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USA
The United States is so big that a single trip can give you many different experiences. You can drive through quiet desert roads, visit huge national parks like the Grand Canyon, or walk the busy streets of New York City. There is a classic road trip waiting for everyone.
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Summary
Did you know?
Unclaimed Mail – Scottsboro, Alabama is home to a massive warehouse that buys up and resells millions of dollars worth of lost airline luggage and lost mail.
Overview
Months
April, August, December, February, January, July, June, March, May, November, October, September
Vacation type
Beach, Couple, Family, Mountains, Party, Safari, Skiing, Diving/Snorkeling, Surfing
Expenses
<150€, <200€, Over 200€
Temperature
0-10°C, 10-20°C, 20-25°C, 25-30°C, Over 30°C, Under 0°C
Rainfall
0-50mm, 50-100mm, 100-150mm, 150-200mm, >200mm
Safety
Medium, Safe
Continent
Central America
Currency
U.S dollar
Languages
English
Currency Converter
When to visit
The USA has many different climates. For the most accurate information, each region has its own dedicated page.
The best overall time to visit the United States is during the shoulder seasons of spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October). Because the country covers an entire continent, these months provide the most comfortable weather nationwide. You avoid the extreme desert heat and high humidity in the South and Southwest, as well as the freezing snowstorms of the northern states.
Summer (June to August) brings peak vacation crowds, packed national parks, and high temperatures, but it is the best time for hiking alpine mountains in the Rockies and visiting Alaska.
Winter (December to February) brings severe snow to the Northeast and Midwest, making it great for ski resorts in Colorado and Utah, or warm-weather escapes to Florida, California, and Hawaii.
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Plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Climate Data
Peak Season: June to August (Summer) / December
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 8 to 11 hours.
Rain Frequency: 6 to 9 days per month.
Rainy Hours per Day: 1 to 2 hours.
Intensity: Sudden, heavy afternoon thunderstorms in the Midwest, South, and East Coast; completely dry heat across the West Coast.
Duration: Quick summer storms that clear out fast, leaving high humidity behind.
Off-Peak Season: January to February (Winter) / November
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 4 to 6 hours (Northern states) / 7 to 8 hours (Sunbelt).
Rain Frequency: 8 to 12 days per month (snow in the north, rain on coasts).
Rainy Hours per Day: 2 to 4 hours.
Intensity: Heavy blizzards, freezing rain, and sub-zero windchills in northern latitudes.
Duration: Winter storm fronts can ground flights and shut down highway travel for days at a time.
Climate Chart
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Data Source: Global Historical Climatology Network
ClimateCharts.net
Weather, Crowds and Costs
Per one person
Tourist Season: June-August / December
Budget Vacation ($90-150/day)
Accommodation: $35-60/night (hostel beds in major cities, budget motels like Motel 6, national park campgrounds).
Food: $20-35/day (fast casual diners, supermarket groceries, food trucks).
Activities: $10-20/day (free city walking tours, state park entrance fees, public city beaches).
Transportation: $25-45/day (city subway systems, shared intercity buses like Megabus).
Other Costs: $5-10/day (national park passes, bottled water).
Mid-Range Vacation ($220-400/day)
Accommodation: $120-220/night (standard 3-star chain hotels, central suburban Airbnbs).
Food: $50-90/day (sit-down family diners, local pub meals, craft breweries).
Activities: $30-70/day (museum entrance tickets, guided trolley tours, state ferries).
Transportation: $50-90/day (standard compact car rental with toll transponder, ride-sharing apps).
Other Costs: $15/day (tipping, coffee).
Luxury Vacation ($700-1,800+/day)
Accommodation: $400-1,200+/night (5-star hotels in Manhattan, luxury safari-style ranches in Montana).
Food: $150-350+/day (Michelin-starred dining, high-end prime steakhouses).
Activities: $100-400+/day (helicopter flights over the Grand Canyon, Broadway theater tickets).
Transportation: $150-350+/day (premium SUV rentals, domestic first-class flights).
Other Costs: $50+/day (private guide tips, high-end shopping).
Off-Peak Season: January-February / November
Budget Vacation ($70-120/day)
Accommodation: $25-45/night (discounted roadside motels, off-season city hostels).
Food: $20-30/day (deli sandwiches, supermarket food).
Activities: $5-15/day (free winter light displays, discounted indoor museums).
Transportation: $20-35/day (off-peak rental cars, intercity buses).
Other Costs: $5/day (hand warmers, hot drinks).
Mid-Range Vacation ($160-280/day)
Accommodation: $80-150/night (off-peak downtown business hotels).
Food: $40-75/day (indoor cafes, casual sit-down bistros).
