USA holidays

Holiday highlights

The USA has its fair share of theme parks, with Six Flags owning over 21 parks in the country alone! But it is the collection of parks in Orlando that are the biggest draw. Disney offers a plethora of family friendly parks including the iconic Cinderella Castle of the Magic Kingdom and the wild safari experience of the Animal Kingdom. Universal’s Islands of Adventure is home to the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter where you can enjoy a Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks and ride a dragon! At SeaWorld, ride the exhilarating Kraken and enjoy the legendary Shamu show.

Las Vegas is a glittering jewel nestled in the midst of the Nevada Desert. With a plethora of iconic hotels including the Bellagio, with its dancing fountains, the Venetian and Caesars Palace, you can spend hours wandering the strip exploring the hotels and you can also take in one of the multitude of shows, including many by Cirque du Soleil and the renowned Blue Man Group. Alternatively you can enjoy a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon, try your hand at one of the many casinos in town or take a stroll to the Downtown area.

Without a doubt one of the USA’s most iconic sights, the Grand Canyon is simply breathtaking. Soar over this natural wonder in a helicopter for an awe-inspiring bird eye view, hike to the bottom and explore the canyon floor, or test your mettle on the Grand Canyon SkyWalk, a U-shaped glass walkway that extends out over the canyon. Or perhaps explore one of the USA’s selection of National Parks such as Yosemite or Yellowstone, or take in the rugged beauty of Alaska on a rail and cruise journey.

If your credit card could use a work out, the USA is well equipped to handle all of your shopping needs. Top of the list for most shopping aficionados is New York’s 5th Avenue, home to high-end boutiques such as Prada and Tiffany & Co. as well as department stores including Saks Fifth Avenue and Barney’s. Other notable shopping destinations include Rodeo Drive, Los Angeles and the Magnificent Mile in Chicago.

Route 66 is probably the most famous road in the USA and many choose to hire a muscle car or Harley to traverse some of its historic length. Alternatively, winding from Baja California to the tip of the Olympic Peninsula is the Pacific Coast Highway, another popular road trip choice. Along here you can take in some of the finest sights of the Western coast.

Hawaii has a multitude of beaches offering everything from serene lapping waters to epic waves.The black sands of Punaluu, the barrel waves on Oahu’s North Shore and the buzzing vibe in Waikiki makes Hawaii ideal for just about anyone. Other renowned beaches include Venice Beach in Los Angeles, lined with fortune tellers, artists and street performers, and the beautiful South Beach in Miami.

For history buffs, a stroll around The National Mall in Washington D.C. is a must. Here you can see The White House and the Lincoln Memorial as well as other memorials, museums and gardens. Philadelphia is home to the iconic Liberty Bell and the Declaration of Independence as well as the Independence National Historic Park and a whole host of other museums and historic sites.

If you’re spending time in the USA, you’ve got to take in a game or two. Be it basketball, baseball, American football or ice hockey. On the California coast you’ve got the renowned LA Lakers playing in the Staples Center and the Anaheim Ducks, named after Disney’s Mighty Ducks hitting the ice over at the Honda Center. You can also enjoy an exciting soccer game and see LA Galaxy, the old team of our own David Beckham take to the pitch. On the East coast, the iconic New York Yankees are hitting home runs whilst the New England Patriots get ready for the Superbowl.

If you’re happiest surrounded by music then head to Memphis, the musical heart of the south, home of Elvis Presley, and host to an array of authentic country, soul, blues and jazz clubs. You can also visit Sam Phillips’ Sun Studio and Graceland, the former home of Elvis and the second most visited house in the USA after The White House. For country music, Nashville and its Country Music Hall of Fame and the live shows at the Grand Ole Opry, the world’s longest running radio show, are a must!

Stay at the Mayan Dude Ranch, Bandera for a full-on cowboy experience. Enjoy a cowboy breakfast each morning, including pancakes, bacon and grits, all cooked outdoors beneath the trees. You’ll also enjoy two trail rides per day and a whole host of evening entertainment including line dancing, whip cracking and steer roping. You’ll also get to try your hand at a variety of other activities including archery, fishing and hiking as well as the opportunity to meet a tamed longhorn steer named Oreo!