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Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Three Scots cities named among UK's top ten staycation spots
Read on for the full list of all 20 best staycation spots in the UK Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THREE Scottish cities have been named among the best ten staycation spots across the UK. With abroad holidays becoming increasingly more expensive year after year, it's no wonder that families across Britain are choosing to go on staycations instead. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 More and more families are choosing to go on staycations over abroad trips Credit: Getty So, in a bid to help, experts have compiled a list of the best places in the UK for those who don't want to go abroad for their summer holiday destination. And the best bit is they are perfect for people who are looking to avoid the crowds this summer. The new research, conducted by experts at Chicks Gold, scored UK locations out of 100 based on several factors. This included the cost of eating out, the average price of a local Airbnb, and transport costs in and around each town or city. The number of attractions in each area and the number of restaurants per 10,000 people were also taken into account. They then used this data to compile a list of the best ten locations, and three Scottish cities ranked high in the list. Staycations provide a stress-free alternative for those looking to simply relax on their summer holidays Al Alof Scotland is home to a number of wonderful places with gorgeous landscapes that are steeped in history - so it's no surprise that many receive nationwide attention. The top three staycation spots were all awarded to English cities, with Oxford coming in first with a score of 93.60. Coming in at a close second was York, which ended up with a score of 92.80. Rounding out the top three locations is Cambridge, which received a score of 91.40. I found the best staycation in Ireland with private pod, our own hot tub and alpacas and deer on site The first Scottish entry on the list is Aberdeen, and it comes in seventh place with an impressive score of 87.50. Dundee followed very closely behind in the eighth spot in the rankings after receiving a score of 87.40. Edinburgh came in last in the top ten staycation spots with a score of 85.70. Al Alof, the CEO of Chicks Gold, said: 'Thanks to the recent protests across Europe, some Brits may be feeling overwhelmed at the thought of navigating through the crowds of certain European hotspots this summer. "With Europe bracing for an unprecedented tourism boom this summer, it's likely that staycations will become a popular alternative over the next few months. 'While Brits aren't advised to cancel any holiday plans amid growing anti-tourism protests, it's important for travellers to consider whether there are any more viable options available rather than rushing to tourist hotspots. Full list of 20 best staycation spots in the UK Rank. Area - Staycation Score /100 Oxford - 93.60 York - 92.80 Cambridge - 91.40 Guildford - 90.10 Nottingham - 88.30 Brighton - 87.60 Aberdeen - 87.50 Dundee - 87.40 Newcastle upon Tyne - 87.10 Edinburgh - 85.70 Bournemouth - 85.30 Reading - 85.10 Exeter - 84 Kingston upon Hull - 83.79 Norwich - 83.64 Glasgow - 83.08 Derby - 82.98 Liverpool - 82.48 Milton Keynes - 82.22 Leicester - 81.46 "This is why staycations provide a stress-free alternative for those looking to simply relax on their summer holidays. 'This study highlights that the UK certainly isn't short of top staycation destinations. "And they offer both affordability and endless attractions. "Staycations are rapidly becoming one of the most appealing options for UK travellers, because of both cost and convenience. "So, if you're looking to escape from the crowds and travel stress this summer, then don't underestimate the benefits of staying local.'
Indianapolis Star
02-07-2025
- Indianapolis Star
Climb the dunes and check out beaches this holiday weekend at Indiana Dunes National Park
The Indiana Dunes in northern Indiana tower almost 200 feet above the lake and have formed over thousands of years. It's also a spot to enjoy miles of sandy beaches and nature preserves. Here's a look at what you should know if you're heading up to the lake this holiday weekend. The Dunes, now a national park, has a diverse range of wildlife over its 15,000 acres. According to the National Park Service website, among other activities, visitors can: It'll take you less than 3 hours to travel to the Dunes from Indianapolis via I-65. An entrance pass is required to enter the state park or national park area at the Indiana Dunes. It's $15 per person; $20 for a motorcycle; or $25 for a private vehicle, and can be purchased on site or online. There's also an annual national park pass for $45 and a National Park Service pass for $80. Find more information about fees and passes at The state park includes more than 1,500 acres of nature preserves and landmarks. The daily entrance fee is $7 per vehicle for Indiana residents; and $12 for nonresidents. Click here for a list of alerts and information about conditions at the Dunes. Fourth of July celebrations are taking place in communities near the national landmark, including Hebron, Portage, Porter and Valparaiso. A recent study by a company called Chicks Gold named the Indiana Dunes National Park one of the most photogenic in the U.S. Its research looked at Instagram hashtags to rank sites based on the highest "hashtags per acre," according to a news release.
Black America Web
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Top-Rated Amusement Parks in the U.S.
