Boston

One of the country's oldest cities, Boston remains also one of the most charming and inviting for visitors with its characteristic European feel. Boston is the largest city and the capitol of the state of Massachusetts. The jewel of New England, Boston proper has over 600,000 residents, while the greater Boston metropolitan area is home to nearly 5 million people, and hosts over 12 million visitors each year. The city is considered a cultural epicenter with its significant history, leading educational institutions, and popular sport teams and events.

Situated on the Massachusetts Bay, the city is quite compact in its design with many of the main attractions easily within reach by foot or by the easy-to-use public transportation system, known as the T. A great way to trace the city's history is by following the pedestrian path and self-guided tour of the Freedom Trail, which carves through historic neighborhoods and offers many cultural landmarks such as Faneuil Hall and Bunker Hill Monument. Notable Boston neighborhoods include Newbury Street with its upscale shopping and dining that runs through the Back Bay and the Public Garden, the North End with its characteristic cobble-stone streets and famous Italian eateries, Beacon Hill with its elite residences, the South End's art galleries, and of course the picturesque Waterfront home to Faneuil Hall and the Quincy Marketplace that is always buzzing with tourists and is a great spot for photo ops and grabbing a bite of Boston's famous fare such as clam chowder, lobster rolls and even a decadent cannoli. This family-friendly city is known for its vast history dating back to the founding of the country and offers many important landmarks, interesting attractions and a rich culture making for an inviting city to discover.

Houston

Houston, Texas is the fourth most-populated city in the U.S. and its large size offers travelers many exciting things to do. Performing arts, shopping and live music and just some of the things visitors can enjoy in this southern Texas city.

Houston’s Museum District is considered by many to be the city’s cultural center. It’s comprised of 19 museums, 11 of which are free to visit all the time. There’s the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, The Children’s Museum of Houston, the Health Museum and the Houston Museum of African American Culture, among many others. For even more cultural experiences, travelers are often encouraged to visit the downtown theatre districts which spans 17 blocks and is home to the Houston Grand Opera, Bayou City Performing Arts, Broadway at the Hobby Center and many other performing arts companies.

Another big draw for travelers to Houston is the music scene. Houston is a music city and has top-notch live music performances year-round. The Toyota Center is a large arena that hosts many big concerts and is also where the Houston Rockets basketball team plays. Visitors interested in smaller acts have many options too, like the House of Blues and many other performance halls, parks and bars.

Attending performances or sports events at a big arena may seem a big expense for a vacation, but Houston has plenty of free activities that travelers can take advantage of. From March to October, the Miller Outdoor Theatre hosts many different performances like classical music, dance, film and Shakespeare plays. The 12-acre Discovery Park in downtown Houston has happy hour music and a small market in the warmer months and ice skating in the winter. The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is a 155-acre nature sanctuary with five miles of trails and interactive exhibits. This is just a sampling – there are many other opportunities to experience Houston for free.

Other Houston highlights include the NASA Space Center Houston in Clear Lake and Galveston Island, both about a 45-minute drive from the city but definitely worth a visit. The Upper Kirby and River Oaks neighborhoods have plenty of upscale shopping and dining. And, speaking of shopping, all shopping is tax-free, so shoppers can get a bit more with their money. The types of stores range from Texas-centric cowboy boots to off-the-runway trends to locally-produced artisan items and beyond. For travelers wanting to get outside, the Sam Houston National Forest is about 50 miles north of the city. The 128-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail winds through the forest and has some primitive campsites along it.