Amazing America trip ideas for you and your family

If you've got plans to visit the USA as a family then there are untold ways to do just that. Fly-drives, motorhomes and escorted coach tours are all ready and waiting to help you explore this vast country in style. Below are our top America trip ideas for you and your family and if you're in any doubt as to what time in Florida, the West coast, the East coast or America's national parks, will do to enliven your family's spirits then read on and prepare to get happy.

Western USA Family Self-Drive

Where: A spectacular circular itinerary flying in and out of LA then driving into the desert, onto a ranch, through the Grand Canyon…and pausing to enjoy the fun of Las Vegas.

What: We think this is the ultimate holiday for adventurous families including two nights glamping in the Grand Canyon, a couple of days on a ranch in Arizona, time to relax in the desert oasis of Palm Springs, and at the end a couple of days to explore the attractions of LA.

Highlights: Apart from sleeping under the stars by the Grand Canyon and honing your cowboy skills on a ranch….You get to choose where you want to spend your time in LA – either in the theme parks of Disney and Universal, or taking a studio tour, indulging in Rodeo Drive window shopping and scoring a Hollywood sign selfie.

More information and to book: Exhilirating Western USA Family Self-Drive

Combine Orlando and Florida beaches

Where: Immerse yourself in the theme parks of Orlando, just an hour from the international airport before heading off to the white sands and sunshine of Florida's Clearwater, near Tampa, just an hour and a half from Orlando.

What: Clearwater Beach is one of the most picturesque stretches of coastline in Florida and boasts a great many beachside bars and seafood restaurants to compliment mile upon mile of snow white sandy beach.

Highlights: Aside from the theme parks, Orlando is blessed with numerous entertainment and performing arts centres as well as shopping malls, museums and sporting arenas to keep the whole family happily juiced in Orange County. Away from Orlando, you'll find golf courses pretty much all the way to Clearwater and upon arrival you'll discover some sublime sun sets alongside Busch Gardens, the Beach Walk and the world famous Pier 60 to round off a combined Orlando and Florida family tour.

More information and to book: Orlando & Clearwater Twin Centre

Wild West Cowboys & Buffalos

Where: You’ll be taken through three states full of natural beauty and All-American charm Utah, Wyoming and South Dakota, with a dedicated tour manager to help you experience the best of the western USA.

What: Fusing quaint towns and modern cities with dramatic scenery and sensational wildlife encounters, this is a sure-fire way to get the family to see two sides of real America. This seven-night tour leads you to some of the USA’s most impressive National Parks, including Grand Teton National Park with its jaw-dropping mirror-effect lakes and soaring snow-capped peaks, as well as the charming ski town of Jackson and the bright lights of Salt Lake City. Don’t forget South Dakota’s Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore – two iconic attractions every cultural family should see.

Highlights: When it comes to unforgettable exploration, there’s nowhere that surpasses Yellowstone National Park. Bubbling mud pools, Mammoth Hot Springs, the classic Old Faithful geyser, unusual geothermal areas that need to be seen to be believed…this will be unlike anything your family has ever seen before.

More information and to book: Wild West Cowboys & Buffalos

Self-Drive Family Summer in New England

Where: A New England summer is full of stunning scenery, rich culture, and quaint coastal towns. Starting in Boston and stopping by Maine and New Hampshire, you’ll experience half of New England’s enviable summertime charm.

What: Though New England is perhaps best known for its autumnal foliage, we find summertime here to be perfect for a quintessential family getaway. Stop by cultural Boston for a whale watching excursion or a historical Boston Duck Tour, before moving on to the White Mountains for incredible outdoor recreation - including rock climbing and swimming in natural pools beneath the Arethusa Falls. You’ll stop by Portsmouth too, one of America’s oldest cities with a smattering of great waterfront restaurants and shops.

Highlights: Think of memorable family holidays, and you may conjure up the image of a classic summer camp. If that’s the case, your little ones will love the three nights at Maine’s Sebasco Harbor Resort. The retreat’s excellent summer camp gets kids enjoying marine wildlife demonstrations and hikes, whilst mum and dad can spend time kayaking, playing a round of golf, or indulging at the spa.

More information and to book: Self-Drive Family Summer in New England: Mountain Tops to Lobster Pots

Universal Studios Florida

Where: Stay at a Universal Studios hotel and enjoy exclusive benefits such as early park admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal’s Volcano Bay plus free transportation to and from the Parks

What: Choose from a great range of hotels for every budget from the brand new Endless Summer Resort, to the Caribbean-inspired Loews Sapphire Falls Resort with its gorgeous palm-fringed pools, to one of our favourite family hotels the Cabana Bay Beach Resort. The Cabana Bay has excellent Family Suites which sleep up to 6 and feature a kitchenette plus partitioned sleeping areas.

Highlights: Staying close to Universal Studios means you get more time to enjoy the vast array of attractions spread across their three parks –the new amazing waterpark Volcano Bay, the award-winning Islands of Adventure and the original Universal Studios Florida featuring Harry Potter's Diagon Alley.

More information and to book: Universal Orlando Resorts

Experience California Family Self-Drive

Where: Beginning in San Francisco, take to California’s wide-open roads and explore the iconic west coast, stopping by incredible beach resorts including Monterey and Santa Barbara, before ending in Anaheim for two days of family-fun.

What: A road trip along America’s west coast is exciting in itself, but the added extra of Disneyland at the end of the journey tips it over the edge for being the perfect family adventure in California. Before you reach Anaheim, drive along the classic Highway 1 through breath-taking Big Sur, soak up the sun along Monterey’s waterfront, book a wildlife cruise at Mandalay Beach, and explore Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park with its beautiful waterfall and coastal panoramas.

Highlights: California’s Disneyland resorts offer the ideal playground for the whole family to enjoy. It’s a tough choice for which parks to explore: do you discover the original Disneyland Park? Do you try out the world’s first loop-the-loop rollercoaster? Or do you bring Marvel’s comic books to life with a trip to Universal Studios? The choice is yours – and you could even add a few extra nights, if you’d like.

More information and to book: Experience California Family Self-Drive

Motorhome Holidays

Where: That’s the beauty of it…you choose! Popular pick up places are Las Vegas and Los Angeles, but we can offer many other destinations across the USA.

What: We’ll book your flights, your first night hotel accommodation (and other nights if you want) and your motorhome, then you choose your campsites. We have several suggested routes you can take…then the open road is all yours/

Highlights: How about California or New England or the amazing parks of Utah?

More information and to book: USA Motorhomes

Florida Villas with Private Pool

Where: We have selected a range of villas set in landscaped communities just a short drive from Walt Disney World and the other attractions of Orlando

What: It’s a home away from home, with a spacious living area where you can relax once the children have gone to bed, a full kitchen so you have stress-free breakfasts, as many bedrooms as you choose…with the added bonus of your own pool.

Highlights: Everyone will enjoy a refreshing dip after a long day in the parks, followed by a cooling drink, then firing up the BBQ and a fun family evening

More information and to book: Villas with private pool