North America’s Top 5 Vacation Spots

A great getaway can be just the thing to relieve the pressure of nagging bosses, a backlog of work and possibly even a difficult family life! However, some destinations achieve this better than others. Check out this list of North America’s top five vacation spots, and start booking your next holiday now!

1. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Arizona

In case you haven’t heard of it, Lake Mead National Recreation Area (abbreviated as Lake Mead NRA) is a popular tourist destination featuring two large man-made lakes, located on the border between Nevada and Arizona. Lake Mead NRA is home to the better-known Hoover Dam. Combined, the reservoirs and the Dam attract nearly eight million visitors a year. Despite being located in the middle of a desert, Lake Mead is a fantastic holiday destination if you’re interested in water recreation – there’s something for everyone, including fishing, boating and swimming1

2. SeaWorld, Florida

This is the vacation spot that needs no introduction! Featuring everything about marine life theme parks holidaymakers have come to know and love, SeaWorld is a fantastic destination for anyone, no matter whether they be parents with young children, older couples or even single adults!

3. Hawaii

Hawaii is so jam-packed with fantastic vacation destinations that there wouldn’t be enough room to list them all here! If it’s beaches you are looking for, check out Waikiki Beach on the island of Oahu. This beach is also a great place to relax even if you are not into sunbathing, as the area offers a picturesque view of Diamond Head, one of Hawaii’s many volcanoes. Once beachgoers have had their fill of the sun, Hawaii’s many cultural attractions offer hours of entertainment.

4. Grand Canyon, Arizona

Arizona is full of great natural tourist destinations, and just one of countless others is the Grand Canyon, world famous for its splendid views. Avoid the Grand Canyon if you’re afraid of heights though, as at this destination, there are nothing but heights to gawk at! The Grand Canyon combines both the old and the new – although the features of the canyon itself are thought to have started to take shape over 17 million years ago, and have provided countless visitors with fantastic views since then, a new ‘Skywalk’, opened in 2007, juts out into the canyon and features a glass bottom. Taking a walk on the Skywalk is definitely not recommended for those prone to severe vertigo!

5. The Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey

If you’ve ever played Monopoly, you have more than likely landed on the Boardwalk property, known for its high Monopoly money prices and wide range of casinos! If you are over the age of 21, Atlantic City might be the perfect destination for your next vacation. A Mecca for those who love the fast-paced world of gaming, Atlantic City not only features a great range of casinos, but also a variety of shops and hotels. So, if you’ve got the money, Atlantic City could be ideal for you!

Top 5 best ski resorts in the United States

Ski resorts vacations are a great way to unwind and leave behind the stress of work, family or study. Although ski trips might require a little more effort than lounging around on a beach in the Caribbean, sliding down ski slopes bring a level of exhilaration that make you forget all of your troubles. If you’re thinking of making a ski resort your next vacation destination, check out this list of the top five resorts in the United States!

Ski resorts… the list:

1. Aspen, Colorado

If you’ve done some research into ski resorts in the United States, you’ve most likely come across Aspen. This Colorado ski town is probably most famous for its frequent visits by celebrities – several famous stars, including Charlie Sheen and John Denver, have visited Aspen, so you never know – you might bump into one there! Ample accommodation is available, but if you are planning on visiting during what could possibly be a busy time (such as Christmas), make sure you book well in advance.

2. Killington, Vermont

If you’re closer to the Atlantic Ocean than you are to the Pacific, the ski resort town of Killington, located in the centre of Vermont, might be a better option than Aspen. Up to 17,000 skiers visit Killington every day, making it the largest ski resort on the United States’ eastern seaboard. Six mountains comprise Killington’s ski resort, with 22 lifts and 141 trails connecting them. Killington’s skiing offerings are some of the best in the United States, featuring New England’s steepest mogul run and the second highest vertical drop on the eastern seaboard.

3. Deer Valley, Utah

Deer Valley is considered by many as one of the best ski resorts in the lower 48 states, having served as one of the sites for competition during the 2002 Winter Olympics. The resort also frequently hosts other international competitions. Vacationing here means that you’ll be skiing on the slopes that some of the world’s best may have skied on at some point – something that you may remember for the rest of your life!

4. Squaw Valley Ski Resort, California

Another popular ski resort that has served as the site for many an international competition is Squaw Valley Ski Resort in northern California. Located in the Lake Tahoe area, Squaw Valley not only features amazing ski slopes but also a scenic lift to take skiers to the top of the resort’s peak – great for those who don’t ski and don’t want to learn how!

5. Winter Park, Colorado

Winter Park is another great Colorado destination – one that is very close to Denver. Just like Squaw Valley, Winter Park offers something for everyone, regardless of skiing ability – from a family pool to a peaceful pond. Owing to these features, you don’t need to be a great skier to enjoy a vacation to Winter Park – a good sign for those of us who don’t know their way around a ski pole!

Enjoy your next ski resort vacation!

Top 5 most visited tourist destinations in the United States

Although many tourist destinations (such as national parks) don’t take attendance numbers, it’s still easy to find out what hot spots the most holidaymakers are flocking to. If you’d like to take a vacation to a destination on the beaten track, rather than off it, check out this list of the top five most visited tourist destinations in the United States!

JustVR’s Tourist Destinations picks

1. Times Square, New York

Every 15 minutes on a typical weekday, it is estimated that over 2,000 pedestrians pass through Times Square, making it the most visited tourist destination in the United States in 2009. Although the Square is most famous for its New Year’s Eve celebrations held each year, featuring the New Year’s Eve Ball, a great time can be had each and every day of the year at this destination in its famed Broadway theatres and loud signs!

2. The Las Vegas Strip, Nevada

Each year, over 31 million visitors walk or drive through the Las Vegas Strip, located in the centre of Nevada’s busiest city. Although it takes about 30 minutes to take in the glitz of the Strip from the outside, to fully enjoy the experience it is a good idea to take the time to visit a few of the Strip’s famed casinos or theatres. It’s an experience you’ll never forget!

3. National Mall and Memorial Parks, Washington, DC

Featuring some of the best-known landmarks of Washington, DC, the National Mall and Memorial Parks are must-see destinations for anyone interested in the American civic system. You’ve probably seen some of America’s world famous memorials, such as the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the National Mall on television or in films – why not visit them in person?

4. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, Massachusetts

Despite being less well-known worldwide, Faneuil Hall Marketplace attracts 20 million visitors each and every year, and dates back to pre-Independence times. Featuring over 100 different businesses, Faneuil Hall Marketplace is also home to countless street entertainers, who will ensure that your visit to the Marketplace is a good one, with no obligation to pay for their services! Faneuil Hall, the Marketplace’s namesake, has served as a meeting place for the local community since 1742, and was named for a wealthy businessman from Boston, Peter Faneuil. The Hall was last restored in 1992, and was once home to several speeches promoting the idea of seceding from the British Empire.

5. Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida

Disney World attracts approximately 17 million visitors every year, and for a good reason. Disney World is a perfect tourism destination for anyone with children looking for a safe place to enjoy themselves, and the Florida location is just one of many different Disney-themed parks located across the globe. If you are looking for a fun, safe and clean (albeit expensive!) place to spend a few days, Disney World in Florida might be the place for you!