The beginning of summer marks the beginning of  warm weather, relaxation, working or vacation opportunities. Time opens up for a lot of students taking the summer off from classes. Here are some of the top vacation spots in the U.S. 

1. DisneyWorld in Orlando. This magical theme park brings the fantasy of the big screen to the real world and is one of the top theme parks in the world. You can visit one of the following theme parks located in DisneyWorld: Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Universal Studios.  This family friendly theme park is almost guaranteed to make memories that will last a lifetime. 

2. The Grand Canyon in Arizona. If you enjoy getting outdoors and being in nature, the Grand Canyon is the place for you. This natural landmark is one of the world’s greatest designs and simply cannot be given justice with pictures. You can also enjoy the various hiking spots and tourist attractions in the area. 

3.  Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. This mountain range extends from Tennessee to North Carolina and is a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains. The diversity of animal and plant life in the range is a sight to see. The morning fog that rises above the mountain peaks and settles in the valleys creates an etherial atmosphere. 

4. Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. This park sits atop an inactive volcano and exhibits lush forests, deep canyons, waterfalls, hot springs, and diverse wildlife. 

5. Destin, Florida. This city sits along the Florida panhandle and offers fresh seafood, a boardwalk experience, golf courses of varying sizes and of course a relaxing time at the beaches along the Gulf. 

6. Times Square in New York City. The hustle and bustle of the Big Apple can seem overwhelming at first but the skyscrapers, local restaurants, Broadway shows, shopping centers and tourist attractions. You can also visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum and the Statue of Liberty while in the area.

7. Branson, Missouri. This lively city offers live country music,  the Marvel Cave, Silver Dollar City, Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner, and various musicals and plays. This family friendly destination  offers fun for everyone, and there is always something to do. 

8. Space Needle in Seattle. The iconic 605 foot-tall structure  features a view of the city of Seattle from the top observation deck and a rotating restaurant. It is also just a minute walk from the  Chihuly Garden and Glass art museum and the Museum of Pop Culture.

Categories: Life