USA TRAVEL GUIDE
Are you looking for expert advice and insider tips on travel in the USA?
We are Aussies who now live in the USA and have spent years road tripping across the country collecting a ton of tips and destination stories we love to share with you as your persona advisors!
Scroll down to find our tips on the best things to do in the USA including travel costs, itinerary ideas, road trips and more.
UNIQUELY USA - TRAVEL IDEAS AND HIGHLIGHTS
No matter your interests, you can find USA attractions and experiences to match your style. Click the image below to find experiences and attractions that suit what you're looking for! Almost all of our content and tips are based upon personal experience!
TOP DESTINATIONS
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
Here are a few of our favorite USA experiences. Click on the image to learn more.
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IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT USA TRAVEL
Be prepared before visiting the USA with the basic information and important facts.
LANGUAGE
American English is the main language spoken in the USA, with Spanish a close second. But, be warned - Americans find it hard to pick other English speaking people's accent and may have trouble understanding you, especially if you use Aussie Lingo!!
CURRENCY
The USA's national currency is the US Dollar, which comes in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. Coins come in pennies (1c), nickels (5c), dimes (10c) and quarters (25c).
SAFETY
We have generally found America a very safe and welcoming place to visit. Don't listen to all the news telling you otherwise. Keep your wits about you, and research areas that may be prone to natural disasters.
ACCESSING MONEY
Credit Cards are widely accepted including AMEX, which rarely comes with an extra fee. ATMs can be found everywhere. ALWAYS carry cash for things like tips!! We always get caught out with that one.
POWER
In the United States of America, the power plugs and sockets are of type A and B. The standard voltage is 120 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.
WI-FI & INTERNET
Free Wi-Fi is readily available in the US at cafes, libraries and hotels. It can be slow in congested areas. AT& T and Verizon are the two phone/data providers we have used and have gotten best coverage.
BEST USA TRAVEL TIPS
When you visit the USA there is a lot to consider when planning a USA trip.
There’s the logistics of flights and how to get around, deciding which states and cities to visit, what attractions to see, which hotels to stay in, and the concerns of how much things will cost.
You may also be wondering about the smaller things, that can often shape our moments and memories. That is the local life you encounter when you travel in the USA.
- What are the people like?
- Will they understand me?
- Do they only have fast food?
- Is it scary driving on the opposite side of the road?
- What are the cultural dos and don’ts?
We have a wide variety of articles down below that share both the logistics of travel and what to expect as you encounter the diversity of its culture.
17 Cool Places to Visit in the US for 2021 (and beyond)
Choosing cool places to visit in USA is not an easy task. With a country that has 50 states, over 400 national parks, vibrant cities, […]
Tipping in USA – A Guide on How Much to Tip in USA and When
Ugh. Tipping in USA. It’s quite the unexpected travel expense on your USA trip. It can feel complicated and frustrating. As a foreigner, you might […]
19 Essential Things to Know Before You Visit the USA
Are you planning to travel in USA and are visiting from Australia or anywhere elsewhere in the world? When you visit the USA there is […]
How to Plan Your Dream USA Trip of a Lifetime (in 11 steps)
Have you been dreaming about a USA trip? This post is for you! We have visited the United States many times and have lived here […]
OUR TOP 5 FAVORITES IN THE US
Hover over each card to reveal our favorites! Then use the search bar underneath them to find our content on each one!
FOOD DESTINATIONS
- New Orleans
- San Francisco
- Seattle
- New York
- Jackson, MS
BEACHES
- Wrightsville Beach, NC
- Outer Banks, NC
- Gulf Shores, AL
- Huntington Beach, CA
- St Andrews State Park, FL
BEER REGIONS
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- San Diego
- Seattle
- Colorado
NATIONAL PARKS
- Yellowstone NP
- Grand Canyon NP
- Yosemite NP
- Death Valley NP
- Great Smoky Mountains NP
CITIES
- Nashville
- New York City
- New Orleans
- Seattle
- Boston
- San Francisco
ROAD TRIP REGIONS
- Southwest USA
- California
- Pacific Northwest
- Mountain Region
- Carolina Coast
BEST TIME TO VISIT THE USA
The diversity of the USA offers travel experiences across all four seasons. Careful planning will be needed as some areas may be closed during the winter months, or prone to hurricanes and tornadoes during the warmer months.
HIGH SEASON
Warm days across the country with generally high temperatures. Expect high crowds and high prices. The East Coast will be humid and the west dry. Offers a short window of travel time in some regions of the country due to higher altitudes and early or late snow. (Jan - March will be high season for ski resorts)
SHOULDER SEASON
Milder temperatures and fewer crowds. Spring flowers will delight in April and the fiery Fall colors in many places will amaze. You'll find many festivals starting or finishing the season and in the Southeast there are plenty of opportunities for your beach vacation.
