It is as American as apple pie and baseball to watch fireworks bursting into the air on July 4, and there are festivities scheduled that holiday in what seems like every city and town in the country. However, there are five cities that stand out.
Why not go ahead and combine all the traditions this year? Glue a coin to the sidewalk, sneak up on the unsuspecting person trying to pick it up, attach a paper fish to her or his back and then loudly yell “April, April!”
Traveling for the holidays, but worried about missing out on all the festive décor, delicious food, and frosty snowflakes? Don’t worry. There are plenty hotels across the country — and around the world! –offering lots of lights, sights, treats, and sweets that will make you feel at home.
A 22-foot gingerbread house takes center stage at one of San Francisco’s most prestigious hotels. Take a stroll through the fragrant culinary concoction made from 650 pounds of candy, 12 gallons of chocolate, 7,500 pieces of gingerbread, and nearly a ton of icing. Be sure to peek through the windows at the train running through the house. After exiting this life-size Christmas staple, visit Laurel Court where guests can partake in traditional holiday foods and even a Christmas tea.
July 4th holiday travel plans? Historically, the July 4th holiday is the start date of the summer vacation rush. Time to visit National Parks, go see the biggest ball of twine, and dream of long, lazy summer days and cool summer nights.
I’m taking some inspiration directly from the history books. Since the United States will celebrate its 236th birthday, what better way to party but in some of the most historic places in the United States?
Boston, Massachusetts, where the American Revolution embers were lit was the site of the Boston Tea Party, the midnight ride of Paul Revere, and Bunker Hill. There are a ton of things to do in Boston from museums, to monuments, to the Freedom Trail – a 2.5 mile brick lined route through 16 significant historical Boston sites. After a day of site-seeing, head on over to the 30th annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. There’s no better way to celebrate the nation’s birthday than where it all began, viewing fireworks and listening to the 1812 Overture as played by the Boston Pops.
Washington D.C. This would be a spectacular place to go and celebrate the United State’s birthday. Tour all the landmarks, visit the White House, and feel the energy that emits from the excitement of Washington alone. While there, attend the ultimate July 4th parade, the National Independence Day Parade. There really is no better place to celebrate our nation’s independence than our capital.
If traveling to to the east coast isn’t in your plans, how about a trip to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. With four of the country’s most revered presidents as a backdrop to a spectacular fireworks display, you can bet a sense of pride will fill your chest.
In the mood for a foot-stomping, dancing, roaring good time for the 4th? Look no further than New Orleans, LA. They know how to throw a party here, and and the July 4th celebration is just as elaborate as Mardi Gras. The main event during July 4th is the Dueling Barges Fireworks Extravaganza. Tugboats and barges battle it out for the best fireworks show in the Delta.
Miami, Florida kicks off its July 4th celebrating with a swearing in ceremony for the country’s newest naturalized citizens. Music, great food, and fun fill the streets of Miami and the surrounding area until dark when the fireworks begin.
Las Vegas, Nevada was recently poled as one of the cheapest vacation destinations. With a ton of July 4th parties, and shows, you won’t miss the fireworks. However, if you really want to catch some amazing pyrotechnics The Five Station Casinos’ properties will host the July 4th fireworks show.
Once you have decided where you might want to travel for July 4th, then comes the planning. ParkSleepFly.com can assist you with planning your accommodations on both ends of your trip. If you have an early morning flight, stay the night before at an airport hotel. You will get a great night’s sleep, parking for your vehicle and a shuttle ride to your departure terminal. All for one low price. In fact, the cost of the park sleep and fly package alone may be less than parking at the airport!
We also have airport hotels at your destination, as well. you get a great room at a great price. You even get shuttle service from the airport. If you are meeting family, what a better way NOT to sleep on that lumpy couch in the den. Book your hotel room and just smile and politely decline the offer of sleeping in the tent out in the backyard.
