USA Travel Guide

It’s that time again. Time to pack the suitcase with tragic snowman sweaters. Time to rifle through the medicine cabinet to find that old bottle of Xanax. Time to stock up on weapons-grade Purell. Yep. It’s time to travel for the holidays.

At USA Travel Guide, we don’t peddle false hope. Even the best laid plans can go asunder in the face of crippling weather and the unpredictable masses. However, there are some simple, easy and worthwhile steps you can take to alleviate and even avoid the stresses of holiday travel. From Thanksgiving vacations to Christmas gatherings, take advantage of these Holiday Travel Tips.

Home Sweet Home
It’s funny that we call it “going home” for the holidays. Most people actually leave their homes. Leave them unprotected that is. Here’s a little pre-trip prep.

• Traveling families means empty houses, which burglars see as an open invitation. Avoid the signs of abandonment by having someone pick up your mail and newspaper regularly.
• Timed lighting will help to give your house an occupied appearance.
• Don’t go blabbing about your trip to anyone you don’t trust. This includes putting silly out-of-town messages on your answering machine, voicemail or email.
• Naturally, you’ll want to double-check every last lock.
• Unplug unneeded appliances. This reduces electricity usage and the chance of fire.
• Print out all necessary maps and travel information early. Don’t get slammed by a finicky printer the morning out.

Leader of the Pack
You’re leaving for all of three days, so why are you packing four suitcases? The experts will tell you, that’s not the way to go.

• Pack light. Checking baggage is more expensive than ever, and lost baggage claims go up during the holidays. Avoid both problems by minimizing your use of checked baggage.
• Ship gifts before you travel, rather than carrying them. It’s safer, often less expensive, and when purchasing gifts online, it’s easy as can be.
• Leave gifts unwrapped when flying. Security staff scrutinize concealed items. Chances are your delicately wrapped Twilight box set will be opened before Christmas morning.
• Don’t put your address on the outside of your luggage. You know what a luggage tag says to the unscrupulous? “I’m not home!”. Place tags and identification inside instead.
• Bring a collapsible bag, ideal for the (hopefully) heavier load on the return trip.

Flight Plan
Unless you’re in a movie, you’re probably not going to have one of those disastrous Thanksgiving dinners where we learn horrible secrets about everybody. No, your grief will almost certainly erupt at the airport.

• Book early to save money, and print boarding passes online to save time.
• There’s no upside to parking at the airport. Get a friend to drop you off if possible.
• Arrive early. Always a good idea, but even more so during the holidays. Lines are longer, baggage moves slower; hedge your bets by arriving early.
• Connecting flights are the bogeyman of holiday travel. Morning flights tend to get out okay, but somehow midday connects just can’t get it together. If you must use a connecting flight, leave plenty of space between arrival and departure, 45 minutes at least.
• Timing is everything. For fewer crowds, fly out early or late. 9:00 a.m. – noon is the worst time to go to the airport during the holidays.
• Timing is everything part 2. What day you travel makes a big difference in price and crowds. If it ever fits your schedule to travel on the holiday, do it! Otherwise, avoid the day just before. For Thanksgiving, the preceding Wednesday is a terrible day, but the Monday and Tuesday are usually okay.
• Look to alternate airports. Crowds are often smaller at secondary airports.
• Just as you were dropped off, try to be picked up if possible. Failing that, embrace public transportation as a cheap, eco-friendly option.
• Don’t wait, utilize. Waiting is only a burden when it feels like waiting. Come prepared to make the most of unexpected delays. Been meaning to read a book? Been meaning to write a book? Take advantage of the time you’ve been given.

Driving Directions
I love to drive. The open road, tunes blasting, awesome sights, freedom. During the holidays, though, it’s a whole other story.

• Print all necessary maps and double-check them. Ask someone at your destination about construction, inclement weather conditions or any other idiosyncrasies that Google and MapQuest may not report.
• Check tires, oil, lights and fluids to stem possible roadside ruin.
• Joining a roadside assistance club like AAA is never a bad idea.
• Hide the goods. Nothing invites a smash-and-grab like a colorfully-wrapped, iPhone-sized box. Keep as many items out of view as possible.
• As you approach the bigger cities, there will be traffic. Make it better on yourself and others by driving courteously.
• Don’t hurry. After all, what’s the big rush? All of this “no bathroom breaks”, “we’re not stopping” nonsense has got to stop. Enjoy the trip. Bring a few new CDs, get Harry Potter on tape, sing along with the Spiceworld soundtrack. Just have fun! 

There you have it. Some simple holiday travel tips for making your trip, while not a treat, at least not so much of a chore. Be safe and have fun!

Hard to believe we’ve been doing all these haunted house stories and haven’t yet traveled to New Orleans. This multicultural mélange of architectures, lifestyles, beliefs and generations is maybe the most active destination in the country. It’s an ideal place to find top-quality haunted attractions and, if you like, perhaps something much more real.

