Meet Don McPherson, CMA

The fourth-largest city in the state, Glendale boasts eateries, entertainment, and shopping galore. It also houses the University of Phoenix Stadium, home to the Arizona Cardinals and site of the annual NCAA Fiesta Bowl.

Across the street, the Westgate Entertainment District is anchored by the Gila River Arena, home to the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes. Near the heart of the city, the Arizona Doll & Toy Museum shows off antique dolls, figurines, and dollhouses, including a doll that is older than the United States.

For outdoor offerings, head to the Thunderbird Conservation Park, a more than 1,100-acre preserve with trails for horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking. Nearby, visit Wet ‘n’ Wild Phoenix, the state’s largest theme park.

With a gilded pioneer atop its State Capitol building, Salem sits at the heart of the Willamette Valley, offering an historic downtown and a vineyard-covered countryside.

Salem is home to shopping centers, a Riverfront Carousel, and Willamette University. It also has a rich cultural scene, with movies and music at Elsinore Theater and an annual World Beat Festival, organized by the Salem Multicultural Institute.

Nearby, the Enchanted Forest features fairytale fun for the family. In the summer, beat the heat at Walter L. Wirth Lake or play disc golf at Cascades Gateway Park.