United States of America

What to see

While the number of places to visit in the USA is seemingly endless, here is a list of what we have found to places that simply cannot be missed in America:

New York, New York:

It seems that everyone has had a love affair with Manhattan and all that it represents since the beginning of time. Whether you have been to NYC hundreds of times or will embark on your first journey here, you will be blown away with this iconic city. Remember, while there are the famous sites like Times Square, the Empire State Building, Central Park and some of the finest museum collections in the world, do remember that New York City is sprawling with activities and lesser known sites that will still make your heart shake with an incomparable buzz. Chinatown, Korea Town, Brooklyn, East Village, Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen… simply give yourself a chance to wander through every bit of the city you have time to and you will be handsomely rewarded.

Orlando, Florida:

If you are talking to a friend in Britain and they mention that they have been to America before and noted Orlando as one of the only places they have been in the states, there is good reason. Orlando is home to the Disney World Resort, which is one of the most magical places in the country for families from all over the world to come and have a fantastic vacation. Aside from the numerous theme parks that make up the Disney Resort complex, Orlando is only about an hour and a half away by car from the East coast beaches.

Los Angeles, California:

The pulse that makes Southern California’s heart beat is found here in Los Angeles. This is the entertainment capital of the world and you will be sure to see some of the most iconic sites in the USA including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive, and be just a stones throw away from the idyllic beaches found in both Santa Monica and Malibu. As LA is home to the stars in America, don’t be too surprised if you find yourself sipping your Starbucks next to someone like Rihanna. With pleasant climates all year long, you’ll certainly fall into this city’s charms in spite of the never ending traffic.

New Orleans, Louisiana:

There is nothing like engulfing yourself in the heart of the Deep South in America, and if you’re going to give any city in this region a go, you’ll have to be sure to swing by the home of Mardi Gras Celebrations and party central in New Orleans. Tap into delicious plates of gumbo shrimp, let the locals embrace you with their southern hospitality, and allow yourself to get lost in the jazz capital of America. Yes, this city has certainly been through a lot with Hurricane Katrina hitting in 2005, but a quick visit to this voodoo magic city will have you in awe of how far it has come back and how it has done so proud and smiling.

Las Vegas, Nevada:

The Las Vegas strip is one of the most iconic images of America in modern day and provides a place for party-goers to have one of the most unforgettable holidays of their lives. This is where you will be able to bathe in American excess at it’s absolute finest. You’ll find some of the country’s most luxurious and over the top hotels, shopping and dining. From all the casinos to every ‘little chapel’ that litters the city streets, you’ll find this is a place that can truly overwhelm and amaze your each and every sense.

Top experiences / sites of particular interest

New Orleans:

Visit in March for the Mardi Gras celebrations and dance the night away.

New York City:

Visit on New Years Eve to experience the incredible atmosphere and stunning lights of Times Square. Enjoy musical performances and shimmering fireworks displays at this star studded event.

San Francisco:

Go on a trolley ride along the hills of San Fran and explore the city in your own time.

Other Destinations:

You’ll want to be sure to check out Boston, which many British people find to have a comforting familiarity to the UK. Clam chowder, a loss of the letter ‘R’ and a music scene to die for, this Massachusetts gem will have you head over heels. Other places to check out include Chicago, San Francisco, Salt Lake City and ski fans simply cannot go to the USA without making their way into Colorado, which has some of the countries most beautiful natural scenery.

When to go

Weather & Seasons: If you’re going to the Northeast, the best time to go would be from April to October as winters in this region are very chilly. However, many people do prefer to go to this region for the winter scenery it is known for. The best time to visit the Southeast part of the country is typically from November to April as temperatures are mostly pleasant at this time. When visiting any state in the Northern Hemisphere, you’ll find that the best times to visit for warm weather are summer months and if you’re looking for ski holidays, the best times are winter months and early spring. The southern hemisphere is just the opposite and often boosts pleasant temperatures throughout the majority of the year all though it can become rather hot as well.

Getting there / around

Flights: Flying to New York will take about 6-7 hours, whereas flying to Los Angeles will often take around 10-11 hours. You’ll find that prices vary throughout the year, and you could be very lucky to find a ticket to New York for around £350, but could spend up to £700 depending on demand. Tickets to California often range from £450 to £850 depending on demand. You’ll find that no matter what time of year that you go to the US, the ticket price will be quite costly.

Car Rental: The majority of America is reliant on the car to get around, but you will find that if you go to New York City, Boston or Chicago this may be an exception. However, it is strongly recommended that you do rent a car if you would like to have the freedom to see all that is around you if you plan to spend time outside the aforementioned cities. In the USA, drivers travel on the right side of the road vs. the left, so do be warned that it might be a bit of transition at first.

Potential itineraries

Short Trip: If you’re looking for a small holiday to the USA, it could be good to visit on the East Coast and spend some time in New York City and Boston. You can easily go between cities by bus, which will be about a 3.5 hour journey.

Longer Trips: If you are looking to spend a long time in America, you may want to head to the West Coast and visit across California, Nevada and Utah. Here you will be able to experience Los Angeles, Californian beaches, beautiful state parks and then still be able to have a wild old time in Las Vegas. If you’re looking to spend time on both coasts, you find that this will often involve a costly 5-6 hour flight to get from one side of the country to another.

On A Budget: If you’re looking for a cheap trip to the USA, you will probably want to avoid bigger cities. However, if you look into couch surfing options on places like http://www.craigslist.com/, you can save on accommodation. Southern states are also typically cheaper than those in the North.

Luxury Options: As mentioned, you will find that in megacities like New York, Chicago or Boston, you will be spending a good penny. You’ll find that all major cities and tourists destinations will have options for luxurious hotels and resorts to make you feel more than exquisitely catered to.

Luxury Options: As mentioned, you will find that in megacities like New York, Chicago or Boston, you will be spending a good penny. You’ll find that all major cities and tourists destinations will have options for luxurious hotels and resorts to make you feel more than exquisitely catered to.

Language

English

Currency

US Dollar made up of 100 cent.

Visas

Tourists who are non-American citizens and come from the EU will need to fill out an ESTA form, which they can do here: www.esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta

Health issues

While you will normally not be required to get any new vaccinations for travel to the USA, do be warned that healthcare in America is very expensive. If you are having any health problems or need medications, make sure to visit your GP in the UK to avoid spending a fortune abroad should anything go wrong.

Useful Telephone Numbers

American country representatives can be found

In the UK:

For more information visit: london.usembassy.gov and www.visitusa.org.uk .