01 Dec 2015
December 2015 -Welcome to Brand USA's monthly media newsletter with all the top stateside news throughout the holiday season and events going into the New Year. Please include the new URL www.VisitTheUSA.comto entice your readers with more USA adventures.
Destinations across the USA tip their hat to Ol' Blue Eyes for 100th Birthday
As Frank Sinatra would be turning 100 this month, a number of locations across the USA touched by the star will be celebrating in his honour.
Visitors can trace back to Sinatra's roots in the city of Hoboken, New Jersey, where there is a birthday concert on Saturday 12th December, organised by Hoboken City Clerk and Sinatra super fan Jimmy Farina at City Hall. Visitors can also see the birthplace of Sinatra,the house he bought for his parents, Marty and Dolly, when he became a big band singer and various sites where he had his first performances.
The Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism has created three celebrity-focused itineraries for visitors to follow in the footsteps of Sinatra and his iconic friends, Elvis Presley and Lucille Ball. Doing it 'his way', guests can take advantage of a rare opportunity to see the interiors of Twin Palms (where he famously raised a Jack Daniels flag to signal cocktail hour to his neighbours while he resided there), enjoy events at The Riviera Palm Springs – a hotspot for Sinatra and his fellow Rat Packers and eat Sinatra style at Johnny Costa's – who was once personal chef to Ol' Blue Eyes'.
VisitNJ.org / Visitgreaterpalmsprings.com / VisitTheUSA.com
Studio of the stars, Muscle Shoals, set to re-open in 2016
The iconic Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama, highlighted in the documentary movie 'Muscle Shoals', is currently undergoing a complete renovation and is expected to re-open in early 2016 for tours. The studio used by Cher, the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Lynyrd Skynyrd and many more will also become a working studio once again thanks to financial support from Beats (part founded by artist and producer Dr Dre and recently acquired by Apple). With its close proximity to Memphis and Nashville, Muscle Shoals is a popular destination for tours of the Deep South. The area is also in the spotlight as Johnny Depp's production company are developing a series based on the Grammy-nominated music documentary Muscle Shoals, with dates yet to be confirmed.
deep-south-usa.com/alabama / VisitTheUSA.com
Philadelphia named as the USA's first World Heritage city
The fifth largest city in the U.S., Philadelphia, renowned for its modern renaissance where history meets innovation and culture, has now been named as the first World Heritage City in the USA. The city is recognised not just as home to the Philly cheesesteak sandwich (which it celebrated with the first Philly Cheesesteak Festival this year) and a number of locations across the city becoming iconic scenes from Rocky, but also its wealth of contributions to the world as the epicentre of American democracy and for its enduring commitment to preserving the unique historical assets in the city including Independence Hall. The UNESCO Heritage status Independence Hall housed America's Founding Fathers when forging democratic ideals into the Declaration of Independence which gave birth to the nation in 1776. It is also where the United States Constitution was written and signed. Located between New York City and Washington, D.C., along the northeast corridor of the U.S., the city can be easily reached from both locations with several flights daily from the UK and in prime position for fly-drive trips between the two. DiscoverPHL.com / VisitTheUSA.com
New UK Tour Operator for U.S. announced
Brand USA is pleased to share the news that a brand new tour operator, American Affair, has launched operations as of 17th November. The new operator will offer a large range of holiday options across the USA to UK travellers, including city breaks, fly-drives, cruise tours, rail holidays and motorhome hire. As the sister company to Canadian Affair, the company has much experience with the North American market and will work with a number of airlines including Thomas Cook Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Norwegian Airlines and Icelandair, with departure points across the UK from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Belfast.
Americanaffair.com / VisitTheUSA.com
Aer Lingus announces new flight routes from Dublin
Irish airline, Aer Lingus, has announced three new direct flight routes from Dublin to the U.S. Commencing in May 2016, there will be five weekly flights to Los Angeles, while in September next year daily flights will commence to Newark for access to New York City, as well as a route to Hartford, Connecticut, perfectly timed to experience the magnificent array of colour as fall begins in New England.
Aerlingus.com / VisitTheUSA.com
American Cruise Lines doubles capacity in Pacific Northwest
American Cruise Lines has announced that the Queen of the Mississippi is to be renamed and join the Queen of the West in the Pacific Northwest. The three-year-old paddle wheeler, set to double in capacity, will feature the largest, most well-appointed staterooms on the Columbia and Snake rivers with large sliding glass doors opening to private balconies. American Cruise Lines operates week-long sailings between Portland, Oregon and Clarkston, Washington. Americancruiselines.com / VisitTheUSA.com
The USA celebrates holiday season
For those seeking a festive break this month, a plethora of events across the USA are taking hold. From browsing the Christmas Markets in New York City to taking Afternoon Tea with Santa in Florida, visitors to the USA this season can join the celebrations with some highlights below.