Wow, it’s May already. I don’t know about you, but May was always my favorite month when I was still in school. May meant the grinding down of the school year and the long awaited SUMMER VACATION. Don’t get me wrong, I liked school. But, the thought of having 3 months off….. Summer Vacation also meant the old family trip. My parents piled us all in the Ford and off we went to strange and exotic places (at least to me).
Some of my favorite memories of the family trips were when we ended up at least one day at an amusement or theme park. I remember the first time we traveled to Florida and went to Disney World. C’mon, we all remember the first time we visited Disney World or Disneyland, right? Who still doesn’t get a little charge when they see Mickey?
I can still remember how my heart skipped a few beats when we were actually inside the park at Disney World, it was all a strange and magical place. Everything that lived on celluloid was suddenly 3-D, walking and breathing. Combine this excitement with the thrill of the rides, I was in kid heaven. It certainly was a magical place for me and the memories live on even until today.
The thrill of amusement parks didn’t die after I became an adult. Taking the kids to Disney World and watching them experience the thrill for the first time was like living it all over again. For me, it was just as magical. Though there are more characters now than when I was a kid, we tried to see all of them as we wandered around Disney World, taking in shows and just enjoying all the park had to offer. Throw in time at Epcot and your wallet maybe thinner, but you have made some memories that will last a lifetime.
If you have already done the “Disney thing,” perhaps Busch Gardens is more to your family’s liking. Touted as the “World’s Most Beautiful Theme Park,” its hard not to give the thumbs up for that brag. With locations in Williamsburg, VA and Tampa, there’s a ton of things to do around either area so make a week of it, if you can. Both locations have beautiful gardens, thrilling rides and many animals and animal shows to view. In other words, even if you took Grandma with you there’s something for everyone to enjoy. There are plenty of shows to attend while the kids are off riding the roller coasters. Busch Gardens states that you won’t be able to find more exotic and endangered animals this side of Africa. The location in Tampa is one of the largest zoos in the country, so be prepared to see over 2,000 animals during your visit!
One of my personal favorites has always been Sea World. With three locations in the United States, it’s worth the time to travel and include this theme park in your vacation plans. From killer whales to parrots, the shows are great! If you have a budding marine biologist, or a daughter that is just in love with dolphins, you will score big points for the visit to Sea World. At the Orlando location, it has the one of the largest interactive dolphin pools where you can watch the dolphins both from above and below the water. But, the park isn’t just about aquatic animals, you can get thrilled with some of the rides, too.
Sometimes, it’s just better for everyone’s sanity to go to a full out theme park like Six Flags or Six Flags Great America! Let your kids go from ride to ride to ride. Six Flags as some of the tallest, wildest, and what I call “screamiest” rides. Who doesn’t love to ride on a wooden roller coaster? I love to ride any type of roller coaster, but wooden ones are my favorite. So if you need a partner just let me know. Even in the heat of Summer, there’s nothing better than hitting some rides then heading toward the water park. From jaw dropping slides to a simulated ocean watch the kids get wet while you get some rays or rest under your personal cabana.
No matter where you are planning to travel to Florida, California, or somewhere in the middle, start your trip off right. You are going to be one on one with the kids for a week. When was the last time that happened? Oh yea, last summer when you submitted your family photo to the show “When Vacations Attack.” You want to start your tip off right. Load the kids up in the car the night before your flight and get a great night’s sleep at a ParkSleepFly.com airport hotel. With the airport parking package, you get a night’s stay at a hotel near the airport, parking for your trip, and transportation to and from the terminal. Some hotels even offer continental breakfasts or free WiFi.
With a good night’s sleep before your flight, you may just enjoy the trip to your destination instead of yelling at your kids or threatening to leave them home next time. And, although it’s hard to do sometimes, these are the memories that will last a lifetime and you want both you and your kids to remember your trip fondly. So, relax, have fun, and feel the magic again through your kids’ eyes. What a better memory that to relive it 20 years later when your kid says “Remember when you took us to (Fill in the blank)? That was a great time!”
