Phoenix Arizona Phoenix Phoenix, AZ The Phoenix metropolitan area includes the communities of Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Glendale, and Chandler. Phoenix is the nation's eighth-largest city and is home to some of the state's finest resorts and accommodations along with more than 100 golf courses, shopping, dining, and entertainment. Cultural attractions abound and recreational adventures are plentiful in this Arizona region dubbed "The Valley of the Sun." Annual events include the Fiesta Bowl Festival, Parada del Sol, Phoenix Jaycees' Rodeo of Rodeos, and the PGA Phoenix Open. Anchorage Alaska Anchorage, AK The Anchorage city and seaport are located at the head of Cook Inlet. The largest city in the state was founded in 1918 as a railway construction camp. In 1964 it was severely damaged by an earthquake and some evidence of the temblor still exist ast Earthquake Park. Anchorage is a popular visitor destination and serves as the center of commerce for the region. It's amenities include luxury hotels, fine cuisine, interesting shopping, and area state parks. Special events include: Saturday Market, Fur Rendezvous, Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Juneteenth Celebration, World Eskaimo-Indian Olympics, and Golden Days. Colorado Springs Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, CO Founded in 1872, Colorado Springs is a legendary tourist and recreation center located in the shadow of Pikes Peak and the gateway to the Rocky Mountains. Home of the U.S. Air Force Academy that attracts more than a million visitors annually. Nearby mineral springs and a moderate year-round climate have made this area a popular health resort destaination. Events include Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, Hot Air Balloon Classic, Presidents Day Youth Hockey Tournament, Festival of Lights Christmas Parade, and Christmas Pops on Ice. Milwaukee Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI Founded by German immigrants in the mid-19th century, Milwaukee is the largest city in the state. From the water of Lake Michigan, to the the heritage of ethinc neighborhoods, Milwaukee welcomes visitors. The city contains museums of art and history, a one-of-a-kind zoo, professional sports, natural history, and the home of Harley-Davidson and Miller Brewing Company. Milwaukee events include: Holiday Folk Fair International, International Arts Festival, Polish Fest, African World Festivals, and Indian Summer fest. Branson Missouri Branson Branson, MO Branson is located in southern Missouri in the beautiful Ozark Mountains among Lake Taneycomo, Table Rock and Bull Shoals Lake. People are drawn to this lovely Ozark town for a variety of reasons, but mainly for the year round outdoor recreation and musical entertainment shows. Branson is live with a variety of shows featuring top name country and western and pop entertainers, many of whom have built their own theatres. The talk of the town is the fabulous Shoji Tabuchi show. Other attractions and great shows include the Barbara Fairchild Show, Bobby Vinton Show, Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction, Mel Tillis Theater and the Mickey Gilley Show. Many people have called Branson the new "Nashville". Prior to the current boom in comedy and musical stage shows, the area was best known for the place settings of the Harold Bell Wright, Novel, "The Shepherd of the Hills". The southern ozark forest and hill settings is the simple country rural lifestyle of the novel's characters which intrigued many readers and attracted them to the then remote area. An outdoor pageant based on the novel dramatizes the story in an outdoor amphitheater. The creation of Lake Taneycomo in 1913 and the construction of Table Rock Dam provided fishing, boating, and other outdoor recreation. While you are in Branson take a trip on the Lake Queen departing from Main Street and N. Lake Dr. offers narrated sightseeing tours, dinner shows and cruises on the Lake. There are numerous of festivals that take place at the Silver Dollar City, that is replication of an 1880s Ozark pioneer village an a 1990s theme park. World Fest is held in April and May, the Great American Musical festival takes place mid-May to early June and Americas's Largest Children's festival runs throughout the summer. During Christmas, Branson's Adoration scene features 40-foot figures in a colorful outdoor representation of the nativity that stretches across the top of Mount Branson. Long Beach California Long Beach Long Beach, CA Settled along 5 1/2 miles of sandy white beaches, Long Beach has all the ambiance of a sophisticated urban area and the feel of a seaside community. Since it was settled by the Spanish in 1784, Long Beach has emerged as a community full of eclectic cultures, and shoreline attractions. Long Beach is located 20 miles south of Los Angeles. Long Beach events include: Whale Watching, Grand Prix of Long Beach, International Friendship Festival, Cajun & Zydeco Festival, Beach FEST, and Long Beach Senior Olympics.