Last updated: September 2026
America holidays from the UK offer an unrivalled variety of experiences, from the glittering skyscrapers of New York City to the sun-bleached beaches of Florida and the dramatic red rock landscapes of the American Southwest. The United States is one of the most popular long-haul destinations for British travellers, and it’s easy to see why — there’s simply nowhere else on earth that packs so much diversity into a single country.
Whether you’re planning your first trip across the Atlantic or you’re a seasoned visitor returning to explore a new corner of this vast nation, an American holiday promises adventure, culture, world-class food and memories that will last a lifetime. From Boston’s colonial history to the cinematic glamour of Los Angeles, every destination has its own distinct personality.
The United States is a destination that rewards every type of traveller. Families will find no shortage of world-class theme parks and attractions, particularly in Florida and California. Couples seeking romance can stroll along the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset or watch the sun dip behind the Pacific horizon from a Santa Monica pier. Solo travellers and city-breakers will feel right at home in the buzzing metropolises of New York, Chicago or Miami.
Adventure seekers will be drawn to the national parks — from the Grand Canyon’s jaw-dropping depths to the geysers of Yellowstone and the ancient forests of the Pacific Northwest. And for those who simply want to relax, the Gulf Coast beaches of Florida offer warm waters, white sand and a laid-back pace of life that feels a world away from the UK.
American culture is also deeply familiar to British visitors thanks to decades of shared cinema, music and television. Yet arriving in person reveals just how different — and endlessly surprising — everyday life in the States can be. The sheer scale of everything, the warmth of the people and the incredible variety of cuisine all contribute to making America holidays genuinely special.
New York City is one of the most iconic destinations on earth and often the first port of call for first-time American visitors. Manhattan’s skyline, with its soaring skyscrapers and the famous lights of Times Square, is instantly recognisable — but the city delivers so much more than its famous silhouette.
Spend time exploring Central Park, crossing the Brooklyn Bridge on foot, or visiting the Statue of Liberty by ferry. The city’s museums are world-class: the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA and the American Museum of Natural History all deserve a full day each. Broadway shows, legendary jazz bars, Michelin-starred restaurants and neighbourhoods like Greenwich Village, SoHo and Harlem each add layers of culture and character.
New York is served by JFK and Newark Liberty airports, both within easy reach of Manhattan, with direct flights from London taking around seven hours.
Florida is arguably the USA’s most family-friendly state and consistently one of the top choices for British holiday-makers. Orlando is the undisputed theme park capital of the world, home to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld and LEGOLAND. A week here barely scratches the surface of what’s on offer.
Beyond Orlando, Florida has so much more to explore. Miami’s South Beach is famous for its Art Deco architecture, vibrant nightlife and beautiful people. The Florida Keys offer a laid-back island paradise stretching 125 miles into the Gulf of Mexico, culminating at the legendary Key West. The Everglades National Park provides a genuinely wild counterpoint to the state’s theme park glitz, with airboat tours revealing alligators, manatees and extraordinary birdlife.
Florida is served by multiple international airports including Orlando International (MCO), Miami International (MIA), Tampa International (TPA) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL), giving you excellent flexibility when planning your trip.
Las Vegas is like nowhere else on the planet. Rising from the Nevada desert, this glittering city of neon and excess has reinvented itself repeatedly over the decades and today offers world-class entertainment, Michelin-starred dining, spectacular pool parties and legendary casinos — all available around the clock.
The Strip is the beating heart of Vegas, lined with iconic hotel-casinos including Caesars Palace, the Bellagio (famous for its dancing fountains), the MGM Grand and the Venetian. Shows range from Cirque du Soleil spectaculars to residencies by global music superstars. And when you need a break from the excess, some of America’s most dramatic natural landscapes are within easy reach — the Grand Canyon’s South Rim is just a three-hour drive, while Hoover Dam, Zion National Park and Death Valley are all popular day trips.
Los Angeles is a city built on dreams, and arriving here for the first time feels like stepping into a film set you’ve been watching your whole life. Hollywood Boulevard, the Walk of Fame, Griffith Observatory with its panoramic city views, the Getty Museum perched in the Santa Monica Mountains — LA delivers iconic experience after iconic experience.
But the city is also about its neighbourhoods and its beach culture. Venice Beach’s eclectic boardwalk, the chic boutiques of Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive, the surf culture of Malibu and the carnival atmosphere of Santa Monica Pier all reveal different facets of this sprawling, endlessly fascinating city. Day trips to San Diego to the south or Joshua Tree National Park to the east add further variety to an LA holiday.
Miami is one of America’s most glamorous and culturally vibrant cities. South Beach’s candy-coloured Art Deco buildings along Ocean Drive form one of the most photographed streetscapes in the world, while the beach itself offers warm Atlantic waters and year-round sunshine. The nightlife here is legendary, with world-famous clubs and beach bars keeping the party going well into the small hours.
Away from the beach, Miami’s cultural neighbourhoods are equally compelling. Little Havana is a vibrant Cuban enclave where the smell of cigars mingles with the sound of salsa music. Wynwood Walls transforms a former warehouse district into an open-air gallery of extraordinary street art. The upscale Brickell district offers high-end shopping and dining with a cosmopolitan edge.
