USA travel guide

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park is around 4,000 feet deep and nearly 300 miles – the handy work of the Colorado River over 5 million years. It’s mind-blowing to see from any vantage point, but if it’s your first visit, I recommend seeing it from Desert View Drive.

Yosemite National Park

When you drive into Yosemite Valley, you’re instantly greeted by the 3,000-foot wall of granite – El Capitan. 

Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Bridalveil Falls are all accessible on foot or bicycle as well. It’s a perfect day trip from SF, but for the serious hikers, you can apply for a wilderness permit for a backpacking adventure of a lifetime.

Yellowstone National Park

Old Faithful blasting water high in the sky (Steamboat Geyser is even taller), pristine lakes and springs (Grand Prismatic is stunning), and scenic drives replete with frequent stops for bison crossings, make Yellowstone a must-see when you travel the U.S. 

Washington DC

Any US travel guide has to mention the nation’s capital, right? 

I’ve written plenty of guides about this brilliant city (check out some non-touristy things to do here), but before you dive deep, you’ll want to tick iconic landmarks like the Smithsonian, Lincoln Memorial, and National Mall. Try the moonlight trolley tour for something a bit different.

Deep South Road Trip

Drive from Texas to Florida on a Deep South road trip. Start in the lively city of Houston before making stops for Gumbo in the French Quarter of New Orleans. 

Take a guided tour of the mansions in the historic district of Savannah, Georgia, and land in Memphis, where you can check out the National Civil Rights Museum.

New York City

Cruise around on a guided tour around the Statue of Liberty on a ferry, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, or see a Broadway show on your first visit to NYC. 

Been there, done that? Grab one of the best slices of pizza in NYC at Joe’s or Scarr’s, check out a comedy show at Comedy Cellar, or head to the Bronx for a game at Yankee Stadium.

West Coast Road Trip

The best part of any West Coast road trip is the drive itself. You’ll drive past (and likely stop a lot) along the coastal areas of Big Sur and Pismo Beach, charming restaurants and hotels in Santa Barbara, and vibrant nightlife in Los Angeles along the way.

Chicago 

New York City gets most of the attention (as it should), but Chicago is no slouch, with amazing culture and cuisine of its own.

Visit Millenium Park for interactive art and beautiful lakeside scenery, check out a baseball game at Wrigley Field, and grab an Italian Beef sandwich (ask the locals for the best).

California Coastal Drive

2 – 3 Weeks

Redwood National Park – Point Reyes National Seashore – San Francisco – Big Sur – Santa Barbara – Los Angeles – San Diego 

Stop at beaches, wineries, and hiking spots as you wind your way along California’s coast. Read about my last CA road trip here.

Utah’s Mighty Five

2 Weeks

Zion – Bryce Canyon – Capitol Reef – Canyonlands – Arches

Learn more about the national parks and things to do in Utah here.

East Coast City Tour

7 – 10 Days

Washington DC – NYC – Boston

Take a train for the most hassle-free option. Learn about how to travel DC like a boss with my non-touristy travel guide of the USA capital.

Music Trail

10 days

Nashville – Memphis – Clarksdale – New Orleans

Learn about the history of country music, the blues and jazz in the Deep South.

Taos, New Mexico

There are more famous ski towns in US travel guides, but Taos is a sneaky pick for one of the best.

Aside from above-average slopes at Taos Ski Valley, Taos boasts the Taos Art Museum at Fechin House, excellent New Mexican food at La Cueva Cafe, plus historic mission churches and pueblos. 

Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park is packed with things to do. Whether you’re hiking and driving to see the large and abundant cacti, strolling the ecology trail, or admiring the petroglyphs at Signal Hill, it’s truly a hidden gem.

White Sands National Park

Exploring the rolling white dunes in the daytime or stargazing at night are two obvious reasons why White Sands National Park is a must-add to any USA travel guide itinerary.

But sand boarding at areas like Dune Life Nature Trail is next-level fun at one of the best-kept secrets in the USA.

Road Trip Along the North Shore

Head to Minnesota for some hot dish (think weeknight casserole meets shepherd’s pie), great music (check the calendar at First Avenue), and a road trip along the largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior.

