United States
COUNTRY GUIDE

United States

Vast landscapes and endless adventures across diverse regions

The United States isn't just big — it's stupidly big. You've got desert canyons that make you feel like an ant, cities that never sleep, and national parks where you can hike for days without seeing another soul. This is a country where you can eat breakfast tacos in Austin, catch a Broadway show in New York, and watch the sunrise over the Grand Canyon all in the same week. Sure, the distances are insane and the accents change every 200 miles. But that's exactly the point. America rewards the curious traveler with experiences you literally can't find anywhere else on Earth.

Explore Destinations

Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park

Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon

Apostle Islands

Apostle Islands

Appalachian Mountains

Appalachian Mountains

Appalachian Trail

Appalachian Trail

Arches National Park

Arches National Park

Berkshires

Berkshires

Big Sur

Big Sur

Bonneville Salt Flats

Bonneville Salt Flats

Boundary Waters

Boundary Waters

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Burning Man

Burning Man

Cahokia Mounds

Cahokia Mounds

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park

Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park

Carlsbad

Carlsbad

Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands National Park

Coachella

Coachella

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge

Corte Madera

Corte Madera

Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park

Davis

Davis

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park

Disneyland

Disneyland

Dixon

Dixon

Door County

Door County

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park

Finger Lakes Region

Finger Lakes Region

Four Corners

Four Corners

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Haleakalā National Park

Haleakalā National Park

Havasu Falls

Havasu Falls

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian Islands

Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend

Independence Hall

Independence Hall

Inside Passage

Inside Passage

Irvine

Irvine

Isle Royale National Park

Isle Royale National Park

Jackson Hole

Jackson Hole

John Muir Trail

John Muir Trail

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park

Kansas

Kansas

Kenai Fjords

Kenai Fjords

Kings Beach

Kings Beach

Lake Powell

Lake Powell

Lake Tahoe Region

Lake Tahoe Region

Larkspur

Larkspur

Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park

Marfa

Marfa

Maryland

Maryland

Maui

Maui

Mesa Verde

Mesa Verde

Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park

Midwest

Midwest

Mill Valley

Mill Valley

Mono Lake

Mono Lake

Monument Valley

Monument Valley

Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park

Mountain West

Mountain West

Napa Valley

Napa Valley

Napa Valley Wine Region

Napa Valley Wine Region

Nebraska

Nebraska

New England

New England

North Cascades National Park

North Cascades National Park

North Dakota

North Dakota

Northeast

Northeast

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park

Pacific Coast Highway

Pacific Coast Highway

Pacific Crest Trail

Pacific Crest Trail

Pacific Northwest

Pacific Northwest

Palm Springs

Palm Springs

Paso Robles

Paso Robles

Pensacola

Pensacola

Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

Route 66

Route 66

San Carlos

San Carlos

San Clemente

San Clemente

San Juan Islands

San Juan Islands

San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo

San Rafael

San Rafael

Sausalito

Sausalito

Sea Islands

Sea Islands

Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park

Sonoma County

Sonoma County

Sonoma Wine Region

Sonoma Wine Region

South

South

South Dakota

South Dakota

Southeast

Southeast

Southwest

Southwest

Stockton

Stockton

Tempe

Tempe

Texas Hill Country

Texas Hill Country

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Universal Studios

Universal Studios

US Virgin Islands (St. Croix)

US Virgin Islands (St. Croix)

US Virgin Islands (St. John)

US Virgin Islands (St. John)

US Virgin Islands (St. Thomas)

US Virgin Islands (St. Thomas)

Vail

Vail

Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park

Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World

Washington DC

Washington DC

West Coast

West Coast

White Sands National Park

White Sands National Park

Whitefish

Whitefish

Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave National Park

Winters

Winters

Explore the Region

Map showing 110 destinations
Districts
Subregions
Cities
States
Regions
110 destinations
New York City puts you at the center of everything — Times Square energy, Central Park mornings, and subway rides that double as cultural exchanges. Stay in Manhattan if money's no object, or try Brooklyn's Williamsburg for hipster cafes and half the price. Out west, San Francisco's Union Square gets you walking distance to Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf, though you'll pay $300+ per night for the privilege. Los Angeles spreads across dozens of neighborhoods, but Santa Monica puts you near the beach and decent public transit. For nature lovers, Jackson Hole gives you Yellowstone access with luxury lodges, while Moab, Utah serves as base camp for Arches and Canyonlands. The Southwest desert towns like Sedona and Park City offer resort vibes with outdoor adventures. But here's the thing — America's best experiences often happen in smaller places. Consider staying in Charleston, South Carolina for Southern charm, or Asheville, North Carolina for mountain culture and craft beer.

Money-Saving Tips

  • 1.National park annual passes cost $80 and pay for themselves after visiting 3 parks
  • 2.Book domestic flights on Tuesday afternoons for lowest prices, avoid Friday/Sunday travel
  • 3.State parks offer camping and hiking for fraction of national park costs
  • 4.Happy hour runs 4-6pm in most cities with half-price drinks and appetizers
  • 5.Grocery stores like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods have prepared food sections cheaper than restaurants
  • 6.City tourism cards bundle attractions and transit but do the math — they're not always worth it
  • 7.Gas prices vary wildly by state — fill up in New Jersey (full service, lower prices) before New York
  • 8.Free museum days happen monthly in most major cities, usually first Friday or Sunday
  • 9.Airbnb often costs more than hotels once cleaning fees and taxes are added
  • 10.Food halls in cities offer multiple cuisines at lower prices than individual restaurants

Travel Tips

  • Download offline maps before road trips — cell service disappears in rural areas and national parks
  • Tipping is mandatory culture: 20% at restaurants, $2-5 per night for housekeeping, 15-20% for taxis
  • Rental car insurance through your credit card often covers everything, skip the expensive dealer add-ons
  • TSA PreCheck costs $78 for 5 years and cuts airport security wait times to under 10 minutes
  • Weather changes fast in mountains — pack layers even for summer hiking trips
  • Many attractions close Mondays, especially museums and smaller tourist sites
  • Prescription medications need original bottles for TSA, and some states have different pharmacy laws
  • National park campgrounds book up 6 months in advance for peak season
  • Credit cards work everywhere, but carry some cash for food trucks and small businesses
  • Outlet malls near major cities offer designer brands at 30-70% off retail prices

Frequently Asked Questions

Citizens of 40 countries can visit for up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program with an approved ESTA application ($21). All other visitors need a tourist visa. Check the US State Department website for your specific country's requirements.

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