Chicago is often described as America’s most liveable city, combining big-city energy with a genuine sense of community. The Magnificent Mile offers world-class shopping along Lake Michigan’s southern shore, while Millennium Park’s Cloud Gate sculpture — affectionately known as “the Bean” — has become one of the most photographed public artworks in the world.
Architecture boat tours along the Chicago River reveal how the city rebuilt itself after the Great Fire of 1871 to become a global pioneer of modern architecture. The Art Institute of Chicago houses one of the finest collections in the Americas, and the city’s deep dish pizza is an experience every visitor must have at least once. Chicago’s blues heritage is world-famous, and an evening in one of the city’s legendary blues bars is an unmissable part of any visit.
Boston is one of America’s oldest and most historically significant cities, and it wears that history with genuine pride. The Freedom Trail winds for 2.5 miles through the heart of the city, connecting 16 historic sites including Paul Revere’s House, the Old North Church and Faneuil Hall. Walking this route is one of the best ways to understand the story of American independence.
Beyond history, Boston offers excellent seafood — the clam chowder and lobster rolls here are simply outstanding — as well as the world-famous universities of Harvard and MIT across the Charles River in Cambridge. Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, is a must-visit for sports fans, and the neighbourhoods of Beacon Hill and Back Bay offer beautiful brownstone architecture and excellent shopping on Newbury Street.
Denver sits at exactly one mile above sea level at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, making it the perfect base for exploring Colorado’s spectacular mountain scenery. The city itself has a vibrant craft beer scene — Colorado has more breweries per capita than almost anywhere in the US — and the Lower Downtown (LoDo) district is packed with excellent restaurants, bars and live music venues.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, just 15 miles west of the city, is one of the world’s most spectacular outdoor concert venues, carved into dramatic sandstone formations. In winter, world-class ski resorts including Breckenridge, Vail and Aspen are within two hours’ drive, making Denver an excellent base for a ski holiday. In summer, the Rockies offer outstanding hiking, white-water rafting and mountain biking.
The sheer size of the United States means there’s no single “best time” to visit — it entirely depends on where you’re going. Florida and Miami are popular year-round, though the summer months (June–September) bring intense humidity and the risk of tropical storms. The best time to visit is October through April, when temperatures are warm but manageable.
New York is a year-round destination, with each season offering something different. Spring and autumn are particularly beautiful, with mild temperatures and stunning foliage in October. Las Vegas is best avoided in July and August when temperatures regularly exceed 40°C — spring and autumn are ideal. Los Angeles enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm, sunny weather most of the year, though June often brings a coastal marine layer known as “June Gloom.”
For ski holidays in Denver and Colorado, December through March offers the best snow conditions. Chicago’s summers are glorious, but winters can be brutally cold — the city’s nickname “the Windy City” is very much deserved. Boston is best visited from May to October, with the autumn foliage season in October being particularly spectacular.
Flights to the USA from the UK typically take between 7 and 11 hours depending on your destination. Direct flights from London are available to New York (JFK/Newark, around 7 hours), Miami (MIA, around 9–10 hours), Orlando (MCO, around 9 hours), Los Angeles (LAX, around 11 hours), Boston (BOS, around 7 hours) and Chicago (O’Hare/ORD, around 9 hours). Many routes also operate from regional UK airports including Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow.
For destinations like Las Vegas (LAS/Harry Reid International) and Denver (DEN), most flights from the UK involve a connection, usually adding one to two hours to your total journey time. Carriers including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, United and Delta all operate regular services between the UK and the USA.
All British citizens travelling to the USA must obtain an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before departure. This is a simple online application that costs $21 and is valid for two years or multiple trips. Make sure you apply before you fly. Book your trip with confidence through an ABTA-bonded operator for full financial protection.
Outside of major city centres, a hire car is strongly recommended for exploring the USA. American cities like New York and Chicago have excellent public transport, but much of the country — especially Florida, California and the Southwest — is best explored by road. Driving in the USA is straightforward for British visitors, and road trips here are genuinely world-class experiences.
Ready to start planning your America holiday? Whether you’re dreaming of New York’s skyline, Florida’s theme parks or the open road through the American West, now is the perfect time to book. Search for deals from your nearest airport using our local airports page, or browse packages from leading tour operators who specialise in USA holidays.
For last-minute deals and late availability, check LastMinute.com for competitive prices on flights, hotels and packages to destinations across America.
British passport holders do not need a visa for tourist visits to the USA, but you must apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before you travel. The ESTA costs $21, is completed online at esta.cbp.dhs.gov and is valid for two years or multiple trips. You should apply at least 72 hours before your flight, though applying earlier is advisable.
Flight times vary depending on your departure point and US destination. Direct flights from London to New York take around 7 hours, to Miami around 9–10 hours, to Orlando around 9 hours, to Los Angeles around 11 hours and to Chicago around 9 hours. Flights from regional UK airports may be slightly longer or require a connection.
The best time to visit depends on your chosen destination. Florida and Miami are best from October to April to avoid summer heat and humidity. New York is wonderful in spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October). Las Vegas is best avoided in midsummer when extreme heat is common. Los Angeles enjoys good weather year-round, while ski resorts in Colorado are best from December to March.
Travel insurance is absolutely essential for any holiday to the USA. Healthcare costs in America are extremely high — even a minor accident or illness can result in bills running into tens of thousands of pounds without proper cover. Make sure your policy includes adequate medical cover and check any exclusions related to pre-existing conditions before you travel.
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