Do I need a visa to visit the United States?

It depends on your nationality. Citizens of many countries can travel under the Visa Waiver Program with an approved ESTA instead of a visa — apply online before you fly, ideally at least a few days ahead. Others need a full visitor visa.

Is it easy to get around US cities without a car?

It varies a lot by city. New York, San Francisco, and Chicago all have transit systems that can get you almost everywhere. In Los Angeles and Miami, you'll likely rely more on rideshare apps or a rental car.

How much should I tip in the US?

Around 15-20% at sit-down restaurants and bars is standard, and tipping isn't optional the way it can feel elsewhere — many service workers rely on tips as a real part of their income.

Panoramic view over the Grand Canyon's layered red-rock formations from Yaki Point on the South Rim

NPS photo by W. Tyson Joye / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

North America

United States Travel Guide

The United States is enormous, and its cities feel less like one country than several. New York moves at its own speed, all subways and skyscrapers. Los Angeles spreads out along the Pacific, built around a car. Las Vegas runs on neon and no clocks. Miami leans into its beaches and Latin American flavor, San Francisco climbs its hills between the bay and the ocean, and Chicago mixes Midwest friendliness with a skyline that started the whole idea of the skyscraper. This guide covers those six cities — the ones most first-time visitors fly into.

Quick facts

Flag: United States
Capital: Washington, D.C.
Language: English
Currency: USD ($)
Timezone: Six time zones, Eastern to Hawaii-Aleutian (UTC-5 to UTC-10); most of the mainland sets clocks forward an hour each summer
Calling code: +1
Driving side: Right-hand side

Planning your trip

Best time to visit: It depends on where you're headed — a Miami winter and a Chicago winter are not the same trip. Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) work well almost everywhere: mild weather, thinner crowds than summer, and prices a notch below peak season. Check each city guide for specifics.
Good to know: The US uses the dollar ($). Tipping is expected, not optional — 15-20% at restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, a few dollars per bag for hotel staff. Distances between cities are large; flying is normal for anything more than a few hours' drive, and cross-country train travel is slow compared to Europe or Japan. Most visitors from visa-waiver countries need an approved ESTA before flying in, arranged online in advance.

Cities

Where to stay in each of United States's cities — pick one below to see its best neighborhoods and hotels.

Michael Rivera / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Orlando

Best for: Families, First-time visitors, Budget travelers, Luxury travelers

Lower Manhattan skyline seen across the Hudson River at dusk, with One World Trade Center rising above the surrounding towers

Gabriel Perez Salazar / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

New York City

Best for: First-time visitors, Couples, Families, Luxury travelers, Architecture lovers, Nightlife

David Brossard / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Chicago

Best for: First-time visitors, Couples, Families, Architecture lovers, Nightlife

Daniel L. Lu / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Los Angeles

Best for: First-time visitors, Couples, Families, Beach time, Luxury travelers, Architecture lovers

Paul Harrison / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Las Vegas

Best for: Nightlife, Luxury travelers, Couples, First-time visitors

The Massachusetts State House's golden dome and columned façade on Beacon Hill, seen straight-on against a clear sky

Christian David / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Boston

Best for: First-time visitors, Couples, Families, Architecture lovers

Jonathan Miske / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Seattle

Best for: First-time visitors, Couples, Architecture lovers, Budget travelers

Photo courtesy USS Midway Museum, "USS Midway Museum" (Wikimedia Commons), public domain

San Diego

Best for: First-time visitors, Couples, Luxury travelers, Architecture lovers, Beach time, Nightlife

Don Ramey Logan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Miami

Best for: First-time visitors, Couples, Luxury travelers, Architecture lovers, Beach time, Nightlife

The west front of the United States Capitol building and its dome, seen across the lawn on a clear day

Photo by Architect of the Capitol (Wikimedia Commons), Public domain

Washington, D.C.

Best for: First-time visitors, Families, Budget travelers, Luxury travelers, Architecture lovers

Daniel L. Lu (dllu) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

San Francisco

Best for: First-time visitors, Couples, Architecture lovers, Luxury travelers

The white spires of St. Louis Cathedral and the Andrew Jackson equestrian statue in Jackson Square, French Quarter

Rasrob1 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

New Orleans

Best for: First-time visitors, Couples, Nightlife, Architecture lovers

Daniel Ramirez / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Honolulu

Best for: First-time visitors, Couples, Families, Beach time, Luxury travelers

Tips

Sales tax isn't included in the sticker price — it gets added at checkout, and the rate varies by city and state, so the total is always a bit more than the tag says.
Public transit quality varies a lot by city. New York, San Francisco, and Chicago all have solid rail systems; Los Angeles and Miami lean much more heavily on driving or rideshare.
Portion sizes at restaurants tend to be large by international standards — sharing a dish or asking for a to-go box is completely normal.

Good to know

The US is the world's third-largest country by both land area and population, spanning six time zones from the East Coast to Hawaii.
It's made up of 50 states plus the federal district of Washington, D.C., each with its own local laws, taxes, and driving rules.
The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France dedicated in 1886, remains one of the country's most recognized symbols and sits in New York Harbor.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to visit the United States?: It depends on your nationality. Citizens of many countries can travel under the Visa Waiver Program with an approved ESTA instead of a visa — apply online before you fly, ideally at least a few days ahead. Others need a full visitor visa.
Is it easy to get around US cities without a car?: It varies a lot by city. New York, San Francisco, and Chicago all have transit systems that can get you almost everywhere. In Los Angeles and Miami, you'll likely rely more on rideshare apps or a rental car.
How much should I tip in the US?: Around 15-20% at sit-down restaurants and bars is standard, and tipping isn't optional the way it can feel elsewhere — many service workers rely on tips as a real part of their income.