Celebrating New Year in the USA & Canada

New Years' Eve is the ultimate excuse for a party all around the world, and while things may be a little more muted again this year, there’s nothing to stop us planning a future New Year holiday in some of the most amazing spots across the USA & Canada.

Niagara Falls, Ontario

As a location, very few destinations can beat Niagara Falls. There are usually concerts set up throughout the area, which are free to attend, and fireworks, a great line up of musical guests and of course Niagara Falls lit up in her best colours, from Queen Victoria Park.

New Orleans, Louisiana 

New Orleans is known as a party city year-round, especially Mardi Gras in February and New Year’s Eve is no exception. Head to Jackson Square in the famed French Quarter where bands and entertainers play through the night, watch fireworks over the mighty Mississippi River and enjoy the afterparty at the bars and clubs up and down Bourbon Street.

Orlando, Florida

Spending New Years Eve at Disney World in Orlando is sure to be an experience unlike any other. Disney offers New Years Eve packages at many of their hotels, including the chance to watch the fireworks from California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and attending the celebrations at the Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn.

New York City, New York

New York’s infamous ‘ball drop’ is arguably the most iconic of the world’s New Years’ Eve celebrations. The tradition began in 1907 and, though it may be a little different this year, it usually attracts around a million visitors to the city. If you don’t fancy being in Times Square, there are many hotels which offer New Years’ packages, including The Knickerbocker, where you can watch the celebrations below from their rooftop.

Whitehorse, Yukon

What could be a more memorable way to bring in a New Year than by being with your loved ones, witnessing one of the most awe-inspiring natural phenomena, the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)? This could be your reality on a holiday to the Canadian territory of the Yukon.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Take part in a traditional luau on a New Years trip to Hawaii; an experience completely unique to the island state. A popular option is the Waikiki Starlight Luau at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Also worth considering is the ‘Party of the Year’ Aloha Tower Marketplace, where you’ll find rides, food trucks, DJs and live music before a firework display at midnight.

Las Vegas, Nevada

In Las Vegas, you could be forgiven for thinking that any night was a celebration, so on New Year, the city must do something special. In a ‘normal’ year, you would expect to find celebrity-hosted nightclub parties and world-class dinner shows. Many casinos also have firework displays at midnight that can be viewed from throughout the Strip.

Banff, Alberta

Banff is a staple winter destination, but have you considered celebrating New Year there? You can enjoy many winter activities, including some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world, dog sledding and ice skating. On the big night itself, watch fireworks and countdown to midnight with other revellers on Caribou Street.

Nashville, Tennessee

Music City Midnight is the centrepiece of celebrations in Nashville, featuring great, well-known musicians, before the city’s own icon ‘Music Note Drop’ of confetti cannons and of course, a firework display. For something a little different, you can also attend a New Years event at the famous Ryman Auditorium or of course, many of the city’s bars and clubs.

If you’d like to experience some of these New Year celebrations for yourself next year, we would love to help you plan a holiday to remember, please do get in touch at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Dark Sky Reserves in North America

Between them, the US and Canada boast more than 50 accredited Dark Sky Parks and Reserves; wilderness areas where light pollution is controlled and limited so that the true beauty of the night sky can be appreciated, making for some unforgettable memories and enviable photographs.

We’d love to tell you about some of our favourites …

Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Canyonlands National Park was designated a gold tier Dark Sky Park in 2015, joining the 4 other ‘Mighty Five’ national parks in the state: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Zion. Attend night sky ranger programs to learn more about the stars you’ll see and even look through a telescope to get a better look.

Big Bend National Park, Texas

Big Bend, in western Texas and close to the Mexico border, encompasses approximately 800,000 acres of the Chihuahuan Desert. Here, you’ll likely encounter few fellow tourists and even less light pollution. If you’d rather not explore alone, join a guided moonlight walk with a park ranger.

Death Valley National Park, California & Nevada 

America’s hottest and driest national park sits across the California-Nevada state line. Not only does exploring the park at night make for a cooler experience, but it also means the opportunity to see thousands of stars with the naked eye. It is recommended that visiting during a new moon will enhance your visit even further and there is a Dark Sky Festival held here every spring.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Few destinations evoke imagery quite like the Grand Canyon. While the views during the day are extraordinary, the dark skies make it well worth looking up too. You may be lucky enough to see a meteor shower, star cloud or even catch a glimpse of Saturn or Jupiter.

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

Great Sand Dunes is affectionally known as America’s sandbox, but much of the park’s beauty is seen after dark. The neighbouring Sangre de Cristo mountains shelter the park from nearby light pollution, making near perfect conditions for viewing up to 15,000 stars.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

Joshua Tree’s distance from any major city means that it is one of the best places in the world to go stargazing. For the best conditions, visit between April and September, make your way to the east of the park (where the closest source of light pollution, Phoenix, is about 300 miles away), and try to visit alongside a new moon.

Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Alberta & Montana

Waterton-Glacier is special, not just for its dark sky status but also because the park straddles an international border between Montana in the US and Alberta in Canada. The best spots for stargazing, according to park rangers, include Cameron Bay, which is just walking distance from town, the Red Rock Parkway, and the Bison Paddock Overlook, which shows off the prairie’s skies in all their glory.

Terra Nova National Park, Newfoundland

Terra Nova became Canada’s 20^th Dark Sky Preserve in 2018 and Parks Canada recommends four key destinations within the park for the best views. Sandy Pond is thought to have the darkest skies in the area; Ochre Hill was originally used as a fire-watch station and is now a great place for panoramic views, Blue Hill is the tallest point in the park and at the Visitor Centre you can get a great view of the stars reflected in the water of Newman Sound.

Jasper National Park, Alberta

At 11,000 square kilometres, Jasper is the second largest Dark Sky Reserve in the world. It hosts the Annual Jasper Dark Sky Festival every October, which includes talks from prominent star-gazers and events including ‘Symphony Under the Stars’.

Fundy National Park, New Brunswick

As well as being a certified Dark Sky area, Fundy National Park is known for having the highest tides in the world. To combine the beauty of the tides with the night sky, try to visit during the first or last quarter of the moon to really appreciate the movement of the water at night.

Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia

At Kejimkujik National Park, join a telescope stargazing session if you visit in summer, at a purpose-built aboriginal ‘Sky Circle’, enhancing your appreciation of the night sky. As well as the stunning skies, the darkness will also mean that nocturnal animals such as bears and coyotes aren’t bothered by human lights, so will be much more active than in other, more polluted areas.

If you would love to visit any of these amazing dark sky areas with your family and friends, please contact us, we would love to help you plan an unforgettable star-gazing experience.

The Spookiest Haunted Houses of North America

A Touch of Luxury ... at Home

Since we are all spending more time at home, we thought we would share with you some of the best hotels in the UK, as voted for by the readers of Conde Nast Traveller. From the Highlands of Scotland to Land’s End, you do not have to go aboard to enjoy a touch of luxury!

LONDON - The Dorchester

Located in London’s West End, the hotel has large, comfortable rooms decorated in an English country house style and décor that brings the outside, in. While away an afternoon people watching from the Promenade Restaurant and make sure to enjoy the afternoon tea before you check out!

THE COTSWOLDS - Dormy House

A converted farmhouse decorated in a sleek, contemporary style, it boasts good food, excellent service, and a truly fantastic spa. Some of the rooms, in the older farmhouse section of the hotel, have a cosier atmosphere while rooms in the newer parts of the property offer spacious, modern rooms.

HAMPSHIRE - Heckfield Place 

Set on 430 acres of Hampshire countryside, this Georgian manor has 45 rooms which boasts original features such as fireplaces and chandeliers as well as modern touches in the room accessories and art. The hotel also has its own farm, which provide two restaurants with fresh ingredients.

DORSET - Summer Lodge Country House Hotel

This hotel, located in the depths of the Dorset countryside was original built to plans drawn up by the author Thomas Hardy in 1893. It has since been modernised by still boasts four acres of manicured gardens as well as swimming pool, spa, and restaurant.

YORKSHIRE - Grantley Hall

Grantley Hall is a cosy property with touches of contemporary design, set on 38 acres of the North Yorkshire countryside. It has recently received an extensive refurbishment and now has state-of-the-art facilities, including a cryotherapy chamber, underwater treadmill, and spin classes in an altitude-adjustable studio.

MANCHESTER - Hotel Brooklyn

Opened in 2020, The Brooklyn might be Manchester’s newest and coolest hotel. The lobby features a drive-in style film projector and guests check themselves in on iPads. The rooms are decorated in a modern style with floor to ceiling windows and there are wildflowers on terraces to attract bees.

SOMERSET - The Newt

The Newt is made up of a Georgian mansion and converted outbuildings, all of which are individually decorated; the stable rooms even have quirky beds in the stalls. The land surrounding the hotel, including woods, orchards, and a deer park, is open to guests to wander. They also have a chef’s garden, which produces some of the best food in the area.

GUERNSEY - The Duke of Richmond

The Duke is arguably Guernsey’s grandest hotel, with fantastic views across the sea and an outdoor pool during the summer. The rooms are large and beautifully decorated. The biggest draw though is the Leopard Bar & Restaurant, which takes its name from its décor and serves incredible fresh seafood.

THE HIGHLANDS - The Torridon

Located 50 miles west of Inverness on the banks of Loch Torridon, The Torridon is a former shooting lodge dating back to 1887. The interior has been lovingly restored but remains in keeping with its history and stunning surroundings, including a pine-panelled whiskey bar, which has an option for every day of the year.

THE LAKE DISTRICT - The Linthwaite

A black-and-white-gabled Edwardian mansion in the Lake District, it is within walking distance of Bowness-on-Windermere, which means it offers amazing views, and is surrounded by 14 acres of landscaped gardens. The restaurant and bar have a great reputation too, especially the South African-dominated wine list, inspired by the property’s owners.

If you would love to visit any of these amazing hotels with your family and friends, please contact us, we would love to help you plan an unforgettable UK break!