Haunted hotels in New Orleans are particularly common, with more than twelve in the city limits widely accepted to be haunted. We don’t have time for them all today, but in honor of the season, here are five of our favorite Haunted Hotels in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Hotel Monteleone
A regular on even national lists, Hotel Monteleone is a New Orleans French Quarter landmark, with a history dating back to the 1880s. Its incredible edifice and elegant halls have attracted eras of celebrities, authors, politicians, filmmakers and, yes, even ghosts. Stories run the gamut, from the fading apparition of an ancient clockmaker to a door that opens and shuts despite all efforts to lock it. Few stories speak of hauntings in the rooms, however, so sleep soundly and enjoy a marvelous building.

Dauphine Orleans Hotel
From the burnt orange façade to the wrought iron balconies to the French flag cresting meekly in the wind, this place just looks haunted. It’s everything you want it to be. Like most haunted buildings, Dauphine Orleans Hotel’s history goes back, as far back as 1775, in fact, when records explain the construction of the properties oldest sections. The former bordello still manages to keep guests up at night, only now it’s the ghostly moan of an unoccupied room that fills the halls. Make sure you keep your essentials on hand, as doors tend to inexplicably lock themselves.

Hotel Provincial
This charming French Quarter hotel used to be a hospital. And not just any hospital – a wartime hospital. During the American Civil War, confederate soldiers arrived, suffered and in many cases died in rooms all throughout the older portions of the property.

At this point, anyone who steps foot at Hotel Provincial is asking for it, and that’s a good thing! Reams of stories paint the Provincials history in gorgeous detail. Tales range from Confederate soldiers roaming the halls and grabbing at guests to appearing and disappearing blood stains.

Lafitte Guest House
For me, the smaller, the creepier. Lafitte Guest House is a 14-room Civil War-era mansion gives each guest the experience of owning a private villa in the heart of the French Quarter. Just don’t be surprised when the ghosts don’t obey that privacy. Young “Marie”, who allegedly died of yellow fever in Room 21 the mid-1800s, is popularly thought to roam the halls, flipping light switches as she goes. Meanwhile, her distraught mother can still be heard crying from time to time.

Le Pavilion Hotel
From remarkably ornate statues and flourishes to the rare marble washtub in the Palace Suite (a one-time gift from Napoleon himself), Le Pavilion Hotel blends history with sheer magnificence. After all, any hotel that serves free peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and hot cocoa every night is a hotel dedicated truly to the promise of comfort and hospitality.

It’s so nice, in fact, that even the dead won’t leave. Unexplained noises, apparitions of an older gray-haired lady and stories of bed sheets tugged off the bed are only a few of the experiences reported by guests over the years.

There you have it: five exceptional haunted hotels in New Orleans.

Of course, we understand that you may also want to stay in New Orleans more affordably and without the nagging sensation that you’re being watched every time you walk down the hall. For that, we have two great suggestions: 

• Chateau LeMoyne
• Holiday Inn French Quarter Hotel 

Both hotels are located in the French Quarter (in walking distance to most of the others, actually) and offer low-end rates. The unique Chateau LeMoyne even offers the boutique feel of New Orleans luxury properties at a reasonable cost.

All over the country, the scare-tainment season will officially kick off over the next few days. Here at USA Travel Guide, we thought, what better time to release our list of the Top 13 Haunted Houses in America!

What are we looking for? Obviously, fright is the number one thing. Any haunted house, scare park, or haunted attraction that delivers true terror deserves the adoration of scare-fans everyone, because that’s no easy thing to pull off. So difficult, in fact, that we can’t base our list on scares alone.

We’ve also taken into consideration the design, both set and creature, the variety, the guest value, the creativity of the haunt and for me personally, the story. We’re looking for more than a cheap thrill. We want to be taken on a journey. Follow our picks below, and that’s just what you’ll get.

Find below our pick for Best Haunted House of 2009 as well as the 12 runners-up in no particular order. Please enjoy our Top 13 Haunted Houses in America.

The #1 Haunted House of 2009

The Darkness in St. Louis, Missouri
The Darkness is kind of a big deal. This 2 million-dollar haunted attraction features beyond-Hollywood quality set work, fifty live actors and more than one hundred animated monsters in a massive complex. The Darkness does things at a remarkable scale, with a kitchen-sink approach segueing one fascinating room to the next. Surprisingly, the results are demonically delicious and not the least bit tame, commercial or “Hollywoody”. After collecting your calm, you’ll understand why The Darkness continues to rake in the awards after 15 years of frightful success.

September 18 – October 31; days vary. Web site.

