San Antonio

San Antonio

San Antonio wraps the River Walk through downtown like a Venetian canal trail (much shorter, but lined with mariachi and margaritas). The Alamo sits in the middle of it all, the five Spanish missions are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the puffy tacos are unlike Tex-Mex anywhere else. Fiesta in April is essentially a 10-day citywide block party. It's bigger and prouder than outsiders expect.

Omaha

Omaha is the steakhouse capital of the prairie, home to Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffett still eats at the same Dundee diner), and the Henry Doorly Zoo, which is consistently ranked among the best in the world. The Old Market downtown is brick-and-cobblestone charm. The Reuben sandwich claims to have been invented here, and the locals will fight you on it. Friendly to a fault.