Seattle

The combination of water, hills and lush greenery, set against a backdrop of far-off mountains, makes Seattle one of the most beautiful urban areas in the U.S. The city is easily accessible and user-friendly, too, with fine restaurants, interesting museums and a vigorous arts scene in the downtown area.

At times, Seattle endures a bad rap regarding rainy weather. It actually rains less than in Chicago or Miami. The rainy season occurs from October to April, with occasional showers in the summer and early fall.