Americana: the soul of our nation. Ever notice how spirited, charming, and just plain weird Main Street, U.S.A., can be? Here’s a little patriotic love straight from a few DailyCandy staffers’ hometowns.

Retro Metro
Portland, Oregon — a jumble of old and new school. Like Huber’s (411 Southwest 3rd Avenue; 503-228-5686), the city’s oldest resto, with legendary turkey dinners, and Cameo Cafe (2340 Northwest 23rd Place; 503-221-6542), which serves pancakes in “full-acre” or “half-acre” portions. Twist boutique (30 Northwest 23rd Place; 503-224-0334) brings the sparkle (the designer scene is hot); the new Doug Fir Lounge (830 East Burnside Street; 503-231-WOOD) is truck stop-meets-log cabin chic. But our favorite local institution is Voodoo Doughnut (22 Southwest 3rd Avenue; 503-241-4704), where flavors include Grape Ape, Dirt, and Cock-n-Balls.

Down Home
In Nashville, Tennessee, steak out at the classic Sperry’s (5109 Harding Road, Belle Meade; 615-353-0809). Patrons drive hours for the cowboy boots, magnificent fries, and live country music at Robert’s Western World (416 Broadway Street; 615-244-9552). Rather go couture than country? Jamie boutique (4317 Harding Road; 615-292-4188) peddles high-enders like D&G and Prada — good for adding swagger to any hoedown outfit.

Past Presence
Ohio’s Kent/Akron area is part nostalgia factory, part party town. Proof: Zephyr Pub (100 West Main Street, Kent; 330-678-4848), where indie rockers and hippies play pool and groove to local blues favorite Pat Sweany. In a sea of greasy Domino’s, Luigi’s (105 North Main Street, Akron; 330-253-2999) serves thick-crust pies the old-fashioned way. Make a trip to Hidden Pearl (2206 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls; 330-928-8230) for great vintage finds. Load the Buick and catch a double feature at Midway Twin Drive-In (2736 State Route 59, Ravenna; 330-296-9829), among the last of its kind. But remember: If the car’s a-rockin’, don’t come a-knockin’.

‘Til the Cows Come Home
Wholesomeness reaches new levels in Madison, Wisconsin, at the Saturday Farmers’ Market (State Capitol Square, 6 a.m.-2 p.m. during the summer), where you can buy everything from flowers and art to livestock. Who knew e-commerce phenom shopbop.com started at Bop (222 West Gorham Street; 608-255-2570)? Locals gather for sunset beers and live bands at the Memorial Union Terrace (800 Langdon Street; 608-265-3000).

Sweet Home Alabama
Central and South Alabama are rife with down-home delights. Like ribs and white bread (nothing more, nothing less) at Dreamland BBQ (5535 15th Avenue East, Tuscaloosa; 205-758-8135). O.D. on crawfish at Faunsdale Bar & Grill (Highway 80, Faunsdale; 334-628-3240), where the bands are lively and the beer is cold. The year-round Alabama Shakespeare Festival (Wynton M. Blount Cultural Park, 1 Festival Drive, Montgomery; 334-271-5353) is one of the top ten in the world. Drop in to Lulu’s (200 East 25th Avenue, Gulf Shores; 251-967-LULU), owned by Jimmy Buffet’s little sister, order a bushwhacker and hope for the king of Parrotheads to bump that night’s band. You won’t find beer bongs and teenage nymphs on the beach in Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, but you will find plenty of pristine sand, blue water, and peace and quiet.

Now ain’t that America.