All geared up for family-friendly fun, days spent in the USA are all about bucket-and-spade beach fun, teeth-clenching theme parks, and world-class museums. Across each state, you'll find attractions designed for little minds: hike around rust-red rocky nature parks, learn to lasso like a cowboy on a ranch, or get stuck in history and culture in the big cities. Kid-friendly and Florida are the perfect match, and what's not to like? With surfing and sandcastles, dolphins and alligators, princesses and wizards.
Don't miss Walt Disney World, where ripping roller coasters and wild water parks go hand-in-hand with colourful parades and playful character meet and greets. Universal Studios is full of movie magic, where you can walk in the footsteps of your favourite characters at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter or battle against the dark side at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Experience the underwater world at Discovery Cove in Orlando by swimming alongside dolphins and snorkelling with tropical fish and rays. For an activity that is out of this world, head to Florida's Space Coast to the Kennedy Space Center to meet astronauts, walk alongside towering rockets, and look at interactive exhibits.
As the birthplace of the mega-mall and countless best-known brands and retailers, it's no surprise that the USA is a haven for shopaholics. It's the thrill of snapping up a fantastic deal on a designer dress at an outlet or discovering the perfect handmade souvenir at a flea market. The big-ticket cities are full of lively streets and chic neighbourhoods to wander through, while the bustling malls pair their shopping with family-friendly activities from ice skating to cinemas. Shopping in Florida is as easy as picking up a seashell-inspired souvenir or a pair of Mickey ears, with Downtown Disney being the hub for all your Disney memorabilia. With its powder-white beaches and candy-floss sunsets, it's no wonder that the tropical landscape has inspired countless artists over the years who proudly sell their work in galleries and markets. You'll get your share of retail therapy in Orlando, with more than 250 stores to browse through at the Florida Mall, or taste some luxury at the mall at Millenia, stacked with high-end brands and jewellery stores.
In the USA, there's relaxing escape and high-energy adventure whichever way you go, with silver-screen adventures at every turn, from glitzy cities to natural wonders. We can see why holidaymakers flock to the sun, sea, and splendour of Florida. Get stuck in history and heritage in characterful towns, and discover cities where coffee and shopping go hand in hand. Wind through verdant hills, put on your fins for rainbow-coloured coral reefs, go for castaway feels in the Florida Keys, or spot gators and crocs in mangrove-twisted Everglades wetlands.
The food scene is something else: bite your way into cultures and traditions from Cuban to Caribbean, from southern comforts to everything in between. Film-inspired theme parks are all the rage in Orlando, where hair-raising rides and awe-inspiring shows bring beloved characters to life.
Alongside the big-hitters, Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios Florida, you can also sneak in some science at the Kennedy Space Center, or simply have fun at the Magic Kingdom park. In sharp contrast, head west to the sultry Gulf Coast, swept up in blissful swathes of white sand and turquoise-coloured waves. The golfing capital of the states, take a swing in undulating greens and manicured fairways, with hundreds of golf courses to choose from to score a holiday hole in one.