Touring bikes actually make excellent all-around recreation bikes. They typically have comfortable frames, lots of gears, and plenty of braze-ons for attaching fenders, racks, bottles, etc.
The 520Case in point: 聮s 520 ($1,320), hardly changed in years. Reliable, comfortable steel frame, solid Shimano shifter things that go clink and clank, triple chainring, etc. A real classic. Too much $$? Fine, buy one that聮s a few years old聴it聮s the same bike as you get now.
A bit sportier choice is a decent cross bike. They sometimes have fittings for fenders and racks, have good all-weather aluminum frames, and make good commuting bikes. I use a Cross Pro ($2,060) as a commuter, and it has been great right out of the box. I did upgrade tires (to Continental Ultra Gatorskins; $40 each) and added a slightly lower-gear crank. Oh, and the stock brake pads…completely and utterly suck. The frame rides well; the carbon fork smooths out some bumps, etc. It also takes fenders and other add-ons just fine.
Cheaper sibling is the Fuji Cross Comp ($1,480). Same frame, cheaper fittings. Don聮t let price alarm you; check with Performance Bike to see what they can do, or look on eBay or Craigslist.
Another fun bike is the Long Haul Trucker ($1,100). More of a classic tourer/heavy commute bike. Steel frame, surprisingly high-end component set, very nice bike. Worth a long look.