What's an architectural wonder without a good night's rest? We tell you where to eat, sleep, and explore in the shadow of greatness

Fort Worth, Texas

The tension between highbrow and cow town is what sets Fort Worth apart among American cities. The former is embodied by the billionaire Bass family, which has sponsored museums—although not Tadao Ando's Modern Art Museum—a performing arts center, and much of the downtown renovation; the latter by the colorful Stockyards section of town.

The premier hotel, the 504-room Renaissance Worthington, is an elegant downtown institution (817-870-1000; marriott.com; doubles, $160-$200; w). The new 39-room Ashton Hotel, occupying two renovated historic buildings downtown, is for those who want luxury on a more intimate scale. Rooms have Frette linens and clawfoot tubs (817-332-0100; theashtonhotel.com doubles, $215-$310; w).

Among the best spots to fuel up for a day of museum-hopping and two-stepping are Angeluna, an airy purveyor of global cuisine in the shadow of the Bass Performance Hall (817-334-0080; entrées, $21-$29), and Saint-Emilion, near the Cultural District, which is deeply French inside and out (817-737-2781; prix fixe, $37).

For nightlife, the White Elephant Saloon is legendary (817-624-1887; whiteelephantsaloon.com), and the brash Billy Bob's Texas bills itself as the world's largest honky-tonk (817-624-7117; billybobstexas.com).

Tacoma, Washington Tacoma may labor in the shadow of nearby Seattle, but it has a scrappy personality all its own. Museums—most recently the Museum of Glass—restaurants, and antiques stores line the streets of the historic city center. And fans of native son Dale Chihuly won't be disappointed, since it's hard to walk a block without seeing another of his colorful glass creations.

The lodging scene has yet to catch up, but there are a few worthies. Ask for a mountain view in the 319-room Sheraton Tacoma Hotel for mesmerizing vistas of Mount Rainier (253-572-3200; sheratontacoma.com doubles, $99-$199; w). Chinaberry Hill, a five-suite inn in an 1889 Victorian manse overlooking Puget Sound, is more intimate (253-272-1282; chinaberryhill.com doubles, $120-$195).

You'll find reliable, down-to-earth fare at The Swiss, a character-to-burn pub with hearty sandwiches and, yes, Chihuly glass above the bar (253-572-2821; entrées, $5-$9). El Gaucho is a clubby steak house with an obscene assortment of beef, as well as ostrich fillet, Northwest bouillabaisse, and a cigar lounge (253-272-1510; entrées, $16-$42).

Next month, the Tacoma Art Museum moves to its new Antoine Predock-designed home (253-272-4258; www.tacomaartmuseum.org).