The United States is one of the most varied travel destinations in the world, with everything from major cities and tropical beaches to desert landscapes, mountain ranges, national parks and famous road trips. This United States travel guide will help you decide where to go, when to visit, how long to stay and what to expect when planning your first trip.
Because the country is so large, the biggest mistake first-time visitors make is trying to cover too much ground. A successful U.S. trip usually focuses on one region rather than attempting to cross the entire country.
Is the United States Right for Your Trip?
The United States works especially well for travellers who enjoy variety and flexibility.
Depending on the region you choose, a trip can focus on:
- major cities and cultural attractions
- national parks and outdoor activities
- beaches and coastal towns
- food and entertainment
- theme parks
- road trips
- museums and historic sites
- music and nightlife
New York City and Washington, D.C. offer a completely different experience from California, Florida, Arizona, Alaska or Hawaii.
That variety is one of the country’s biggest strengths, but it also means there is no single ideal American itinerary. Start by deciding what type of trip you want, then choose a region that supports it.
For most first-time visitors, concentrating on two or three destinations within the same part of the country produces a much more enjoyable trip than constantly flying between distant cities.
Best Time to Visit the United States
There is no single best time to visit because climate and weather vary dramatically across the country.
Spring
Spring can be an excellent time for cities such as New York, Washington, Boston and Chicago. Temperatures are generally more comfortable than during the peak of summer, although weather can be unpredictable.
Spring is also a good season for visiting parts of the Southwest before intense summer heat arrives.
Summer
Summer is one of the busiest travel periods.
It is particularly popular for:
- national parks
- coastal destinations
- Alaska
- New England
- mountain regions
- family vacations
Major attractions can be crowded, and accommodation near national parks or popular beach destinations may need to be reserved well in advance.
Southern and desert regions can become extremely hot.
Autumn
September and October are excellent months for many parts of the country.
Temperatures are often comfortable, summer crowds begin to decline and fall foliage attracts visitors to New England and other northern regions.
Autumn can also be a good time for cities and road trips.
Winter
Winter conditions vary enormously.
Florida, southern California, Arizona and Hawaii can provide warm-weather escapes, while destinations such as Colorado, Utah and Vermont attract skiers and winter-sports travellers.
Northern cities can experience snow, cold temperatures and flight disruptions.
The best approach is to choose your destinations first and then determine which season works best for that particular region.
Where to Go in the United States
The United States contains 50 states and an enormous range of destinations. For trip planning, it helps to think in regions.
New York City
New York is one of the country’s most popular destinations and an excellent starting point for first-time visitors.
Highlights include:
- Central Park
- Times Square
- Broadway
- the Metropolitan Museum of Art
- the Statue of Liberty
- neighbourhoods such as Greenwich Village, SoHo and Brooklyn
Four or five days gives first-time visitors enough time to experience the major sights without rushing.
Washington, D.C.
Washington combines museums, monuments and American history.
Many of the Smithsonian museums have free admission, making the city relatively affordable for sightseeing.
Major attractions include the National Mall, Lincoln Memorial, Capitol Hill and Smithsonian museums.
Washington also combines easily with New York because the cities are connected by frequent rail services.
Boston and New England
Boston offers historic neighbourhoods, waterfront areas and easy access to the wider New England region.
Visitors interested in smaller towns, coastal drives and autumn foliage can continue into Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire.
California
California can easily fill an entire vacation.
Popular destinations include:
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- Yosemite National Park
- Napa Valley
- the Pacific Coast
- Joshua Tree National Park
Driving is often the most practical way to explore areas outside the major cities.
The Southwest
Arizona, Utah, Nevada and New Mexico contain some of America’s most dramatic landscapes.
Popular stops include:
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Zion National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Las Vegas
- Monument Valley
- Sedona
This region is particularly well suited to road trips.
Florida
Florida combines beaches, warm weather, major cruise ports and some of the world’s best-known theme parks.
Orlando is the centre of the theme-park region, while Miami, the Florida Keys and Gulf Coast destinations offer very different experiences.
Chicago
Chicago is one of the country’s strongest city-break destinations, particularly for architecture, museums, food and waterfront attractions.
It is also a useful introduction to the Midwest.
Hawaii
Hawaii combines beaches, volcanic landscapes, hiking and Polynesian culture.
The main islands offer different experiences, so travellers should resist trying to visit too many islands during a short trip.
Alaska
Alaska is best suited to travellers interested in wilderness, wildlife and dramatic landscapes.
Cruises are popular, but independent road trips and rail journeys can provide a very different experience.
For destination ideas across all 50 states, the official U.S. tourism site is also a useful planning resource.
How Many Days Do You Need?
For a first trip, 7 to 14 days is a useful target.
With one week, concentrate on one city or a compact region.
For example:
- New York and Washington
- Los Angeles and San Diego
- Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon
- Miami and the Florida Keys
With 10 to 14 days, you can comfortably combine several destinations within the same region.
The distances involved should not be underestimated. New York to Los Angeles is roughly the equivalent of crossing a continent, not moving between neighbouring cities.
Trying to combine New York, Florida, Las Vegas and California into one short vacation may look attractive on a map but usually results in too much time spent in airports.
Getting Around the United States
Transportation depends heavily on where you are travelling.
Domestic Flights
Flying is often necessary when travelling between distant regions.
Major cities are connected by extensive domestic flight networks, and several metropolitan areas have more than one large airport.
Always check exactly which airport you are using before booking transportation or accommodation.
Rental Cars
For national parks, rural destinations and many road trips, a rental car is usually the most practical option.
Distances can be substantial, particularly in the West.
