North AmericaNorth America

United States

Best time: Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct

Big CitiesNature

OVERVIEW

National parks, coast-to-coast cities, and road trips. As part of North America in North America, United States suits travelers drawn to big cities and nature. Use this guide to plan where to go, when to visit, and how to structure your days.

WHEN TO GO

Recommended window: Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct

April through June and September through October suit most US itineraries, avoiding summer heat in the South and Southwest while keeping national parks accessible before winter snow. Fall foliage peaks in New England in October, while spring wildflowers bloom across Texas and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Typical weather

New York
Apr-Jun/Sep-Oct
- highs 18-26°C (64-79°F)
- lows 8-16°C (46-61°F)
- 80-100 mm rain
Los Angeles
- highs 22-28°C (72-82°F)
- very dry
Grand Canyon rim
- highs 15-25°C (59-77°F)
- cool nights
Miami
Sep-Oct
- highs 28-32°C (82-90°F)
- humid with hurricane risk

Jul-Aug is peak season at Yellowstone, Yosemite, and coastal Maine; book months ahead.
Shoulder travel in May and late September cuts crowds at major parks and cities.
Avoid Gulf and Atlantic hurricane season Aug-Oct unless watching forecasts closely.
Alaska and northern Rockies: best Jun-Aug; Hawaii and Florida work year-round with trade-offs.

SEASONAL TRAVEL COSTS

Flight, hotel, and tour prices in United States shift with demand, holidays, and weather. These windows usually mark the biggest savings and the steepest premiums.

Most affordable

Jan – Mar

Post-holiday winter lull offers America's best flight and hotel deals when Florida and Southwest discount and national parks see lowest visitation except ski peaks.

Major city hotels discount 30-40% in Jan-Feb after New Year.
National park lodges offer winter promotions outside ski areas.
Transcontinental flights often cheapest in late Jan-Feb.
Las Vegas and Orlando resort rates drop sharply in winter weekdays.

Most expensive

Jul – Aug

Summer school holidays and national park peak drive America's highest Yellowstone, Yosemite, and coastal Maine rates when family road trips fill every campground and lodge.

Yellowstone and Yosemite lodges sell out months ahead at peak rates.
Cape Cod and Outer Banks rentals premium in Aug.
Fourth of July week spikes nationwide hotel and flight demand.
Grand Canyon South Rim hotels require advance booking at summer peak.

BEST KNOWN FOR

New York

TOURIST HOT SPOTS

The regions and landmarks travelers visit most in United States, with typical visit times, booking windows, and links to official tickets.

New York

4 highlights

Statue of Liberty
Typical visit: 4-5 hours
Book ahead: Reserve ferry and pedestal or crown tickets 2-3 months ahead for crown access.
Statue of Liberty tickets
Central Park
Typical visit: 4-8 hours
Book ahead: Book park permits or safari slots 1-7 days ahead in peak season.
Find official tickets
Empire State Building
Typical visit: 1-2 hours
Book ahead: Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
Find official tickets
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Typical visit: 1.5-3 hours
Book ahead: Book timed entry 1-2 weeks ahead for major museums; same-day often fine off-season.
Find official tickets

Grand Canyon

4 highlights

Grand Canyon South Rim
Typical visit: 3-6 hours
Book ahead: Check permit rules; popular trails may need booking 1-4 weeks ahead.
Find official tickets
Bright Angel Trail
Typical visit: 3-6 hours
Book ahead: Check permit rules; popular trails may need booking 1-4 weeks ahead.
Find official tickets
Desert View Watchtower
Typical visit: 1-2 hours
Book ahead: Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
Find official tickets
Havasu Falls
Typical visit: 1-2 hours
Book ahead: Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
Find official tickets

San Francisco

4 highlights

Golden Gate Bridge
Typical visit: 1-2 hours
Book ahead: Many are free outdoors; timed entry sites need 1-2 weeks notice in summer.
Find official tickets
Alcatraz Island
Typical visit: Half day to full day
Book ahead: Book ferries or boat tours 3-7 days ahead in peak season.
Find official tickets
Fisherman's Wharf
Typical visit: 1-2 hours
Book ahead: Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
Find official tickets
Golden Gate Park
Typical visit: 4-8 hours
Book ahead: Book park permits or safari slots 1-7 days ahead in peak season.
Find official tickets

Hawaii

4 highlights

Pearl Harbor
Typical visit: 2-4 hours
Book ahead: No ticket required; arrive early in peak season for parking and space.
Find official tickets
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Typical visit: 4-8 hours
Book ahead: Book park permits or safari slots 1-7 days ahead in peak season.
Find official tickets
Waikiki Beach
Typical visit: 2-4 hours
Book ahead: No ticket required; arrive early in peak season for parking and space.
Find official tickets
Road to Hana
Typical visit: 1-2 hours
Book ahead: Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
Find official tickets

PHRASES TO GET AROUND

Ten useful English phrases with pronunciation guides and English translations. Save or screenshot this list before you go.

