Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful natural parks in the United States.  With its abundance of diverse sights, from the impressive granite cliffs, to the spectacular waterfalls, there’s nature at her best everywhere you look. 

One of the best known must see features of Yosemite National Park is Glacier Point.  This isn’t open year round, but usually between June and November you can guarantee access up to enjoy the magnificent views from the top.  There are many waterfalls in the park, with Yosemite Falls being the highest at just under 2,500 feet.  The best time to see the waterfalls is early summer.  Whilst some of the falls are easily accessible; others take more time and effort in order to be able to appreciate their beauty. 

Another popular area of Yosemite is the Yosemite Valley.  This is an area full of breathtaking views – including the El Capitan Meadow, Bridalveil Meadow (with its views of Bridalveil Fall), and the Sentinal Brudge.  If you’re inspired to take a hike amidst all this natural wonder, there’s a gentle 1 mile walk in the Tuolumne Meadows which will take you about 30 minutes.  History lovers will be enchanted with the Pioneer Yosemite History Center where they can walk across a covered bridge, and see exhibits such as horse drawn carriages.  In the Yosemite Valley there are a number of museum/buildings that provide an interesting diversion from the beauty of the outdoors scenery!  Although you aren’t likely to find many bears around Yosemite, it’s not unheard of, but you are more likely to see deer – especially in the early morning.

There’s so much to take in on a visit to Yosemite you’ll need to make sure you have plenty film for your camera, or space on your digital camera card, to record it all.  One thing’s for sure, it’s a place you’ll always remember, and most likely want to return to at a future date!

Zion National Park in Utah, is a naturalist’s dream.  Containing some 290 or so species of distinct animals it is an amazing place of sandstone red and deer tan contrasts sharply against the coniferous trees, cottonwood, Cacti, and willow.  Its a diverse, and unique area of the world with an abundance of plant and animal diversity.

The plant and animal life in the park is partially due to the diverse merging distinctly different areas – the Great Basin, the Mojave desert, and the Colorado Plateau, its filled with close to 300 bird species, 20 types of bat, more than 30 reptiles and seventy five different mammals, including the Mountain Lion, The Golden Eagle and the recently reintroduced California Condors.

The most prominent feature, cut by the Virgin River, is the 15 mile long canyon, the Zion Canyon. 

Inhabited for over 8000 years by Indian tribes of various kinds, it was settled by  Mormons in the 1860′s it became a national park in the early 20^th Century.   The Zion Canyon and the Kobold arch (so named after the nearest star to God, according to Mormon religion) are two of the most stunning sites of the park, and are breathtaking and amazing and well worth the visit.

There are various hikes that you can take through the grounds ranging from gentle hikes that you can take in a morning, to all day walks that challenge your stamina and fitness and takes you through the best parts of the park.

Its name means ‘protection’ in Hebrew, and its peace and tranquility is evident whether you’re hiking, driving through on the shuttle bus or exploring within the bounds of the lower steppes.

Tourism is encouraged throughout the year, but from April to October, the roads are closed within the park to all but shuttle buses.  In part, this is to protect the roads running through the park, but its also to keep an close reign on where the visitors go.

When you first arrive in this city, you could be forgiven for not realizing that this is actually the state capital of Illinois – it lacks the hustle and bustle usually associated with most state capitals, and certainly lacks the energy of Illinois’s most famous city, Chicago.  However, the gentle sereneness of Springfield are in keeping with its history, for this is Lincoln’s town.  He was part of the group of people responsible for making Springfield the state capital, and this is his final resting place.

Apart from the limestone built capitol building from where Abraham Lincoln gave his “House Divided” speech, there’s also a Lincoln Home Visitors Center which shows a short movie on the Springfield that Lincoln loved, and where you can obtain free tickets to take a walk around the restored Lincoln home on 8^th and Jackson Street.  As a visual lesson in how people lived “back then” the home is an interesting place to visit. 

For those who don’t think that it’s morbid, a visit to Lincoln’s tomb isn’t to be missed.  Situated in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Lincoln’s tomb contains not only his remains, but also those of Mary Todd, his wife, and their three sons.

If the Lincoln memorial gets a bit too much, have a change of pace by visiting the preserved home of another famous Springfield resident, Frank Lloyd Wright.  Named the Dana-Thomas House, this is only a few blocks from the Capitol building, and still contains some original fixtures from his time there.

As a destination, unless you’re a history buff, or enjoy wandering around some of America’s more charming towns, Springfield’s probably not the best place to choose, but as an overnight stop, or a day trip, there’s plenty to look at and it’s definitely worth the visit.

Family vacations are times for bonding and memory building.  They’re also a time when dreams of exotic locations, or one in a lifetime opportunities/challenges are realized.   All of these are possible at Discovery Cove, Florida.  Situated beside the more typical theme park of SeaWorld, in Orlando, this isn’t a cheap excursion, nor is it a park full of rides, shows and tours.  Instead, here you will experience something that you won’t find in many other places.  You’ll get to swim with dolphins.