The 12 Runners-Up (in no particular order)

Terror Behind the Walls in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Located in the decommissioned Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, PA, Terror Behind the Walls is definitely one of the top haunted houses in America. Out of season, the prison is already notorious for hauntings and being the one-time home of gangster Al Capone. Special Halloween programming only ratchets up the terror, putting the naturally frightening environment to devilish good work. Our favorite attraction is “Night Watch” a super-intense stroll with only your flashlight to lead the way.

September 18 – November 7; days vary. Web site.

Erebus Haunted House in Pontiac, Michigan
Boy do they line up for this one! Erebus in Pontiac, Michigan is perhaps best known for its sheer enormity. In 2005, the 4-story, single haunt attraction was recognized as the world’s largest walk-through haunted house by the Guinness Book of World Records (this record was later stolen by Cutting Edge in Fort Worth, Texas). Incredible effects stand out the most, drenching every last scare room in gory detail.

September 25 – November 1; days vary. Web site.

Cutting Edge Haunted House in Fort Worth, Texas
Almost as soon as it had come, the “World’s Largest Haunted House” moniker left Pontiac and came down to Dallas-Fort Worth and Cutting Edge Haunted House. Despite the immense size (235,000 sq. ft.), Cutting Edge doesn’t use too many over-the-top antics, instead relying on classic scare-tactics like atmosphere and good design. Unusual among professional haunts, Cutting Edge encourages guests to wear costumes. Definitely not for the snake-averse.

September 5 – November 13; days vary. Web site.

Bates Motel in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania
While the Bates Motel haunted house is good for a scare or ten, it’s actually the twenty-minute haunted hayride that beckons guests back year after year. Always changing, always getting better, this may be the best and certainly the scariest haunted hayride in the country. While the awesome sets and ghoulish characters offer plenty a disturbing sight, the safety of the format makes this a perfect option for kids and squeamish adults alike. The haunted corn maze is also worth a walk, because as we all know, corn is scary.

October 2 – November 1; days vary. Web site.

Asylum & Hotel Fear in Las Vegas, Nevada
An ideal example of the story-driven scare. Asylum and Hotel Fear, hosted at the same location for the first time in 2009, each tells the story of Mortimer Feoray, troubled child turned madman. Visit the subject’s former home at Hotel Fear, then experience his new “haunt” at the Asylum. The settings have creep-factor to spare, and it’s fun to see two entirely unique houses reveal unexpected connections over the course of your night. Doubtless two of the best haunted houses in Las Vegas.

October 1 – November 1; days vary. Web site.

House of Shock in New Orleans, Louisiana
Going from your average haunted attraction to the House of Shock in New Orleans is like going from Papa Roach to Cannibal Corpse. Fire, freaks, blood, pentagrams, devil-worship – House of Shock goes there, and it’s got the reputation to prove it. The actual house is terrible in all the best ways, with an affronting, in-your-face style that goes further than most (and may put off some). Unique also is the pyro-erotic (pyrotic?) stage show featuring fire, stunts and more fire. A freak sideshow only adds to the otherworldly appeal.

October 2 – 31; days vary. Web site.

USS Nightmare in Newport, Kentucky
The official slogan of the USS Nightmare is “Prepare to Have the Ship Scared Out of You”. Does that even qualify as a pun? Levity aside, building a haunted maze into a real-life steamboat proves a killer idea. The imagery and atmosphere of the USS Nightmare is unsettling, but not too gruesome, making it one of the best haunted houses in America for families. Be sure to read the story of ship on the Web site before you go to get yourself in the proper mood.

September 21 – November 1; days vary. Web site.

Netherworld Haunted House in Atlanta, Georgia
Not for the faint of heart, Netherworld offers two super-intense haunted attractions, both of which deliver that all-important thing: terror! We like a lot of these attractions for a lot of different reasons, and we like Netherworld because it is truly scary. Masterfully crafted sets emphasize just the right details, the kind of horror that can shake you to the bones with just a glimpse. And a glimpse is often all you will get, as both attractions are very dark. Arrive early to avoid the lines. Like ravenous zombies, people show up for this one in hordes.

September 25 – November 14; days vary. Web site.

Dreamreapers in Melrose Park, Illinois
If you’re in the mood for a little Chi-town terror, then Dreamreapers is the place to go. While they do use hi-tech wizardry from time to time, Dreamreapers actually has an old-school vibe that we really get into. The scares are based on performance and misdirection, not always the most impressive gadget. Unusually, Dreamreapers features scented rooms, transporting the mind’s eye to unseen nightmares all the more unnerving.

September 25 – October 31; days vary. Web site.

13^th Gate Haunted House in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Another easy choice for our top haunted houses in America. The folks at Midnight Productions are professional scare-meisters who spend all year dreaming up, and building, new ways to scare the crap out of you. The best of their best ideas make it into the 13^th Gate, a lengthy journey through 13 themed zones aimed at everyone’s worst nightmares. While there is plenty of ghoulish blood-letting to be had, 13^th Gate is particularly adept at exploiting your natural fears, from claustrophobia to live snakes and bugs to so many others. For even more fun, show up on any post-Halloween date to experience the entire attraction gone dark. Only weak LED flashlights guide you through the dark.

