United States Holidays

Home to the Big Apple, the White House, the Grand Canyon and more

Take a trip to the Grand Canyon, check out the presidential profiles at Mount Rushmore, indulge your inner child at Disneyland, or witness the intensity of the majestic Niagara Falls. Time your United States holiday just right and you can be partying at Mardi Gras in New Orleans, taking in the vibe of the Coachella Musical Festival or watching the leaves change colour during fall in New England.

Get Your Kicks on Route 66

While the East coast and the West coast of America jostle for pole position, you don't have to choose a winner. Criss-cross America to take in the frontier landscape of the Mid-West and Great Plains. Travel down the west from Seattle through so-hip-right-now Portland and San Francisco to the Southwest cities of Las Vegas and Santa Fe. On the Atlantic side, salsa from Miami through the Deep South to Washington D.C. and then up to New York and Boston.

Honolulu, Hawaii

When is the best time to travel to the States?

The U.S. is a large country with a varied climate. Depending on the activities that you are looking to take part in, the country is enjoyable anytime of year. Generally speaking the ‘low season’ is considered to be the northern hemisphere winter (November to February). Depending on where you are travelling to it may be snowing so the demand for seats could be lower. If you’re travelling for winter sports or skiing, this may actually be the busy season for such destinations as Denver, Aspen, Vail and the many other winter holiday destinations. Winter can also be a great time to travel to the sunny destinations of Florida, Texas and the southwest where warm days and cool nights can be enjoyed.

US Holidays

The U.S.A. celebrates many different holidays. They offer a glimpse into the culture and can be some of the best times of the year to travel! Americans know how to decorate and they enjoy getting into the celebratory spirit.

Thanksgiving - (fourth Thursday of November each year) is the busiest time of travel. Even more so than Christmas as Americans have a four day holiday. It’s also a huge shopping experience with sales from every retailer over Black Friday (equivalent to the Boxing Day sales in Australia).

Christmas - While not a long work holiday period for American’s, this can be a super time to experience American hospitality. Streets are decorated and the festive spirit abounds. There is nothing as spectacular as enjoying a white Christmas in great cities like New York or Chicago.

Halloween - (31 October) Halloween is a country wide celebration. Although not a public holiday it’s one of the most spectacular times of the year to visit as autumn (locally known as ‘Fall’) leaves begin to fall. The trees are turning brown and every street corner is decorated with ghoulish scenes. Look out for the trick-or-treaters though; you are better off giving a treat then receiving a trick.

CONSULTANT TIP: Where possible try to avoid school holidays and major holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving to help secure a lower airfare. The summer school holidays in the U.S. are June, July and August and considered peak times of travel.

Have you considered a cruise?

There is nothing more relaxing then sailing the high seas. Unpack just once and enjoy the rest of your cruise in all its relaxing splendour. Best of all, your entertainment and food comes in the one ticket price. Cruises are a great way to see multiple destinations and visit exotic ports along the way, making it a convenient, cost effective way to see the world.

Several cruise lines sail between Australia and the U.S.A. via ports in such beautiful places like New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, Tahiti and more.

For the ultimate in Trans-Pacific luxury, talk to us about a cruise on Cunard’s famous Queen Mary 2 or Queen Victoria from Los Angeles to Sydney. Why not fly one way and cruise home? You may be surprised at just how affordable this can be. Come in and ask your Flight Centre Travel Expert for a quote today.