Verdant green parks, a sophisticated yet friendly city, clean waters and a pristine wilderness that's easily accessible. Vancouver has it all. It's no secret, however. Canada's fastest-growing city has attracted a wonderfully cosmopolitan mix of people from points both far and near.

Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan's 19th-century commercial fishing, canning and logging industries drew hearty workers who added a raucous side to the city's history. The infamous restored "red light" district with its bordello-turned-museum is a present-day testament to that era.

Juneau, Alaska
Accessible only by water and air, it's not surprising that wildlife thrives in Juneau's stunning frontier landscape. In fact, it's the only state capitol whose governor's mansion sits less than one mile from prime grizzly bear habitat.

Skagway, Alaska
It all started in 1896, when gold was discovered in a tributary of the Klondike River and tiny Skagway quickly grew to 20,000 residents. By 1900, the White Pass and Yukon Route railway began carrying the more fortunate gold seekers over the mountain pass. The real gold, some say, never left Skagway. It's still here in the matchless golden sunrises and sunsets.