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There may be larger cities in the US, but for a fully-formed authentic experience, Boston is hard to beat. History oozes from every inch of this grand old settlement tucked away in the north-east corner of the States. Here you'll find the oldest subway system and the oldest public park in the country, not to mention the oldest sports stadium - Fenway Park - home to the Boston Red Sox and a must-visit for any sports fans.

One of America's most culturally significant cities, it boasts the world-famous Boston Symphony Orchestra and plenty of art galleries, while nearby Cambridge is the base for Harvard University, a fascinating place to spend a day. If the city's landmarks look familiar, it's likely you'll have noticed them on any number of the blockbusters set in Boston, such as Good Will Hunting, Field of Dreams and The Departed, while the Bull and Finch pub in Beacon Hill remains a popular tourist destination for fans of 1980s sitcom Cheers.

New York might be the default destination for a US city break, but The Windy City has all the fun, food, fashion and skyline to compete with the Big Apple. Perfect for a long weekend, with the added beauty of Lake Michigan, and North Avenue beach, where the inhabitants of this sporty city go to walk, run, kayak and play volleyball.

Base yourself near to the 'Magnificent Mile' (the city's main avenue), so you're slap bang in the middle of everything. From here, you'll be able to sample the many options for authentic Chicago pizza pie as well as the lively late night music scene - no trip to Chicago is complete without a trip to a proper blues bar.

Second City is Chicago's notorious comedy venue, where pretty much every notable US comedian has cut their teeth. Art-lovers will be in their element with the cities public sculpture programme (check out Anish Kapoor's 'bean' in Millennium Park), and you could lose a whole day at the Art Institute of Chicago. A boat tour along the Chicago River is the best way to truly appreciate the magnificent architecture for which the city is also famous.

America's Sunshine State could easily be dubbed America's playground - and that's for kids and adults alike. Orlando, in the centre, is the theme park capital of the world and just further north is The Kennedy Space Centre.

Miami is a must-visit and if you're after posing and partying the city's glitzy South Beach, also famous for its Art Deco hotels, is an essential stop-off. Just south of Miami are the Florida Keys, a hundred mile stretch of islands where you can go fishing and diving. And at the southernmost tip of the Keys you find Key West, a laidback island that's closer to Cuba than mainland Florida.

Alongside the nightlife and beach life, Florida has an intriguing mix of new and old; you'll also find America's oldest city in St Augustine, the first Spanish colony, established in 1565.

A traveller once described Hawaii as 'the perfect mix of heaven and hell', but bear in mind that they meant 'hell' in a good way. They were referencing the astonishing Volcanoes National Park, where visitors can witness flows of orange molten lava and see steam issuing from vents in the mountain. It's Nature's own fireworks show, and best seen on a night-time excursion.

The 'heaven' part of the equation is much better known, of course - eight main islands blessed with soft sand beaches and stunning scenery. Each island has a slightly different vibe, from the mountainous beauty and romance of Maui to the more developed and tourist-friendly Oahu, where you can visit the site of Pearl Harbour or the state's capital city, Honolulu.

Going to Las Vegas is no gamble. You are certain to find a thousand things to do in the entertainment capital of the world, even if you never step anywhere near a casino floor. Famous singers, circus acts, top flight comedians and stunningly inventive cabaret shows are on offer round the clock in this truly 24/7 city, and even the hotels themselves are an attraction.

Check out the lavish 'dancing fountains' at Bellagio, take a gondola trip along the canals at The Venetian, or wander under the stunning light show of the Fremont Street Experience. The prosperity of Las Vegas, and the number of tourists it attracts, means that every upmarket store, designer and luxury goods manufacturer has a presence here, and you can easily spend a couple of days going round the vast acreage of malls looking for bargains.

This brash, buzzing, boisterous city has so much to offer. Start your day skateboarding or rollerblading along Venice Beach and finish it taking in the sites and sounds of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Stop off for some star-spotting on Rodeo Drive or try your hand surfing on the white-sand beach at Malibu.

Next, a visit to the famous Santa Monica pier and spend your afternoon shopping at the sprawling Fashion District. Or if you prefer the great outdoors, the hikers' paradise that is Runyon Canyon is a must.

A car is essential here due to the sheer scale of the place; put the top down, turn the music up and have an afternoon of pure fun touring some of Tinseltown's most iconic locations.

New York. New York. Welcome to the city that never sleeps. Uber cool and bursting with life the Big Apple is like nowhere else on earth. Start your day with a traditional American breakfast. Eggs or syrup pancakes served with steaming hot coffee, for just a few dollars.

To get around, the famous New York subway is fast and efficient or take a ride in an iconic yellow cab. Shopping is one of the highlights for any trip to New York. Browse around Barneys or Macy's for luxurious treats. To enjoy New York you don't need to splurge. Stroll around central park or get inspired at the world famous Guggenheim museum, which offers a pay-what-you-wish entry on a Saturday evening.

Similarly, the Museum of Modern Art's free on Fridays from 4 to 8. Alternatively, get outdoors on the free Staten Island ferry to see the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty or walk across Brooklyn Bridge for stunning harbour views. Fast paced and culture rich, New York contains all the ingredients of a great city break.

The city by the bay bewitches and delights all who visit. Why? For starters, its iconic landmarks: the rust-hued Golden Gate Bridge standing, mistily, elegantly, over the swirling waters below; Alcatraz, the prison island situated on a legendarily inescapable rock in the bay; the vintage cable cars running up and down the city's vertiginous hills, with their jaw-dropping views at every turn.

A history of 1960s hippie counterculture has left its mark, with the famous Mission district's beatnik shops and retro bars; the 1990s dotcom boom had a similar effect, producing a slick foodie scene and boutique coffee shops in which to see and be seen. There are, of course, gastronomic restaurants a-plenty, but don't miss the old favourites: a thick, creamy clam chowder at the Embarcadero seafront, or, in the city's sprawling Chinatown, some of the best Chinese food this side of Beijing.