Take a trip across the United States and you’ll see why the words “America The Beautiful” were a no-brainer for the title of the patriotic song.
But unless you have a specific destination in mind, deciding where to go in the US may turn into a monumental task when you see state after state from the Pacific to the Atlantic, and beyond (don’t forget the islands spread around the world).
You may stick to the more popular cities (New York City, San Francisco, etc.-wonderful places by the way). Or you may decide to explore the wildly different array of climates, with wildly different architectural styles and natural formations.
You may even decide to tackle some long-distance trails, like the Appalachian Trail or the PCT Trail, stretching over two thousand miles.
Thanks to its geographical position, its expansion beyond the continental land, its massive size, its economic, cultural and political influence, and the influx of immigrants from around the world, you’ll encounter a wide variety of landscapes, cultures, and arts that you won’t find anywhere else.
From packed cities with great museums to national and state parks to vast extensions of land where you see nothing for miles, this guide offers the highlights of several regions of the USA.
“Your country is beautiful”, I always say to my husband when we travel across this land. Being married to an American, the United States has a special place in my heart.
Sometimes you may be put off when you hear the news (like everywhere) and yes, there’s a deep polarization going on.
Take it with a grain of salt. It’s still an amazing place to visit.
And remember that we’re talking about a population of more than 333 million people. A little bit of context comes in handy.
Scroll down to see the list of blog posts with all the local details you need to plan your visit. Check it out regularly as I’m frequently adding new posts.
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Official language: English (Spanish is the second language in many states such as Florida, Texas, and California).
Currency: United States dollar
Capital: Washington, D.C. (my favourite city in the States so far)
Power outlets: Type A and B, 120V/60 Hz
Table of Contents
Best Time to Travel to the United States
You can loosely follow the typical advice of visiting during spring or fall for most of the northern states (minus Alaska). Summer can be stifling and crowded, but it also brings tons of festivals.
I stay away from the southern states during summer like chickens stay away from KFC. It’s like being inside a steaming hot sauna with a loyal following of mosquitos, and bugs that seem to have escaped from the live specimen box of a dedicated entomologist.
You’ll have a way better experience, with less humidity, towards the end of fall, winter, and early spring. Better for exploring some trails, especially the ones that flood during the rainy season (tons of those in Florida and the Lowcountry area).
The same applies to states like Nevada, Utah and Arizona, with deserts for miles. You’ll probably have a better time hiking the Grand Canyon or the Zion National Park in April or May than in the middle of July.
Top Things to Do in the United States
- Hike the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona: one day I’ll put together my “Places to see before you die” and I’ll save a spot for this one. Almost everyone who has put together their “Places to see before you die” list has included it in theirs. Go check it out and see why you’ll probably include it in yours too.
- Visit the National Parks in Utah: the desert and the mountains get together to give birth to some of the most spectacular landscapes I’ve ever seen. I loved Zion National Park I can’t wait to go back to visit all the five national parks
- Visit the Muir Woods and the Mill Valley area in California: go across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco to walk among ancient trees that rival skyscrapers. Explore lovely towns like Sausalito and Mill Valley.
- Visit Yosemite: you’ll understand right away why Yosemite was the muse of Ansel Adams. The mountains, wildlife and waterfalls will pull you in and you won’t want to leave.
- Visit New York City: fast-paced and with the energy of a cat on a catnip overdose, the world-class museums, beautiful parks, cultural events and the architecture that matches the money that lives here make it one of the top cities to visit in the US.
- Discover upstate New York: when I talk about waterfalls, and mountains, and green vistas and I toss the words “New York” people go “What?”. New York goes beyond New York City. The Catskills and the Finger Lakes regions are gorgeous, and you’ll also find many museums and art centres,
- Explore Savannah and the Lowcountry: between forts and wildlife refuges teaming with birds and alligators you’ll find historic places like Charleston in South Carolina and Savannah in Georgia, with beautiful squares, imposing antebellum mansions and oaks covered in Spanish Moss that make you think you’re walking through the pages of a book.
- Go to the nations’ capital: Washington, D.C. is my favourite city in the United States. Why? (Free) Smithsonian museums, free concerts all year round, art galleries, and a never-ending list of cultural events.The monuments. The river. The parks and the hiking trails. The architecture and the overall elegance of the city. The food. What else can you ask for? Number one on my list!
- Experience an alternate reality in Las Vegas: Yes, you’ll find a lot of tacky stuff, but you’ll also find over-the-top design masterpieces, amazing restaurants and some great shows (and some tacky ones). Every design buff should visit this place once. I don’t think anywhere else in the world the line between reality and fantasy (not the Disney type) gets blurrier than this city in the middle of the desert.
- Go to the Wildlife Preserves in Florida and Georgia: apart from the magical swamps and springs, you won’t find breathtaking landscapes in Florida. But you’ll find tons of wildlife, especially birds, manatees and alligators. If you’re into birding, it’s paradise.
- Drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway: one of the most scenic drives in the country crossing North Carolina and Virginia, with breathtaking vistas of several National Parks’ mountain range. Stop along the way in the many overlooks and explore its trails. A visit to Asheville is a must for art lovers.
Getting Around the United States
Some major urban centres like New York City, San Francisco, or Washington, D.C., have decent public transportation that will take you everywhere within the city and its vicinity. A car would be a hindrance to your visit unless you rent one for day trips to nearby attractions.
And of course, you have Uber and Lyft.
Travelling by bus or train (much more expensive) is an option between major cities. But as you venture away from the major hubs, it’s harder to find reliable options and you may need to rent a car.
Compared to Europe, the US is behind regarding the extent of the train and bus system. Maybe because most people here have a car as the distances are so big.
Taking road trips is a great way to explore the country (my favourite!). But if you don’t have much time you may need to take a flight or two, especially if you want to go from coast to coast.
Blog Posts About The United States
Best Booking Resources
These are the go-to resources we use all the time to find where to stay, book flights, and get travel insurance
- Agoda: we’ve found great deals in apartments, guesthouses, and boutique hotels through this site.
- Airbnb: rent a whole house or a room directly from the homeowner through Airbnb. We’ve used it to book apartments and private rooms.
- Booking.com: you’ll find any type of property you can think of in their massive listing, with one of the most comprehensive filters. We’ve found great deals on boutique hotels and apartments.
- Great Escape: it combines the listings from Expedia, Kiwi, Kayak, and Skyscanner (on the premium service) to find the best airfares.
- Hotwire: the first site I check when we plan to stay at a hotel for a few nights. You can save anything from 20% to 60%. Use the search filter to find what you want and you’ll end up with three listings that match your criteria. You’ll know which one you’ll get after you book. If you can handle a little bit of uncertainty you can score big savings.
- House Sitting: you take care of people’s pets and house for free while staying for free. It’s the closest thing to experiencing a place “like a local”. But it comes with responsibilities. Are you an animal lover? You may want to give it a try.
- Momondo: we check Momondo to find great deals to book our flights.
- SafetyWing: travel medical insurance gives us peace of mind knowing that we’re covered in case of emergency. It’s convenient, affordable, and great for digital nomads who spend a long time outside their home country.
Check my Resource Page to learn about the brands I use and trust during my travels and how they can save you time and money. More sightseeing and more cocktails for you!