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… that’s where I’ll be! But only after sampling all the delights of Atlantic City. This megatropolis lies just 60 miles south of Philadelphia and about 120 miles south of NYC and has become synonymous with gambling, food and entertainment. A northern Las Vegas if you will. There is plenty to see and do in Atlantic City after you’ve won your fortune in the casinos. And if you haven’t won your fortune, there’s plenty of free stuff too!

Let’s take a look. New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse is well worth a look. It’s within walking distance of the Showboat Casino, so very close to town and is a wonderful trip down old time memory lane. It’s a big climb to the top of 228 steps but the view over Atlantic City and the coastline is spectacular.

Once you’re done with that its worth building up an appetite with a walk down the Boardwalk. Built in 1870, the Boardwalk resonates through song, movie and book. Be a part of the people watching experience, dine at one of the cafes or just window shop.

Bring out the kid in you (and entertain the kids) with the Kozak the Magician show. He’s at the Tropicana and it’s good fun for all.

You have a ton of food choices in Atlantic City – many are subsidised by the Casinos and if that’s your thing, go for it. But if you want a restaurant off the Boardwalk that relies on reputation rather than walk ins for their business then check out Dock’s Oyster House. It’s a steak and seafood place and the clam chowder is out of this world.

Have you been up all night, ripping up the tables? Then breakfast at Hannah G’s is your cure. Great menu and perfect service. Fresh fruit, great coffee and all the trimmings you want.

Time to get back to the Boardwalk…

The mighty city of Dallas is actually the third largest city in Texas and the 9th largest in the US. Sitting alongside the Trinity River is the home of oil and agriculture interests, AT&T, Blockbuster and Southwest Airlines.

Dallas punches above its weight in many respects; home of more shopping centers per capita than any other city, home to 15 billionaires, 20 Fortune 500 companies, including the world’s most profitable, and the third most popular business destination in the US. So what’s it like to visit as a tourist?

The first thing you’ll notice is how enjoyably flat the place is. No pounding up and down hills here! Downtown is where the party people hang out with dozens and dozens of restaurants, shops and late night bars. If you love a cold one, followed by good entertainment, take a visit to the Uptown, Victory Park and Oak Lawn areas. Stone Street Gardens is a landscaped oasis lined with bistros, pubs and restaurants connecting Main to Elm Streets in Downtown Dallas. The main food style you’ll find in Dallas is Barbecue (mm mmm bring on those ribs!) plus excellent Mexican and Tex Mex.

If you’re bringing the kids, you’ll need a day to visit the Zero Gravity Thill Park about 10 miles from the city center. Any good? Well, it bills itself as the ‘ world’s only “Thrill Amusement Park” featuring 5 different extreme thrill rides.’ Sounds good to us.

If you enjoy history (perhaps enjoy is the wrong word here), see the Texas School Book Depository. A sad day is marked well. Still got the kids with you? Check out the Dallas Zoo. It’ll tucker them out and it’s a very good zoo which you’ll enjoy too.

Can we blame Dallas for big hair and shoulder pads? I think so.

Why that would be Baltimore of course! As voted by the readers of Forbes, and they should know I guess.

Baltimore is an ocean town; situated on the Chesapeake Bay and is the largest seaport on the mid-Atlantic. It’s decline as a manufacturing hub led to a population drop, which is only just starting to recover. Interestingly, the largest employers in the city are the Johns Hopkins University and the Johns Hopkins Hospital. What that has meant for Baltimore though is a series of rejuvenation projects centred around the old manufacturing and harbor areas. Inner Harbor take a bow!

Named after Lord Baltimore, a member of the Irish House of Lords, Baltimore is at it’s prettiest around the Inner Harbor – where you’ll find the much fabled and afore-mentioned shopping! Your travels around Baltimore should start at Inner Harbor. The area and the surrounding neighborhoods have a variety of cafes and quirky boutiques; there’s fancy shopping and there are discount stores for those on a budget. Check out Harborplace and the Gallery on Pratt St. Unique shops, entertainment and good dining options to keep everyone in the group happy.

If you want to see the Inner Harbor precinct from afar, jump on a cruise boat! And keeping on all things nautical, you must see the National Aquarium. Not only is this striking building home to the largest aquarium in North America, but the sharks have to be seen to be believed. Just don’t feed them!

If you’ve a fancy for all things Civil, make your way to Federal Hill Park. You’ll get a great view back across the city from the pretty park and you’ll enjoy this former Civil War lookout point.

Now let’s talk baseball for a moment… Baltimore is the birthplace of Babe Ruth and you can visit his birthplace (now a museum) stocked with memorabilia and Orioles exhibits. Check out Oriole Park at Camden Yards in downtown Baltimore, just 12 minutes walk from Inner Harbor and 2 blocks west of Babe’s museum.

The single must do? We always think a vantage point to see an overview of the city is a fascinating thing to do. Baltimore’s Top of the World Observation Level in the World Trade Center is an excellent one. Plenty of audio-visual histories and exhibits plus a great view of Baltimore.

It’s hard not to enjoy Baltimore – especially Nina Simone’s take on it!