There seems to be no end to beautiful states in our nation, but there are some states that appear to fly under the radar, so to speak, more than others.  The adventure that is New Mexico is overlooked at times, but those who are able to tap into this exciting place will want to make return trips to the area again and again.

The climate in New Mexico may attract many, as it has the same dry warmth that is sought out in neighboring states like Arizona.  The landscape of the state is marked by mountain regions as well as dessert plains and there are several natural wonders that visitors to New Mexico will want to take in, such as Carlsbad Caverns and a number of other state parks.  New Mexico is also home to one of the largest hot air balloon fiestas in the world, with the festival taking place in the fall as hundreds of hot air balloons take to the sky at once.

There is much to enjoy from a historical and cultural standpoint in New Mexico as well. A part of the "wild west," New Mexico was home to Billy the Kid, and several other legendary historical figures. New Mexico also has a unique blend of Hispanic, Native American, and Anglo cultures which create a beautiful tapestry across the state.  It is a spicy and intriguing mixture that combines chile peppers with fried bread and other wonderful aromas.  There is no state like the Land of Enchantment and every year more people fall in love with this quiet place.

If you have never been to New York City you do not know what you are missing.  New York City has something for everyone to enjoy.  There are museums, parks, the theater and great restaurants.

New York City has the best theater district in the world.  There are plenty of live shows to see.  It can be a little difficult to get tickets for a show.  It is recommended that you get your tickets in advance.  You can buy your tickets online.

If you like to shop, there are certainly plenty of places to go shopping.  Make sure you go to Macy's.  Don't forget about the Disney store or Warner Brothers as well.

It is easy to get around New York City; you can either take a taxicab, the bus or the subway.  You do not want to drive, so it is best to take mass transit.

Some other major attractions are the Bronx Zoo, Central Park, Center for Jewish History, the United Nations and the American Museum of Natural History.  You can also prearrange some bus tours in advance as well.

You may also want to think about visiting the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island.  Ellis Island is a great place to learn about your family heritage.  Don't forget to bring your camera with you, as you do not want to miss out on some great photo moments.

If you are a big sports fan and are visiting New York City, you should get tickets to go to Yankee Stadium and watch the Yankees play. The 2008 season was the team's last in the historic ballpark, so make sure you get your tickets in advance, and don't forget to bring your baseball glove.

Any country music fan will cherish the opportunity to visit Nashville, Tennessee.  And no trip to the country music Mecca would be complete without experiencing the Grand Ole Opry.  

Often called the "home of American music," the Grand Ole Opry is the oldest continuous radio program in the United States.  It dates back to 1925, which was just five years after the advent of commercial radio.  The show started out on WSM radio in Nashville as the "WSM Barn Dance."  It adopted its familiar name in 1927.

As the show's popularity grew, so did its live audiences, forcing the program to move to a number of different houses over the years.  In 1943, the Opry jumped to the Ryman Auditorium, finding a home for the next 31 years.  But in 1974, the show shifted to the 4,400-seat Grand Ole Opry House, and it's been there ever since.        

The Opry continues to present numerous performances each and every week featuring the biggest names in country music.  While only the best and brightest are asked to perform on its legendary stage, the Opry reserves its highest honors for its exclusive membership.  The Opry chooses its members very carefully, balancing the past with the present in order to honor the proud tradition and rich history of country music.  A few of the Opry's more notable members include Trace Adkins, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Ricky Skaggs, Pam Tillis, and Trisha Yearwood.    

Located close to Keystone, Mount Rushmore is a gigantic mountain in the Black Hills of South Dakota, were a carved granite sculpture sits in the United States Presidential Memorial. It epitomizes the first 150 years of U.S. history, and shows sculpted heads of previous presidents of the United States. With George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, who are thought to be four of the most celebrated presidents of America.

Congress authorized the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Commission on March 3, 1925 and the man who was chosen to do the sculpture was Gutzon Borglum. It took 14 years to finish the tribute, along with around 400 workers, to carve out the 60-foot sculpted heads of the four men. During its development, the workers climbed over 506 steps to get to the top, even though the job was full of hazards, not one life was lost. Gutzon Borglum was 60 years old when he began the project in 1927, and although it took a long time to complete the sculpture, it only ended up costing 1 million dollars. The reason Gutzon wanted to do the project, was to pay recognition to the four presidents, who were chosen because they stood behind the preservation, development, founding, and growth of the United States.

George Washington was picked because he was the man who led the nation to democracy. The face of Abraham Lincoln was because he ended slavery in America. Thomas Jefferson was chosen because he wrote the Declaration of Independence, and Roosevelt was chosen by Borglum personally, because he was the man who proceeded with the construction of the Panama Canal. The Mount Rushmore National Memorial sits on over 1,278 acres, brings in 2 million visitors every year, and is managed by the National Park Service. Tourism is South Dakota's second biggest industry, and Mount Rushmore is its number one tourist destination.

Say “Tahiti” and thoughts of white sand shining in the sun with moderate temperatures and azure waters come to mind. Visions of lush vegetation with tropical flora and fauna and cascading waterfalls are not dreams. Some of the best surfing and diving can be enjoyed in island waters. Only 7-½ hours from the US west coast, Tahiti is the largest in French Polynesia. Birthed from volcanoes, tiny Tahiti is picturesque with its mist shrouded mountain tips and quiet lagoons. The island is connected to a smaller one by a thin isthmus. Most of the island's population of 200,000 live on the western side of the larger island.

The night life swings into the wee hours of the morning as rock and roll, Afro-Caribbean, and jazz awake your inner dancer. Polynesian dancers are a must see. The scent of delectable treats from open air stalls beckon and you'll certainly want to try Hinano, a Tahitian made beer. Cuisine ranging from Chinese to French is offered in resorts and restaurants.

Tahiti's markets offer shoppers woodcarvings, seashell jewelry, tikis, colorful sarongs printed by hand and fragrant soaps. There is a large mall for shopping and dining. Don't forget the black pearls! They are expensive, so find a reputable dealer. Pearl farming and exports of pearls along with tourism are the biggest industries, followed by exports of vanilla, fish, flowers and coprah oil. July is the most popular time to visit this slice of heaven. Avoid Tahiti from January to April, which is hurricane season. Temperatures vary little in the two seasons, with averages of 88 and 70 degrees. Located in the same time zone as Hawaii, you'll have the time of your life in this island paradise.