LOW SEASON
Wintry days with snowfall in the north and heavier rains in some regions. Many areas in the country will be closed off or access limited. You'll find great deals and low prices for accommodations in many places. Expect higher crowds and prices in ski resorts and warm destinations like Florida and Arizona.
OUR PICK
We love September and October for travel, particularly in the Southeast. You'll still find gorgeously warm days so can enjoy the beaches and outdoors with fewer crowds. We also LOVE the many music, arts, and brew festivals still happening AND with the start of the Fall sports, there is a LOT of fun sporting events to enjoy.
USA Destination Ideas
There are so many incredible destinations and experiences waiting for you in the USA. Here are a few of our favorites.
45 Unique + Fun Things to Do in North Carolina Bucket List
North Carolina couldn’t be a more perfect home for us. From the mountains to the coast, we’re surrounded by unbelievable natural beauty, outdoor adventure, vibrant culture, friendly people, and an almost perfect climate (a little […]
7 Great Pacific Northwest Road Trip Ideas (For Fall 2020 or anytime)
For spectacular scenery of rugged coastlines, jagged mountain ranges, lush rainforests, crystal clear luminous lakes and rivers, and vast stretches of volcanic wilderness, it’s hard to beat a Pacific Northwest road trip. We spent most […]
25 Favorite Things to Do in Raleigh, NC (Our Locals Guide)
Okay, so this post has been a long time coming – like 14 years coming! Not sure why it’s taken us awhile to write a post on our favorite things to do in Raleigh, NC, […]
16 of the Most Fun Things to Do in Outer Banks, North Carolina (don’t miss #12)
After experiencing many of the fun things to do in Outer Banks and its natural beauty, we can report that this destination is just heaven. There’s over 100-miles of some of the best beaches in […]
28 Kids Activities in San Francisco (+ Where to Stay & Eat)
Looking for fun things to do in San Francisco with kids? We loved our recent 7 day trip to San Francisco and were pleasantly surprised by how kid-friendly this city is. Down below we are […]
20 Incredible Places to Visit in Utah For Your Utah Road Trip
Planning to visit Utah? Get excited, because there are so many incredible places to visit in Utah that we often refer to the state as BeaUTAHful. From the arches and red rocks, to the desert […]
30 Incredible Places to Visit in California For Your Bucket List
Dreaming of visiting California? There are so many beautiful places to visit in California and I think it has more diversity than any other state in the United States. From the beaches to the mountains, […]
18 Amazing Things to do in Sedona with Kids
Our trip to Sedona in September was part of our four-week USA road trip with visiting family from Australia. Arizona featured heavily in that itinerary, and after a relaxing couple of days in Scottsdale we […]
8 Helpful Tips for Planning a Trip to the Grand Canyon With Kids
If you are planning a trip to the Grand Canyon with kids, you are in the right place! We enjoyed an unforgettable three day Grand Canyon vacation as part of a four week USA road […]
3 Day NYC Itinerary to Experience Popular New York Attractions
Things to do in NYC in 3 days. Do you want to see the best New York attractions like the Statue of Liberty, CEntral Park, Top of the Rick and Empire State building? We make it easy for you with this three day itinerary that helps you save time and money on your NYC trip
Best Things to Do in New Orleans with Kids!
Should you visit New Orleans with kids? The short answer, yes, you absolutely can bring the whole family. Our recent family trip to New Orleans was incredible. Read on to learn all the reasons why! […]
5 Day Itinerary – Exciting Things to Do on the Big Island of Hawaii
Each island in the Hawaiian islands has their own distinct flavor and reason for visiting. As for things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii, it’s the place for big adventures and wow moments! […]
SAVE MONEY ON USA TRAVEL
We love saving money on tours and attractions in the US, and cool accommodation options that cost less.
Here are a few ideas.
8 Must Do San Francisco Tourist Attractions Not Too Miss!
What are the must do San Francisco tourist attractions to experience on your San Francisco vacation? We spent 7 days exploring the best the city has to offer and down below are the top attractions […]
How To Visit Las Vegas on a Budget – Tips to Help You Save Money
Planning to visit Las Vegas on a budget? You might think that’s crazy, but cheap Vegas trips are possible! Below are my tips for Vegas on a budget including the most affordable hotels in Las […]
20 Fun Things to Do in LA with Kids (adults love these too)
Planning to visit Los Angeles soon? LA is the second biggest city in the USA and there are endless fun things to do in Los Angeles with kids! Below are our top tips on what […]
How to Save on New Orleans Attractions with the New Orleans Sightseeing Pass
How to save money on New Orleans attractions using the New ORleans Sightseeing Pass. We break down what is included – swamp tour, World War II Museum, Mardi Gras World – as well as how much it costs, the benefits of the pass and how it will save you money.