- New York City
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular returns for its annual song-and-dance extravaganza, running until 13th January. One of the season's iconic attractions in the city, the show features the legendary Rockettes performing classic scenes such as 'Parade of the Wooden Soldiers' with new numbers and advanced digital mapping technology to transform Radio City Music Hall into a giant canvas for special Christmas effects. While many will be taking a pre-Christmas shopping opportunity in Macy's, unique, hand-made gifts can be found in one of New York's outdoor holiday markets which are not to be missed, including more than 100 stalls at Union Square Holiday Market, the Winter Village at Bryant Park also with a free admission skate rink, the indoor Grand Central Holiday Fair and the Columbus Circle Holiday Market. An iconic festive trip to New York City can be rounded off with the Times Square Ball Drop on 31st December, headlined by country singer, Carrie Underwood. For those keen to secure a good spot for the New Year's Eve Ball descending atop One Times Square, midnight displays and musical performances, an early afternoon arrival is recommended as streets become busy by 3pm.
- Chicago
Chicago's Winter Wonderfest at the landmark Navy Pier returns from 5th December until 10th January featuring a toboggan tunnel, a snow tubing hill and winter mini-golf to entertain visitors throughout the festive period. Other attractions include a 170,000 square foot Chicago Blackhawks Ice Skating rink and Ice Peaks climbing walls. Many activities are indoors to ensure fun can be had whatever the weather. The Maggie Daley Park ice skating ribbon, also in Chicago, is now open. This ribbon-shaped rink meanders for ¼ mile, wrapping around a 40 foot climbing wall, with the city;s skyline as a backdrop.
navypier.com/pnc-bank-winter-wonderfest / maggiedaleypark.com / VisitTheUSA.com
- Colorado
Hundreds of guests will help set the world record for the highest number of skiing and snowboarding Santas at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Colorado, on 12th December. Mountaineer Square in the vicinity will celebrate Light the Night that same evening where guests can enjoy traditional American s'mores, carolling and of course the lighting of the tree. Elsewhere in the state, Pueblo will be a haven for Christmas shopping with local artisans, carollers and street performers as the city's creative corridor transforms in to a winter wonderland every weekend throughout December, while the historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo will be illuminated with lights and Santa will be hosting boat rides along the river for children to enjoy.
Colorado.com / VisitTheUSA.com
- West Palm Beach, Florida
Florida will also be hosting a number of seasonal events including West Palm Beach offering some unusual visits to see Santa. Families can cruise with the bearded character on board the Lady Atlantic Cookie Cruise, including cookies and hot chocolate, crafts and some time spent with Santa at $18 (approx. £12) and free admission for children under two years. Back on dry land, families can indulge in a High Tea with Santa at Waterstone Resort and Marina's Boca Landing on 11th and 18th December between 1pm and 3pm. The price for adults is $45 (approx. £30) with children aged between five and ten $25 (approx. £16) and children under four years $12.50 (approx. £8).
Palmbeachfl.com / VisitTheUSA.com
- Idaho
Rounding off the winter season, McCall in Idaho will host their annual Winter Carnival from 29th January until 7th February, with a variety of snow sculptures lining the streets to create an inspiring display, as some reach over 20 feet tall. The local tradition began 51 years ago as residents constructed sculptures in front of their homes. Snow sculpturing has now developed into an event receiving national recognition as teams go forth to compete in international competitions. A magical event to twin with a ski trip in Idaho, the two week period also includes a dedicated snow tubing hill, parade and fireworks.
Mccallchamber.org/winter-carnival/ / VisitIdaho.org / VisitTheUSA.com
-ENDS-
Discover this land, like never before VisitTheUSA.com
Brand USA is the public-private partnership responsible for promoting the United States as a premier travel destination and communicating U.S. entry/exit policies and procedures. Established by the Travel Promotion Act in 2010, the organisation's mission is to increase international visitation to the United States while working in partnership with the travel industry to maximise the economic and social benefits of travel. These benefits include creating jobs essential to the economy and fostering understanding between people and cultures. For industry or partner information about Brand USA, visit TheBrandUSA.com.
For information about travel to and around the United States, please visit Brand USA's consumer website at VisitTheUSA.com.
For further Brand USA, UK/Ireland press information, contact:
Polly Beech / Sarah Barnett / Allie Williams
pbeech@thebrandusa.co.uk/ sbarnett@thebrandusa.co.uk / awilliams@thebrandusa.co.uk
020 7845 6359 / 020 7845 6378 / 0207
