USA Holidays

It’s warm and sunny somewhere in the USA all year round. But you’ll also catch superb snow here in winter for skiing. Spring weather’s fresh and pretty in most northern and northeast states. And autumn all over New England is colourful enough to be described as a natural phenomenon.

For dry weather and low humidity on the northeast coast, plan your USA holiday for spring or autumn. Summer is often stifling, and winter can be very cold and snowy – great for skiing in Vermont and Christmas shopping in New York, but not so pleasant for sightseeing. 

The west coast is generally warm, with temperatures as high as 40°C in California during summer. And, although winters are cooler, 20°C in December isn’t unusual here. Meanwhile, the Deep South sees very hot, humid summers, so it’s best to visit in spring or autumn. For year-round sunshine, as its nickname suggests, Florida is one of the best states to go to.

Holidays to the USA come with a long to-do list. But if you want to start with big hitters, head to New York for its iconic skyline, cool boroughs and window shopping on Fifth Avenue. Or drive the Pacific Highway and see Los Angeles, Santa Cruz and San Francisco. Wine connoisseurs should make a point of touring California’s Napa Valley. Boston is a must as a New England base. And don’t miss Washington DC for Capitol Hill, the White House, and the imposing Lincoln Memorial.

Come winter, you can go skiing at Steamboat Springs in Colorado or make for the slopes at Jackson Hole in Wyoming, right on the edge of Yellowstone National Park. Or choose winter sun instead, and get to grips with Orlando’s legendary theme parks. Discover the mysterious Everglades. Or drive right down the Florida Keys to Key West and sail to Dry Tortugas – another of the USA’s distinctive and astounding national parks.     

Fill your USA Holiday with iconic attractions, both natural and manmade. Visit the Grand Canyon in Arizona and you’ve safely ticked the country’s leading must-see off your list. Niagara Falls is another one not to be missed. And in terms of National Parks, Yellowstone is the most famous, but Yosemite and Montana’s Glacier easily rival its good looks.

Las Vegas Strip tops the list for glitter, pool parties and nightlife, while New York is arguably the most famous city in the world. Gape at Times Square in New York, go up the Empire State Building and walk over the Brooklyn Bridge. Landmarks don’t come much more iconic than the Statue of Liberty, although San Francisco would argue the case for its Golden Gate Bridge, and quite possibly Alcatraz too.

There are beaches too numerous to count trimming every US coast. The Florida Keys is pretty special, but nothing comes close to gorgeous Waikiki in Honolulu – one of the best known in the world. 

There’s almost nothing you can’t do in the USA – so if you’re looking for an active holiday, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Across more than 60 national parks you can try everything from hiking and climbing, to skiing and sailing. Go wildlife-watching or swim in some of the world’s most extraordinary lakes. Several California beaches are surfing legends, but just as many are wonderful for whale or dolphin spotting. And for nesting sea turtles, head to the ethereally lovely North Carolina coast.

If gazing down into the Grand Canyon isn’t exciting enough for you, you can also try rafting, canoeing and gorge walking in Grand Canyon National Park. For gentler thrills, why not mix wine-tasting with hot air ballooning and cycling all over California’s wine country? Or hit the road and drive through the South Appalachian Mountains on the Blueridge Parkway – another great American road trip.

• Visas: You will need to apply online for an ESTA before you travel.
• Language: English
• Currency: US Dollars (USD)
• Time difference: The East Coast is GMT -5 hours, while the West Coast is GMT -8 hours.
• Flight duration from London: Depending on where you’re heading, a direct flight takes between seven and 12 hours.
• Capital city: Washington D.C.