Activities: $20-50/day (indoor cultural exhibits, cinema tickets).
Transportation: $35-65/day (discounted car rentals, ride-hailing apps).
Other Costs: $10/day (cold weather gear).
Luxury Vacation ($500-1,200+/day)
Accommodation: $300-800+/night (upscale city suites outside holiday weeks).
Food: $120-250/day (fine dining tasting menus).
Activities: $80-200/day (private museum viewings, luxury spa packages).
Transportation: $100-200/day (private executive car transfers).
Other Costs: $30/day (room service charges).
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You can find accomendations that fit your trip and budget on Booking.com, Vrbo and Hotels.com
Best Regions to visit
Cities
1. New York City
- The country's largest metropolis, famous for iconic skyscrapers, Broadway theaters, Central Park, and distinct historic neighborhoods.
2. Los Angeles
- The global entertainment capital, known for Hollywood, sprawling Pacific beaches, classic car culture, and year-round sunshine.
3. Chicago
- The architectural hub of the Midwest, celebrated for world-class museums, lakefront parks, blues clubs, and deep-dish pizza.
4. San Francisco
- A hilly coastal city defined by the Golden Gate Bridge, historic cable cars, Victorian houses, and immediate access to wine country.
5. New Orleans
- A unique historic city on the Mississippi River, renowned for its French-Spanish architecture, vibrant live jazz, and distinct Creole culture.
San Francisco
Did you know?
Whispering Arch – Grand Central Terminal has an acoustic archway where two people standing in opposite corners can whisper to each other across a crowded room.
Islands
1. Oahu
- The central island of Hawaii, combining the urban energy of Honolulu and Waikiki Beach with rugged volcanic ridges and legendary North Shore surf breaks.
2. Key West
- The southernmost coral island in the Florida Keys, famous for historic pastel houses, warm shallow waters, and vibrant nightly sunset celebrations.
3. Mount Desert Island
- A rugged granite island off the coast of Maine, home to the sea cliffs, pine forests, and coastal fiords of Acadia National Park.
4. San Juan Island
- A peaceful island in Washington state, known for sheltered coastal coves, historic lighthouses, and exceptional wild orca watching.
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Find the perfect place to stay in any of these top cities and islands with Booking.com, Hotels.com and Vrbo – offering entire homes and apartments for a comfortable and private experience.
Key West
Things to see
Natural Attractions
1. Grand Canyon National Park
- A colossal gorge carved by the Colorado River in Arizona, stretching 446 kilometers long and exposing billions of years of red geological strata.
2. Yellowstone National Park
- The world's first national park, sitting on a volcanic hot spot filled with steaming geysers, colorful hot springs, and herds of wild bison.
3. Yosemite National Park
- A glacier-carved valley in California's Sierra Nevada mountains, famous for towering granite monoliths like El Capitan and giant sequoia groves.
4. Zion National Park
- A dramatic canyon in Utah characterized by steep red sandstone cliffs, hanging gardens, and narrow river walks through sheer rock slot canyons.
Historical and Cultural Sites
1. The National Mall
- A vast park in Washington, D.C., bordered by the U.S. Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, and the world-renowned Smithsonian museums.
2. Independence Hall
- Located in Philadelphia, this 18th-century brick hall is where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and signed.
3. The Statue of Liberty
- A colossal neoclassical copper sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, standing as an enduring symbol of freedom and immigration.
4. The Alamo
- An 18th-century Spanish Franciscan mission in San Antonio, Texas, that served as the site of a pivotal battle during the 1836 Texas Revolution.
Unique Experiences
1. Driving Route 66
- Cruising stretches of the historic "Mother Road," exploring retro roadside diners, glowing neon signs, and vast open desert horizons.
2. Attending a Live Jazz Session
- Sitting in a crowded French Quarter club along Frenchman Street in New Orleans, listening to world-class brass musicians late into the night.
3. Leaf Peeping in New England
- Driving through the winding mountain roads of Vermont and New Hampshire in October to see hillsides turning vibrant red, orange, and gold.
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The best way to explore major cities and must-see attractions is by booking guided tours.* They offer convenience, local insights, and often save time when visiting popular sights.
Route 66
Unique Accomondations/Foodspots
Accommodations
The Plaza
Location: Fifth Avenue at Central Park South, New York City, USA
An iconic, French Renaissance-style grand hotel that has stood as a legendary symbol of American luxury and timeless elegance in Manhattan since 1907.
Restaurants / Bars
The French Laundry
Location: Yountville, Napa Valley, California, USA
A world-renowned, multi-Michelin-starred culinary temple helmed by Chef Thomas Keller, celebrated for its legendary daily changing French-inspired tasting menus utilizing pristine American artisanal and garden produce.