September 24 – November 13; days vary. Web site.

7 Floors of Hell in Cleveland, Ohio
Don’t jump to conclusions based on the name. This is not the haunted house that gives you your money back if you make it to the top. That place doesn’t exist, because it would go out of business two days into its first season. However, 7 Floors of Hell is an incredible seven haunted attractions offered at one very reasonable combo price (seriously, they are undercharging). Every house offers a new theme – zombies, human butchery, dark magic – and a new kind of terror. 7 Floors of Hell is a great deal, a great night and one of the best haunted houses in America.

September 25 – October 31; days vary. Web site.

The Beast & The Edge of Hell in Kansas City, Missouri
You’ll pay for the combo ticket, and we just hope you have the fortitude to queue up for that second haunt. The Beast & The Edge of Hell in Kansas City, Missouri scare up a good time on a huge scale. Both attractions are large enough to fit several average haunted houses inside, and fortunately for you, with big digs come big frights. Along with spooky set work and menacing monsters, both The Edge of Hell and The Beast incorporate live animals in the show. In fact, The Edge of Hell is quite possibly the world’s scariest zoo, and The Beast is just one of the top Halloween attractions period.

September 4 – November 1; days vary. Web site.

There, enough bloodcurdling horror to shake you right out of your boots. Please let us know what your think of our Top 13 Haunted Houses in America in the comments below. And please, recommend your favorites for the best haunted houses in America.

Let’s all work together to make this season a real Shocktober!

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Have fun out there, and now do it for less than ever before.

We’ve made no secret our love of Charleston, South Carolina here at USA Travel Guide. In the past we’ve referred to the Palmetto City as “quaint yet dynamic”, “historic yet modern”, “romantic”, “authentic”, “hospitable”, “romantic”, “unpretentious”, “approachable” and “graceful”.

We can encourage you to go there, and we have many times, but alas we can’t actually take you there. For that reason, we’ve chosen to go off-topic and talk about someone who can. Beloved South Carolina novelist Pat Conroy returns after 14 long years with his fifth novel, South of Broad, a sprawling narrative of family and friends and a stirring love letter to Charleston.

Since his first novel, 1976’s acclaimed The Great Santini, Pat Conroy’s works have displayed an evocative sense of place, whether New York City or Savannah, but none come to life as Charleston does in South of Broad. As the plot stretches over decades, from the 1960s to the 90s, the city grows, ages and changes along with the characters.

Only out for three days, South of Broad is already bringing rave reviews from Conroy’s longtime fans, and it’s sure to win new ones with every read. You can buy the book here.

You can experience Charleston through the mind of Pat Conroy (which you should), or you can see it for yourself (which you should). An authentic Charleston travel experience for us must include the famous Mills House Hotel. The historic property is a Charleston landmark, opened over 150 years ago. There’s other stuff, too, but we’re hotel people. That’s what we do.

Digression over. Check back in tomorrow for more travel goodness.

We’re back and just in time for summer with our list of the 10 Best Amusement Parks in America as voted on by the travel enthusiasts here at USA Travel Guide with a little help from our readers. From Pennsylvania to Florida to California, we’re spanning the nation and listing top picks all along the way.

For this list we considered amusement and theme parks of any size. Waterparks are also in the running (and one did quite well), however we have chosen to exclude animal-focused parks, as many of these were eligible in our last list, the Top Ten Zoos in America.

What did it take to make the list? Above all else: rides! We looked for a variety of rides, both type and age level, and as thrill fans ourselves, we turned a caring eye to roller coasters. Beyond that, we weighted shows, concessions, quality and cleanliness of facilities, helpfulness of staff, kid-friendliness, customer value and the overall look of the park into the mix. In the case of multi-parks, these are treated as one as long as a reasonable multi-park ticket option is in place.

And now, the 10 Best Amusement Parks in America!

#10 – Legoland in Carlsbad, California

If you’re anything like me, then Legos are something you never grow out of entirely. You don’t have to build something everyday, but you’d much rather see a sculpture made of Legos than boring old marble or stone. Legoland California in Carlsbad, CA is for people like that, well, and for kids of any age. Legoland California stretches its alluring, nostalgic theme over 50 rides, shows and attractions that are friendly to younger children and consistently fun for all. All nine sections have plenty to see and do, but for Lego buffs like me, the favorite has to be Miniland USA. Here you’ll see stunningly accurate Lego models of New York City, San Francisco, Washington D.C. and many others.

Ride intensity and height requirements skew smaller at Legoland California, so this is a great park for kids.

Legoland is open year-round with varying hours and blackout days. Web site.

