Columbus

Columbus, Ohio is America's city, where so much of what gives this country its flavor originated, from one of our favorite golfers -- Jack Nicklaus -- to Wendy's, Bob Evans, Red Roof Inns, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Express.

The capital city is home to the Buckeyes of Ohio State University and its Jack Nicklaus Museum stuffed with memorabilia from his PGA Tour career to his life as a course designer. Columbus ranks among the best places in the country for shopping, biking, sports and commuting. It's a hodgepodge of Americana, from German Village, a 233-acre neighborhood on the National Historic Register, to Longaberger Homestead, an offshoot of the largest manufacturer of baskets in the U.S. Yes, the headquarters building really is a huge basket. If your family is in tow, spend some time at COSI, the Center of Science and Industry or the zoo, which often is mentioned as one of the nation's best. The North Market is a hub of independent shops and restaurants that puts the city's ethnic diversity on display.

Many top-flight golf courses ring Columbus, from Jack Nicklaus' Muirfield Village Golf Club, a private club that hosts the annual Memorial PGA tournament, to an array of public courses created by the prolific and creative design firm of Hurdzan-Fry. The city's golf offerings include Cumberland Trail Golf Course, StoneWater, Little Mountain and Cooks Creek. Play one of Dr. Michael Hurdzan's earlier works at Mohican Hills. If you're a purist, check out Pine Lakes Golf Club, which opened in 1926.