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Travel guide · Coasts, parks and legendary road trips

Travelling to the United States

Skyscrapers, national parks, beaches and roads straight out of a film. We tell you when to go, what to see in each city, what to eat and what’s worth knowing before you go through border control.

Updated 19 October 2026 · How we make our guides

  • Best time: from March to November
  • Where to eat: the neighbourhood food hall
Photo: Unsplash

United States in 30 seconds

  • The months with the fewest warnings to travel to the United States are from March to November.
  • Tip 15–20% in restaurants.
  • To eat like a local: the neighbourhood food hall. Don’t leave without trying: Burger, Barbecue (BBQ), New York-style pizza.

United States in November

Yes: November is a good time to travel to the United States. Our data shows no weather or seasonal warnings that month.

November is one of the months when people search most for travelling to the United States: book early. More destinations for November

When to travel to the United States

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to the United States are from March to November.

  1. Jan with warnings
  2. Feb with warnings
  3. Mar no warnings
  4. Apr no warnings
  5. May no warnings
  6. Jun no warnings
  7. Jul no warnings
  8. Aug no warnings
  9. Sep no warnings
  10. Oct no warnings
  11. Nov no warnings
  12. Dec with warnings

More destinations for those dates: where to travel in March · where to travel in April · where to travel in May · where to travel in June

  • from December to February

    Cold winters in the north

    In the Northeast and in Chicago winter is cold, with snow and icy winds.

    What to do: Dress in layers and bring waterproof shoes; on the plus side, it’s Christmas season in New York.

What to see in the United States

The cities and areas most worth your time, with their highlights. Open each one for all the places, where to stay and its day trips.

  • New York
    New York

    New York

    Skyscrapers, neighbourhoods that are worlds of their own, Central Park and Broadway: the city that never sleeps, at Christmas too.

    • Central Park
    • Times Square
    • Brooklyn Bridge
    • The Met
    New York guide
  • Miami
    Miami / Florida

    Miami

    White-sand beaches, art deco on Ocean Drive, street art in Wynwood and lots and lots of Spanish.

    • Ocean Drive
    • Wynwood Walls
    • Vizcaya
    • Everglades (day trip)
    Miami guide
  • Orlando

    Orlando

    The theme park capital of the world: Disney, Universal and SeaWorld, with the Kennedy Space Center an hour away.

    • Walt Disney World
    • Universal Orlando
    • SeaWorld Orlando
    • Kennedy Space Center
    Orlando guide
  • Los Angeles
    West Coast (California)

    Los Angeles

    Hollywood, surf beaches, hills with views and a huge city best explored by car.

    • Santa Monica Pier
    • Griffith Observatory
    • Getty Center
    • Venice Boardwalk
    Los Angeles guide
  • Las Vegas
    Western national parks

    Las Vegas

    Casinos, shows and the glittering Strip, in the middle of the desert and a few hours from the Grand Canyon.

    • Las Vegas Strip
    • Fremont Street
    • Red Rock Canyon
    • Bellagio Fountains
    Las Vegas guide
  • San Francisco
    West Coast (California)

    San Francisco

    Impossibly steep hills, cable cars, the Golden Gate in the fog and neighbourhoods like Chinatown and Haight-Ashbury.

    • Golden Gate Bridge
    • Alcatraz
    • Painted Ladies
    • Ferry Building
    San Francisco guide
  • Washington DC
    East Coast (short)

    Washington DC

    The capital: monuments and the free Smithsonian museums along the National Mall.

    • National Mall
    • Smithsonian Air & Space
    • Lincoln Memorial
    • Capitol
    Washington DC guide
  • Chicago

    Chicago

    The city that invented the skyscraper, with Lake Michigan stretching out like a sea and deep-dish pizza.

    • Millennium Park
    • River boat trip
    • Art Institute of Chicago
    • Willis Tower
    Chicago guide
  • Boston
    East Coast (short)

    Boston

    The most European city in the United States: the history of independence, Harvard across the river and New England seafood.

    • Freedom Trail
    • Harvard Yard
    • Fenway Park
    • Harborwalk
    Boston guide
  • New Orleans

    New Orleans

    Jazz on every corner, the French Quarter with its iron balconies and a Creole cuisine like no other.

    • French Quarter
    • Frenchmen Street
    • Jackson Square
    • Garden District
    New Orleans guide
  • Grand Canyon

    Grand Canyon

    A canyon almost two kilometres deep carved by the Colorado River, one of the most breathtaking landscapes on the planet.

    • South Rim
    • Mather Point
    • Desert View
    • Rim Trail
    Grand Canyon guide
  • Honolulu · Oahu
    Hawaii

    Honolulu · Oahu

    Hawaii’s capital, on the island of Oahu: Waikiki, Diamond Head crater and Pearl Harbor.

    • Waikiki Beach
    • Diamond Head
    • Pearl Harbor
    • North Shore
    Honolulu · Oahu guide
  • Maui
    Hawaii

    Maui

    The island of waterfall-lined roads, Haleakalā volcano and humpback whales in winter.

