Seeing America’s best sights usually means long road trips stuck in a rental car. But driving for hours on end can kill the fun of a vacation. The good news is there are better ways to see the country’s unique natural areas and historic places. Here are some tips on how to make the most of your great American vacation — sans car.
Keep it Simple
A major hassle of any road trip is moving from place to place. You lose full days stuck behind the wheel driving through interstates and rural highways. Hiring an air charter company solves this problem by flying directly to and from your desired spots.
You simply show up at a local airport and hop aboard. Within hours, you land at a regional airfield a few steps from iconic attractions like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Napa Valley wineries, New England foliage tours, and more — no shuttles, no parking lots, just straight to the action.
Select the Right Air Charter Company
Not all air charter companies are equal. For best results, go with an experienced operator who specialises in scenic air tours and transportation to national parks and remote locales. They’ll have planes and pilots suited to handling smaller, out-of-the-way airstrips.
Look for companies offering personalised itinerary planning to optimise your routing and time at each stop. Top regional outfits will also have inside knowledge of the best viewpoints and activities at major attractions.
Plan an Efficient Itinerary
Rather than overextending yourself with an overstuffed itinerary, be strategic. Prioritise your must-see destinations and the optimal time to visit each spot based on weather, crowds, etc. Get input from your air charter company on ideal routing and trip length. Consider focusing on a specific region like the Southwest Parks circuit or New England fall foliage trek. You can always book another air tour adventure for other bucket list locales.
Pack Light for Air Travel
One advantage of air touring is the ability to pack super light. You won’t be schlepping bags on and off shuttle vans or lugging them through hotels. For optimal mobility, stick to just a carry-on-sized suitcase or backpack.
You’ll avoid waiting on airport baggage carousels and bulky baggage fees on charter flights. For longer stays at a single destination, courier larger bags or belongings directly to resort hotels.
Book Lodging Near the Action
Road trips usually mean you have to settle for hotels that are convenient for driving, not for actually seeing things. But with air tours, you can stay near the places you want to visit. Book a room just outside national park entrances so you can walk right in or get a fancy lodge with great views. In cities, you’re free to pick a trendy downtown hotel close to all the restaurants and activities instead of those bland chain hotels off the highway.
Take Guided Tours and Excursions
Make the most of each place by doing guided tours and activities. Many national parks offer private hiking tours or 4×4 rides led by ranger experts. In cities, you can do walking tours or food tours with locals who know the area well.
At wineries, hire a driver so you can taste wines without spitting them out. Guides really boost the whole experience because you don’t have to stress about driving, finding your way around, or planning logistics. You can just kick back and enjoy the entire experience.
See the Sights From the Sky
For the best views of America’s amazing landscapes, book a helicopter or small plane tour at the top spots. You’ll get a bird’s-eye view of places like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite’s rocky cliffs and waterfalls, or Kauai’s crazy-shaped mountain peaks from way up in the air.
Tours with no doors on the helicopter give you wide-open views you can’t get from the ground. And in resort towns, helicopter tours let you do epic stuff like land on glaciers or visit vineyards from the sky.
Focus on Nature and the Outdoors
If you rely on driving, you’ll definitely spend way too much time stuck in traffic jams and dealing with cities. Taking air tours streamlines everything so you can maximise your time outdoors and experience each area’s most remarkable natural attractions.
Plan your trips around national parks, forests, lakes, coastlines, and other beautiful outdoor spots that showcase America’s incredible landscapes. And only stop briefly in cities on your way to the good stuff.
Enjoy a Stress-Free Vacation
More than anything, taking private air charters eliminates the stress of travelling from place to place. You avoid nerve-wracking drives through areas you don’t know and never have to deal with rental cars or faulty GPS programmes.
You also won’t waste vacation time navigating airports, security lines, or baggage claims. Instead, you can enjoy your carefully planned schedule of amazing destinations without any of the usual travel headaches.
A More Efficient Way To Travel
At the end of the day, taking air charters allows you to fully experience the places you really want to visit. It turns big bucket list adventures into easy, memorable trips without excessive driving and wasted transit time. You’re free to completely focus on deeply experiencing America’s most impressive natural attractions and historic sites in meaningful ways.
