One of the greatest cities in the United States, Boston, Massachusetts, has long roots. Founded in 1630 by English Puritan settlers, the city has spent four centuries growing, expanding, and establishing itself as a mecca for education, medicine, and myriad other fields. It’s also a terrific vacation city, filled with outstanding restaurants, historical sites, sporting events, and fine architecture, including its bounty of churches that run the gamut of faiths. Read about the top five churches in Boston >

The signs and the logo with the pink elephant—the common idiom for hallucinations caused by severe alcohol withdrawal—is a clear indication that Bert & The Elephant in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has something special on tap. And the Belgian menu lines up nicely with the long list of beers that will help you avoid seeing that pink pachyderm. Read about it >

Whenever I come across a massive, impregnable-looking building that often occupies an entire city block, I’m glad that, by and large, it is no longer serving its original purpose. Huge armories still dot the urban landscape, constructed for storing, manufacturing, and repairing weapons and equipment, and sometimes serving as the headquarters and training facility for military units. Their abundance in the United States reminds me that, not so long ago, we were involved in some serious wars and were in danger of being attacked during, for instance, the Civil War and both World Wars. Today, many of them operate as something much more peaceful—an art gallery, perhaps, or an athletic center. Yet the integrity of their architecture remains, and that makes them fascinating sights to see. Read about the top five armories >

The Lancaster Arts Hotel, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is a full supporter of the city’s burgeoning arts scene. With more than 260 pieces in a variety of media scattered around its lobby, guest rooms, hallways, and public spaces, including the elevator, the hotel enticed me to appreciate the works of local artists and, by leaving a sketch pad and pencil in my room, encouraged me to make my own contribution. The boutique hotel provides all the modern comforts you’d expect, in its art-gallery atmosphere, and gives great nods to the building’s original function—a tobacco warehouse. Read about it >

Lancaster, Pennsylvania—always, for me, associated with the Amish—has an unexpected diversity among its populace, a shockingly high percentage, given this city’s relatively small size of just under 60,000 people. That heterogeneity translates into a terrifically international food scene. For my first night in town, I headed to one of the less common cuisines around, at Himalayan Curry and Grill, for a bountiful Nepali feast. Read about it >

“Kind people are our kind of people.” A lofty mantra, indeed, pressed onto the tee shirts of the wait staff at HomeGrown. And they live up to it, hiring the nicest staff you can imagine. At this daytime eatery in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, you’ll experience memorable breakfasts, clearly made with love and served with kindness. Read about it >

As summer temperatures soar, a fountain—whether it’s trickling or gushing—can help you beat the heat, especially in urban environments, where concrete and tar make increasingly angry thermometers seem even more oppressive. The care, attention, and craftmanship of many fountains add to the relief these enchanting oases provide, and give you something very pretty to look at and contemplate while misty sprays cool you down a bit. Read about the top five fountains >

Boston has the best, most authentic Little Italy I’ve ever been to. So, when I found myself there on an early Sunday afternoon, I channeled my Italian heritage and tradition of having Sunday dinner at about 1 p.m. and strolled into Monica’s Trattoria. Opened three decades ago by Monica’s sons, this warm, friendly restaurant serves up love in every delectable bite. Read about it >

Located on the ground floor of The Alexandrian Hotel, King & Rye prides itself on seasonal slow food, genuine Southern hospitality, and “damn fine whiskey.” Many of its ingredients are sourced through real relationships with farmers, makers, and butchers. And if you just came from the Old Town Farmers’ Market across the street, you’ll find some of those ingredients in your brunch selections on a lazy Saturday morning. Read about it >

Dinner always tastes better when it comes with a great story. At Il Porto Ristorante, a beacon for authentic Northern Italian food in Alexandria, Virginia, your excellent meal is served with a hefty dose of history—you’ll be dining in a building that was a sea captain’s house, a brothel, a secret distillery, a butcher shop, a speakeasy, and a Nazi radio network. Read about it >