    • Road to Hana
    • Haleakalā
    • Molokini snorkelling
    • Kāʻanapali Beach
    Maui guide
  • San Diego

    San Diego

    Beaches, Balboa Park, the most famous zoo in the US and a mild climate all year round, right next to Mexico.

    • Balboa Park
    • San Diego Zoo
    • La Jolla
    • Gaslamp Quarter
    San Diego guide
  • Seattle

    Seattle

    The city of the Space Needle, Pike Place Market and Mount Rainier in the background.

    • Space Needle
    • Pike Place Market
    • Chihuly Garden and Glass
    • Museum of Pop Culture
    Seattle guide
  • Yellowstone

    Yellowstone

    The world’s first national park: geysers, colourful hot springs, bison and bears.

    • Old Faithful
    • Grand Prismatic Spring
    • Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
    • Lamar Valley
    Yellowstone guide
  • Yosemite

    Yosemite

    Granite walls like El Capitan and Half Dome, waterfalls and giant sequoias in California.

    • Tunnel View
    • El Capitan
    • Half Dome
    • Yosemite Falls
    Yosemite guide
  • Philadelphia

    Philadelphia

    The birthplace of the United States: Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and the Rocky Steps.

    • Independence Hall
    • Liberty Bell
    • Philadelphia Museum of Art
    • Reading Terminal Market
    Philadelphia guide
  • Key West

    Key West

    The last of the Florida Keys, at the end of the road across the sea, with colonial houses, Hemingway’s house and sunsets.

    • Southernmost Point
    • Hemingway House
    • Duval Street
    • Mallory Square
    Key West guide
  • Nashville

    Nashville

    The capital of country music: bars with live music on Broadway and the Grand Ole Opry.

    • Broadway
    • Grand Ole Opry
    • Ryman Auditorium
    • Country Music Hall of Fame
    Nashville guide

Day trips and activities

What’s most worth booking from each city. We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

From New York

From Miami

From Orlando

From Los Angeles

From Las Vegas

From San Francisco

From Washington DC

From Chicago

From Boston

From New Orleans

From the Grand Canyon

From Honolulu · Oahu

From Maui

From San Diego

From Seattle

From Yellowstone

From Yosemite

From Philadelphia

From Key West

From Nashville

Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them, Bagintravel may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

What to eat in the United States

To eat like a local: the neighbourhood food hall, and order whatever the city’s speciality is or a diner breakfast. And don’t leave without trying:

  • Burger

    Every city has its own way of making it; the roadside diner version is a classic.

  • Barbecue (BBQ)

    Meat smoked for hours; Texas, Kansas City, the Carolinas and Memphis each have their own style.

  • New York-style pizza

    Large, thin slices that you fold to eat on the go.

  • Lobster roll

    A New England lobster sandwich, typical of Boston and Maine.

  • Gumbo and jambalaya

    Creole and Cajun stews from New Orleans, with rice, seafood and spices.

  • Diner breakfast

    Pancakes with syrup, eggs any style, bacon and bottomless coffee.

The typical dish of the United States, at home

Classic burger
Photo: Len Rizzi (photographer) · Public domain

Classic burger

The quintessential American dish: grilled minced beef, melted cheese, a soft bun, lettuce, tomato, onion and gherkins. The version served in old-school diners.

  • Serves 4
  • 30 min

Ingredients

  • 600 g minced beef with 20% fat (chuck or flank)
  • 4 burger buns (brioche or potato)
  • 4 slices of cheddar or American cheese
  • 1 tomato and 1 onion
  • Iceberg lettuce
  • Gherkins
  • Ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise
  • Salt and pepper

How to make it at home

  1. Divide the meat into 4 balls without overworking it and flatten them into patties a little wider than the bun, with a dip in the centre.
  2. Toast the buns, cut side down, on the griddle.
  3. Season the meat with salt and pepper just before cooking and cook it on a very hot griddle for 3 minutes on each side.
  4. Put the cheese on top for the last minute and cover so that it melts.
  5. Assemble: bun with sauces, lettuce, the patty with cheese, tomato, onion, gherkins and the top of the bun.

The trick: Don’t press the meat with the spatula while it cooks: the juices escape.

The typical food of each city, with a recipe

Curious facts about the United States

What guidebooks don’t tell you and will help you understand the country better.

  • It’s one of the countries with the most Spanish speakers in the world: in Miami, Los Angeles or New York you’ll be understood in Spanish in many places.
  • Prices are shown before tax: sales tax is added when you pay and varies from state to state.
  • Tips are part of people’s wages: in restaurants with table service around 20% is normal, and you also tip in bars, taxis and hotels.
  • In most of the country you can turn right on a red light after stopping, unless a sign says otherwise (but not in New York City).
  • It has more than sixty national parks; Yellowstone, the first, was also the world’s first national park.
  • Miles, feet, pounds and degrees Fahrenheit are used: 70 °F is about 21 °C.

