Americas · North America
🇺🇸 United States travel guide
Canyons, iconic cities & legendary road trips.
- Currency
- $ USD
- Time
- UTC −5 to −10
- Emergency
- 911
Best places in United States
- New York City. Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge and museums.
- Grand Canyon. South Rim sunsets.
- Yellowstone. Geysers, hot springs and wildlife.
- San Francisco & Highway 1. Golden Gate and coastal drive.
Hidden places
- Antelope Canyon. Slot canyon light beams (guided only).
- Savannah, Georgia. Moss-draped squares.
- Olympic National Park. Rainforest, beaches and mountains.
- White Sands. Glowing gypsum dunes.
When to go
- Best time. April–June and September–October.
- Avoid. Summer crowds in national parks; hurricane season in the south-east (Jun–Nov).
- Festivals. Thanksgiving, July 4th, Mardi Gras (New Orleans).
What you need
- Documents. Passport, ESTA or visa.
- Pack. Layers, hiking shoes, US-type adapter.
- Apps. Uber, Lyft, Recreation.gov, NPS app.
- Insurance. Strong medical cover is essential.
The soul of the USA
- Start somewhere unforgettable. New York, the national parks of Utah and Arizona, California’s coast, New Orleans and Hawaii.
- Choose your season. Spring and autumn suit most regions; summer is busy in parks, winter is great for skiing.
- Before you leave. Distances are huge — pick one region or fly between them.
Visual money
- Currency · USD $. Prices usually exclude sales tax, which is added at the till.
- A daily budget. Illustrative, per person: budget $120–180; comfortable $250–450. Big cities cost more.
- Tipping. Restaurants expect 18–20%; tip bartenders, taxi drivers and hotel staff too.
Arrival playbook
- Documents first. Visa Waiver travellers need ESTA approval; others need a visa. Use only official esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
- Your first ride. Ride apps and airport trains are common; most trips outside cities need a car.
- Get connected. Prepaid SIMs and eSIMs are sold at airports and phone stores.
Street codes
- Small talk. Chatting with strangers is normal and friendly.
- Personal space. Keep an arm’s length in queues.
- ID. Carry ID; it’s needed to buy alcohol (21+).
Beyond the postcard
- Great Smoky Mountains. Misty ridges and free entry national park.
- Big Sur. Cliffside highway along the California coast.
- Santa Fe. Adobe architecture and art in New Mexico.
Food dossier
- A few first plates. New York pizza, Texas barbecue, Southern fried chicken, Maine lobster rolls.
- Portions. Portions are large — sharing is fine.
- Dietary needs. Allergen and vegan options are common.
Scam shield
- Fake ESTA sites. Unofficial sites charge extra fees.
- Times Square characters. Costumed figures expect payment for photos.
- Parking. Read street signs; towing is expensive.
Language cheat sheet
- “Restroom”. Means toilet. “Check” means the bill.
- “Sidewalk”. Pavement. “Gas” means fuel.
- Spanish. Widely spoken in many states.
Survival essentials
- Emergency · 911. Police, fire and ambulance.
- Healthcare. Medical care is very expensive; travel insurance is essential.
- Power & time. 120V; sockets types A and B. Six main time zones.
Your USA chapter
- A gentle first journey. New York → Washington DC → Boston over 9 days.
- A different pace. A Southwest road trip through the canyon parks.
- Before confirming. This is a starter guide, not live advice. Verify visas, prices, opening times and safety conditions with official sources.