Tours to do
1. The Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1)
- A dramatic coastal road trip stretching from San Francisco down to Los Angeles, winding along the rugged cliffs of Big Sur and past coastal redwoods.
Best Time: September to November.
Average Cost: $1,200 – $2,200 per person
2. The Mighty 5 Utah Parks Loop
- An overland route departing Las Vegas or Salt Lake City to explore Utah's five premier national parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches.
Best Time: April to May, or September to October.
Average Cost: $1,000 – $1,800 per person
Salt Lake City
How to get around
1. Car Rental
- The most flexible and necessary way to travel across the vast majority of the country, especially when exploring national parks and regional landscapes.
2. Domestic Aviation
- Major carriers (Delta, United, American, Southwest) provide extensive networks connecting thousands of daily routes between states.
3. Amtrak Rail Network
- Efficient and frequent along the Northeast Corridor (Boston to Washington, D.C.), but long-distance scenic cross-country routes are slow and prone to freight delays.
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You can find great car rental deals for your vacation on Expedia *
Did you know?
Road Salt Mountain – Syracuse, New York sits on top of a massive underground salt deposit that supplies tons of winter road salt across the country.
What to eat
1. American Barbecue
- Regional wood-smoked meats cooked low and slow for hours, ranging from Texas brisket seasoned simply with salt and pepper to sweet, tangy tomato-glazed pork ribs in Kansas City.
2. Cheeseburger
- A ground beef patty seared on a flat-top grill, topped with melted American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and sauce, served inside a toasted brioche or sesame bun.
3. Clam Chowder
- A rich New England soup made with diced local clams, salt pork or bacon, tender potatoes, onions, and heavy cream, served alongside crisp oyster crackers.
4. Apple Pie
- A classic double-crusted pastry baked with sliced spiced apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar, traditionally served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Apple Pie
Flights
Flight prices are approximate and vary by departure city, airline, and booking time. Check airlines or travel platforms for the latest details.
* Please note: All prices are rough estimates for orientation purposes only and may vary by region.
Main Airports: New York (JFK, EWR), Washington D.C. (IAD), Boston (BOS)
Flight Prices and Seasons:
From Europe
- Average Round-Trip Cost: €300 to €700.
- Cheapest Months: January to March.
- Peak Prices: June to August and December holidays.
From North America
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $100 to $300.
- Cheapest Months: January to March.
- Peak Prices: June to August and December holidays.
From Asia
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $400 to $900.
- Cheapest Months: January to March.
- Peak Prices: June to August and December holidays.
From Australia
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $1,000 to $1,800.
- Cheapest Months: January to March.
- Peak Prices: June to August and December holidays.
From Africa
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $600 to $1,200.
- Cheapest Months: January to March.
- Peak Prices: June to August and December holidays.
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You can find the best flight deals with Skyscanner or plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Airport Location
Visa
1. Visa Requirement
- Eligible citizens from over 40 countries can travel under the Visa Waiver Program with an approved ESTA. All other travelers must obtain a B1/B2 tourist visa.
2. Consular Processing
- The ESTA is submitted entirely online prior to boarding flights. Tourist visas require an in-person consular interview.
3. Required Documentation
- A valid biometric passport, approved ESTA or visa, and proof of return or onward international travel.
4. Health Requirements
- No mandatory vaccines. Medical treatment costs are exceptionally high; carrying comprehensive medical travel insurance is essential.
5. Travel Insurance
- High-limit medical and evacuation coverage is mandatory to avoid catastrophic out-of-pocket costs for hospital care.
Important things to know
1. Payments
- US Dollars (USD) are used, and credit/debit cards are widely accepted.
2. Tap Water
- Safe to drink in most areas.
3. Electricity
- Standard US voltage (120V), with Type A and B plugs.
4. Tipping in Restaurants
- 15-20% is standard for good service.
5. Sim Cards
- US-based carriers work, and you can also buy local SIM cards (e.g., AT&T, T-Mobile).
6. Driving Side
- Right side of the road.
Souveniers
1. Handcrafted Western Cowboy Boots
- Custom leather footwear made from cowhide, bison, or exotic leathers by traditional bootmakers across Texas and the American Southwest.
2. Native American Turquoise Jewelry
- Intricate silver bracelets, rings, and squash blossom necklaces set with polished blue and green turquoise by Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi artisans.
3. Kentucky Straight Bourbon
- Aged corn whiskey distilled and matured in brand-new charred oak barrels across the historic distilleries of central Kentucky.
Western Cowboy Boots
Location
Reviews
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