Are you a beach bum or do you prefer the city life? Do you want a big family holiday or some quality time with just you and your partner? Do you want year-round sun or the option of a magical winter wonderland? In honour of Independence Day, we are putting Orlando and New York head to head to determine which destination you should choose for your next USA Holiday. Orlando Vs New York… Which will come out on top?
For amusements and thrills like no other on this planet, Orlando is the place to be heading. It is home to some of the most famous and exhilarating theme parks in the world, making it the ideal place for a dream family vacation.
There are countless hotels for you to choose to stay in, or another popular option in when staying in Florida is a villa for the whole family to enjoy quality time together.
Orlando is a year-round destination thanks to its warm and sunny climate – perfect in the summer or great if you want to get away for a bit of winter sun later on in the year.
When it comes to activities and entertainment in Orlando, it’s hard to know where to start! Day trips to Walt Disney World Resort should be first on the holiday agenda, particularly the sight of a thousand postcards, Cinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom. Be sure to catch the Disney parade as well for the chance to meet your favourite Disney characters. Under the Disney umbrella (something you definitely won’t need in the summer), you have Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. But if you do want to bring a taste of England to Orlando, then get wet at Disney’s water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.
Other popular theme parks include Universal Orlando which encompasses Universal Studios, CityWalk, Wet ‘n’ Wild and for the thrill seekers, Islands of Adventure.
Kennedy Space Centre, the sight of multiple NASA space flight launches, is another must see visitor attraction. Here you can enjoy the Shuttle Launch Experience, the Rocket Garden, the Angry Birds Space Encounter and you can even meet a real life astronaut!
Dad’s can always find time for golf at one of the many courses located around the city and, in the evening, make sure you head over to Magic Kingdom for the Wishes Fireworks – simply incredible. Alternatively, head to downtown Orlando, which is a great place to visit at night. And don’t forget to grab yourself a bargain whilst shopping along the famous International Drive.
Flight time: Approximately 9 hours.
Packed with world renowned tourist attractions and endless entertainment options, New York, one of the most famous cities in the world has an unparalleled magical feel about it. The Big Apple is also a year-round destination, but not for the same sunny reasons as Orlando. Whether it’s soaking up the summer sun in Central Park or ice-skating on a public rink surrounded by snow covered streets during the festive period, New York City is a must visit.
By day, New York is a vibrant, eclectic mix of culture and there is plenty to see and do. Head to the top of the Empire State Building or get the best views of the Statue of Liberty on a boat trip to the island, both unforgettable sights. The aforementioned Central Park provides a peaceful getaway within the busy city, with a fantastic zoo right in the middle of it that is well worth a visit. You can watch the world go by from the steps at Times Square or explore the smaller, cultural neighbourhoods such as Little Italy or Chinatown. Oh, and don’t forget to visit Macy’s and Tiffany’s and afterwards come back down to earth by indulging in some classic New York Cheesecake.
For an experience you’ll be hard pushed to beat, take a break from the norm of constantly staring up at all the huge skyscrapers around the city, and instead get a breath-taking view of Manhattan and the New York skyline from up above in a helicopter – spectacular.
New York truly comes alive at night with its Broadway theatre district. See old favourites like Jersey Boys and the Lion King, or a new, relatively unknown play that you can be the first to tell your friends about. And, if you manage to find time amongst all your sightseeing, try and squeeze in a baseball or basketball game and join the locals in cheering on the New York Yankees or New York Knicks.
There are five boroughs within the city – The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the most popular of them all, Manhattan. You’ll find free Wi-Fi spots across all five boroughs, so if you stop for a coffee, do a spot of shopping or relax in a public park, you can show off to friends that you are living the high life in NYC!
Flight time: Approximately 7 hours.