USA Archives - Top Spot Travel

November 28, 2016 by Jeremy

Top 8 things to do on a trip to Niagara Falls this Christmas

There are many things to do on a trip to Niagara Falls this Christmas

Photo by CC user Paolostefano1412 on Wikimedia Commons

If you’re planning on spending your winter break in the Niagara Falls region this year, here are just a few of the many events and activities waiting for you…

Take a Hornblower Cruise

No trip to Niagara would be complete without a catamaran cruise to all three waterfalls. No matter what time of year you go, this is always a thrilling experience, sailing up to the spray of the American, Bridal Veil and Horseshoe Falls.

Stay in a room with a view

If you stay in one of the best Niagara Falls hotels, you’ll be guaranteed to awaken every morning to the sight of the Horseshoe Falls from your bedroom. Imagine eating your breakfast as you look out onto this iconic natural phenomenon.

Go to the Winter Festival of Lights

From 19th November to 31st January next year, over one million people will be visiting the 8km of stunning landscape decked out in festive illuminations. From the Niagara Parks to Dufferin Islands and beyond, expect everything from Noah’s Ark to the world’s largest illuminated Canadian-American flag.

Try FlyBoarding

If you’re in the mood to try out a new water sport, you’ll find nothing more adventurous than FlyBoarding. You’ll be propelled up to 40ft in the air, as your very own “jetpack” uses traditional water-skiing technology with some added propulsion to send you skyward. Before you know it, you’ll be performing tricks just like the experts.

Visit Santa’s Grotto

If your little ones want to visit Santa, your best bet is to head for the Christmas Gift Show, on 3^rd and 4^th December at the Scotiabank Convention Centre. With over 100 stalls for you to explore, this festive-themed market will have tonnes of presents, sweet treats and demonstrations, with your very own Grotto for the kids to deliver their lists in person.

Walk through the botanical gardens

If you head towards the Niagara Parkway, there are a multitude of beautiful sights to greet you, the first of which is the famous floral clock. Right now, you’ll be able to see it with all 16,000 carpet bedding plants in their autumn/winter glory. Then, the 99 acres of perfectly manicured Botanical Gardens await you.

Take a zipline down the Falls

If you’re in the mood for something a little more adventurous, why not view the stunning scenery from above? WildPlay’s MistRider Zipline to the Falls is a brand new attraction for daredevils, and they’re located over Niagara Gorge and Niagara River, where you’ll sail past the American and Bridal Veil Falls before finishing at the Horseshoe Falls.

Enjoy festive fayre at McFarland House

For a touch of tradition during the Yuletide season, McFarland House will be decked out in Victorian splendour while you tour its hallways. This is a unique experience to see a restored period property, with a cup of mulled cider in one hand and a freshly-baked Christmas cookie in the other.

Where are you going for your Christmas getaway?

November 13, 2016 by Jeremy

Fun places to travel on a private jet in America

Photo by CC user mmordfin on Flickr

Have you come into some money recently and want to check out an awesome bucket list item? Have you thought about chartering your own private jet?

Whether you’ll be shouldering the cost yourself, or getting several friends to pitch in for the experience of a lifetime, there is no better feeling than boarding, traveling to, and arriving in an amazing destination in your own private plane.

If you are thinking about doing this, here are some great places you can go in America.

1) Chicago

When a craving for deep dish pizza, soulful jazz and blues music, or iconic sports teams hits, organizing a jet charter to Chicago will satisfy all of these needs handily.

In addition to the above mentioned attractions, the Windy City also has one of America’s most iconic skylines, including the Willis Tower, which was once the tallest building in the country.

Be sure to also stroll the Magnificent Mile, as it is home to one of the greatest concentrations of luxury shops in the United States.

2) Miami

If chasing warm weather at this time of year sounds like a much better idea to you, then a jet charter to Miami is what you should be shooting for.

Located just north of the Tropic of Cancer, this cosmopolitan city is home to people from all over Latin America and the world.

