USA Travel Guide

When planning a United States vacation it is important to thoroughly research the areas you intend to visit since the country is so large and boasts 50 states all offering their own unique flavors and flair. Because approximately 3,000 miles separate the east coast from the west coast it is quite possible that visitors could find themselves bundled up in parkas on the east coast as they play in the snow and donning bathing suits and basking in the sun at the beach on the west coast—all in the same two-week vacation.

The United States boasts large bustling metropolises, small towns, quaint farmlands, beautiful forests, breathtaking red desserts and rugged mountain terrain. From amusement parks and sporting events, to celebrity spotting and outdoor exploration the United States offers plenty for every traveler.

Main Attractions

International travelers typically visit the United States for one of these five reasons:

1. The national parks. Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon all offer an up close look at nature at its finest. Whether you plan to camp inside the parks with a tent, rent a cozy cabin or stay at a luxurious lodge, the national parks are not to be missed by those who love the outdoors.

2. The miles of sandy beaches. In the forty-eight contiguous states Miami, FL and Huntington Beach, CA have reputations for being among some of the nicest and more tourist friendly beaches. But the United States is also home to Hawaii, with its five islands of white sand beaches and tropical garden atmospheres.

3. The cities. New York City is a favorite spot for tourists who want to see Broadway musicals, visit famed Times Square or take in historical sites like the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Los Angeles and Hollywood provide up close looks at movie stars and film studios. Hollywood is a must for anyone whose dream is to be an extra in a movie or a member of a real live studio audience.

4. The amusement parks. Walt Disney first laid his claim in Orange County, CA with the invention of the original Disneyland Park. Still a popular tourist spot today, Disneyland has hosted over 510 million visitors throughout the past 50+ years and doesn’t show any signs of stopping. Its larger counterpart in Florida, Walt Disney World, is also a popular tourist destination.

5. The historical sites. Although Washington D.C. isn’t technically a state, it is only a short driving distance from many of the east coast states. Home to the White House, the U.S. Capitol and a stone’s throw away from other historical landmarks like Arlington National Cemetery, anyone who wants to know all about the history behind the United States will find all of the museums, monuments and other historical sites to be nothing short of fascinating.

Airports and Ground Transportation

Discount airfare to the United States isn’t hard to find if you fly into popular airports in larger cities. Smaller airports don’t tend to offer as many cheap flights and may require you to connect at a major airport somewhere during your trip. Two of the major international airports in the United States are LAX in Los Angeles, CA and JFK in New York City. Both offer direct flights to and from many international destinations. If you plan to tour the northeast it is ideal to fly into JFK and to rent a car since many of the northeastern states are in close proximity to each other and are within easy driving distance. For a west coast trip, flying into LAX is ideal and a rental car will still be needed as the west coast tends to be a lot more spread out than the northeast making for longer drives. The west coast, however, does offer several scenic highways that provide an unlimited view of the Pacific Ocean making longer drives much more enjoyable.

A Mid-West travel hub would be O’Hare International Airport in Chicago (ORD). A rental car will also be needed when touring that part of the country too. In fact, you should plan on renting a car for your United States vacation unless you will be traveling from one coast to the other, in which case you may want to consider flying and it is fairly easy to find cheap flights from coast to coast. But unlike Europe, the United States does not offer a universal rail system that makes travel to and from all of the major cities quick and convenient. So, no matter what part of the United States you are traveling to, renting a car is almost always a must.

Peak Travel Seasons and Ideal Times to Travel to the United States

The two peak travel seasons for United States vacations tend to be in December (around Christmas) and during the summer months (June, July and August). Travel during these times can be more expensive and many of the points of interest tend to be far more crowded. But these times of year also tend to offer better weather (summer) or unique festivities (December).

California tends to have excellent weather all year ranging in temperature from a dry 100+ degrees in the summer to a moderate 60 degrees in the winter. Average temperatures throughout the year remain close to 80 degrees. Between January and April there can be scattered rain showers, but California tends to be a dry state with consistent weather.

The northeast, however, has more volatile weather. But with the more violent fluctuation in temperatures also comes four distinct seasons, which aren’t always as readily felt on the west coast. The fall is typically a beautiful time of year to visit states like New York, Massachusetts and Maine as the leaves are changing and the air is just beginning to cool. Summer in the northeast tends to be very humid and sticky and outdoor activities can be unpleasant. Winter in the northeast usually brings lots of snow and frigid temperatures well below zero. Spring can be rainy, but it is also a beautiful time of year to travel as everything is just starting to turn green again after a winter of hibernation.

The Midwest tends to be closer in weather patterns to the northeast than the southwest. It is known for it’s awe-inspiring thunderstorms, which can make air travel difficult as planes are constantly grounded during these thunder and lightening extravaganzas. Several Western states like Colorado and Washington State are also known for having volatile weather making those two states optimal to visit in the summertime.

Discount airfare to the United States from Heathrow tends to be in the $500 range at LAX during all seasons of the year. Traveling through JFK, cheap flights to the United States can be harder to come by around the holidays and discount airfare can be as much as $680 roundtrip. Travelers from Hong Kong will find larger fluctuations in pricing between the two coasts. Discount airfare to the United States from Hong Kong (via JFK) typically runs between $1400 and $1800 roundtrip depending on the time of year, with December being more expensive. Flying into LAX tends to offer Hong Kong travelers better options for finding cheap flights as roundtrip airfare is usually in the $1000 range no matter the time of year.