Theme parks, country music, mouthwatering food and sunshine: Why thrill seekers LOVE a holiday in the United States!
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The USA is thrilling, and if it’s fun you’re after, there’s nowhere better for a holiday.
From the theme parks of Kissimmee to the all-American culture of Austin, and the sheer fun of New Orleans, there’s so much fun to have, and with British Airways flying to 28 cities across the US, it’s so easy to get there.
Here’s our pick of the best holidays for thrill-seekers!
Kissimmee: Sun-soaked centre of Florida fun
In Kissimmee you have everything you could need for a fabulous family getaway right on your doorstep.
Take flight in a hot-air balloon in the morning, ride adrenaline-inducing rollercoasters in the afternoon and enjoy a wide variety of sensational restaurants.
Flying to Kissimmee could not be easier, with direct daily British Airways flights from London Heathrow to Orlando International Airport – the city is just a short 25-minute drive away.
With over 50,000 properties to choose from, Kissimmee is the Vacation Home Capital of the World®.
Pretty city of Kissimmee: It’s no wonder so many people choose to have a holiday home there
Over at ChampionsGate Resort you’ll find 900-acres of beautifully kept greenery, alongside an 18-hole championship golf course, a large swimming pool with waterslides and even a lazy river. Villas here are known for being some of the best in all of Central Florida.
Start your holiday at one of the legendary theme parks – they’re only minutes away! In fact, book to stay at The Encore Club at Reunion, with British Airways Holidays and they’ll be on your doorstep.
Enjoy a family day out at Walt Disney World® Resort with its four theme parks and two water parks of endless enchantment, or visit Universal Orlando Resort, with two amazing theme parks plus an incredible water theme park.
There’s also the Kennedy Space Center Visitor complex and the soon-to-be-open Peppa Pig Theme Park for the little ones.
If you’d like to get close to nature, take to the waters and enjoy an airboat ride. You’ll see alligators, turtles and rare birds in their natural habitat as you whiz along taking in the breath-taking beauty of the headwaters of the Everglades’ natural wonders and wetlands.
You can explore Floridian flora and fauna at the vast Tohopekaliga Lake, or stroll the enchanting Kissimmee Lakefront Park for scenic walking trails and fishing.
All the fun of the fair: The legendary Florida theme parks are so easy to get to
Feeling active? Try your hand at kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding or canoeing.
Feel the need for some relaxation? Simply take the short drive to one of the nearby beaches – Kissimmee is 90 minutes from either of Florida’s coasts.
KISSIMMEE
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But there’s plenty to do and see in Kissimmee too. Wander the vibrant city of Celebration with its pretty tree-lined streets where you’ll find historical architecture and distinctive storefronts, and discover an abundance of bars, restaurants and shops.
And don’t miss Old Town Kissimmee, known for its rides, attractions, shopping, dining and weekly classic car shows.
Enjoy a spot of retail therapy at open-air walkable districts like The LOOP and grab a bargain at nearby discount outlets, Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores and Orlando Premium Outlets®. Or anyone looking for luxury labels and high end brands can find them at The Mall at Millenia.
And you won’t be short on choice when it comes to places to eat. Whether you want high-end dining, quaint bistros and cafés, international eateries and neighbourhood favourites, there’s a restaurant for you. And with a thriving bar scene the fun can go on all night!
Kissimmee really is the magical holiday destination you won’t want to leave!
Austin: Music festivals and incredible food
Just like their music, Austin Texas is best experienced live. With inspiring cuisine, legendary live music, luxurious spas, and spectacular outdoor experiences, this eclectic US city has everything for an unbelievable holiday.
And with daily non-stop flights with British Airways from London Heathrow, flying to Austin – which is drenched in nearly 300 days of sunshine a year – is easy.
Music pervades every corner of this metropolis. Find any genre, any day of the week at iconic venues sprinkled throughout the Live Music Capital of the World®.
Enjoy live music at Empire Control Room & Garage in Austin, Texas
Time your trip right to coincide with one of Austin’s many world-famous festivals – including the spring film and music extravaganza that is SXSW, or the Austin City Limits Festival that attracts more than 130 global acts every autumn.
In fact, you’ll find a festival for everyone. There’s side-splitting fun to be had at the Moontower Comedy Festival, and foodies should try the Austin Food + Wine Festival, where you can sample delights crafted by renowned chefs.
While Austin may be known for its legendary Tex-Mex, tasty breakfast tacos and juicy barbecue, there’s so much more to the capital city’s dining and drinking scene to explore.