Top-Rated Amusement Parks in the U.S. Indiana Amusement Park Ranks Among America's Top 10 Best-Rated Looking for the perfect theme park for your next family getaway? A new study by Chicks Gold analyzed visitor reviews to uncover the top-rated amusement parks in America—and Indiana's own Holiday World & Splashin' Safari made the top 10! Using data from Google and Tripadvisor, parks with 10,000+ reviews were ranked based on the percentage of 5-star ratings. Here's the Top-Rated Amusement Parks in the U.S.: Top-Rated Amusement Parks in the U.S. was originally published on 1. Discovery Cove – Orlando, Florida ⭐️ 85.29% of visitors gave it 5 stars Discovery Cove is a one-of-a-kind tropical oasis. Visitors love the all-inclusive experience, where you can swim with dolphins, snorkel with eagle rays, and float through a freshwater oasis. It's quiet, luxurious, and offers a unique escape from the usual park chaos. It's also part of the SeaWorld family. 2. Knoebels Amusement Resort – Elysburg, Pennsylvania ⭐️ 83.30% A family-owned classic, Knoebels is America's largest free-admission amusement park. Known for its nostalgic charm and affordability, it features 60+ rides, including three wooden coasters, a century-old carousel, and free picnic areas. 3. Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee ⭐️ 80.74% This mountain coaster winds through the scenic Smoky Mountains. Riders control their speed, making it fun for thrill-seekers and first-timers. It's also one of the longest downhill tracks in the U.S., with rides lasting up to 8 minutes. 4. Universal Islands of Adventure – Orlando, Florida ⭐️ 80.13% This park is a themed thrill ride paradise, with immersive zones like Marvel Super Hero Island, Jurassic Park, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. High-speed roller coasters and 3D attractions draw fans of all ages. 5. Disney California Adventure – Anaheim, California ⭐️ 78.99% Located next to Disneyland, this park features lands inspired by California and Disney favorites. Popular areas include Pixar Pier, Avengers Campus, and Cars Land, making it a hit with families and Marvel fans alike. 6. Magic Kingdom – Bay Lake, Florida ⭐️ 77.72% Walt Disney World's iconic park is home to Cinderella Castle, classic rides like Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion, and endless character meet-and-greets. It's the most visited theme park in the world for a reason. 7. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex – Merritt Island, Florida ⭐️ 77.58% This isn't your average park—space lovers will enjoy rocket exhibits, astronaut meetups, and immersive simulators. Visitors can even witness live launches depending on timing. It's a mix of education and excitement. 8. Disney's Animal Kingdom – Bay Lake, Florida ⭐️76.82% Where else can you go on a safari, ride a banshee in Pandora, and see live animal exhibits all in one park? Animal Kingdom blends wildlife with storytelling in true Disney fashion. 9. Universal Studios Florida – Orlando, Florida ⭐️ 76.51% A working movie studio and theme park, Universal Studios offers blockbuster attractions like the Transformers ride, The Simpsons land, and Diagon Alley from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It's fast-paced and full of movie magic. 10. Holiday World & Splashin' Safari – Santa Claus, Indiana ⭐️76.33% This family-owned Indiana gem offers free soft drinks, free sunscreen, and free parking—a rarity in the amusement park world. It's divided into holiday-themed lands and features award-winning wooden coasters and one of the best water parks in the country, including record-breaking water coasters. 11. FULL LIST: TOP 50 Rank Theme Park Location % of 5-Star Reviews 1 Discovery Cove Orlando, FL 85.29% 2 Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, PA 83.30% 3 Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster Pigeon Forge, TN 80.74% 4 Universal Islands of Adventure Orlando, FL 80.13% 5 Disney California Adventure Anaheim, CA 78.99% 6 Magic Kingdom Bay Lake, FL 77.72% 7 Kennedy Space Center Merritt Island, FL 77.58% 8 Disney's Animal Kingdom Bay Lake, FL 76.82% 9 Universal Studios Florida Orlando, FL 76.51% 10 Holiday World & Splashin' Safari Santa Claus, IN 76.33% 11 Epcot Bay Lake, FL 76.23% 12 Disneyland Anaheim, CA 75.86% 13 Breckenridge Ski Resort Breckenridge, CO 75.52% 14 The Island in Pigeon Forge Pigeon Forge, TN 74.26% 15 Cedar Point Sandusky, OH 74.14% 16 Disney's Hollywood Studios Bay Lake, FL 73.94% 17 Universal Studios Hollywood Universal City, CA 73.00% 18 Dollywood Pigeon Forge, TN 72.35% 19 Silver Dollar City Branson, MO 72.18% 20 Knott's Berry Farm Buena Park, CA 72.16% 21 Fun Spot America – Orlando Orlando, FL 72.07% 22 Gatorland Orlando, FL 71.95% 23 Kings Island Kings Mills, OH 71.91% 24 Fun Spot America – Kissimmee Kissimmee, FL 71.80% 25 ICON Park Orlando, FL 70.62% 26 ZooTampa at Lowry Park Tampa, FL 70.28% 27 Silverwood Theme Park Athol, ID 70.00% 28 Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, CA 69.54% 29 Wildlife World Litchfield Park, AZ 68.84% 30 Nickelodeon Universe East Rutherford, NJ 68.73% 31 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Tampa, FL 68.30% 32 Pacific Park Santa Monica, CA 67.76% 33 Nickelodeon Universe Bloomington, MN 67.69% 34 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Santa Cruz, CA 67.43% 35 SeaWorld Orlando Orlando, FL 67.42% 36 Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, VA 67.16% 37 Kemah Boardwalk Kemah, TX 66.87% 38 Hersheypark Hershey, PA 66.74% 39 Morey's Piers Wildwood, NJ 66.72% 40 Carowinds Charlotte, NC 66.34% 41 Canobie Lake Park Salem, NH 66.31% 42 Wild Adventures Valdosta, GA 66.18% 43 Belmont Park San Diego, CA 66.07% 44 Traders Village Grand Prairie, TX 66.01% 45 Old Town Kissimmee, FL 65.57% 46 SeaWorld San Diego San Diego, CA 64.59% 47 Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson, NJ 64.57% 48 Kings Dominion Doswell, VA 64.47% 49 Jenkinson's Boardwalk Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 64.12% 50 Lagoon Farmington, UT 64.10% source