Traditions of the United States

Customs and celebrations that will help you experience the country like a local.

  • Fourth Thursday in November Thanksgiving

    The big family meal with turkey: airports and roads fill up. The next day is Black Friday.

  • December Christmas in New York

    The Rockefeller Center tree, the ice rinks and the Fifth Avenue window displays.

  • 4 July Independence Day

    Barbecues, parades and fireworks all over the country.

  • 31 October Halloween

    Decorated houses, costumes and children trick-or-treating; New York has a big parade through the Village.

  • February Super Bowl

    The American football final, watched at home and in bars with food to share.

What not to do in the United States

First-trip mistakes that are easy to avoid.

  • Don’t go to the airport without an approved ESTA (or a visa) if you need one: without it they won’t let you board.
  • Don’t drink alcohol in the street or in public places: it’s banned in most cities.
  • Don’t leave a restaurant without tipping: there it’s considered part of the bill.
  • Don’t underestimate the distances: there are many hours of driving between cities and national parks.
  • If the police pull you over while driving, don’t get out of the car: stay inside with your hands on the wheel.
  • Don’t travel without health insurance: healthcare is very expensive and your home country’s public cover won’t help you there.

Before you go

Entry requirements depend on your passport and change: always check them with official sources before travelling.

  • Entering the country

    Visas, electronic authorisations and health requirements for the United States depend on your nationality. Check your government’s official travel advice and the embassy before you book.

    UK: foreign travel advice (GOV.UK) US: travel advisories (travel.state.gov)
  • Traveller tips

    Tip 15–20% in restaurants.

    Uber/Lyft in cities.

    National parks: timed entry or an annual pass.

Frequently asked questions about the United States

What people search for most before travelling to the United States.

What’s the best time to travel to the United States?

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to the United States are from March to November.

What to see in the United States in a week?

The essentials of the United States: New York, Miami, Orlando, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. How many places fit into your days, and in what order, depends on your dates and how you get around: the Bagintravel app plans your trip day by day in a minute.

What to eat in the United States?

Burger, Barbecue (BBQ), New York-style pizza, Lobster roll, Gumbo and jambalaya, Diner breakfast. To eat like a local: the neighbourhood food hall.

What is the typical dish of the United States?

Classic burger. The quintessential American dish: grilled minced beef, melted cheese, a soft bun, lettuce, tomato, onion and gherkins. The version served in old-school diners.

What should you not do in the United States?

Don’t go to the airport without an approved ESTA (or a visa) if you need one: without it they won’t let you board. Don’t drink alcohol in the street or in public places: it’s banned in most cities. Don’t leave a restaurant without tipping: there it’s considered part of the bill.

What’s the weather like in New York at Christmas?

Cold: it’s usually around freezing, with wind and the odd snowy day. It’s worth it for the atmosphere around the Rockefeller Center tree, the skating rinks and the window displays. Dress in layers and wear comfortable, waterproof shoes.

How much should you tip in the United States?

In restaurants with table service, around 20% of the bill before tax; in bars, something for each drink, and also in taxis, hotels and on guided tours. It’s part of the wages of the people serving you.

Do you need a car to travel around the United States?

Not in New York, Chicago, Boston or Washington: you get around by subway and on foot. For the western national parks, Florida or the California coast, a car is almost essential. Bring an International Driving Permit too, as some rental companies and some states ask for one.

Is it worth travelling to the United States in November?

Yes: November is a good time to travel to the United States. Our data shows no weather or seasonal warnings that month.

Bagintravel · We travel together

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Guide reviewed 19 October 2026. Seasonal data, places and areas: the same ones the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.

Photos: cover, Unsplash. New York, Dllu (CC BY-SA 4.0). Miami, Matthew T Rader (CC BY-SA 4.0). Orlando, Rstoplabe14 Carlos Cruz (CC BY-SA 3.0). Los Angeles, Gnaphron (CC BY-SA 2.0). Las Vegas, Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz) (CC BY-SA 4.0). San Francisco, Radomianin (CC BY-SA 4.0). Washington DC, Architect of the Capitol (Public domain). Chicago, Spatms (CC BY-SA 4.0). Boston, Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA (CC BY 2.0). New Orleans, Tim Wilson from Blaine, MN, USA (CC BY 2.0). Grand Canyon, Tuxyso (CC BY-SA 3.0). Honolulu · Oahu, Jokazoo (CC0). Maui, lamoix (CC BY 2.0). San Diego, Roman Eugeniusz (CC BY-SA 3.0). Seattle, Daniel Schwen (CC BY-SA 4.0). Yellowstone, Dietmar Rabich (CC BY-SA 4.0). Yosemite, Diliff (CC BY-SA 3.0). Philadelphia, Mys 721tx (CC BY-SA 3.0). Key West, Radomianin (CC BY-SA 4.0). Nashville, Antony-22 (CC BY-SA 4.0).