Author: Clara Whitmore

The best Christmas vacations for families in the US are Disney World and Universal in Orlando, Dollywood in the Smoky Mountains, New York City, the Biltmore estate in North Carolina and a Polar Express train ride in Arizona. These Christmas vacation ideas cover every budget, from affordable Christmas vacations for families in Branson and the Smokies to luxury trips to Hawaii. Most holiday events run from early November to early January, so you can go before Christmas week, when prices and crowds are lower. The best places to go for Christmas with kids at a glance DestinationWhy go2026 datesBudgetDisney World,…

The best things to do in Orlando go far beyond the theme parks: Kennedy Space Center, manatees at Blue Spring, airboat rides, Gatorland, the lakes of Winter Park and free evenings at Disney Springs. This list of things to do in Orlando, Florida, has 35 ideas in 4 groups: the top 10, free things, fun things and things to do when it rains. Prices are for 2026. Many of the best things to do in Orlando, FL, are free or cost less than a theme park ticket. The 10 best things to do in Orlando 1. Spend a day at…

This Disney World trip planner walks you through how to plan a trip to Disney World in the right order, from picking your dates to booking dining and Lightning Lane, plus what it all costs in 2026. How much is a trip to Disney World? For a family of 4, a 5-night trip with 4 park days usually costs about $4,500 to $5,500 before flights. A couple spends about $3,000 to $3,500. Disney World trip at a glance How many days4 park days, or 5 to 7 days with a rest day or UniversalCheapest timeLate August and SeptemberMost expensive timeChristmas…

Where to stay in Orlando depends on which parks you’re visiting. For a Disney trip, stay in the Disney World area; for Universal, stay at or near Universal; and for both, International Drive sits in the middle. Families who want space and a private pool often rent a vacation home in Kissimmee. Orlando hotels are cheaper than many big US cities. The cheapest rooms average about $124 a night, and the average room actually booked cost about $203 in 2025, before the 12.5% hotel tax. Where is the best area to stay in Orlando? AreaBest forPrice levelGetting to the parksDisney…

In this Universal Studios vs Disney World comparison, the short answer is: Disney World is better for families with young kids, and Universal is better for teens, adults and thrill-ride fans. Many families who plan a Disney Universal trip do both, about 20 minutes apart by car. Disney has 4 theme parks and 2 water parks. Universal has 3 theme parks, including Epic Universe, which opened in May 2025, plus a water park. Universal Studios vs Disney World comparison at a glance Disney WorldUniversal OrlandoTheme parks4: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom3: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Epic…

This Orlando travel guide covers what you need to know before you travel to Orlando: getting from the airport, choosing between Disney and Universal, picking a hotel area, whether a city pass is worth it, and filling days beyond the theme parks. Most families stay 5 to 7 days; adults on a short Orlando travel break can do a lot in 3 or 4. Orlando at a glance Best time to visitLate January–February, early May, and September–early NovemberHow long to stay5 to 7 days for families, 3 to 4 for adultsAirportOrlando International (MCO), about 25–35 minutes from Disney WorldTheme parks4…

Disney World Christmas runs from early November to early January in 2026. Magic Kingdom decorates overnight right after Halloween, 2 separately ticketed Christmas parties start in early November, and EPCOT’s holiday festival opens the day after Thanksgiving. The holiday season officially runs from November 13, 2026, to January 6, 2027. Christmas at Disney World is also 1 of the busiest times of the year, so the first 2 weeks of December are the best time to go. Disney World Christmas 2026 dates Event2026 datesTicketDecorations go up at Magic KingdomAround November 1Free with park ticketDisney Jollywood Nights (Hollywood Studios)15 nights, November…

New York food is famous for a handful of dishes that started with immigrant communities and became part of the city: the thin, foldable pizza slice, bagels with lox, pastrami on rye, cheesecake and the Coney Island hot dog. Most of them are cheap, fast and eaten standing up. This guide lists 15 foods NYC is known for and where to try each one, then the most famous restaurants for first-timers and the neighborhoods where NYC food lovers eat. What food is NYC known for? #FoodWhere to try it1A plain slice of New York pizzaJoe’s Pizza, Greenwich Village, since 19752Bagel…

Christmas in New York runs from early November to early January. The best NYC Christmas things to do are close together in Midtown: the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, the Fifth Avenue windows, the Rockettes at Radio City and the holiday shops in Bryant Park. The best time for a New York Christmas trip is the first 2 weeks of December. Everything is open and lit, and Christmas in New York City is less crowded and cheaper than in Christmas week. Christmas in New York 2026: key dates Event2026 datesBryant Park Winter Village holiday shopsOctober 28 – January 3, 2027Radio City…

How much money do I need for NYC? New York trip budget per person, per day (sharing a room) CostBudgetMid-rangeComfortableHotel (your half, with tax)$100–130$170–200$300+Food and drinks$40–50$80–100$150+Subway$5$6$6, plus taxisSights and shows$0–25$45–60$130+Total per day$150–200$300–350$600+ Traveling solo? You pay for the whole room, so add the other half of the hotel cost. A solo mid-range trip is closer to $450 a day. Trip to New York cost breakdown Hotels: the biggest cost WhenAverage nightly rate, before taxJanuary (cheapest)About $196Year-round averageAbout $336December (most expensive)About $541 New York adds about 14.75% plus $3.50 per room per night in taxes. On a $336 room, that’s about…