#9 – Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois

Six Flags is a dependable brand for thrill-lovers needing a little mid-summer fun, and at the top of the pack we like Chicago’s own Six Flags Great America. With nearly 70 rides to enjoy, including 10 adult coasters, there’s no shortage of options here for anyone who loves classic amusement park entertainment. Must-rides include last year’s addition, The Dark Knight, the park’s first indoor and part-dark coaster, and the famous Raging Bull, a massive steel “hyper-twister” and frequent award winner. Park admission also includes access to Hurricane Harbor, the adjacent waterpark.

Seasonal calendar runs May to October with varying hours/days. Web site.

#8 – Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania

With the installation of a swimming pool, a steam-powered carousel and a few picnic tables in 1926, Knoebels Amusement Resort humbly began, and it has since evolved day by day into a historic park with plenty to love and personality to spare. Proclaiming itself, “America’s Largest Free Admission Park”, Knoebels offers free admission and parking, with rides available either a la carte (about $0.75 – $4.00/ride) or through an all-day pass ($29.50 – $37.00). Currently projected to open in June 2009 is Flying Turns, the only wooden bobsled roller coaster in America.

Knoebels is an Amusement Today Golden Ticket winner for Best Food for seven years running now. There are several great restaurants, both sit-down and counter-style, but we prefer the flagship choice: The Alamo. Campgrounds are also available.

Seasonal calendar runs May to September with varying hours/days. Web site.

#7 – Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida

Having seen countless end-caps on Nickelodeon featuring the iconic Universal Studios Globe as a child, this Orlando, Florida juggernaut was always more exciting to me than Disneyland or Six Flags. When I finally saw it for myself, it did not disappoint! With more entertainment than you can experience in a whole week across two large parks and the retail-centric CityWalk, the Universal Orlando Resort is simply a lifetime must. At this theme park, rides and attractions are based on popular movie and TV show properties, including Shrek, Men in Black, The Mummy, Terminator, Jaws (a classic, as always) and so on. The new The Simpsons Ride^TM is just awesome!

Even more exciting for thrill fans is the sister park, Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Separated into five sections, or islands, this park takes guests on a journey through the world of Marvel super heroes, Dr. Seuss, Jurassic Park and others.

Both parks open daily with hours varying by season. 2-park tickets available. Web site.

#6 – Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia

With a full roster of past awards to place upon its mantle, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is one of the most beloved theme parks in America, and it makes our list easy. Most apparent about Busch Gardens Williamsburg is the sheer beauty of the park. Well-maintained with a unique design, this place is almost as fun to walk as it is to ride. The ten sections, or hamlets, are inspired by countries in Europe, from Scotland to Germany, and the quality of the theme décor never fails to impress.

Nor do the rides, especially the Griffon, the world’s tallest and fastest dive machine coaster. We also like the shows here in particular, many of them inspired by the “countries” that present them.

Seasonal hours from April to October. Regular admission tickets function as season tickets until September 7, 2009. Web site.

#5 – Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California

For hundreds of thousands of theme park fans, Disneyland could never be anything but #1, but even in fifth position there’s no question that Disneyland Park and the larger resort, with 20 million annual visitors combined, is simply one of the best. Disneyland Park, the original opened by Walt Disney himself in 1955, is visited by more than 14 million guests every year, the second most of any theme park in the world, and you can bet that this jam-packed park has something for them all.

So much of what makes Disney theme parks famous started at Disneyland: the monorail, It’s a Small World, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Haunted Mansion, The Matterhorn, true classics! Today, the exploration is near endless with Disneyland Park, Disney’s California Adventure and Downtown Disney to discover. More than a park, Disneyland is a cultural rite of passage.

Hours vary by season. Park Hopper® tickets available. Learn more.

4. Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, Texas

You didn’t think we were going to leave our home state in the lurch, did you? Not a chance! The only waterpark to make the list, and easily our favorite, is Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort in New Braunfels, Texas. Featuring three incredible parks (for one admission), 40+ rides, 17 slides, nine tube chutes, uphill water coasters, three lazy rivers and more than three miles of tube rides, Schlitterbahn is simply massive, and the variety is staggering.

The original park, Schlitterbahn West, is the place to find the classic tube chutes and it remains our favorites to this day. In the newest park, Blastenhoff, you’ll find the Master Blaster, the uphill water roller coaster that everyone should give at least one ride. Unusual these days, Schlitterbahn still allows guest to bring their own concessions, but they request no alcohol or glass.

Open late May to September, hours vary. Learn more.

3. King’s Island in Mason, Ohio

At this point, it really gets tough. King’s Island started much lower on the list, but as the debate raged back and forth it crawled higher and higher on one simple fact: this is a good, old-fashioned, pretension-free, no guff, no gimmicks thrill-park.

