USA holidays

USA holidays

Deals from £381 per person

From the sparse natural scenery of the Mojave Desert to the bustling metropolis of New York, the USA is a vast land where the people are as diverse as the landscape. Whether you want sun-kissed golden beaches, ultra chic nightspots or exhilarating family attractions; USA holidays have got it all and more.

Things to do

The dazzling lights of Las Vegas are in the south-western part of the USA. The Strip is where you’ll find the glamorous hotel resorts that have made Las Vegas the iconic city it is today. On the USA’s south-eastern tip, Florida offers pristine beaches, trendy nightspots and rich tropical scenery. Orlando’s outstanding theme parks make it one of the best family destinations in the world.

Head to the west coast and southern California for the glamorous Los Angeles, home of red carpets and golden sands. Further south of LA is sunny San Diego. Delight the kids with nature theme parks such as San Diego Zoo, and enjoy its lively cultural hub, Balboa Park.

If you’re going away with the family, there’s everything from magical theme parks to golden beaches, water parks and incredible natural attractions. From manatee-spotting in the Florida Everglades to the vast Balboa Park in California, the USA is a treasure-trove of family-friendly activities just waiting to be explored.

If you’re looking for cosmopolitan charm, New York has it in bucketloads. Among the soaring skyscrapers you’ll discover family-run eateries, designer shops and thriving theatres, all within easy reach on the Subway. From the hip Greenwich Village to the beautiful Central Park, New York is a vibrant cultural city that never sleeps.

There’s endless fun to be had in the USA if you love adventure. Hire a classic car and take on Route 66, explore the Grand Canyon by helicopter, or take a sunset hike through the dry landscapes of Death Valley. No matter what time of year you’re visiting the States, you won’t be far from a festival, like Austin’s South by Southwest, California’s Coachella and the statewide Independence Day celebrations on the 4th of July.

If you like to party, you’ll be spoiled for choice on your holiday to the USA. Miami has glamorous nightclubs, while the bright lights of Las Vegas keep the city partying until sunrise. If you prefer a more laid back evening, head to San Francisco to sample freshly-caught seafood in Fisherman’s Wharf, or watch live jazz music in Union Square.

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: California | ChicagoFlorida | HawaiiLas Vegas | Los AngelesMiami | New England | New York City | New York State | North East Corridor | Oregon State | San Francisco | Texas | The Deep South | Utah State | Washingston State

 

Map of USA

world_map
30-40 ℃

Spring or autumn when temperatures are usually comfortably warm.

View live forecast

7-12 hours

The main airport near Orlando is Orlando International Airport (MCO) which is 19km south-east of Orlando. The main airport near Las Vegas is McCarran International Airport (LAS) which is 8km south of downtown Las Vegas.

USA is best for...

Adventurers: Hire a classic car and live your dream of a great American road trip.

Families: Florida's world-class theme parks and pristine sandy beaches.

Party animals: Dance till dawn at one of Las Vegas’ coolest nightclubs.

Nature lovers: Explore the raw beauty of the Grand Canyon and the wild alligators and manatees of the Florida Everglades.

Fast facts for USA

Language: The language spoken in the USA is English.

Currency: The currency used in the USA is the American Dollar ($).

Local time: The USA is 5 - 8 hours behind GMT / UK time.

Fly to: JFK International Airport, Newark Airport, Orlando International Airport, Miami International Airport, LAX or San Francisco International Airport. Transfers take between 30 minutes and 1.5 hours.

Flight time from UK: The flight time to the USA is 7 - 12 hours.

Tourist Information: Further USA tourist information is available from Visit USA.

Visa / Health: Before you travel, visit the Gov.uk travel advice pages for recommendations and general advice on visas and health for your holiday to the USA. You'll also need to read up on the Visa Waiver Program for international travellers looking to travel to the United States.

Minimum booking age: For many hotels in the USA, you'll need to be 21 years old or over to be able to check in.

Holiday destinations related to USA:

Getting around USA

By hire car: Hire a rental car to explore the USA’s rich and varied landscape at your own pace. Be aware that you’ll find toll booths across the country, so keep a few dollars to hand when you’re driving.

By monorail: The Las Vegas Monorail serves the major resorts along the Strip.

By trolley bus: In Florida, Orlando’s I-Drive trolley bus is a handy way to get around the restaurants and attractions of International Drive.

By cable car: The quaint cable cars of San Francisco offer a fantastic way to see the city.

By plane or boat: Hop between the Hawaiian islands with the inter-island airlines, or take the ferry which leaves from Maui's Lahaina Harbour.

Events in USA

Brand USA: Download your guide to amazing destinations and experiences here.

Super Bowl: The biggest sporting event in the USA is Super Bowl Sunday, which takes place at the end of February. The two most successful teams in the NFL battle it out for the prestigious Super Bowl trophy in a different American city each year.

4th July: American Independence Day on the 4th of July celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Parades, barbecues and fireworks are traditional around this time, and you’ll see American flags on every corner.

Ringing the changes: New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas is the ultimate night out. Crowds of thousands descend on the Las Vegas Strip and the party doesn’t stop until the sun comes up.

Film festivals: On the must-see list are the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January, and September’s SoCal Independent Film Festival, in Orange County’s Huntington Beach.

Music and Culture: Austin, Texas is famous for its festivals:  South by Southwest (SXSW) is an extravaganza of film and music held every March, and there’s also Austin City Limits Festival (October).

Foodie Fun: In July, indulge your senses at the Taste of Chicago, the world’s largest food festival. Three million visitors descend on Grant Park to taste the city’s diverse cuisine, from traditional deep-dish Chicago pizza to spicy African stews.

USA weather

Temperature: 30-40 (°C) during the summer months in destinations like Florida and Las Vegas.

Best time to visit USA: Spring or autumn when temperatures are usually comfortably warm.
From sun-drenched California to the snowy peaks of Montana, the weather in the USA can differ greatly from state to state. In Florida, you can expect year-round sunshine with temperatures averaging in the early 30s (°C) during the summer months. Las Vegas weather is hot and dry throughout the year and temperatures often exceed 40 °C in July/August.

Weather in USA 
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