In downtown Portland, a Suzhou-style garden features hundreds of blooms and plants native to China, as well as traditional architecture and cultural artifacts.

Visit the tranquil Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku-ji) and its superb gardens early in the morning and continue a short way up the mountain for a beautiful view of the city. For more serenity ...

North Dakota is depressingly underrated, but don't let that deter you: the state is jam-packed with delightful "hidden" gems ...