USA Travel Guide

TOP DESTINATIONS

NEW YORK CITY

NEW ORLEANS

LOS ANGELES

WASHINGTON DC

SEATTLE

THE GRAND CANYON

The US is vast and impossibly diverse.

From Empire State dreamin’ to sunny Californian beaches, from Grand Canyon hikes to Maine's lobster-laden shores, there’s something for everyone in the US - and in every season.

Summers can be spent in Orlando, Florida at Walt Disney World or horseback riding in the Great Smoky Mountains. In autumn, head up to Boston, Massachusetts to experience the fall foliage or rent a cabin in Upstate New York and kayak on a red and gold crusted lake. In the winter, take a trip to Colorado to go skiing or flee the cold and sip margaritas on Miami Beach. Spring is beautiful most everywhere, but be sure not to miss New Orleans’ French Quarter Festival in April.

Of course, Americans speak English, and usually only English (our education system is a hot mess). That said, our unofficial second language is definitely Spanish. You'll hear a lot of it in places like Florida, Texas, and southern California.

The US uses the United States Dollar (USD). Cash is becoming less of a thing, but I'd carry small bills for mom and pop shops, farmer's markets, and so on if that's your thing. Otherwise, you can pay almost everywhere with a contactless card.

The US uses Type A and Type B plugs and our outlets run on 120V and 60Hz. I recommend purchasing a universal adapter (with surge protection) and a converter for larger electronics like hairdryers.

Gun violence is very much a thing here, but the likelihood of you seeing someone with an unconcealed weapon on the streets of a major city is highly unlikely. Maintain your usual street smarts, and if something feels wrong then trust your gut and leave. The same applies for solo female safety.

ROAD TRIPS IN THE US

In all honesty, the state of public transportation in the United States leaves much to be desired. While I adore Amtrak, particularly for its extensive coverage in the North East, we still remain largely dependent on cars, especially outside major urban centers. When planning a longer multi-city trip, opting for a road trip is often the fastest, most reliable, and convenient mode of travel.

However, for those unfamiliar with the US, note that distances between destinations are far more substantial than they may initially appear. To put it in perspective, driving from Los Angeles to New York City takes about 50 hours of driving!

Touring Early America

If you're a first-time visitor to the US or an American who's always lived out West, be sure to explore cities like Philadelphia, Boston, and New York City, which were established during the nation's colonial period. Attractions like Independence Hall and Elfreth's Alley in Philly or The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum in Boston offer wonderful romps through our history.

However, it is absolutely essential to keep in mind how devastating this period of time was for the Native Americans. Though Washington DC was established much later than these earlier cities, it's home to the National Museum of the American Indian which addresses both colonial history and Native American experiences. It's free to enter, and I highly recommend making the time.