Another contrast to the larger parks is that at Discovery Coves visitors are put into small groups, each with its own staff member to lead it around the park.  There’s an age limit to the dolphin swim so if you’ve got under 6’s you’ll need to consider that before deciding on a visit to this park.  Another “housekeeping” tip is that trips to Discovery Cove must be pre-booked, and lunch is included – as is all of the equipment hire such as wet suit, snorkel and even a towel if required.

Apart from being taught how to communicate with the dolphins and being allowed to swim with them in your small group, you will be able to spend the rest of the day enjoying the birds that fly over beautiful beaches on the property, together with snorkeling off the various reefs packed with marine life, and exploring hidden grottos.  It’s an unforgettable experience!

For anyone who is interested in working in this kind of environment, Discovery Cove offers a Trainer for a Day program where the limited number of visitors who are on the program are allowed a closer connection with the animals and get to work alongside the regular staff members for that day. 

Discovery Cove may be missing the wilder exhibits that its neighboring theme parks are noted for, but it more than makes up for this in terms of sheer magic, beauty and wildlife. 

Situated at 350 Fifth Avenue is one of the most famous of New York’s impressive buildings.  Instantly recognizable from such movies as King Kong, An Affair to Remember and Sleepless in Seattle, the Empire State Building stands as one of the most well known skyscrapers in the world.

With its art deco architecture, the Empire State Building’s observation deck on the 80^th Floor is where most visitors head.  There’s a charge to enter the observation deck but it’s not too expensive, especially considering the unique view of New York and the surrounding area you’ll get from the top.  There are 73 elevators in the building – these can take you from ground level to the 80^th floor in a matter of seconds – but those who are more active, or like a challenge, the alternative is a 1,575 step climb – of course you could just take the elevator up and walk down if you prefer!

The Empire State Building is open daily from 9.30am until midnight – make sure you arrive in time to be allowed access as the building may shut at midnight, but they like the observation deck cleared prior to then.  Despite its closing time, it’s just as good an experience to see New York from the Observation Deck at night as it as by day.  Although you can’t see as far as you can in daylight, the lights of New York make the night visit special in its own right.

Although the Empire State Building is mainly for those who like to look rather than do, there is a hidden gem on the second floor for those who enjoy a thrill ride.  The New York Skyride is a flight stimulator which will have you hanging to your seat as the images take you on a fast paced virtual reality aerial tour of the “Big Apple”. 

For its celebrity, architectural beauty, spectacular views and not forgetting the incredible Skyride tour, a visit to the Empire State Building should be on every visitor’s itinerary.

California is usually synonymous with beautiful beaches, beautiful people and the glitter and glitz surrounding the movie world, but there’s another side to this beautiful state, a gentler more natural side.  The Napa Valley is within easy driving distance of San Francisco and offers a tranquil alternative to the bustle of the city. 

One of the fun things to do in the Napa Valley is to take a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train.  As one of the top train rides in the world, you’ll enjoy a relaxing journey in lovingly restored carriages all dated pre-1950.  Whether you enjoy a romantic evening meal in the dining car as you travel through the valley’s beautiful countryside, or you take the daily tour that allows a stop at two of the local vineyards, this is a local “attraction” that shouldn’t be missed.

Another idea to make your Napa Valley break memorable is to take a hot air balloon ride.  This breathtaking view of the vineyards in the early morning light will be an experience you won’t forget and will soon make you forget how early you had to get up! 

There are many vineyards that you can visit during your stay in the Napa Valley area.  Some of them will give you a tour, others allow you to taste, and yet others have demonstrations, so check with a local guidebook about what is available at each the vineyards open to the public so you know what to expect when you get there.

If you are taking a trip to California, and are a little concerned that the constant barrage of high energy attractions, and crowded stores will be too much, consider a trip to the Napa Valley, even if you don’t drink wine, you’re sure to enjoy the slower pace and relax in the beauty of the area.

One of the most recognizable statues in the world, the Statue of Liberty stands on Liberty Island in New York.  It’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in the US, as well as one of America’s most prized reminders of the ideals it represents.  Many of present day Americans can trace their roots back through the generations and find a relative who first sailed past Lady Liberty’s welcome before disembarking in New York harbor.

As part of stricter security measures, tourists are no longer allowed access to the statue’s crown and torch, but there are two ranger guided tours around the island.  The first of them lasts between 30 and 60 minutes and is a gentler informational tour that doesn’t require much exertion.  The second tour however is a little more strenuous but if you’ve got the energy, the view from the 10 story high pedestal observatory will be a memory you will carry with you for the rest of your life. 