Dishes to try

Smashburger – Extra-thin hamburger with crispy edges and melted American cheese. 

Bacon, Egg and Cheese – NYC breakfast sandwich served on a soft roll.

Detroit-Style Pizza – Slightly thick-crust pan pizza with cheesy edges.

Dungeness Crab – Iconic North American crab famously found around San Francisco.

Drinks to try

Manhattan – Rye or Bourbon whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters.

Expect to spend between  £255 and £433 ($325 and $550) per day per person in the USA on a mid-range basis. Add £512 to £866 ($650 to $1,100) if you’re travelling on a luxury basis.

Average Daily Costs 

• Hotel – 
  • Mid-Range – £145 to £185 ($185 to $235) per night. 
  • Luxury – £235 to £700 ($300 to $900) per night.
• Food – £8 to£58 ($10 to $100) per meal. 
• Public Transport –  £.80 to £2.15 ($1 to $2.75) per ticket.
• Attractions – £4 to £20 ($5 to $25) for tickets.
• Tours – £60 to £315 ($75 to $400) per tour.

Safety

Most locations in my guide to USA travel are relatively safe. But to play it cautious, you’ll want to stick with rideshares or taxis at night in unfamiliar areas.

I also recommend using WanderSafe, Noonlight, and other travel apps designed for women, especially when travelling solo.

Health

When you plan your travel to the U.S., be sure you’re up to date on vaccinations for common illnesses. The CDC recommends being current on your hepatitis, Tdap, influenza, polio, chickenpox, and several other immunizations.

Water in most US travel destinations is perfectly safe.

Tipping

Tipping culture is huge in the USA (though Gen Z is changing that?). But for now, expect to tip 15-20% in most restaurants and about $2-$3 per cocktail at bars.

Tips for travelling

• Bartenders are typically great resources (think free US travel guides). But of course, you’ll want to tip for their time.
• Food, cocktails, and just about everything runs a little larger in the USA – pace yourself. 
• You may need to connect to different locations by aeroplane when you travel to the USA; it’s massive.
• One of the best tips for travelling to the USA in 2023 is to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization online before you visit.
• Public transportation is only reliable in a handful of major cities. You’ll want to hire a car or rely on rideshare everywhere else.

How to see the best for free

You can learn a lot when you travel to the USA with Free Tours by Foot. Get a history lesson in the French Quarter of New Orleans, walk through Hollywood, or take an architecture tour of Chicago for free (or a small donation). 

If you’re the outdoorsy type, many beaches, and state parks are free (but may charge for parking). You can even access parts of Redwood National Park (read about it here) free of charge.

Packing

Packing for your USA trip? Don’t forget… 

• Tropicfeel Geysers – Excellent hiking shoes that can hold up to various conditions.
• Hydro Flask – You’ll want to bring a full bottle to many of the locations in this US travel guide.
• First Aid Kit – Bug spray, medications, and bandages.
• Water Purifier – For longer treks and backpacking.
• Passport – The USA requires an official ID at bars.

Travel insurance

I recommend purchasing travel insurance for any international holiday, but the cost of healthcare in the USA is sky high so you really need to make sure you have it before you travel (and that it covers the USA, not all policies do as standard). I like AXA Travel Insurance.

Suggested guidebooks

• Moon Travel Guides: USA State by State
• Lonely Planet Guidebooks: US Travel Guide Book
• Fodor’s: Bucket List USA: From the Epic to the Eccentric

Interesting facts

• The Mississippi River is the most famous, but the Missouri River is actually larger.
• Bourbon doesn’t technically have to come from Kentucky, but 95% of it does.
• Hawaii and Alaska are the only two states without daylight savings time.
• American Football overtook baseball and basketball as the most popular US sport.

Time zone

Pacific Time (UTC-7/UTC-8)

Mountain Time (UTC-6/UTC-7)

Central Time (UTC-5/UTC-6)

Atlantic Time (UTC-3/UTC-4)

Alaska Time (UTC-8/UTC- 9)

Hawaiian Time (UTC-10)

Electricity and adapters

All USA travel locations use Type A and Type B plugs. Bring a universal travel adaptor if you’re visiting from Europe or other countries.