Activities

Back on land, the Rocky Mountain states (and Colorado in particular) are home to the country's most popular downhill skiing and snowboarding destinations. Elsewhere in the US you'll also find great cross-country skiing.

The US may be the most industrialised nation on earth, but it's also the land of opportunity when it comes to hiking.

Rock climbing and mountaineering are popular pursuits, especially in the Sierra Nevada and Rockies.

Many cities are relatively cycle-friendly, and hardy souls go cycling across and around the country on picturesque backroads. Mountain biking is a huge pastime, particularly in California (where it was invented).

If you still have energy left, you can go horse riding in New York's Central Park, river rafting on Idaho's Snake River or caving in New Mexico's beautiful Carlsbad Caverns.