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Note: All travel is subject to frequently-changing governmental restrictions—please check federal, state, and local advisories before scheduling trips. 

While the pandemic kept us all homebound, exciting new attractions were quietly being built, and many of those new attractions are now open or will be opening soon. So come on back: Your favorite destinations are now ready to wow you with awesome new things to see and do. Check out these impressive attractions and make your plans to go, go, go!

RELATED: What’s new in Las Vegas in 2021

Lights! Camera! Attraction!: Los Angeles

Photo courtesy of Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Opening in September, the long-awaited premiere  of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures tells the complete story of moviemaking and its historical impact on society. Catch Oscar-nominated and award-winning films in two state-of-art sound and projection theaters, enjoy interactive guided tours, view displays of iconic costumes, and hear famous Oscar-winning speeches. Plus, get up close and personal with Alfred Hitchcock’s typewriter, an animatronic replica of the shark used in Jaws, and Judy Garland’s ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz.

Find a lovely LA hotel here. 

#goals: Las Vegas

Photo: Jason Heidemann

Home to the Las Vegas Raiders, UNLV Football, and world-class entertainment, the state-of-the-art Allegiant Stadium adds a new jewel to the Las Vegas crown. This global events destination with a domed top and seating for more than 65,000 is a big winner. Upcoming events include Garth Brooks on July 10, CONCACAF Gold Cup Finals in August and the 2021-Pac-12 Football-Championship Game on December 3. Look for the NFL Pro Bowl Game in 2022.  Go behind- the-scenes and book a much sought after stadium tour.

Find a dazzling Las Vegas hotel here. 

Dino-mite thrills: Orlando

Photo courtesy of Universal Islands of Adventure

Opening in June, Island of Adventure at Universal Orlando puts you in the seat of all the action on Florida’s tallest and fastest new coaster. Get your screams on at the Jurassic World VelociCoaster in Jurassic Park, Universal’s new thrill ride featuring a massive roller coaster where you race alongside a pack of hungry velociraptors. Beyond its rapid speeds of 70 mph and  mammoth 155-foot hill with an 80-degree drop, you’ll also meet the main cast of the Jurassic World films. Take a selfie at the recently re-opened photo spot with T-Rex and the famous jeep. Book your advance tickets here.

Find a fun family hotel in Orlando here.

Heroic fun: Anaheim

Drum roll, please. Avengers Campus, a highly anticipated superhero land, opens in June at Disney California Adventure, right next to the Guardians of the Galaxy attraction. Team up with your favorite superheroes for Web Slingers: A Spiderman Adventure and the Quinjet at Avengers Headquarters. Meet the master of Mystic Arts, Dr. Strange, as well as Captain Marvel, Ant Man, The Wasp, Black Panther, and other favorite Marvel characters. Using innovative technology, immersive experiences, and awesome special effects, you’ll harness your own superhero powers to save the planet! Reserve your advance Disneyland tickets here.  

Find a hotel near Anaheim here.

Lego your expectations: New York

Photo courtesy of Legoland New York

Opening soon is the newest Legoland located about 60 miles northwest of New York City in Goshen. This 500-acre park will be the world’s largest Legoland.  Families can build their own memories with 50 rides, shows and attractions in eight themed lands—including Pirates Shores, Lego Ninjago World and Heartlake City. The main attraction will be Miniland with iconic real-world buildings and places constructed of Lego bricks. One really cool ride lets you feel what it’s like to become a Lego minifigure—from manufacturing to box to the hands of a kid. A new 250-room Legoland Hotel is also set to open in 2021. Season runs from April to November.

Find a gosh-darn Goshen hotel right here. 

Skies the limit: Chicago

Photo courtesy of Willis Tower Skydeck

The Willis Tower Skydeck (which Chicagoans still stubbornly refer to as the “Sears Skydeck”) is one of the Windy City’s top attractions, recently re-opened after an extensive three-year, multi-million dollar redevelopment. Start with the interactive museum on the lower level featuring an uber-cool presentation of Chicago’s history and humble beginnings. Get the scoop on the city’s iconic architecture and then ride an actual “L” train car through Chicago’s most popular neighborhoods. Are you ready? Shoot up to the 103rd floor for the highest observation deck in the U.S.  Step out on a glass floor balcony, called the Ledge, jutting out from the Tower, if you dare! Look out for unsurpassed views of more than 50 miles. Advance reservations suggested. 

Find a chic Chicago hotel right here. 

How amusing: Myrtle Beach, SC

Photo courtesy of FunPlex

With seven exciting rides and numerous casual dining options, Low Country’s newest family entertainment park awaits. The Funplex offers both thrill rides and kiddie rides, and boasts a tropical theme. Soar through the air on Mach Fun, the tallest, interactive 360° flying jet ride around and the first in North America. Twist and shout on Sky Velocity while turning in all directions before dropping back to the beach. Take a spin on Fun in the Sun, a family coaster that moves like a human hamster wheel.

Find amazing Myrtle Beach hotels right here. 

Gold rush: Colorado Springs

Photo courtesy of US Olympic and Paralympic Museum

In just a few short months after opening in 2020, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum (USOPM) received numerous accolades and awards for its mission, as well as commitment to universal accessibility. This 60,000-square foot museum features 12 galleries honoring the stories of U.S. athletes and their journeys to the Olympic and Paralympic games. Look for a collection of Olympic torches and medals dating back to the first modern games in 1896, plus costumes and high-tech, interactive exhibits featuring the latest from athletic shoe technology to the evolution of prosthetic limbs. The entire museum has been designed with wheelchair accessibility, open captioning and audio descriptions to ensure that all visitors enjoy the same seamless experience.

Find a cool Colorado Springs hotels here.

Simply gorge-ous: West Virginia

With 53 miles of rolling river, mountainous hiking and bike trails, and rock climbing up 1,000 foot-high sandstone cliffs, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is sure to be your go-to destination for outdoor recreation. The area, which was just minted as an official National Park this year, offers whitewater rafting enthusiasts a challenge with Class IV and V rapids, while other parts of the river offer more family-friendly rafting. Find your footing on more than 70,000 acres of gorgeous Mountain State forest. For the less adventurous, the New River Gorge is also an outdoor museum, a tribute to the lumber, coal and rail workers who built American industry.

Find a great gorgeous hotel near New River Gorge here.

Horton hears a Houston: Houston

Photo courtesy of Dr, Seuss Experience

Delve into the fantastical world of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss via the new Dr. Seuss Experience. This highly imaginative and interactive hands-on world lets you magically step through the pages of nine Dr. Seuss books. Stand in awe at a maze full of suspended balloons from the inspirational “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” and get silly in Truffula Trees from “The Lorax.” Ride on the real working carousel in “If I Ran the Circus” and get lost in a field of waist-high pink clover in “Horton Hears a Who!” Look for more Dr. Seuss Experiences opening in Boston, Seattle, and other U.S. cities soon.

Find a great Houston hotel here.

Tagged: California, Chicago, Colorado, Disney, Florida, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, National Parks, New York, Orlando, Texas

Note: Orbitz compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site.

Mira Temkin

Mira Temkin

Lover of lore with a thirst for adventure, Mira has her bags packed -- ready to go in a flash. She writes with spirited soul about destinations, hotels and spas.

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