Rent a Vacation Home Near Disney World, Orlando with friends
What do you do when you’re presented with an opportunity to stay in an 8,000 sq.ft Orlando vacation home with a private pool that sleeps 24 guests? Call all your friends to see who can […]
Why You Should Consider a Disneyland Vacation Rental vs. Hotel
Ditch the expensive Disneyland resort hotels and rent an apartment or townhouse near to Disney. A vacation rental for Disneyland affordable and enjoyable
15 New York Travel Tips to Save Money and Maximize Time (epic guide)
You can travel to New York City on a budget! We share 15 of our best New York travel tips to save money and maximize your time. There are so many NYC attractions and amazing food, you want to know how to do it all without costing you a fortune.
How to Save Money on NYC Attractions: New York Sightseeing Pass
here are ways to visit New York on a budget. With this tip, you’ll need careful planning but we’ll show you how you can save money on NYC attractions with a New York Sightseeing pass. Skip the queues and have some fun. Don’t miss The Ride!
TOP EVENTS IN THE USA
There are so many fun festivals and events in the USA year round. These will form some of your best memories on your USA travels. Do your research to find one that aligns with your passions and interests. Look for lessor known events as well. Here are some of the most well known events in the USA.
SPRING
- NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL: Washington D.C. (March)
- SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST: Austin, TX (March)
- ST PATRICK'S DAY: Chicago (March 17th)
- JAZZ FEST: New Orleans (April)
- BEALE ST MUSIC FEST: Memphis (May)
SUMMER
- BONNAROO MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL: Tennessee (June)
- CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL: Chicago (June)
- GAY PRIDE: Nationwide (June)
- INDEPENDENCE DAY: Nationwide (July 4th)
FALL
- BURNING MAN FESTIVAL: Nevada (Sept)
- WORLD OF BLUEGRASS: Raleigh, NC (Sept/Oct)
- HALLOWEEN: Nationwide (Oct 31)
- THANKSGIVING: Nationwide (4th Thursday Nov)
WINTER
- NEW YEARS EVE: Nationwide (Dec 31st)
- MARDI GRAS New Orleans (Feb/March)
- SUPERBOWL: Nationwide (Feb)
- SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL: Park City, UT (Jan)
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WHAT REGION IN THE USA ARE YOU PLANNING TO VISIT?
The USA is divided into six main geographical regions. Click the image to head straight to our tips and resource guides for the region you are planning to visit. You can also keep scrolling down to choose based on a state level.
FEATURED VIDEO
WHAT USA STATE ARE YOU INTERESTED IN?
When we think of the travel experiences you can have in the USA, we think of the word DIVERSITY. In fact, you could almost rename it the United States of Diversity.
From the beaches to the mountains, big cities to the small towns, national parks, deserts, lakes, great food, music, sports and the arts, there is something here for everyone.
With a total of 50 states the USA is a BIG country. But each state feels quite different from the next, both in landscape and culture. We've been traveling the USA in-depth for three years on short USA road trips, weekend getaways, and a 12 month RV trip across the country.
And with so many things to experience when you visit the USA, we know that it might sound a bit overwhelming. But that’s where we come in, your personal USA travel advisors.
FOLLOW OUR CURRENT ADVENTURES
Travel has been the focus of our life since 1997 - intentionally.
We don't plan on stopping that. We now have a base in Raleigh, NC - after being granted a Green Card for our extraordinary ability in the art of travel blogging.
We will continue to explore more of the US but also intend on traveling further abroad - Europe, South East Asia and Central and South America.
We can't wait to share more of our favorites as we experience them.
Be sure to join our free VIP email community - form below for loads of free US travel planning resources.
And connect with us on social for live udpates!
FREE USA TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDES
Want help planning your USA travels? Our free VIP email community gets access to a range of checklists, tipping guides, and itinerary ideas. All easy to print off and follow PDF formats! Fill in the form to join
ALL USA ARTICLES
Beaufort, NC – Pirate town and Place of many Treasures
“Did you hear they’ve finally got the name right, Hal? Callin’ it by it proper name now ‘Bow-fort’ instead of ‘Bew-fort’ like they do down there in South Carolina.” The gray-haired lady, blue apron covering […]
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