Each of the city’s entertainment districts is brimming with tasty treats, from Tex-Mex food trucks and rustic beer gardens, to upscale cafes and award-winning eateries.
Head Downtown to dine in critically-acclaimed restaurants and enjoy a cocktail in a bungalow bar, before hitting the nearby boutique stores.
For fascinating museums, art galleries, iconic music venues and vintage shopping, Central Austin is the place to be.
South Austin offers a ‘taste of old Austin’ with old-school stores, vintage restaurants, quaint houses and the city’s largest park, while the East is where old meets new. Chow down on Mexican snacks; wander the cool book, art and jewellery stores, before diving into the city’s Black history and culture with walking tours, museums, public art and, of course, live music.
As well as being the destination for music and food lovers, Austin is a year-round adventurer’s playground, with an abundance of outdoor activities.
Try stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake, which crosses through Downtown Austin. Or stroll along the 10-mile Butler Hike and Bike Trail that meanders the water’s edge.
Hamilton Pool is a natural beauty spot where you can bathe and soak up the views
Then head to one of the natural pools or springs for a refreshing swim surrounded by jaw-dropping beauty.
At sunset, wander to the Congress Avenue Bridge to see the 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats that have made the landmark their home. Hop on a riverboat or hire a kayak to get in the middle of the action.
If exhilaration is your thing, visit Austin’s Circuit of The Americas – the first purpose-built Grand Prix facility in the US – for some of the most prestigious racing events in the world, including MotoGP and Formula 1.
AUSTIN
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Austin is also the gateway to the nearby rolling hills of the scenic Texas Hill Country, with its spring-fed pools, expansive lakes, and quaint small towns. Why not pack a picnic and spend a day exploring, not forgetting to book a tasting session at one of the local wineries!
Then, unwind in style. Book in for a pamper session at a stylish spa Downton, or indulge in one of the Hill Country’s luxurious day spas for a rejuvenation experience unlike anywhere else.
And why not treat yourself to a luxury holiday experience with British Airways Holidays and book to stay at the Fairmont Austin with its award-winning spa? This luxury hotel is centrally located in Downtown Austin with beautiful views of Lady Bird Lake, a dramatic cityscape and the State Capitol.
It will be the perfect end to an unforgettable holiday!
New Orleans: Music, food and culture!
As well as being a destination that knows how to celebrate, as the Cultural Capital of the Southern United States, New Orleans has plenty to explore, from award-winning museums and incredible Creole cuisine to beautiful green spaces and family-friendly fun.
And with flights with British Airways from London Heathrow to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, you could be enjoying a bucket-list holiday here in 2022.
New Orleans is a melting pot-mix of Spanish, French, Caribbean, African and Anglo-Saxon influences and you’ll see this in everything the city has to offer.
Vibrant New Orleans is a melting pot of different international influences
Time your visit right and you can immerse yourself in the spectacle that is Mardi Gras, watching as the entire city bursts into celebration.
There’s music around every corner of The Big Easy so follow the locals to vibrant Frenchmen Street and dance the night away.
The heart of the city, known as The French Quarter, runs along the Mississippi River and here you can listen to traditional jazz in the historic Preservation Hall. You can book to stay at the Royal Sonesta New Orleans with British Airways Holidays.
It’s located on the world famous Bourbon Street where the party never ends, with plenty of authentic restaurants and bar options including Desire Oyster Bar serving traditional Creole & Cajun food and The Jazz Playhouse which showcases live Jazz music.
This is a city that knows how to have fun: Time your visit right and you can enjoy Mardi Gras
Need to refuel? New Orleans has everything from street food to fine dining prepared by some of the world’s top chefs, blending rich, traditional flavours inspired by global influences.
NEW ORLEANS
Start your New Orleans adventure at ba.com/neworleans
Flights + 3 nights hotel from £749pp*
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Local specialities are Creole and Cajun dishes which mix French cooking and hearty southern comfort food. Try making it yourself with a class at a cookery school and you can take the flavours home with you.
If you’re keen to explore further afield take a trip to ‘the bayou’ – the swamplands of the Mississippi Delta – which are teeming with alligators, turtles, ibis and wild boar. Here you can kayak and enjoy paddle-boarding, or uncover the natural splendour of these wetlands on an airboat tour.
It’ll be an other-worldy end to an amazing holiday.
Click HERE to discover more about the United States of Adventure.
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