It’s hardly surprising Disney came up with an Adventureland - America is full of adventures.
With 50 states in the offering, you’re going to discover new places to explore wherever you travel. Known for its great cities and even greater national parks, both offer very different and exciting ways to get out and get amongst it. The national and glacier parks are a natural starting point for anyone who is inspired by the outdoors. You can literally crisscross your way across the US calling into some of the most extraordinary places as you go. From the west coast of California, Oregon and Washington State, national forests and parks spread east across neighbouring jurisdictions before drifting into the open plains of cowboy country - North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.
They don't call it the wild west for nothing. All the great wilderness forests lie to the west. Yosemite and the Sequoia-laden ranges of California, The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Rocky Mountains just to name a few. These are all must-do experiences for any traveller who appreciates the great outdoors. The Grand Canyon is definitely on the not to be missed experience list. Although in Arizona, it’s within easy reach of Nevada’s casino heartland - Las Vegas. Gifting Owl has several gift ideas and ways to see the Grand Canyon from triple WOW factor adventure that takes in the Grand Canyon National Park, Route 66 and Hoover Dam to double whammy gift vouchers that will take your gift recipient on a breathtaking tour of south rim plane ride or coach. It’s not hard to find friends and family who are taking a vacation or attending a conference in Vegas and this is an experience gift they’ll love to brag about doing.
If you want to get Rocky Mountain high, Colorado is the place to do it. Colorado is the home of the Rocky’s. Reaching across the Canadian border from British Columbia and tracking through numerous states all the way into New Mexico, the Rocky Mountains cover 4,828 kilometres. The diversity of flora and fauna is astounding and wondrous at any time of year, from alpine lakes, rushing waterfalls, forests and grassland plains that in spring are carpeted with wildflowers, it’s easy to fall in love with this world-renowned adventure haven. The gift of an abseiling experience out of Denver might be the perfect way to treat someone who’s always wanted to go. You can also pass on a few tips for when they are there. For instance, there are lots of hiking trails for those who love to be immersed in nature, and great info on the official website Rocky Mountains. Don’t miss the chance to do the Trail Ridge Road that winds up to a peak of over 12,000ft. It’s a must-do drive if you or your gift voucher recipient is in the area. And for intrepid adventurers, there’s a multi-day tour of taking in the top hiking spots between Yellowstone Park and the Rocky Mountains.
Looking for a gift card that’s hot, hot, hot?! Among its very many states, the US includes the Hawaiian Islands. A small archipelago in the Central Pacific off the Californian coast, the islands are a tropical paradise for holidaymakers from all over the world. The most famous islands in the group are Hawaii and Honolulu. Live volcanic streams still burn bright in the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, and in the words of those who have witnessed it, ‘It was a 5-mile hike to get there but it was worth it! This is the newest land being formed on the face of the Earth’. The islands are famous for their lush green vegetation, rugged mountains, waterfalls, beaches and some of the best surf in the world. Beneath the surrounding tropical waters, submerged volcanic craters are crammed with exotic corals, colourful fish and rare species including the endangered Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle. You or your gift recipient can spend hours discovering the island’s fantasy-like underwater world as you snorkel or dive the depths with a guide at your side.
From tropical islands to the Big Apple and other big cities of splendour and surprise, there’s no stopping you once you start. New York is the place to be! As the song says, ‘If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere’. It is a fascinating place and a favourite of anyone who loves to be in the heart of the action, whether it’s cultural diversity, theatre, museums, monuments, and money markets. The Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Central Park, Tiffany’s, The Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Guggenheim Museum, Brooklyn Bridge, Greenwich Village, The Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center and Chrysler Building, Times Square, Covent Garden, Dodgers Stadium, and the United Nations. WOW! What a list of must-see and must-do places all in close proximity.
Moving back across the continent to the powerhouse state of California and the cities of San Francisco and the home of Hollywood, Los Angeles, these cities are fun for everyone. In San Francisco, the whole family can jump on a bike for some bonding time with a tour of the city or the world-renowned Golden Gate Bridge. Or hop on a tram for some ring-a-ding-ding action before arriving at Fisherman's Wharf for hot baskets of crispy bread overflowing with freshly cooked and delicious seafood Chowder - just the thing on a misty day. Behind the city is Yosemite National Forest with its towering bald mountain tops, waterfalls, giant sequoias and grizzly bears. Yosemite is beautiful and a fabulous family getaway. The park adjoins several other park forests, so you can keep exploring to your heart’s content. Just make sure you book your accommodation early. For couples, there’s the Napa Valley just north of San Francisco. Here you can enjoy sumptuous food and wines that make that relaxing break among the vineyards even more pleasure-filled. A few hours’ drive down the Highway 5 will bring you to Anaheim, home of Disneyland and mecca for family vacations and on the outskirts of Los Angeles. L.A. - the ‘city of angels’ with Venus Beach in Santa Monica buzzing with characters of all kinds, long beaches fringed with rugged coastline, ritzy shopping strips like Rodeo Drive, movie stars and their mansions - it’s a warm and sunny city with palm-tree lined streets and boulevards. Like just about everywhere in America, it’s easy to find adventure. Just walk out your door!