English

Please
Please
Pronunciation: PLEEZ
Thank you
Thank you
Pronunciation: THANK yoo
Yes
Yes
Pronunciation: YES
No
No
Pronunciation: NOH
How much?
How much?
Pronunciation: how MUCH
Where is the nearest restaurant or bar?
Where is the nearest restaurant or bar?
Pronunciation: wair iz thuh NEER-est RES-tuh-raunt or BAR
Where is the airport?
Where is the airport?
Pronunciation: wair iz thee AIR-port
I need help
I need help
Pronunciation: eye need HELP
I need a hospital
I need a hospital
Pronunciation: eye need uh HOS-pih-tul
Call the police
Call the police
Pronunciation: kawl thuh puh-LEES

LOCAL CUSTOMS & ETIQUETTE

The United States is regionally diverse, informal in greetings, and tipping-dependent in service industries. Personal space and small talk norms vary from NYC directness to Southern hospitality. Federal lands and tribal nations have distinct rules.

Local customs

Sales tax added at checkout, not on shelf tags.
Tipping 18 to 22 percent expected at sit-down restaurants in most cities.
ID checks for alcohol enforce strictly even if you look older.

Do

Keep right on escalators and highway passing lanes.
Respect no-smoking and cannabis laws that vary by state.
Ask before photographing on tribal lands and at ceremonies.
Follow TSA and national park wildlife distance rules.
Use please and thank you in service interactions.

Do not

Do not assume healthcare is free for visitors; carry insurance.
Do not feed wildlife in national parks; fines apply.
Do not fly drones in national parks and near airports without FAA rules.
Do not open carry or transport firearms across state lines without knowing laws.
Do not joke about security at airports or borders.

AIRPORTS

Major hubs include New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago for international arrivals.

John F. Kennedy International Airport
JFK
New York
From city center: 26 km (16 mi) southeast of Midtown Manhattan
Getting in: AirTrain connects to subway and LIRR
Los Angeles International Airport
LAX
Los Angeles
From city center: 30 km (19 mi) southwest of downtown LA
Getting in: FlyAway buses and rideshare reach the city
Miami International Airport
MIA
Miami
From city center: 13 km (8 mi) northwest of downtown Miami
Getting in: Metrorail Orange Line reaches the CBD
O'Hare International Airport
ORD
Chicago
From city center: 27 km (17 mi) northwest of the Loop
Getting in: CTA Blue Line reaches downtown

GETTING AROUND

Americans drive extensively; cities offer local transit, Amtrak links regions, and ride-hailing is widespread.

Trains

Amtrak

National passenger rail on Northeast Corridor and long-distance routes.

Tickets & use: Book at amtrak.com, stations, or the Amtrak app.

Visit Amtrak

Ferries

Washington State Ferries

Car and passenger ferries across Puget Sound near Seattle.

Tickets & use: Pay at terminals or online for reservations where required.

Visit Washington State Ferries

Subways & metro

MTA New York City Subway

24-hour subway serving Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.

Tickets & use: Use OMNY contactless or MetroCard at turnstiles.

Visit MTA New York City Subway

Buses & public transit

Greyhound

Public transit

Intercity coaches connecting cities nationwide.

Tickets & use: Buy at greyhound.com or terminal ticket counters.

Visit Greyhound

LA Metro Bus

Public transit

Los Angeles county buses complement rail lines.

Tickets & use: Tap TAP card or use mobile fare at boarding.

Visit LA Metro Bus

Ride share & taxi apps

Uber

Ride share

Ride-hailing available in most U.S. cities and airports.

Tickets & use: Book and pay through the Uber app.

Visit Uber

Lyft

Ride share

Major ride-hailing competitor in U.S. urban markets.

Tickets & use: Book and pay through the Lyft app.

Visit Lyft

PRACTICAL TIPS

Before you book, read our Safety travel tips. That guide explains how to read U.S. State Department advisories (including Level 1 for United States), register for STEP alerts, get embassy help abroad, and what to do if family at home cannot reach you.

Tip 18–20 percent at sit-down restaurants because service wages often depend on gratuities.
Carry a credit card with no foreign transaction fee and keep a backup card because card payment is standard almost everywhere.
Check TSA PreCheck or Global Entry wait times and book national park timed entries for Yosemite and Zion summer visits.

MOVING OR STAYING LONGER

Visa rules and money basics for U.S. citizens thinking about a longer stay in United States. Confirm current requirements with official immigration and consular sources before you move.

Visa & residence

U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter the United States but must hold valid passports or approved travel documents for re-entry. Long-term residence for foreign nationals involves immigrant and nonimmigrant visas through USCIS, including employment, family, investment, and diversity lottery categories. U.S. immigration law changes through legislation and executive policy frequently, so verify current visa bulletin and USCIS guidance.

Official sources

Currency

United States dollar (USD · $)

U.S. dollars are used for virtually all domestic transactions; cards and mobile pay are widely accepted.

Open currency converter

POPULAR ITINERARIES

Five ready-made day-by-day routes through United States: classic highlights, beaches, countryside, and top monuments. Mix and match segments to fit your schedule.

5 daysBest for: Weekend warriors and short trips