Travelers' pro tips for experiencing the United States

MaryEllenM27

Buy an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass. It works for the Grand Canyon and for over 2,000 federal parks and National Forest areas.

Agro_Sydney

Try not to get too stressed worrying about tipping. Some restaurant bills or bar tabs have a suggested tip, e.g. 15%, 18%, 20%. I only give 20% for exceptional service or for a Taxi from the airport. You don't have to tip for retail, fast food outlets, or public transport.

here&there

Respect the line. I see different cultures cut, rush, or food shop back and forth while they are in line to pay. I know this is standard practice in other countries, but not in this one. When someone says something, don’t act like you didn’t see a line!

NorthofDC

Every place in the U.S. (with a very, very few exceptions) adds sales tax. It is almost the same as the VAT, but in the U.K. the VAT is included in the price; in the U.S. it almost never is (except for movies, plays, attractions, and even those are not predictable). And every state has its own tax rate, and major cities often tack on a little more.

LizAndNZ

For overseas tourists, I learned it is unwise to enter into debates about contentious issues with Americans. It may end in tears! Most New Yorkers and San Franciscans seem to be more liberal in outlook, but there are a lot of more conservative folks out there. Our views on Second Amendment rights and the current President are unwelcome to many. It may be more respectful to avoid the subjects, after all, it is their country.

In the words of those who've been there before ...

Bottomshelfhockey

There’s a reason the Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Wow!

Lpb1

Our West Coast is a wonderful place to visit. You might consider flying into Los Angeles, renting a car and driving up the coast, stopping in Carmel, San Francisco, and then driving up into Washington state.

rockyjoe

My two favorite cities are Las Vegas and New York City. You can't go to these two places and not have a good time.

FLboy22

Florida Keys is the only destination in the United States where you are in the Caribbean while still standing on U.S. soil!

JAtlanta

San Francisco is absolutely beautiful, and you will not want to miss visiting there and visiting the wine country. Along with San Francisco, my favorite American cities to visit are New York, Chicago, and Boston.

What is the best way to get there?

Flying

International airports are located in all major cities throughout the United States.

Do I need a visa?

If you’re visiting the United States from overseas, use the government’s Visa Wizard to see if you need a visa.

When is the best time to visit?

Any time: The United States is a year-round destination. The summer months are often the busiest for city sightseeing, however, visiting in spring or autumn can mean fewer crowds. For winter travelers, cities like New York are magical over the holidays, but you could also hit the ski slopes in Colorado or Vermont, or escape to the sunny shores of Florida or Hawaii.

Festivals take place throughout the seasons in the United States, with top events including Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Burning Man in Nevada (August), South by Southwest in Austin (March), and Coachella in California (April).

Flights

Flying is by far the quickest way to travel around the U.S. It’s often more expensive than public transport but there are good deals to be found if you book in advance and travel outside of peak times.

Train

Amtrak operates high-speed trains linking cities around the nation. Multi-ride tickets and rail passes are available.

Bus

Trailways, Megabus, and Greyhound operate low-cost long-distance bus services to destinations all around the United States.

Find more information about local customs and etiquette in the United States generally here.