street performers, arts-and... Goto Destination Guide »

It has been said that New Orleans, Louisiana, celebrates indulgence like no other U.S. city; its reputation for revelry, especially during Mardi Gras, is legendary. But after 29 August 2005, when Hurricane Katrina unleashed a storm of wind and water that flooded 80% of this vibrant city, the word indulgence took on a different meaning for New Orleans. Pleas for patience went out to residents and visitors alike as the Crescent City brought itself back from the ravages of Katrina.... Goto Destination Guide »