It’s also humongous, with 364 acres of park grounds boasting over 80 rides and attractions. Coaster-enthusiasts take note: this is the kind of park for you! King’s Island features 15 roller coasters including Beast, the world’s longest wooden roller coaster, and Son of Beast, the world’s fastest and tallest wooden roller coaster. The 2009 addition, Diamondback, is causing quite a stir already, so we can’t wait to get up there again to check it out.

King’s Island also features an admission-included waterpark and multi-award-winning Kid’s park called Nickelodeon Universe.

Daily hours from late May to September. Learn more.

2. Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida

What isn’t there to say about Disney World? The largest, most-attended recreational complex in the world and home to some of the most iconic landmarks and imagery on the planet, Walt Disney World is an American pastime. You can call it expensive, you can call it corporate, but you can’t deny to sense of wonder that greets you at every turn.

The Disney World Resort is a collection of four theme parks and numerous other attractions like waterparks, shopping districts, concert venues and restaurants. The original park, and still the most popular to this day, is the Magic Kingdom, home of the world-famous Cinderella Castle and Main Street U.S.A. where the dazzling parades thrill the little ones and ignite the nostalgia of parents every day of the year. Guests also owe it to themselves to visit Epcot, unmistakable for its flagship attraction and landmark, Spaceship Earth. Though it wasn’t eligible for this list, Disney’s Animal Kingdom was one of our Top 10 Zoos in America.

Open year-round, seasonal hours. Park Hopper® tickets available. Learn more.

1. Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio

We had to go all the way to Ohio to find it, but it was well worth the trip. At 364-acres with 75 rides, ten shows, a water park and seventeen roller coasters, Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio packs more thrills per square foot than anywhere else on the planet, and that makes it our choice for the very best amusement park in America. Among the 17 coasters, the most of any park on Earth, you’ll find several notable must-rides. Magnum XL-200 was once the tallest and fastest steel coaster in the world. Mean Streak is surely one of the most visually arresting wooden coasters we’ve seen. And with its astonishing 120-mph, 400-ft. 90-degree drop, the Top Thrill Dragster separates the thrill-maniacs from everyone else in only 17 seconds!

If you’re heart needs a rest, settle into the audience for one of several award-winning shows, all brimming with good tunes and good laughs without too much cheese. Cedar Point has an adjacent waterpark, Soak City, available with either separate admission or with a combo ticket, not that the main park won’t have enough for you to do.

Daily hours last from late May to early September. Combo tickets available. Learn more.

There you have it! The 10 best amusement parks in America! There’s nothing else to wait for, so get out there and make it an unforgettable summer!

This is hardly a fun way to end the week, but whatever strange Friday post I would usually write surely pales in comparison to a global pandemic. If you must travel in the near future, please be advised of the following Swine Flu Travel Tips for Mexico and General Travel.

(This document is compiled from several sources, including the New York Times, Consumer Reports and the CDC.)

First Things First – The Symptoms of Swine Flu

Swine Flu presents with much the same symptoms as seasonal influenza. If you contract Swine Influenza, you may develop any combination of the following conditions:

• Sore throat
• Cough
• Stuffy nose
• Chills
• Fever (greater than 100ºF)
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Body aches
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• A worsening of preexisting conditions
• A wicked case of the unhuggables

If you begin to show any of these symptoms, follow general flu procedures: 

• Avoid unnecessary travel/contact
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Consult a physician

If Possible, Don’t Travel to Mexico

Don’t travel if you don’t have to. The CDC currently advises the avoidance of all nonessential travel to Mexico. Due to this and the general circumstances, many travel companies, airlines and even travel agents are discounting or waiving cancellation fees, so don’t feel like you have to go just because you’ve already made the reservation. For more information on this, and tips for battling those cancellation fees, see this article.

Before Traveling to an Area with Reported Swine Flu Cases

If you have to make the trip or have otherwise decided that you’re going gosh darn it, a little smart, easy preparation is essential for your safety. 

• Preventative use of antiviral medication is advised for the elderly, young, those with chronic medical conditions, border workers, medical workers, or really anyone traveling to an area with reported cases of Swine Flu.
• Tamiflu® and Relenza® are the only medications recommended by the CDC for the prevention of Swine Influenza. Both are prescription-only drugs.
• Prepare a healthy travel kit including the following:
  • Prescription medicines
  • Antiviral medication
  • Anti-diarrheal medication
  • Insect repellant (containing DEET)
  • Sunscreen
  • Antibacterial hand wipes or alcohol-based hand sanitizer*
  • General first aid supplies, bandages, thermometer and the like
• Identify possible health resources at your destination such as hospitals and clinics.
• Ascertain the viability of your health insurance at your destination. If necessary, purchase additional insurance for the duration of your trip.
• Stop, now, think hard: do you really have to go?

*Remember: Antibacterial gels and sanitizing solutions do not replace good old-fashioned hand washing with soap and water. In fact, the use of antibacterial products is a large contributing factor to disease resiliency. While these products are recommended in extreme cases such as this, people that swear by the stuff every day are just asking for it. Not to mention, they’re hurting the planet.