This gives this town a flavor that will call you back more than the fantastic beaches found up and down its coast.

Throughout South Beach, you’ll also find a world-class nightlife scene that will prove to be the perfect way to end a day spent soaking up all that Florida sunshine.

3) New York City

When it comes to exciting places in America, none can trump the attractions that can be found in the Big Apple.

Also referred to as The Crossroads of the World, New York City has given the world countless dishes, some of its most daring skyscrapers, and it has served as the USA’s welcome mat during the early days of immigration to this country.

Be sure to check out Midtown’s many world class restaurants, which give priceless views of this city’s brilliantly-lit up buildings at night. The prices may be high, but the chefs here deliver value that exceeds what you’ll pay for the dishes you’ll order here.

4) Los Angeles

What could be more baller than flying into Los Angeles, the home of Hollywood glitz and glamor, on a private jet?

With all the trappings of this center of showbiz, plus surfing beaches where legions of well-toned locals turn out on a nice day to show off their bodies, there will be plenty to do during the course of your stay.

November 10, 2016 by Jeremy

Exciting attractions at Walt Disney World that you can’t afford to miss

Space Mountain is one of the most Exciting attractions at Walt Disney World

Photo by CC user WillMcC on Wikimedia Commons

Heading out on holiday to Walt Disney World? While it is a dream destination for families everywhere, thrill seekers needn’t feel left out either, as there are plenty of rides that will feed their hunger for living on the edge.

So, if you are about to go on a once in a lifetime trip to Walt Disney World, here are some exciting attractions that you can’t afford to miss when you are down there…

1) Magic Kingdom – Space Mountain

Of the multiple parks that make up Walt Disney World, the Magic Kingdom is unquestionably the most popular, as it contains dozens of iconic experiences within its borders.

If you are looking for exciting though, no ride will trigger your adrenal glands quite like Space Mountain. Located in Tomorrowland, this thrilling roller coaster is contained within a futuristic dome that simulates what flying outer space would be like.

Complete with trippy lights and crazy sound effects, the speed of this ride is only enhanced by their presence, making this attraction one of the most popular at Walt Disney World.

2) EPCOT – World Showcase

Wonder how people live on the other side of the world? Find out without blowing thousands of dollars on plane tickets by visiting the pavilions of 11 countries at World Showcase.

Experience each of these nations through rides, immersive IMAX movies, and living history actors. Eat their food at themed restaurants, and buy their handicrafts that are representative of their culture in shops on site.

Each pavilion is distinct from the others, as its architecture and design does their part of the world justice.

3) Disney Hollywood Studios – The Great Movie Ride

If you can’t get enough of the movies, take things to the next level by immersing yourself within them. At Disney Hollywood Studios, you can do just that by buying a ticket for The Great Movie Ride.

Situated within a replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, this ride takes you within scenes from various film genres as you pass through a 1930’s era sound stage.

From Sigourney Weaver killing aliens to Chicago mobsters facing off against each other, you’ll never have such an in-your-face cinematic experience quite like this in your life.

4) Blizzard Beach – Summit Plummet

The blistering Florida sun can punish visitors to Walt Disney World from mid-spring to mid-fall, which will make you long for the blissful waters of your hotel pool halfway through the day.

Combine the pursuit of fun at Walt Disney World with cooling off by spending a day at Blizzard Beach. Adrenaline addicts will want to tick Summit Plummet off their list, as this extremely steep slide was the fastest one in the world when it opened in the 1990’s, so don’t chicken out.

Get it done and you can brag about it to your friends back home (you can even buy a shirt saying that you survived it).

June 20, 2016 by Jeremy

So You’re in LA for Just One Day…

You could fill an entire shelf with Los Angeles guidebooks, and spend countless hours reading blogs telling you what to see and do in Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the surrounding area. And if you’ve got a week or two to work with, that can be pretty helpful—but what if you’re only in LA for just one day? What if you essentially just have 24 hours to burn, perhaps between meetings or before jumping onto a plane to head somewhere else?

