USA News: Autumn 2022

Petra Shepherd reports


The good news is that the USA has dropped the need for pre-departure Covid-19 tests, so whether you are looking to see the fall colours in New England and the dazzling lights of New York City, planning a road trip along route 66 or a multi-generational thrill-seeking family adventure in Florida, now is the time to book.  Silver Travel Advisor and our partners have all manner of exciting trips and holidays on offer.  The team recently headed stateside where there was plenty of news to report.

FILM AND TV LOCATIONS

A couple of major film releases this year will inspire you to race for tours in the South of the USA. ELVIS, directed by Baz Luhrmann, explores the life and music of Elvis Presley alongside his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker, starring Austin Butler and Oscar winner Tom Hanks. While the majority of the movie was filmed in Queensland, Australia, fans can experience the real landmark locations in Elvis’ life in Memphis, TN where Elvis spent his childhood, got his start as a recording artist and lived throughout his career.  Meanwhile, WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING tells the story of Kya, an abandoned girl who raised herself to adulthood in dangerous marshlands. While the story is based in North Carolina, filmmakers chose New Orleans and Houma, LA to recreate urban and rural settings from the 1950s-1970s, which fans can experience for themselves.  Visitors can also experience TOP GUN: MAVERICK at various locations in Nevada, California and Washington, including the Fallon Range Training Complex, the North Island Naval Air Station, and Breakers Beach (where the iconic beach volleyball scene was shot). 

NEW MUSEUM OF BROADWAY – NEW YORK

This summer, the new Museum of Broadway will open in the heart of Times Square. Working with internationally renowned artists, designers and theatre historians, the museum will give visitors an inside look at some of the most ground-breaking moments in Broadway history, the individuals who made them happen, and the major migration of New York theatre from the Financial District to its current location

Museum of Broadway

SUMMIT ONE VANDERBILT – NEW YORK

Also, in New York check out one of the big apple’s newest and most transformational experiences.  Summit One Vanderbilt, three levels of mind-bending multi-sensory immersive experiences set atop the tallest commercial skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan.


WALT DISNEY WORLD’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY – ORLANDO

On now until April 2023.  The celebration includes an array of new rides and magical performances. From the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Ratatouille rides in Epcot to the Disney Enchantment fireworks performance at Magic Kingdom and the Disney

KiteTails performance at Animal Kingdom.

Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire

WORLD’S FIRST PEPPA PIG THEME PARK OPENS AT LEGOLAND – ORLANDO

A must if you’ve got toddler aged grandchildren, this standalone theme park features multiple rides, interactive attractions, fun live shows, themed playscapes and water play areas.

Peppa Pig Theme Park

ROAR WITH FEAR ON UNIVERSAL’S FASTEST COASTER – ORLANDO

For cool grannie/grandpa points, this summer’s major movie release JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION might induce you to try out the Jurassic World VelociCoaster. Florida’s fastest and tallest launch coaster, recently opened at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.  The ride sends riders catapulting up to 70 mph and over 150 feet in the air. 

250th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOSTON TEA PARTY IN 2023 – BOSTON

Boston will commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party with a commemorative year of programming culminating in a grand-scale live re-enactment on the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party on Saturday 16th December 2023.

Boston Tea Party – Michael Blanchard Photography


GREEN SPACE NEWS – WASHINGTON DC

Franklin Park, the 190-year-old historic park in downtown DC recently reopened after a $21 million renovation that restored its fountain and added a children’s garden and public amenities. Something to look forward to in 2024, 11th Street Bridge Park will be DC’s first elevated public park offering an amphitheatre, picnic garden, interactive art and waterfalls spanning across the Anacosta River.

Franklin Square


WHAT’S NEW – CHICAGO

2022 is the “Year of Chicago Dance”.  The citywide, year-long initiative, places a spotlight on Chicago’s dance landscape.  Art on theMART, the largest digital art projection in the world, is a free outdoor display and for coffee lovers, the world’s largest Starbucks at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery on the Magnificent Mile opened in November 2019


MUSEUM OF THE SOUTHERN JEWISH EXPERIENCE – NEW ORLEANS

The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience, located in the Warehouse District of New Orleans, opened in early 2021.  The museum explores the unique history and culture of Southern Jews: how and when they arrived, which customs they held on to, and how they created new traditions alongside their neighbours in cities large and small across the South. 

Next Steps

Find out more and book your holiday to the USA by calling 0800 412 5678 to talk with our Silver Travel Advisors.

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Petra Shepherd

Editor of Silver Travel Book Club & Cook Club

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