Grand Canyon
A dramatic canyon carved over millions of years by the Colorado River, among the most spectacular and most photographed natural landscapes in the entire country.
United States of America
From New York to San Francisco and the Grand Canyon in between, the United States offers a mosaic of landscapes, cities and cultures to explore through a road trip or an urban getaway, across a remarkably vast territory.
- 1 city
Why visit the United States?
The United States combines iconic metropolises, protected national parks and varied coastlines across a vast territory. Each region has its own identity, from the Arizona desert to the Pacific Northwest forests, making for very different trips depending on the state.
What to discover in the United States?
Major American cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco bring together museums, historic neighborhoods and some of the most vibrant cultural scenes in the world. Each has its own architectural identity and pace, from New York skyscrapers to Californian beaches and iconic suspension bridges, not to mention a food scene shaped by the many communities that built each city over the decades.
Beyond the cities, the country has an exceptional network of national parks: Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon and the Everglades offer remarkably varied protected landscapes, from geysers to canyons and tropical wetlands. The open spaces are especially well suited to road trips, whether along the Pacific Coast, on Route 66, or across the deserts of the Southwest. This geographic diversity goes hand in hand with a cultural mosaic shaped by successive waves of migration, visible in the food, music and local traditions of each region, opening up countless possible itineraries depending on interests and trip length.
Cities to visit in United States of America
Featured destinations appear first.
United States of America in pictures
Highlights
A few essentials to help plan your discovery of the United States.
New York City
Skyscrapers, world-renowned museums and iconic neighborhoods for an intense urban experience, from Manhattan to Brooklyn and across the city's historic bridges.
National parks
Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Everglades protect ecosystems found nowhere else, accessible via an extensive network of hiking trails suited to every skill level.
Route 66
A historic highway linking Chicago to California across more than three thousand kilometers, a timeless symbol of the American road trip through several iconic states.
California coast
Beaches, dramatic cliffs and coastal towns along the Pacific Coast Highway, from San Francisco to San Diego, for a road trip filled with varied panoramas.
New Orleans
A city with a one-of-a-kind musical and culinary heritage, shaped by French, African and Creole influences visible on every street of its historic quarter.
Practical information
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
- Area
- About 9,834,000 km²
- Population
- Over 330 million people
- Language
- English (no official federal language)
- Currency
- US Dollar (USD)
- Time zone
- From UTC-10 to UTC-5 depending on the region
- Climate
- Highly variable by region, from continental to desert
- Best season
- Spring and fall for most regions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit the United States?
It really depends on the region visited: spring and fall are pleasant across most of the country, while winter suits the south better and summer is ideal for northern regions and high-altitude national parks.
Do you need a visa to travel to the United States?
Many visitors can travel under the ESTA program for short tourist stays, subject to eligibility based on nationality and a valid passport. It is recommended to check requirements before departure.
How do you get between major cities?
Flying remains the fastest option over long distances between metropolises, while a rental car allows you to explore national parks and scenic routes at your own pace, free from fixed schedules.
Is the United States suited to a road trip?
Yes, the country has an extensive road network and many iconic routes, such as the California coast or Route 66, ideal for a multi-stop journey across remarkably varied landscapes and several distinct regions.
Which national parks are best for a first visit?
Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon are among the most accessible and most representative of the country's diverse natural landscapes, with well-developed infrastructure for visitors of every experience level and age.
Is tipping mandatory in the United States?
Tipping is a common practice in restaurants and certain services, usually between 15 and 20 percent of the bill, even though it remains technically optional depending on the establishment and region visited.
Plan your trip to United States of America
Day-by-day itinerary, budget, bookings and packing in a single app.