There’s obviously no shortage of attractions in the City of Angels. Your ideal day may not look much like the next person’s—but nevertheless, these quick suggestions may help you to make those 24 hours count.

Get Some Good—and Quick—Food

First, let’s get the culinary stuff out of the way. L.A. is one of the great food cities in the country, but if you’re just there for a day you may not want to spend two or three hours in a restaurant. Fortunately, the creativity of the L.A. food scene is by no means confined to five-star restaurants. Actually, some of the best food in town can be found from food trucks and in hole-in-the-wall restaurants.

Indeed, the L.A. food scene is as much about ethnic eccentricities, mini pizzas, and gourmet burger joints as anything elegant or fancy. Just spend some time on the streets seeking out a quick and creative venue with a decent-sized line, and you’ll probably be just fine.

Hollywood Staples

From there, you may be tempted to visit a museum or some other cultural spot—but really, if you’re just in L.A. for the day, you may be better off doing some of the fun Hollywood stuff you always see on TV. Start with the Walk of Fame, a great way to celebrate the city’s showbiz legacy and get an up-close-and-personal experience with a true L.A. landmark.

You can also take a trek up to the famous Hollywood sign, and perhaps even get a picture snapped in front of it. Griffith Park is probably the best way to get some good views, so try heading there.

Seeing Sights

If you want to condense the whole L.A. experience into just an hour or so, try taking a drive up Sunset Boulevard and Sunset Strip—a great way to see seedy old-time Hollywood, new Hollywood, lavish Beverly Hills homes, and basically everything else that makes L.A. what it is. It’s a fun and breezy drive that’s arguably more revealing than any historic tour you could take. You might even end your day at Santa Monica Pier—a lovely and culturally rich site in its own right, and a perfect capper to your day in L.A.

October 20, 2015 by Jeremy

3 Unique Times Square Stays

Times Square is home to one of the most electrifying atmospheres not only in the USA, but the entire world, with countless attractions and points of interest within a few minutes’ walk, and that means hotel rooms near this iconic landmark are some of the most desirable in the city. Travelers who do splurge on these premium stays expect unique amenities to distinguish their stay from a night anywhere else in the world, and these 3 options let visitors experience New York from an entirely unique angle. Here’s where to stay in Times Square for a the most memorable experience.

Langham Place

This Midtown Manhattan NYC hotel is situated on Fifth Avenue, making it convenient to Times Square as well as the legendary shopping district. Its fully appointed rooms feature espresso makers, iPod docking stations and mirror-mounted TVs as well as available in-room spa treatments, but the Langham’s most famous feature is Al Fiori, a restaurant known for its world-class Italian cuisine. Guests can also enjoy complimentary transport in a Maserati luxury car during their stay.

Kitano New York

The strong Japanese influence of this beautiful New York hotel is its most distinguishing feature, with its onsite gourmet restaurant Hakubai serving Japanese cuisine to travelers at lunch and dinner. Guests are greeted for their stay with traditional dressing gowns and slippers, and the hotel also offers a range of guest services from car rental to a babysitting service. Indeed, every aspect of the guest experience has been thoroughly considered, from the custom Eastern decor that graces each room to the heated Japanese-style toilets that ensure every moment at the hotel is spent in the utmost comfort.

Tryp Times Square

Tryp Times Square was once a humble Best Western hotel, undergoing a full scale renovation in early fall 2009 to become one of the trendiest hotels in Times Square. This hotel is known as much for its relatively low prices as its eclectic décor, boasting some of the most updated amenities and lowest prices in the area, and every room features a new flat-screen TV and other appliances to reflect its recent rebirth. Tryp even features a rooftop terrace to allow guest to take in the sights and sounds of the city from above.

Many visitors to New York fail to even consider the Times Square area as a possibility for accommodation, fearing the overly loud presentation might drown out the local culture. However, the boutique hotel revolution gives travelers options beyond the chain hotel, making their stay inside the room almost as compelling as their stay outside of it.