During Your Trip

Well, you’ve gone and done it. You’ve found yourself smack dab in the middle of the Swine Flu monsoon. But don’t worry. Instead, be smart. 

• The easiest tip, and the one least often followed, is to simply obey the law. I know you’re really excited about this beach or that park, but everything that’s closed is closed for a reason. Always follow all public health guidelines and respect restricted areas. It is possible (and legal) for local authorities to request you stay in your hotel room or even leave the country if they suspect you are a threat.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water often (hot as you can stand).
• Cover your mouth with a tissue or sleeve when you cough, not your hand. Didn’t your mother teach you anything?
• Avoid sick people. Not because you will get sick, but because they are icky.
• If you feel sick, seek medical attention. Don’t act all tough and proud, and don’t harbor some irrational fear of foreign medical systems. Go to the hospital! Any U.S. Consular Office should be able to recommend a medical facility. Find an Embassy.
• If you believe you may be infected, avoid other people as best you can. Remember, combating disease is a global cooperative process.
• If someone offers you some ABC gum, don’t fall for it. That’s gross!

Upon Return

The average incubation period of Swine Flu is 48 hours, meaning if you have contracted the virus, you can reasonably expect to see symptoms within 48 hours. However, the CDC recommends careful health monitoring for 7 days. If you do start to feel sick, then you should already know what to do: 

• Avoid unnecessary travel/contact
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Consult a physician
• If you must come into contact with others, wear a surgical mask for their safety. Consider drawing a scary face on it. I heard that helps.

For more Swine Flu Travel Tips for General Travel and Mexico, click here.

I know there’s a big backlash from the airline industry over what Biden said the other day about avoiding air travel and all that, but they’re just being a bunch of babies. Be smart! Don’t fly if you don’t have to, don’t congregate in crowded areas if you don’t have to, don’t start a pig farm if you don’t have to.

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times, when it comes to traveling, common sense will set you free. Have a fun weekend, and be safe!

A reader asked about this, oh, awhile ago, and with Spring Break 2009 winding down, I finally have time to catch up on some topics I’ve been neglecting (thanks, Michelle). Don’t say USA Travel Guide never gets to your questions. We may not get to them quickly, but we get to them

As a devout Food Network and Good Eats fan, the notion of clarifying a culinary conundrum is like the proverbial slow pitch, especially when the case in question is “Creole vs. Cajun“. Not only are we big fans of both cuisines, we never pass up an opportunity to talk New Orleans.

As the “vs.” no doubt gave away, Cajun cuisine and Creole cuisine are not the same thing, not even a little bit. They share some ingredients, they even share some dishes, but when you consider that German Schnitzel and Texas Chicken Fried Steak are basically the same thing, you’ll realize that a dish, or a cuisine, is more than the ingredients that made it.

Both Creole and Cajun cuisine vary greatly in history, attitude, style and flavor. Let’s take a closer look:

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Let us kickoff this piece about the Top 10 Spring Break Destinations for Families with a perception-shattering declaration. Repeat after me: I will not vacation for my kids!

Say it again if you have to, and then say it again. Say it until you can make it all the way to the end without choking on your tongue like our former President on a Rold Gold. Now say it one more time, just for good measure.

Why, you ask? Why do I subject you to such emotional duress? I do it, because you need to get your mind straight about family vacations. Point, family vacations are just that, family vacations, not kid vacations. A common mistake that parents make is stuffing their itineraries so full of youngling-geared guacamole that they either forget to or simply can’t have a good time themselves. Rubbish, I say!

Plan ahead and you can enjoy a vacation with them, not for them. We’ve found ten suggestions that make it easy to do just that. Please enjoy our Top 10 Spring Break Destinations for Families.

#10 – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (Recommended Ages: 7 & Up)

Myrtle Beach is a perennial sleeper. A cozy collection of beach communities along the Atlantic coast, Myrtle Beach doesn’t get a lot of press, you don’t see many advertisements, and it doesn’t often make these lists, but that hasn’t stopped nearly 15 million people from rolling in with their shades and their sun block all year long, many of them families who know how to have a good time. Along with the beach, of course, great family attractions include Family Kingdom Amusement Park (free admission), Ripley’s Aquarium, as well as the Ripley’s Attractions at Pavilion Park.

Note: This is an especially good beach destination for the over-protective parent, because thanks to an unusual law, “thong” bathing suites are illegal to wear on the beach. Go on, save that loss of innocence for the internet. That’s why it’s there.

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Here at USA Travel Guide we want you to get out there and have a great time for Spring Break, that’s kind of our thing, but we also want you to come back in more or less the same condition. You can have a new tattoo, maybe, and we certainly wouldn’t begrudge you that nice tan, but we don’t want anyone waking up in a bathtub full of ice and missing a kidney. (Just kidding … that hardly ever happens.)

