St. Louis, Missouri

With big names such as Pabst Blue Ribbon and Miller High Life produced in town, and offering guided brewery tours, beer is king in Milwaukee. The Harley-Davidson Museum is another highlight, celebrating the 100-year plus history of the brand and showcasing bikes once belonging to the likes of Elvis Presley. The Milwaukee Art Museum, one of the biggest museums in the country, is equally impressive, housing almost 25,000 artworks.

Home of the Gateway Arch, a 630-foot symbol of America’s westward expansion built in the 1960s, St. Louis is a big city with a big soul. The blues music scene is excellent here as is the delicious barbecue. Make sure you visit Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, which dates back to 1907 and has one of the most extensive mosaic collections in the Western Hemisphere.

Nestled in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is home to a host of independent bookshops and learning opportunities for the intellectual traveller. There is a community drum circle on Friday nights in downtown where all are welcome to drum, dance and join the fun. You can also visit George W. Vanderbilt’s epic Biltmore Estate, which holds the title for America’s largest home.