When planning a driving day, look at actual travel time rather than simply measuring distance on a map.
Parking can also be expensive in major cities, so a rental car may be unnecessary in places such as New York, Boston, Washington or central Chicago.
Trains
Amtrak operates passenger rail services across the country.
Rail travel is particularly practical in the Northeast, where cities including Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington are connected by frequent services.
Long-distance trains exist elsewhere but are generally much slower than flying.
Public Transportation
Public transportation varies considerably by city.
New York, Washington, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco have extensive transit systems.
In many other cities, visitors rely more heavily on rental cars, taxis or rideshare services.
Costs and Budgeting
Travel costs vary enormously across the United States.
Major tourist destinations such as New York, San Francisco, Hawaii and parts of California can be expensive, while smaller cities and rural areas may be considerably more affordable.
Accommodation
Hotels are often one of the largest expenses.
Prices can rise significantly during:
- holidays
- major conventions
- sporting events
- festivals
- peak national-park seasons
Check the final price carefully because taxes and destination or resort fees may not always be obvious in the first advertised rate.
Restaurants
Restaurant prices also vary widely.
One important difference for Canadian and European visitors is that menu prices normally do not include every additional cost.
Sales tax is often added to the bill, and tipping is customary in full-service restaurants.
A tip of approximately 18% to 20% is common for table service when service is satisfactory.
Attractions
Museums, observation decks, theme parks and major attractions can add considerably to your budget.
Look for timed-entry reservations and combination passes where they make sense, but compare the actual attractions included rather than buying a pass automatically.
Food and Dining
d local specialties all form part of the eAmerican food is far more regional than many first-time visitors expect.
Some experiences worth seeking out include:
- barbecue in Texas, Tennessee and the Carolinas
- Cajun and Creole food in Louisiana
- seafood in New England
- Tex-Mex in the Southwest
- Southern cooking
- New York pizza and bagels
- Chicago-style pizza
- Hawaiian cuisine
- California’s diverse food scene
Large cities also offer excellent international food, often reflecting generations of immigration.
Rather than relying entirely on national chains, look for local restaurants, markets and regional specialties.
Dining portions can also be large, and taking unfinished food away from a restaurant is completely normal.xperience.
What to Know Before You Go
Entry Requirements for Canadians
Canadian citizens travelling by air to the United States should generally carry a valid Canadian passport or eligible NEXUS documentation. Canadian visitors usually do not require a tourist visa, and visitors can commonly be admitted for stays of up to six months, although the actual period of admission is determined by U.S. border officials.
Border officers may ask about your travel plans, accommodation, finances and ties to Canada. Entry regulations can change, so verify current requirements before departure.
Travel Insurance
Canadian provincial health coverage should not be treated as adequate insurance for travel in the United States.
Medical care can be extremely expensive, so comprehensive travel medical insurance is strongly recommended even for short trips across the border. The Government of Canada also recommends travel insurance for trips outside Canada.
Currency and Payments
The currency is the U.S. dollar.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, although carrying a small amount of cash is useful.
Canadian travellers should also check whether their credit card charges foreign-transaction fees.
Sales Tax
Unlike Canada, displayed retail prices frequently do not include sales tax.
The amount varies by state and sometimes by municipality, so the final amount at checkout can be higher than the price shown on the shelf or menu.
Tipping
Tipping is an established part of American service culture.
For sit-down restaurants, approximately 18% to 20% of the pre-tax bill is common.
Tipping is also customary for bartenders, taxi and rideshare drivers, hotel staff and some other service workers.
Driving
Traffic laws vary somewhat by state.
Pay particular attention to:
- speed limits
- parking restrictions
- toll roads
- school zones
- right-turn-on-red regulations
- local rules regarding mobile-phone use
If renting a vehicle, check what insurance coverage is already provided through your personal automobile policy or credit card before purchasing additional coverage.
Safety
Most travellers visit the United States without serious problems, but conditions vary considerably between cities and neighbourhoods.
Use the same precautions you would in any large destination: safeguard valuables, research unfamiliar neighbourhoods and remain aware of your surroundings.
The Government of Canada’s current overall advice for the United States is to take normal security precautions, although regional advisories can occasionally be issued for weather or other events.
Suggested First-Time United States Itinerary
Because the country is so large, a regional itinerary makes far more sense than attempting a coast-to-coast trip.
A good first visit is a 10-day Northeast itinerary connecting New York, Washington and Boston.
Days 1–4: New York City
Spend four days exploring Manhattan and one or two outer boroughs.
Allow time for:
- Central Park
- Lower Manhattan
- Midtown
- a major museum
- Brooklyn
- an evening Broadway performance or neighbourhood dinner
Days 5–7: Washington, D.C.
Travel from New York to Washington by train.
Spend three days exploring the National Mall, Smithsonian museums, monuments and neighbourhoods beyond the government district.
Days 8–10: Boston
Continue to Boston for the final three days.
Explore the historic centre, waterfront, Back Bay and surrounding neighbourhoods.
This itinerary gives first-time visitors three very different American cities without requiring domestic flights or long driving days.
For a future trip, consider building a completely different itinerary around California, the Southwest, Florida, the national parks or the Pacific Northwest.
Final Thoughts
The scale of the United States is what makes it exciting, but it is also what makes careful planning important.
Choose a region rather than a list of famous attractions scattered across the country. Allow enough time in each destination, account for transportation distances and leave some flexibility in your schedule.
Use this United States travel guide as a starting point, then shape your itinerary around the cities, landscapes and experiences that interest you most.
If you’re considering another North American destination, you may also want to read our Canada travel guide.
Explore more destination guides on TravelingInformed.