In all seriousness, Spring Break safety is a big deal, especially if you’re one of the lucky college students headed to Mexico, the Caribbean or any other beach destination away from the domineering eyes of “the man”. No matter where your Spring Break vacations take you, please take these Spring Break safety tips to heart.

Before You Leave 

• Pack Smart – Pack light and simple, bringing as few valuables as possible. Nobody in Aruba cares about your Prada flip-flops, so why bring them? Consider packing inexpensive alternatives to your daily items (sunglasses, clothes, jewelry, bags, appliances) so that if you do happen to lose them, it’s no great loss. Must bring items include: cell phone, identification, health insurance information, contact numbers, medication and for Spring Break beach trips, sunscreen (and lots of it). You might also consider packing a simple first aid kit.
• Broadcast Your Whereabouts – Short of implanting a tracking device, you should do as much as you can to let people know where you are at all times. Make sure someone back home has your contact information, contact information for every place your going to be, and as much of your itinerary as you can pre-plan. Also provide contact information for others in your group.
• Money Safety – Preplan your expenses, and don’t bring more than you think you need. Traveler’s checks are smarter than cash, and all plastic should be locked up whenever you don’t plan to use it in the immediate future.
• Customs – If traveling to a foreign country, familiarize yourself with the customs laws, including necessary identification and other border crossing-regulations.
• Home Security – If you’re leaving your home (dorm room, apartment, etc.) completely empty, practice some basic safety. Turn off all appliances, unplug everything (saves you on your electric bill, too), lock it up tight, and only give someone you completely trust the responsibility of feeding Princess Fluffytail.

Health Safety 

• Sunscreen – The sun is an unfeeling monster that knows only suffering. Avoid it with the regular and ample application of sunscreen. This is not an option. SPF 15 is a bare minimum. If swimming, be sure to use water-resistant sun block, reapplied often. Remember that you can get sunburned even while over it’s overcast, so there’s no excuse not to use sunscreen. It’s not just for Spring Break beach vacations either. The sun is everywhere, so lather up before going out.
• Drink Lots of Water – Many Americans, especially those from northern states, tend to underestimate the danger of dehydration, but it can sneak up on you fast as a term paper. Force yourself to hydrate regularly, even when you don’t feel thirsty. By the way, alcohol and carbonated beverages don’t count. You’re not going to fool anyone by calling a line of Jäger shots “hydrating”. Also be sure to…
• …Drink Bottled Water – When traveling out of the country, never drink local water.
• Tattoos – Health standards in some foreign countries are lower than those in the U.S. Statistically, “parlor fear” is a little trumped up, but that wicked tattoo of Eddie Van Halen surfing a skull while flames erupt from his Flying V can wait until next week.
• Take It Slow with the Alcohol – According to a report by the Department of Public Safety, 98% of people injured during Spring Break activities are intoxicated. If you’re of age, then you have every right, but please proceed responsibly for the safety of yourself and others.
• Don’t Do Drugs – Do I really have to say it?
• Carry (and Use) Condoms – There’s one kind of souvenir that nobody wants to bring home, so both men and women should carry condoms at all times.

Behavior 

• Buddy System – I guarantee you’ll see this on every list of Spring Break safety tips, because it is so important: never go anywhere alone. Having an assigned buddy is a great start, someone to keep you in line of sight at all times and instigate a search party whenever something is amiss. Having three or four buddies is even better. Strength in numbers, you know.
• Water Safety – Riptides can condemn you to the briny deep faster than cement shoes, so never swim alone. If possible, only swim when a life guard is on duty. Never swim under the influence of alcohol. Obey all beach advisory warnings. Also, never pilot a boat while intoxicated. Not only is it illegal, it’s really, really stupid.
• Club/Bar Etiquette – Always be aware of your surroundings, police your drink carefully and never accept a drink from a stranger lest there be dragons lurking in the glass. Don’t leave with someone you don’t know, and be mindful of your possessions at all times. Most crimes against young adult Spring Breakers originate at the club.
• Your Room, Your Sanctuary – Don’t invite anyone you don’t know into your room, especially if you are alone. Always have personal belongings locked up unless you are using them at that moment.
• Avoid Reckless Behavior – Climbing things, jumping off things, lighting things on fire, listening to Jack Johnson … you’re just asking for trouble.
• The Airport Rule – Never leave your bags unattended in a public place, and never try to transport something into the country for someone else, whether you think it is illegal or not.
• Have Fun – And that’s not an option!

Follow these Spring Break safety tips and we’re sure you’ll come back home with a full supply of valuable memories and not an insurance claim.

For more Spring Break safety tips, visit the U.S. Department of State Web site here.

Have more Spring Brake safety tips? Let us know in the comments. For more Spring Break 2009 deals, tips and ideas, visit our Spring Break 2009 Ideas Center.