It’s only possible to travel to the Statue of Liberty by ferry.  The return visit allows visitors the opportunity to disembark at Ellis Island before returning to the mainland.  The Ellis Island Immigration Museum is an interesting array of artifacts, and photographs, which have been displayed amidst personal oral history stories, and which together create a great overview of what awaited most of the immigrants who arrived at America’s shore.  For most of them, they would eventually be allowed admittance to the mainland, but not all.  The archives allow those who are interested in researching their family history access to records which may help them discover more about their origins. 

A trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is a must see if you visit New York.  Not only will you get to stand near one of the most treasured American landmarks, but you’ll have a greater understanding of those who came seeking a new life in America.

Although you can just as easily visit both Times Square and Broadway during the day, you won’t experience the magic of those world famous neon signs until darkness falls and they light up the night sky. 

Times Square has been upgraded in recent years.  The seedy reputation it had in the 1990s has gone, and new legislation has meant the adult industry has had to make way for more family familiar franchises.  That doesn’t mean the adult industry has gone altogether, but it isn’t as prominent as it once was in this area.  Today big name stores and restaurants vie for space beneath the giant billboards and tourists flock here to stand in the famous square and have their photos taken to show everyone back home that they’ve been to New York! 

Broadway isn’t a place where you can take a photo of and have people instantly recognize where you are, but it’s an experience not to be missed nevertheless.  Whether you’re a regular theater goer back home, or someone who’s never seen a live show, catching a show on Broadway is part of the New York experience.  One of the main problems is getting tickets for the theaters.  Tickets are often in short supply for popular shows, and none of the shows are cheap.  However, if you aren’t too fussy about what you want to see, there are discount ticket booths in Time Square (your hotel should be able to help you locate one) where unsold tickets for that days’ performances are sold at discount prices.  If you want to see a live taping of a television show, the best place to try and get tickets is usually through the show’s official website.

If this is your first visit to the “Big Apple”, Times Square and nearby Broadway are two parts of New York’s past and present that are definite “Must Sees” on your New York itinerary.

Bryce Canyon, named after Ebenezer Bryce who settled in the area in the 1850s, is situated in the south of Utah.  Receiving National Park status in 1928, the park is around 55 square miles of breathtaking natural rugged beauty.  Although smaller and quieter (most tourists make their way to the Grand Canyon, or nearby Zion National Park), Bryce Canyon is a park that has much to offer in terms of original natural features.  In particular, viewing the hoodoos – which can reach heights of 200 meters – and the vibrant color of the natural landscape are worth the visit and admission price.  If geology interests you, this is a must do on your travel itinerary if you are traveling through this part of Utah.

At the visitor center, you can watch a short film which is a great introduction to the park.  Afterwards check out if there are any ranger programs that you can take part in that day, or just hike/drive around and enjoy the spectacular views from the many observation points throughout the park.  For those who enjoy winter sports, there are opportunities for show shoeing or cross country ski-ing, or during the warmer months, there are horseback riding tours that last between 2-4 hours – check with the park in advance to check if you are able to reserve a place on any specific activities you’d like to do.

For those who enjoy wandering around and learning from exhibits, current displays in the museum include geology, wildlife and star gazing.  For anyone interested in the geology of Bryce Canyon, there are frequent geology talks in the park. 

Bryce Canyon may not be as expansive as Grand Canyon, but it has a rugged charm of its own and is well worth a visit if you’re in the area.

For anyone who is enthusiastic or curious about space travel, past and present, a trip to the Kennedy Space Center a little west of Orlando will be a day out not to be forgotten.  This isn’t going to be a cheap day out, so make sure you check out in advance the current entrance fees plus any additional budget requirements for additional rides, etc just before you make your trip.  Another thing to check in advance is the space shuttle launching schedule – what greater day could there be to go the space center then on a day you will see a shuttle actually take off?  Of course, all shuttle schedules are subject to change so even if you arrange your trip to coincide with a scheduled take-off, it’s not necessarily going to happen.

There’s more to see at Kennedy Space Center than just the space shuttle launching however.  There are exhibitions of rockets and spacecraft from the years when space travel was in its infancy.  There are rides to simulate space travel for those with the nerve to try.  There’s the launching pad area where Apollo 11 was once launched placing men on the moon for the first time.  There are tours of the site which are narrated and have photo stops.  Two must see parts of the Kennedy Space Center experience however are the Imax theatre presentations (capture the thrill of a close-up launch in the “The Dream is Alive” feature), and then the Astronaut Encounter where an astronaut takes to the stage to talk about traveling in space, and also answer questions from the audience – a great experience for any families who have a budding astronaut in their party!

Kennedy Space Center isn’t a theme park but rather a working site that allows visitors a glimpse into the romance, and work, of space flight, as well as an up close and personal insight into the many things that come together in that moment when a space shuttle launches.  In an area known for thrills and spills of a manufactured kind, Kennedy is a real life thrill that you can experience without your feet leaving the ground!